ENGLISH
The Middle School English curriculum has four main components: writing, vocabulary study, grammar, and speech.
- Writing - With the growing importance of communication skills in our society, our writing program offers abundant experience in practicing the major writing styles, including narrative, expository, persuasive, creative, etc.
- Vocabulary - Our vocabulary curriculum offers exposure to words that foster maturity in both writing and reading, as well as excellent preparation for upcoming PSAT/SAT assessments.
- Grammar - We dedicate class times to grammar instruction in order to enhance reading and writing abilities, as well as nurture editorial skills.
- Speech - It is so important to allow practice in public speaking to teach speech organization and time awareness, as well as critical sense of ease when speaking in front of others.
MATH & SCIENCE
The math program at Calvary is accelerated compared to other math programs as students are expected to complete Algebra 1 prior to graduating eighth grade. While being a rigorous program, students are taught in a way that strives for understanding rather than rote memorization. To make math more enjoyable, we make sure to balance our time of written work with engaging group activities and online games that are educational.
In science, we are tackling the same task of understanding versus memorizing information as well. We do weekly labs and demonstrations to ingrain various concepts into our students' brains by making the information from a textbook come to life. The students also have the wonderful opportunity to participate in a school wide science fair each year.
SOCIAL STUDIES & BIBLE
Our middle school students' Social Studies curriculum includes ancient history (6th grade) and a two part look at United States history (7th and 8th grade). These history courses utilize interactive and hands-on ways to understand key events in our history and examine the ways we have seen "God shed His grace on thee."
Our middle school students' Bible curriculum includes an Old Testament survey (6th grade), New Testament survey (7th grade), and a focus on Biblical Worldviews (8th grade). As a result, students gain a deeper understanding of the loving heart of the Father, the redeeming work of the Son, the empowering of the Holy Spirit, and the saving power of the cross.
LITERATURE
The students will be exposed to various genres in literature throughout the year, with the end result being twofold: (1) the students will enjoy reading books they might not normally select and (2) the students will gain a better understanding of the types of genre in literature. Ultimately, it is our desire and goal to instill a love of reading within each student. In addition, the students will explore the literary devices authors use in their writings and learn to use them in their own writings. The students will also explore and analyze literary elements within all selected novels that will be read throughout the year. This will be accomplished through a host of individual, group, paired and closed reading activities.
LINKS OF INTEREST
Summer Reading & Supply List