Middle School Course Offerings

This course meets and in many instances exceeds the standards set forth by national and state standards for the sixth-grade year. The sixth grade standards are arranged into units that will extend their knowledge and understanding of elementary topics into applicable skills as they transition into upper grades. The Standards for Mathematical Practice are a key component as they are applied in each course to equip students in making sense of problems and building a set of tools they can use in real-world situations. The elementary grades focused on concepts, skills, and problem solving related to addition and subtraction, multiplication and division of whole numbers, and fractions. In grade 6, the focus is on ratios and proportional relationships, and early algebraic expressions and equations.

Sixth Grade Reading is an interactive process that involves thinking, questioning, discussing, rereading, and responding to texts. In Making Meaning lessons, carefully selected nonfiction and fiction read-aloud texts provide a platform for rich discussions as students encounter increasingly complex texts and build vocabulary. Lessons intentionally integrate academics with social skill development, creating an environment where students learn to collaborate, agree, and disagree respectfully and take responsibility for their own learning.

We use the Jane Schaffer writing program, which is designed as a scaffolding technique to foster and enhance the clarity and organization of student writing. Students often struggle with the “blank page” and the Schaffer structure offers them a tangible and straightforward basis for clear, concise and insightful writing. The Schaffer format also provides for a common language to be shared across the curriculum and is meant to be used in every subject where writing is required. In middle school and high school, this common language is especially beneficial for students and teachers. Grammar skills are enhanced in a separate class.

Ancient world history provides students with a global perspective that evaluates connections and changes over time. The course examines the geographical, cultural, political, and socio-economic connections among the peoples of the ancient world. Moreover, the course emphasizes critical thinking, analytical skill development and a Christian worldview to help students contemplate complex concepts with a grounding in Christian faith and values.

Science consists of a way of thinking and investigating, as well as a growing body of knowledge about the natural world. This course provides an engaging discovery experience as students explore the universe, bodies of water, weather, and geology. Students will be encouraged to consider all of this content in terms of the value beyond the classroom. Students will also explore Animation as a way to demonstrate mastery in this course and others.

This course combines reading and writing disciplines by emphasizing the importance of creating a community where students can learn and share. By reading units that include nonfiction and fiction texts, students learn comprehension and self-monitoring strategies that proficient readers use to make sense of texts. Writing instruction utilizes the Jane Schaffer  writing program, which is designed as a scaffolding technique to foster and enhance the clarity and organization of student writing. Students publish argumentative, narrative, and informative pieces throughout the year.

U.S. History is a required year-long survey course that focuses on major events in American History. Students will continue their study of United States history from the years past and grow as informed citizens.  Students will be able to locate, analyze, and synthesize information related to social studies topics.  They will apply information to solve problems and make decisions.  We will use primary and secondary sources to view multiple perspectives in order to fully understand the motivation of people and events that have shaped our nation.  Students will participate in a variety of research projects and will practice the writing skills necessary to write well-developed answers for constructed response-type questions.  Students will also learn how to use maps to retrieve information and use a variety of sources to answer questions. Thematically, students will analyze the growth of and challenges to freedom within the United States, the changing role of the United States in the world, and the evolution of American economic power.

Using an inductive approach to science education, this course provides an atmosphere in which students can continue to learn to explore the world of science through a variety of activities. By incorporating differentiated classroom instruction, class discussion, technology, and lab activities, students will become even more familiar with experimentation and the scientific method, manipulating scientific equipment in lab settings, and analyzing and communicating scientific data. The topics covered in this course include laws of energy, motion, and gravity, states and classification of matter, an introduction to chemistry and chemical reactions, electricity and magnetism, electromagnetic and sound waves, and energy resources.  Throughout the year students are required to: practice safety in lab procedures, develop science processing skills, establish a working vocabulary of science terms, explore science concepts utilizing reference and technological resources, and develop an appreciation of all God’s creation through scientific theory.

This course weaves the study of biblical worldview together with the study of Christian leadership.  The course will be an ongoing examination of various worldviews alongside a survey of godly leadership traits, with the goal of learning how to identify biblical truth and lead others toward it.  Students will use John Maxwell’s 21 Qualities of Leaders in the Bible to analyze biblical figures who demonstrated leadership, to discuss how to stand for truth in an ever-changing world, and to be challenged on how to grow personally in a student’s area of influence.  Students will learn about historical Christian leaders and watch films related to the leadership traits being studied.  Units will conclude with a project that analyzes the implementation of those traits in a real life setting.  Throughout the course, students will build a portfolio of profile pages highlighting known or historical leaders.  As a means of practical application, students will be given the opportunity to implement leadership skills through an ongoing mentor partnership with the children of the Murray Academy (PreK3-4) on campus.