Jr. High - Academic Overview

BIBLE

GRADE 7

TEXT: New International Version - Bible
Case for Christ – Lee Strobel
Counter Cultural Christians – Tracey D. Lawrence

Students will study the evidence for the belief in Jesus Christ in order to effectively understand and defend their faith. Emphasis will be given to developing a Christian worldview. (Various learning methods will be used: power point lectures, group work, videos, etc.)

GRADE 8

TEXT: New International Version - Bible
Case for Faith – Lee Strobel
Becoming a Contagious Christian – Mittlberg, Strobel, Hybels
Lightbearers – A Biblical Christian Worldview Curriculum for Middle Schools – Summit Press
How To Be Your Own Selfish Pig – Susan Schaeffer

Students will study the evidence for their faith in Jesus Christ by answering some of the most common questions asked about God. Students will continue to develop a Christian worldview. (Various learning methods will be used: power point lectures, group work, videos, etc.)

HISTORY (WORLD)

GRADE 7

TEXT: History of Our World – Prentice Hall

Students study various world civilizations, from the fall of Rome to the Great War of 1914-1918 (WWI). The learning process occurs through the use of various methods including discussion, debate, lecture, journal, videos, political cartoons, cartography and other projects.

HISTORY (UNITED STATES)

GRADE 8

TEXT: The American Nation (Prentice Hall)

Eighth graders study the development of American history and culture from colonization of the Americas to the conclusion of the Great War in 1918 (WWI). As part of the learning experience, students travel to the East Coast to visit many historical sites, including Washington, D.C., Gettysburg, New York City, and Williamsburg. Students experience discussion, debate, lecture, journal writing, research, re-creation of historical ephemera, cartography and videos to aid them in learning about their nation, while preparing for high school and college.

LANGUAGE RELATED SUBJECTS

GRADE 7

SUBJECT: English/Literature

TEXT: The Language of Literature (7) (McDougal Little)

The student will learn to analyze, appreciate, and enjoy a great variety of fine literature. He/she will develop skills in comprehension, vocabulary, writing, critical thinking, research, speaking, and listening.
Writing Step Up to Writing – Level 2 (Sopris West)
Students will develop writing skills using the Step-Up-To-Writing method. They will investigate the elements of expository/narrative writing while applying the “6+1 traits” of good writing. Grammar skills will continually be reviewed.

GRADE 8

SUBJECT: English/Literature

TEXT: The Language of Literature (8) (McDougal Little)
Vocabulary Vocabulary Workshop (Sadlier, Inc.)

MATHEMATICS

GRADE 7

SUBJECT: PRE-ALGEBRA

TEXT: Pre-Algebra (CA Edition) (Prentice Hall)

The textbook covers all content mandated by the California standards, with an emphasis on working with numbers and equations and understanding the underlying mathematics principles.

Students are placed in math classes according to ability.

GRADE 8

SUBJECT: PRE-ALGEBRA

TEXT: Pre-Algebra (CA Edition) (Prentice Hall)

The textbook covers all content mandated by the California standards, with an emphasis on working with numbers and equations and understanding the underlying mathematics principles.

GRADE 8

SUBJECT: ALBEGRA I

TEXT: Algebra I (CA Edition) (Prentice Hall)

The textbook covers all content mandated by the California standards, with an emphasis on writing, solving, and graphing linear and quadratic equations. Mathematical reasoning is interwoven throughout.
Students will be placed in pre-algebra or Algebra I, according to the course completed in seventh grade.

SCIENCE

GRADE 7

TEXT: California Life Science (Prentice Hall)

Students will use the scientific method to study the classification, structure, and behavior of living things, emphasizing evidence of
supernatural design. Learning will be reinforced by lab work and fieldtrips.

GRADE 8

TEXT: California Physical Science (Prentice Hall)

Students will study Physical Science and participate in activities to help them learn what God has said about non-living things including matter, energy, the chemical elements and chemical reactions, motion and forces and astronomy. Learning will be reinforced by lab work and fieldtrips.

COMPUTER SCIENCE

GRADES 7 & 8

(Semester class – may be taken both semesters)
TEXT / SOFTWARE: Microsoft Word (Version XP)
Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing v 11
File Management (teacher created material)
Microsoft Power Point (Version XP)
Microsoft Publisher
Microsoft Excel
Typing Master

Students receive 45 minutes of instruction per day in the computer lab. The first semester covers typing for fine-tuning of keyboarding skills, Microsoft Word for word processing, Publisher for design and Power Point.

The second semester focuses on digital camera use, enhanced Power Point, and Adobe Photoshop Elements.

Note: Our Computer Lab has a PC platform maintained by a Novell Network. We have access to the Internet through the network, which enables students to receive “hands on” instruction. Students are permitted time on the Internet for projects under teacher supervision. We use Internet filtering software for inappropriate material. We also maintain a variety of state of the art peripheral equipment for use in the lab.

Jr. High Elective Overview

ART

Grades 7 & 8

(Semester class – may be taken both semesters.)

TEXT: Our Christian Heritage in Art (Kathryn L. Bell, 1999)
Reading Pictures (Lucy Rosenfeld, 1991)
Let’s Meet Famous Artisits (T.S. Denison & Co., 1991)
Teaching Art the Easy Way (Rainbow Artist’s Press, 1995)
300 Lessons in Art (J. Weston Walch, 1981)
Meet the Masterpieces (Bobby Chertok, 1992)
Academic Overview Revised 1/28/2008 Jr. High
Art Lessons for Middle School (J. Weston Walch, 1992)
Discovering Great Artists (Mary Ann F. Kohl, 1996)
God and Christian Artists (Barry Stebbing, 1999)
Scholastic Magazine (Scholastic Inc.)
Emphasis Art (Wachowiak, Harper and Row, 1985)
Elementary/Middle School Art Teacher (Helen D. Hume, 2000)

Students will increase their knowledge of the elements and principles of art and become familiar with an increased variety of media and techniques. Students will learn to understand and appreciate art from certain styles, time periods, and cultures. Students will learn to see the beauty of God’s world and express and emulate this beauty in their own art work.

YEARBOOK

Grades 7&8
(Year Class)

Students will design and construct the school yearbook through the use of Adobe Pagemaker and Photoshop.

INTERMEDIATE ACTING

Grades 7&8
(Year Class)

This class is designed for students who want to learn the basics of acting and how to have more confidence in front of an audience. The class covers relaxation and trust exercises, character, body and vocal development, basics of stage directions and body positions, stage terms, scene work, and audition processes. This is a “learn through doing” class. All students will be expected to participate in all activities. The class will perform before the school at least twice a year.
(This class is offered one period only and limited to no more than 14 students.)

ADVANCED ACTING

Grade 7 & 8 only
(Year Class)

This class is designed for students who have had previous acting classes or experience who want to have a more in depth study of acting techniques and performance. This is a performance class. All students will perform in a one act play during the first semester and a full length play during the second semester. They will write and perform in an on-camera commercial as their final project.
(This class is offered one period only and limited to no more than 14 students.)

TEACHER ASSISTANT

Grades 7&8
(Semester Class – can be taken both semesters)

This elective provides an opportunity for students to assist teachers in the classroom. Students will help in various capacities such as correcting papers, tutoring, working with reading groups, etc.
(Number of students assigned to this class depends on number of teachers requesting help.)

BAND

Grades 7&8
(Year Class)

If you have at least two years experience playing a band instrument (brass, woodwind, or percussion) then come and join the band! You will improve the playing technique of your instrument, and become a better musician by sight-reading new music. You will also develop listening skills by playing in an ensemble. We play traditional band repertoire as well as contemporary songs, marches, and hymn arrangements.

This performing ensemble will have opportunities to play for various school events.

(This class is offered one period only.)

STRING ENSEMBLE

Grades 7&8
(Year Class)

If you have at least two years experience playing a string instrument (violin, viola, cello, or bass) then come and join the String Ensemble. You will improve the playing technique of your instrument, become a better musician by sight-reading new music, and develop listening skills by playing in an ensemble. We play music from the classic tradition as well as carols, hymns, and worship songs. This ensemble will have opportunities to play for various school events.
(This class is offered one period only.)

SPANISH

Grades 7
(Year Class)

TEXT: Bienvenidos (D.C. Heath & Co., 1992)

This first year of Spanish will introduce the students to the basics of the Spanish language. They will develop skills in both written and spoken Spanish comprehension through different reading materials, vocabulary, grammar and listening activities. Learning experiences will be enhanced by class project, introduction to Hispanic art and fieldtrips.

SPANISH

Grades 8
(Year Class)

TEXT: Dia a Dia (D.C. Heath & Co., 1992)

This second year of Spanish is designed for those who have successfully completed their first year of Spanish. The students will have a more in-depth study of the Spanish language. They will be introduced to a wide variety of topics including practical everyday life situations. During the second year, emphasis is placed on developing oral skills through audio material and more “hands-on” teaching time.

STUDY HALL

Grades 7&8

This class is offered for those students who want, or need, extra study time during the school day. Students will be expected to bring work on a daily basis and be a productive member of the class, allowing themselves and others to use the time wisely.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Grades 7&8
(Year Class)

We believe that physical education is an important part of our total educational process, and is highly emphasized at Calvary. The overall goal of our P.E. program is to have each student be physically fit and to instill a desire to maintain life long physical fitness through exercise and sports. It is also our goal to prepare the students with a broad understanding in a variety of sports, teaching the value of teamwork. Each day in P.E. high moral attitudes and good sportsmanship, along with respect to the teachers and their peers will be expected from each student, centering on living a godly life.

If your student would be involved in our after-school sports program, please be aware that they would miss a lot of class time due to away game schedules. Keeping up in the more academic electives will require extra effort.