BIBLE
Bible 5: Old Testament, Part II
This course is a survey of the Old Testament—Ezra through Malachi. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the Bible’s major content, structure, and themes. Students will also do a character study of the major figures in these books. In addition, students will achieve a greater understanding of the nature of God and his love for us, leading up to the coming of the Messiah. Learning the geographical areas of the world during the writing of the Old Testament will help students better understand ancient world history as well.
(Semester Course)
ENGLISH
English 5
This course covers various genres of literature, recognizing the elements of fiction including character, setting, and plot. Basic reading concepts are strengthened while improving analytical and critical thinking skills. The writing process is based on the Six Traits Writing Model. The six traits, content, word choice, voice, organization, sentence fluency, and conventions, are applied in narrative, expository, and persuasive writing. The students are introduced to 5 paragraph essays and research process as well.
(Full Year course)
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Phenomenon of Language, Part I (Grade 5)
Students will develop Latin grammar skills, digging deeper into the grammatical features of this inflected language, where case endings are of central importance. They will develop a stronger understanding of verb forms (e.g., tenses, infinitives, impersonal verbs, imperatives), build skills with two cases of Latin nouns, and begin to study other parts of speech (e.g., Latin prepositions). The class continues to devote considerable time to building Latin vocabulary and identifying English derivatives. The class will also devote equal time to strengthening English grammar and vocabulary.
(Full Year Course)
HISTORY
World History (Grade 5)
This course looks at two of the most developing parts of the world—Africa and China. Students will study both the ancient and modern histories of these areas including their culture, people, and geography. Each unit begins with a historical survey of a region, and then explores its contemporary religious, economic, and political systems. As students are introduced to the origins and philosophies of these civilizations, they will learn to recognize how these principles manifest themselves in all facets of society. Current events will play an exciting role in this course, as students observe the modern application and relevancy of the respective cultural values.
(Full Year Course)
MATHEMATICS (Students will be tested/placed in the appropriate level)
Math 5 – Harcourt School Publishers
This course emphasizes the development of a strong foundation in computational skills upon which to build concepts of properties within each operation, and in equation writing that will enable students to be successful in higher levels of mathematics. Problem solving strategies are stressed within each of these topics of study: whole numbers, decimals, fractions, measurement, statistics, geometry, simple algebra, and graphing.
(Full Year Course)
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Physical Education 5/6
The Physical Education program comprises the training of the body so that the important developmental skills of our students are practiced and strengthened. Some of these skills include running, jumping, throwing, balancing, batting, catching, net skills, racquet skills, and dribbling. Implementation of these skills provides the necessary building blocks for the broader goals of the P.E. program such as cardiovascular fitness, musculoskeletal fitness, eye /hand coordination, body control, tracking, upper body strength, balance, eye/foot coordination, and lower body strength. Children are encouraged to engage in physical activity in order to develop a desire to maintain a healthy lifestyle by practicing physical fitness throughout life. The P.E. program also addresses the character issues that are involved in sports and sports-related activities, such as respect, teamwork, cooperation, leadership, safety, initiative, sportsmanship, trust, and winning and losing. Students are taught that they have been given a unique and special body by God and as stewards of that gift it should be cherished and cared for. 2011-12 PE.
(Semester Course)
SCIENCE
General Science (Grade 5)
The course is an inquiry-based curriculum that explores life and physical sciences. The topics in life science include cells, classification of living things, animal growth and heredity, and the body systems. Physical science covers matter, classification by properties, atoms, elements, and compounds. The Scientific Method is incorporated in all the areas of investigation and experimentation.
(Full Year Course)
FINE ARTS/PERFORMING ARTS
MUSIC
Guitar (Grades 5-8)
Middle School students will learn the fundamentals of guitar technique. By the end of the semester, they will be able to perform songs in a variety of music styles in small ensembles and as a group. (Semester Course)
Vocal Ensemble (Grades 5-8)
The primary goal of this course is to rehearse and perform as an ensemble. Students will study many styles of choral music to give them a variety between sacred and secular music, unison and part singing, classical to pop. The rehearsals will emphasize the improvement of vocal skills, sight-reading, listening skills, ensemble singling, working with the changing male voice, music history and theory. The Ensemble performs throughout the year in the Christmas program, Grandparents’ Day, the Spring concert, chapel services, and other special events.
(Semester Course)
THEATER
Theater (Grades 5-8)
This course will introduce basic acting skills through storytelling and character study. Students will gain an understanding of the importance of expression through words and body, participating in a variety of exercises and forming constructive criticism of actors from clips of theatrical presentations that will be shown in class. Throughout the semester, students will put their new skills to use by performing a wide range of characters in monologues, short skits, and scenes that will be presented in class.
(Semester Course)
VISUAL ARTS
Visual Arts (Grades 5-8)
This course seeks to encourage careful observation, and to teach a solid understanding of the elements of art and the successful use of the principles of design in composition. This course will also develop skill in the use of a variety of media, differentiate kinds of paintings and sculpture, introduce great works of art and the artists who created them, provide opportunities for engaging museum experiences, foster an appreciation of fine art, make interdisciplinary connections, stimulate critical thinking skills and experience the joy of the creative process.
(Semester Course)
Online Newspaper/Yearbook (Grades 5-8)
Students will split their time working on the school's yearbook and also on "The Eagle," the school's student run online newspaper.
(Semester Course)