Middle School Courses

This course examines the wisdom found in the Old Testament book of Proverbs. God’s practical instruction, expressed in short expressions of truth throughout the text, builds discipline and discernment and it yields pragmatic principles for everyday living.

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This course is designed to reveal the major characters and events in the historical parts of the Old Testament. It demonstrates the unity of Scripture through the theme of redemptive history: the creation by God, the fall of man, and the redemption in Christ.

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This course surveys the life of Christ. The four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, provide the chronology. The emphasis is upon Jesus’ identity and mission and man’s need to respond to Him.

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This class will explore how actors prepare, rehearse, audition, and perform differently in front of the camera as compared to a stage production. They will hone their acting techniques through on camera scenes and monologues. Students will learn to calibrate their performances based on shot sizes and angles, eye lines, hitting their mark, and physical and emotional commitment and continuity. Students will be assigned scenes from TV and Film as well as original works to study and film in this class. Other techniques include the difference between commercial, episodic (comedy and drama), documentary reenactment, web series and feature film acting.

The 7th/8th grade Advanced Middle School Band/Orchestra is comprised of members who have successfully completed one year in the Beginning Middle School Band. 6th graders may be added to the roster at the director’s discretion upon completion of an evaluation of the students abilities and with the understanding that the student will participate in private lessons to develop the skills necessary to successfully meet the challenges of higher levels of music. Students should have their own instruments, either owned or rented as Heritage-owned instruments are limited and may not be removed from the school property. Members of the Advanced Band/Orchestra members are strongly urged to take lessons to continue to develop their skills. Membership in musical ensembles requires a high level of personal commitment and responsibility to ensure integrity in the organization as each member is vital to the ensemble.

Building on the foundational skills gained in STEM Lab, Advanced STEM Lab: Design, Innovate, Compete is an advanced hands-on elective that delves deeper into experimental design, engineering principles, and scientific inquiry. Students will engage in extensive project work and hands-on experiences in class, applying critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills to real-world challenges.

Prerequisite
Completion of STEM Lab elective or pre-approval from instructor, and a B or better in science on the most recent semester report card.

The Beginning Middle School Band consists of 6th grade students who have completed 5th Grade Band and 7th and 8th grade students who have not yet had beginning band experience. Students enrolled in the Beginning Middle School Band will develop higher levels of musicianship and performance skills built upon those they have already mastered. Students should have their own instruments, either owned or rented as Heritage-owned instruments are limited and may not be removed from the school property. Beginning students are encouraged to pursue private lessons to assist them as they strive to participate at the 6th grade Intermediate level. These skills are necessary to move on to the Advanced Middle School Band/Orchestra and high school ensembles.

This class is intended to explore the creative nature in each student. Students will be encouraged to use inspiration and interests to develop fundamental concepts in every aspect of creative design. Several design techniques will be utilized. Students will be exposed to airbrushing and woodburning concepts, project design, project development and construction. This course will prepare students for high school level Wood Design, Studio Art, Ceramics, Robotics, and beyond. A lab fee will be assessed for this course.

Students are introduced to many dance styles and techniques. Students will focus on physical exercise and movement while being able to recognize an array of dance styles such as jazz, ballet, hip hop, tap, modern, contemporary, and Latin styles and steps taught through the Zumba cardio routine. Other exercise programs are also introduced such as (Hallelujah) Yoga, cross-fit, and calisthenics. Students will have a few opportunities to perform dances learned throughout the semester. They will also work in groups to put movement together learning basic choreography principles.

Class Dress Code Black exercise pants or shorts are needed along with a solid color or Heritage T-shirt. Tennis shoes are required, and dance shoes are welcomed.

This course is being offered as an elective or in replacement of PE.

Middle School Drama provides students with creative and improvisational games to improve performance and group skills.  Students will work collaboratively to produce a class play performed at the end of the semester. Individuals are considered separate, but the majority of the work is group-oriented.  Learning will occur through movement activities and acting games, field trips, and the creative process.

MEASURABLE LEARNING OUTCOMES – Students will be able to:

• Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work
• Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation
• Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work
• Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work
• Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art
• Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural and historical context to deepen understanding

Class Resources

The Middle School Choir is a mixed chorus for sixth, seventh and eighth grade students.  This course is designed to prepare students for admission into the High School Concert Choir, which is a high level, advanced ministry ensemble. Students will investigate all styles of choral music spanning history.  They will learn proper vocal technique, performance practices, singing in multiple parts, and the principles of the ensemble.  Students will perform two major concerts per year and participate in festivals, competitions and ministry opportunities.

This is an audition-based class. Auditions take place in May, dates TBD. There are two teams within the class, a hip-hop spirit team and an elite technical team. Students will need prior dance experience and commitment to the year program. Dancers will come to the team with training and will continue to train in flexibility, style, turns, leaps, and intricate choreography. Students will have multiple opportunities and requirements to perform at football and basketball games as well as musicals and concerts. This class meets in the summer to prepare for the season. The class purchases costumes/shoes worn for shows as well as spirit uniforms worn on campus for game days.

The dress code for class/ rehearsals is black exercise pants or shorts, along with a solid color or Heritage T-shirt. Tennis shoes are required, and dance shoes are welcomed.

This course is being offered as an elective or in replacement of PE.

In STEAM 1, along with valuable Study Skills training, students delve into basic keyboarding skills, engage in simple word processing using Google Docs, and gain familiarity with Google Slides, Google Sheets, Google Sites, and Google Drawings. Additionally, they are introduced to foundational coding using the Scratch programming language.

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Advancing to STEAM 2, the STEAMS curriculum reaches an intermediate level, incorporating more extensive coding and graphic design components. Students deepen their proficiency in Google suite applications, including Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, Drawings, and Sites. Furthermore, they are introduced to Adobe suite programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and Animate.

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The journey continues in STEAM 3, where students build upon their prior skills, preparing for high school-level courses in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. Proficiency is developed in Google suite applications, including Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, Drawings, and Sites. Additionally, students work with Adobe suite programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and Animate to enhance their creative and technical abilities.

Welcome to the exciting world of STEM Exploration! In this hands-on middle school science class, students will embark on a dynamic journey through the realms of research methods and experimental design across various scientific domains. From biology to physics and chemistry, learners will engage in a diverse range of experiments, honing their skills in research methods, hypothesis formulation, data collection, critical analysis, and results communication. Through interactive projects, they will discover the thrill of scientific discovery, and gain a deeper understanding of the scientific method and its applications. Enroll in this dynamic course as we empower young minds to become the scientists of tomorrow, fostering a love for experimentation and inquiry that will last a lifetime.

Students work to perfect reading and language skills through an integrated curriculum of reading, composition, spelling, grammar, and punctuation. They are taught introductory research skills. An anthology and literary works are used as reading texts. Journals are used for personal reflection.

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Students work on oral and written communication skills. Through the process of instructing, modeling, and student responding, progress will be measured and encouragement given so that each student will attain the highest level of personal success. Topics covered in grammar and composition are: paragraph construction, punctuation, capitalization, sentence patterns and structure, parts of speech, the writing process, and study skills. Literature will look at a variety of materials, including poetry, drama, short stories, novels, and fables. Students will experience literary terms, comprehension, vocabulary development, and book reports.
Honors classes are available for those that have a 3.5 GPA or higher. To be determined by the Counselor.

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This course focuses on two key areas: mastering the grammatical aspects of writing and enhancing reading skills. Students will learn to write clear, grammatically correct sentences using a variety of structures, leading to effective paragraph development.

In addition to writing, the course encourages a habit of reading through exposure to a wide range of novels, helping to strengthen reading skills and comprehension. A unit on poetry and short fiction further develops creativity, writing, thinking, and reading abilities.

Honors classes are available for students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher, as determined by the Counselor.

Class Resources

This course is designed for those students requiring some strengthening of their fundamental arithmetic skills and a slower pace in acquiring a solid foundation in Algebra. Together, Algebra 1A and Algebra 1B will satisfy the graduation requirement. This course meets one-half of the Algebra 1 graduation requirement.

Prerequisite
A grade of “C” or better in Pre-Algebra.

Class Resources

This course is designed to give a basic background in the techniques and topics of classical algebra. In this class, students will receive a foundation in fundamental operations with real numbers and variables. Students will begin to use formal proofs and will study topics including solutions of equations and inequalities, graphing linear functions, working with functional notation, operations with polynomials and verbal problem-solving.

Prerequisite
Pre-Algebra in 7th grade or earlier having earned a grade of “B” or better in both semesters.

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This course is the second year of the two-year Algebra sequence described in Algebra A above. Together, Algebra 1A and Algebra 1B will satisfy the graduation requirement. This course meets one-half of the Algebra 1 graduation requirement.

Prerequisite
Must have passed both semesters of Algebra 1A.

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This course provides an extension of the concept of a formal proof, develops logical thinking, covers the foundations of Euclidean Geometry, and will develop coordinate geometry including the in-depth study of lines.

Prerequisite
A grade of “C” or higher in previous math course.

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This course focuses on numerical reasoning and provides a strong foundation for algebra readiness. The course is an integration of math concepts with real life application. Topics covered include whole numbers, graphs and data, connecting arithmetic to algebra, decimals, measurement, patterns and number theory, adding and subtracting fractions, multiplying and dividing fractions, geometry of polygons, integers, ratio, proportion, percent and probability.

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This course is designed to answer the question “When will we ever use this?” It provides skills and applications from statistics, probability and geometry in the world around us. The course begins preparing the student for the challenge of pre-algebra. Throughout the year students continue to sharpen basic skills in functions, decimals and percentages. Students learn how these concepts will be used in pre-algebra. Combined with numerical reasoning, this course provides the readiness skills to prepare students for entrance into pre-algebra.

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This course is designed to prepare the student for success in Algebra 1 by emphasizing abstract math skills and logical thinking processes. The majority of the course work involves equation solving, properties of algebra, operations of integers learning to write and solve algebraic equations. Special attention is given to understanding the step-by-sep process of problem solving. Geometric ideas are reviewed or introduced throughout.

Prerequisite
A passing grade in Middle School Math 6 or Math 7. 

Class Resources

French 1 is a beginning course of the French language utilizing the skill of listening, speaking, reading, and writing as well as developing an appreciation of the culture which produced that language.

Prerequisite
8th graders who take this course must have a minimum 3.2 GPA and a grade of “B” or better in the most recent English course.

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This introductory course to the French language is designed for beginners and aims to provide a foundational understanding of French vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. Students will explore basic conversational phrases, common greetings, and essential expressions used in everyday situations.

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This is a year-long course designed to introduce the students to different languages and cultures around the world. We will dabble in German, French, and Spanish, as well as Greek and Latin roots while learning the geography of countries that speak these languages. At the end of this course, the students will have a better understanding of language as a whole and be able to make an educated choice on which language to take in high school.

Students will develop skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in the target language, as well as acquiring the ability to function in the world where Spanish is spoken. Course work will consist of grammatical exercises, dialogues, skits, and short compositions; students will use memorized materials in simple statement or question form (e.g., greetings, numbers, time, dates, weather, activities, preferences, feelings, possessions, money, past times). Use of Spanish for instruction will increase progressively throughout the year.

Prerequisite
8th graders who take this course must have a minimum 3.2 GPA and a grade of “B” or better in the most recent English course.

Class Resources

Students are introduced to many dance styles and techniques. Students will focus on physical exercise and movement while being able to recognize an array of dance styles such as jazz, ballet, hip hop, tap, modern, contemporary, and Latin styles and steps taught through the Zumba cardio routine. Other exercise programs are also introduced such as (Hallelujah) Yoga, cross-fit, and calisthenics. Students will have a few opportunities to perform dances learned throughout the semester. They will also work in groups to put movement together learning basic choreography principles.

Class Dress Code Black exercise pants or shorts are needed along with a solid color or Heritage T-shirt. Tennis shoes are required, and dance shoes are welcomed.

This course is being offered as an elective or in replacement of PE.

This course covers skills, rules, and strategies of a variety of individual and team sports. Students will have the opportunity to improve their current fitness level and be taught the importance of a lifetime commitment to fitness. Each student will be encouraged to find a sport that may be used in life long fitness. Sweatpants are recommended for cold days.

This is an audition-based class. Auditions take place in May, dates TBD. There are two teams within the class, a hip-hop spirit team and an elite technical team. Students will need prior dance experience and commitment to the year program. Dancers will come to the team with training and will continue to train in flexibility, style, turns, leaps, and intricate choreography. Students will have multiple opportunities and requirements to perform at football and basketball games as well as musicals and concerts. This class meets in the summer to prepare for the season. The class purchases costumes/shoes worn for shows as well as spirit uniforms worn on campus for game days.

The dress code for class/ rehearsals is black exercise pants or shorts, along with a solid color or Heritage T-shirt. Tennis shoes are required, and dance shoes are welcomed.

This course is being offered as an elective or in replacement of PE.

Earth Science allows students to take a detailed look at the planet God created for us and the processes that have shaped it. During the course, students will be exposed to important concepts in astronomy, meteorology, geology and physical oceanography. Earth science is designed to provide the students with an understanding of the Earth as it relates to life, physical, and environmental science. The program focuses attention on the general characteristics of the earth and also the constantly changing dynamics of our planet.

Class Resources

Life Science students’ study the major branches of the subject matter including: cell physiology, microbiology, botany, zoology, human anatomy, physiology, and genetics. These are God’s building blocks that unfold through the course. Throughout the year, the students investigate the features, functions, and relationships among representative organisms in the five kingdoms. Activities or labs that follow scientific methods are integrated specifically for the material being studied.

Honors classes are available for those that have a 3.5 GPA or higher. To be determined by the Counselor.

Class Resources

Physical science is a course which explores elementary concepts and principles of chemistry and physics with emphasis placed on the process and activities of the physical sciences. Areas of study and activities include scientific measurement, properties of matter, basic atomic theory, periodic table relationships, chemical reactions, force, motion, energy, and principles of chemistry and physics. Emphasis is on use of the scientific method, critical thinking, process and problem solving skills, math and graphing skills.

Honors classes are available for those that have a 3.5 GPA or higher. To be determined by the Counselor.

Class Resources

This course begins with an intensive review of the major issues and events proceeding the founding of our nation. Students then concentrate on the major events in U.S. history from the framing of the Constitution through the Civil War. The general categories covered will include colonial heritage, the new nation, the U.S. Constitution, sectional development in the U.S. from 1780-1850, the causes and consequences of the Civil War and the rise of industrial America. Included throughout will be a study of U.S. geography and various social science skills, such as reading charts and graphs.

Honors classes are available for those that have a 3.5 GPA or higher. To be determined by the Counselor.

Class Resources

This introductory class deals with the beginnings of history and civilization. Students study all of the cultures in the sixth grade book, from Mesopotamia to the Middle Ages. This is a foundation course for other history classes at grades 7 and 9. Research skills, note-taking skills, and map/graph reading skills are emphasized.

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World History 7 is a survey of the history of the Middle Ages and continues to the Twentieth Century. The course begins with a review of the materials covered in sixth grade. Topics covered in the course include the Byzantine Empire, the rise of Islam, Europe during the dark ages, medieval India, China, Korea and Japan. Pre-Colombian America and African civilizations are also covered. This course requires reading skills, spelling skills, map reading skills, and note taking skills.

Honors classes are available for those that have a 3.5 GPA or higher. To be determined by the Counselor.

Class Resources