5th - 8th Grade
Our Grades 5-8 classroom is structured to assist students in preparation for high school and beyond. Students build on the foundational skills previously laid, continue to make use of cooperative learning, gain confidence in problem-solving and making decisions, and work toward more self-sufficiency. In addition, the classroom teaches and fosters respectful and courteous peer interaction, socialization in multiple environments, and self-discipline for effective time management. We have a well-rounded curriculum that creates a solid foundation for lifelong learning. All subjects are taught in the light of God’s Word to ensure a Biblical view of the world.
Every student has access to their own Chromebook when required. Google Slides, Docs, and Sheets are taught and used, as well as guided research and proper typing technique.
Our classroom includes learning extras focused on art, science, math, vocabulary, and more. Physical education, music, and art are each taught once a week. Below are more details.
Curriculum
Language Arts: Classes continue the work of creating a desire for and a love of literacy. Implemented practices to help reach this goal include: large group read-alouds, small grade level group reading lessons, use of vocabulary in context, and independent reading practice. Students continue building on prior skills of decoding new, unfamiliar words, as well as using text to support understanding. Different genres of literature are read and explored. This creates an opportunity for students to compare and contrast texts, and to build an understanding of story structure, characters, and cause and effect. It also encourages students to infer and predict as they read, to form conclusions, and to analyze and evaluate text. Students practice sequencing events, summarizing, and using text and graphic features. They learn to identify an author’s purpose and point of view, a text’s main idea and supporting details, and theme. In addition, students work on word patterns, Latin and Greek roots, derivational words, and vocabulary in spelling. These skills and procedures carry over into daily writing practice. Writing instruction focuses on grammar, conventions, and parts of speech, with an emphasis on writing composition. Students are instructed in and practice cursive handwriting in the Zaner-Bloser style. Work in reading is carried out using Houghton Mifflin Journeys in Grade 5, Prentice Hall Literature Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes in Grades 6-8, and novels. Work in grammar and writing relies on Houghton Mifflin English for Grades 5-8.
Math: Using instructional videos, manipulatives, and some hands-on activities, students are introduced to, learn, practice, and begin to understand various mathematical concepts. Grades 5-6 concepts include: place value to billions, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division with whole numbers, fractions, and decimals, interpreting data and graphs, geometry (solid figures, plane figures, congruency, symmetry, transformations, polygons, lines, angles, perimeter, area, volume), measurement (customary and metric) and measurement conversion, ratio, proportion, percent, integers, and algebraic expressions. Grades 7-8 concepts build skills in preparation for Algebra. These concepts include: integers and operations with integers, expressions and equations, inequalities, rational numbers, real numbers, decimals, fractions, ratios, percent, data analysis and statistics, geometry (angles and angle pairs, transversals, polygons, constructions, perimeter, area, Pythagorean theorem, circumference, surface area, volume), sequences, linear and nonlinear functions, ratios, proportions, and polynomials. Algebra I is available for students who have successfully completed both pre-Algebra levels. Students solve word problems and different types of equations. Our classrooms use Sadlier-Oxford Progress in Mathematics.
Social Studies: Interactive activities and explicit instruction help students learn about and understand how social studies, history, and geography are connected. Topics introduced and studied are: early American cultures and indigenous peoples, ancient civilizations, ancient Asian and African empires, the medieval world, explorers, Spanish, English, and French colonization, colonial life, the American Revolution, the roots and organization of government, the Constitution, the rights and responsibilities of being a good citizen, United States government and Presidents, westward expansion, regions of the United States, the Industrial Revolution, the Civil War and reconstruction, immigration, the World Wars, and significant eras in American history. In addition, students practice various skills in reading, understanding and using maps and other reference items, reading and interpreting charts and graphs, and thinking. Scott Foresman Social Studies The United States and The World for Grades 5-6 and Prentice Hall American Nation for Grades 7-8 serve as the guides to classroom instruction.
Science: Using explicit instruction along with experimentation and hands-on labs, students will explore, connect to, and learn how scientists work, the role and various uses of technology in the world around us, the engineering process, cells, heredity, body systems, reproduction, plants and animals, ecosystems, Earth’s resources, changes to the Earth’s surface, oceans, the solar system, changes in and properties of matter, forces, simple and compound machines, energy, electricity, light, sound, and motion. Our classrooms use Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Science Fusion.
Word of God: Using the Bible, Concordia’s One in Christ and Living in Christ catechism, students learn how God created the world and each person, and above all, how God promised and provided a Savior from sin, and how God continues to care for His people today and through eternity. Students continue learning about the Triune God, the life of Jesus, the redeeming work of Christ and His resurrection from the dead, as well as the eternal blessings received through faith in Christ. Catechism focuses on the six chief parts of Biblical doctrine. Students in Grades 7-8 attend catechism class with the Pastor. Students also learn songs and hymns that teach Biblical truths and memorize portions of Scripture to build and encourage them in their walk of faith and in their life.
