MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADE OVERVIEW

The Middle School endeavors to meet individual needs of 6th, 7th and 8th grade students through aggressive academic, athletic, elective, and service programs. All academic classes offer voluntary accelerated contracts, which are available to each student. Exploratory electives allow exposure to numerous fine arts classes as well as academic electives for those students desiring intensive continuation of classroom experiences.

BIBLE:
7th Grade
Bringing glory to God and revealing his nature through our lives becomes our purpose as we study the living word that reveals his wonderful and complete plan for our lives. Students will acknowledge the God of eternity, as they look into the life of our lord and redeemer, Jesus Christ. They will study the scriptures, looking at the life of Christ as they develop and understand the relationship between God and man. Students will be better readers by reading carefully and asking the right questions. Students will learn how to read the Bible by thoroughly studying each type of literature in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. They will also learn how to inductively study the Bible. They will have the tools to read and study the Bible on their own without fully relying on others to tell them what the text says.

8th Grade
Students will be equipped with a solid Christian perspective on life issues. Students will be able to understand, identify and explain in a practical way God's will, self-image, loneliness, parents, sex, dating, temptations, peer pressure, discipleship, honesty, cliques, and breaking bad habits. Students are given opportunities to study the Bible and to use clear principles from scripture in solving life's problems. The students develop skills, which they use throughout their lives, including how to have a meaningful quiet time with God. Doctrinal issues such as God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, regeneration, sanctification, grace, evangelism, and missions are understood and applied.

ENGLISH:
(READING COMPREHENSION, SPELLING, GRAMMAR, POETRY, CREATIVE WRITING)
7th Grade
Students will be challenged to communicate with God on a new and deeper level throughout their English study. The mastery of skills presented will reveal the nature of God and allow the student to experience a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Students will be exposed to various forms of literature and be able to recognize the author's purpose and design for writing. More instructional time will be spent in informational reading and development of study as well as reference skills. Students will develop skills leading to mastery in grade appropriate spelling and vocabulary words as well as in the mechanics of grammar and punctuation. There will be more emphasis on oral communication skills as well as writing (in various forms) multi-paragraph essays, short stories, and poems.

8th Grade
The students will master the essential English skills to gain freedom in communicating with God and others. Students will study various styles of literature and recognize the author's purpose and design for writing. They will develop stronger study and reference skills. Students will also develop skills leading to mastery in grade appropriate spelling and vocabulary words, as well as in the mechanics of grammar and punctuation. The mastery of these skills will be evident in the students' own writings. Students will develop oral communication skills.

HISTORY/SOCIAL STUDIES:
7th Grade
TEXAS HISTORY
The students will examine the nature of God as revealed through the study of social studies. Students will develop convictions about God's Word as it relates to state history and define their responses to it. Through the study of Texas history, students will develop attitudes, values and skills for citizenship. Students will master facts of the exploration, colonization, political as well as social history of Texas. Students will also master geography facts and methodology of economic growth. Students will analyze, synthesize, and evaluate social studies skills, including social relationships such as family and church.

8th Grade
WORLD GEOGRAPHY
The students will examine the nature of God as revealed through the study of social studies. Students will develop convictions about God's Word as it relates to World Geography and define their responses to it. The students will examine the nature of God as revealed through the study of social studies. Students will develop convictions about God's Word as it relates to World Geography and define their responses to it. The student will be able to explain the influence of physical features and the distribution of natural resources on population movements, patterns of settlement, and economic development. Name and locate the major physical features of the United States. Describe the geographical areas that were acquired to form the United States. Locate the major geographical regions of the United States. Describe the themes of geography (Location, place, human environmental interactions, movement, and regions). Define geographic terminology. Explain the use of geographic tools and methodologies and their uses in various forms. Compare and explain the relationship between earth and sun and the effects of the relationship on physical processes. Locate and describe the major landforms, climate patterns, and vegetation features of the earth and the processes that produce them. Describe the physical and human processes (e.g. geological, hydrological, atmospheric, biological) that shape the earth's features in the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. Explain the interrelationships of people and their environment (e.g. how people interact to obtain resources to meet wants and needs such as communications, trade transportation; how people adapt to and modify the environment; how modifications and adaptations are influenced by the characteristics of the environment). Explain the economic importance of water, energy sources, and other natural resources to regions. Compare and describe the agricultural base and land use patterns of regions in the developed and the developing regions of the world. Explain the effects of technology on the environment. Describe the physical setting of world regions. Describe the world and regional population characteristics and patterns (e.g. distribution, density, growth, movements). Explain the distribution of cultural characteristics (e.g. languages, religions/belief/worldview systems, political/economic systems, social institutions). Name and describe the major cultural, political, and economic activities within and among major world regions. Determine the absolute and relative location of important political units and physical features on the earth's surface. Explain the geographic influences on various issues. Translate information from one medium to another. Explain the multiple causes of events in communities, past and present. Analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information. Draw conclusions. Develop criteria for making judgments. Explain cause-effect relationships. Utilize visual materials (e.g., charts, maps, graphs, timelines, and pictures). Organize (data to support or refute a viewpoint). Explain why some things are valued more in some groups and cultures than others. Describe the societal values that affect individual beliefs and attitudes.

SCIENCE:
EARTH SCIENCE
Students will examine the nature of God in their journey to understand the world in which they live. They will explore the written truth and its relationship to the natural world- His creation. Students will develop the concept that the Bible and the findings of Science do not conflict. They will master science skills to accurately acquire, classify and measure data. Students will also be able to communicate, predict, and make inferences about relationships between objects and events. Students will apply operational definitions of objects, organisms, actions, events, and processes based on observations and information. They will gain knowledge of principles, theories, facts, and concepts related to observations, processes, and outcomes in an earth science investigation.

LIFE SCIENCE
The nature of God is seen through his creation. The complexity and order that God has given the world as students closely examine, understand and manipulate his creation will awe students. Students will find that the evidence identified by science can only be fully understood with a biblical perspective. Students will be able to use grade appropriate skills to accurately acquire, classify and process the world in which they live. They will become more proficient in designing grade level scientific investigations, gathering data, processing information and drawing appropriate conclusions. Students will apply operational definitions of objects, organisms, actions, events, and processes based on observations and information. They will gain knowledge of principles, theories, facts, and concepts related to observations, processes, and outcomes in an life science investigation.

PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Students will study the physical evidence that God is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. They will continue to develop skills in the use of the scientific method. Through the testing of scientific laws and principles using the scientific method, students will continue to gain greater insight as they study the order and design of God's creation, enabling them to compare the truth of creation with false philosophies such as evolution. Further, students will be presented with the facts that will enable them to accept that the Bible is the infallible source of truth with which to compare one's observations. Students will recognize through investigation of topics such as meteorology, oceanography, chemistry, geology, and physics the thoughts of the Creator through the intricate structure and orderly function of His creation. Furthermore, students will recognize that the field of science is not merely for the purpose of knowledge, but so that mankind might benefit by learning how to extend man's God-given dominion and make better use of creation. As a result of the acquisition of the scientific knowledge obtained regarding environmental issues, students will be able to become better stewards of God's creation through application such as tending, managing, and conserving the resources entrusted to man by God.

MATH:
7th & 8th Grade Pre-Algebra
Students will examine the nature of God as they progress in their understanding of mathematics. They will see God's nature revealed in the order and precision of the real number system and its subsystems. Students will understand the absolute consistency of mathematical principles and know that God was the inventor of that consistency. Mathematical study will result in a greater appreciation of God and His works in creation. Students will solve mathematical and logic problems using problem solving tools. Students will apply the concept of variables as they write and simplify algebraic expressions. Students will explore the basic operations as applied to integers and rational numbers. Students will explore the solutions of equations and inequalities. Students study the basic relationships of fractions, decimals, and percents. Students will study various graphic displays of statistics. Students will identify geometric figures and classify angles. Students will find area of polygons, prisms, cylinders, pyramids, and cones. Students will find simply probability.

8th Grade Algebra I
Students will examine the nature of God as they progress in their understanding of mathematics. They will see God's nature revealed in the order and precision of the real number system and its subsystems. Students will understand the absolute consistency of mathematical principles and know that God was the inventor of that consistency. Mathematical study will result in a greater appreciation of God and His works in creation. Students will apply the concepts of variables as they write and simplify algebraic expressions. Students will explore the basic operations as applied to integers and rational numbers. Students will apply the process of mathematical modeling to real-world problem situations. Students will make the connection between algebraic equations and geometric models and graphs. Students will analyze, solve, and graph linear equations and inequalities. Students learn to use algebraic methods to solve systems of linear equations and inequalities. Students will master the skills necessary to perform operations with monomials and polynomials. Students will learn to solve and graph quadratic equations. Students will build on their understanding of fractions to simplify and solve rational expressions.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION:
The students will know that they are able to glorify God through their physical abilities. The students will learn how the abilities that God has given them can be used to glorify Him. They will realize that by giving their best effort and completing a task they honor the Lord. They will know their own abilities, as well as the abilities of their fellow students. The students will understand how body movement, rhythm, time, and space relate to their personal lives. The students will explore and develop a fit body through various forms of activities including cardiovascular and aerobic workouts. Students will focus on age appropriate individual and team games and drills. They will see how God has created beauty through physical activity performed well. Students will cultivate habits that help them maintain a physically fit body throughout their lives.

FINE ARTS:
ART
Students will understand that art is a gift from God designed for His worship. Students shall develop perceptual and creative expression skills. Students will develop and organize ideas from the environment. Students will express ideas through original artworks, using a variety of media with appropriate skill. They will express their creative understanding of art through the effective use of art media and tools in design, drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture. Students will be introduced to the history and cultures of art and develop an appreciation for various art forms. Students will make informed judgments about personal artworks and artworks of others. They will understand how to interpret, evaluate, and justify artistic decisions in personal artworks, and select and analyze original artworks, portfolios, and exhibitions by peers and others to form precise conclusions about formal qualities, historical and cultural contexts, intents, and meanings. Students will develop mental skills of concentration, memorization, and mental discrimination. They will develop leadership abilities by becoming diligent, taking responsibility, and cooperating with other students. Students will gain an understanding of art theory and proper technique. They will gain aesthetic growth through biblical concepts in discrimination and judgment of art forms and concepts.

CHOIR
Students will understand that music is a gift from God designed for His worship. Students shall develop perceptual and listening skills. They will express their creative understanding of music through vocal performance and worship. Students will be introduced to the history and culture of music and develop an appreciation for choral music. They will understand how to select the best music. Students will develop mental skills of concentration, memorization, and mental discrimination. They will develop leadership abilities by becoming diligent, taking responsibility, and cooperating with other students. Students will increase in their physical conditioning and cultural growth. Students will develop the ability to make musical value judgments through critical listening. Students will gain an understanding of Music theory and proper vocal technique.

BAND
Students will understand that music is a gift from God designed for His worship. Students shall develop perceptual and listening skills. They will express their creative understanding of music through performance and worship. Students will be introduced to the history and culture of music and develop an appreciation for instrumental music. They will understand how to select the best music. Students will develop mental skills of concentration, memorization, and mental discrimination. They will develop leadership abilities by becoming diligent, taking responsibility, and cooperating with other students. Students will increase in their physical conditioning and cultural growth. Students will develop the ability to make musical value judgments through critical listening. Students will gain an understanding of Music theory and proper instrumental technique.

THEATER ARTS
Students will understand that they have theatrical gifts from God. These gifts are to be used in worship to Him. Students shall develop spatial awareness, which includes body movement and positioning in relation to the stage. They will express creativity in a variety of theatrical activities such as improvisation, puppetry, reader's theater, and characterization. They will develop the voice by participating in dialogues, monologues, skits, role-playing, and story telling. Students will understand the value of aesthetic appreciation in theatrical realms. They will understand the need for effective evaluation and what merits correct and useful criticism. They will understand the history of the theater and stage and the religious elements that have contributed throughout the years. Students will develop mental skills of concentration and memorization. They will develop leadership abilities by directing other students to a desired outcome using the skills of cooperation, organization, and patience. They will gain growth in their abilities as a thespian through an encouraging environment that is based on sound biblical principles. They will learn to express themselves in ways that glorify the Lord.

TECHNOLOGY:
They will acknowledge that God is concerned about the details of our life and wants us to give attention to details as well. They will use technology wisely, recognizing that true wisdom comes from a right relationship with God. Students will be able to demonstrate effective use of computer applications. They will understand the value of well-presented written and technological communication in influencing people. Students will recognize that perseverance and orderliness are qualities that bring forth fruit spiritually and practically. Students will demonstrate effective use of the Internet. They will understand the laws governing use of the technology and commit to obeying them.

OTHER LANGUAGES:
SPANISH
Students will understand that God gave them the ability to speak and understand other languages.

In learning a second language, they will learn to (in the second language):
¨ Say uplifting words of praise to God and others.
¨ Take turns speaking.
¨ Communicate with courtesy
¨ Use their speech to glorify God
¨ Give their name, phone number, and birthday
¨ Answer yes and no questions
¨ Describe pictures in simple words and phrases

They will know that God gave them the ability to hear. Students will understand basic listening is important. They will become aware that God listens to them regardless of what their indigenous language may be. Students will discriminate between letters, money, and numbers from other symbols, objects, and figures respectively. Students will develop their acuity skills by being able to listen to and correctly identify sounds. They will be able to name and match environmental sounds. They will also be able to repeat several items in correct sequence. Students will participate in conversational dialogue and begin to develop an association between the spoken and written word.