Middle School Curriculum
English Language Arts
Students will become effective communicators through reading, writing, speaking and listening in order to convey God’s story.
Children learn to read and write by reading and writing; therefore, SCS uses the workshop approach for reading and writing. In the workshop approach, students participate in a mini lesson and then are off to read and write for extended amounts of time, with the teacher providing one-on-one conferencing to enhance student skills.
WRITING
Writing includes instruction in writing narrative, informational, and opinion pieces through the use of mentor texts and self-assessment. Grammar study is an integral part of our writing curriculum.
READING
Through the study of fiction and nonfiction, students deepen literal and interpretive comprehension and become discerning, lifelong readers.
SPEAKING/LISTENING
Grades 5-8 learn and practice speaking skills by participating in classroom and regional presentations of speeches, both published scripts and their own written speeches.
Math
Students will persevere to reach their God-given potential through problem solving, critical thinking, and collaborative real life applications.
Mathematics helps us see the order and beauty of God’s creation and thus of God Himself. Therefore, mathematics derives its purpose, meaning, and value from God. Mathematics does not exist in isolation, but rather has clear connections with all aspects of God’s creation. Teachers use teaching methods that actively engage students’ minds and bodies, and discuss in their classes how the surrounding cultures view mathematics and how a Christian perspective differs. Teachers foster an attitude of appreciation for mathematics as a gift from God.
Students participate in a 40 minutes daily math class where the mathematical practices are applied and the standards are taught for each specific grade level.
HIGHLIGHTS:
6th Grade: Ratios and proportional relationships; early expressions and equations7th Grade: Ratios and proportional relationships; arithmetic of rational numbers
8th Grade: Linear algebra and linear functions
Opportunities for intervention and challenges are provided. Production Period and Study Place are times outside of math class for students to ask questions to gain better understanding. Students also have the opportunity to participate in the Lakeland University and Trinity Christian College math meets twice a year.
Science
Sheboygan Christian School science engages students in God’s creation through discovery and investigation so that they may marvel in and transform the world.
Science is the systematic study of God’s creation. To accomplish this SCS uses a balanced approach of instruction, demonstration, observation, inquiry, and hands on learning.
Middle School science focuses on three broad areas of study. 6th grade students study physical science; 7th grade students focus on life science; 8th grade students study earth and space science.
Bible
Students will grow in their knowledge of scripture resulting in a heart for God and His world.
The Bible is God’s Word; it is light and truth. God reveals His plan of salvation to us and His will of how to live our lives through His word. We must first recognize our sin and how Jesus Christ has come to tabernacle and dwell among us. God desires to see us living as faithful servants seeking to witness, transform, and restore His creation into a right relation with Him.
The 6th grade Bible curriculum covers the lives of the patriarchs, Israel’s delivery from Egypt, the journey to Canaan, the conquests, Judges and Ruth, and Israel’s early monarchy under David.
The 7th grade Bible curriculum addresses the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah, the days of exile, the return from captivity, and the time between the Old and New Testaments.
The 8th Bible curriculum is totally immersed in the life of Jesus Christ. The study begins with Christ’s baptism and study in close details the life and words of Jesus Christ through his speeches, parables, and miracles. Considerable time is spent in Passion Week studying the great gift of salvation and the life eternal we receive through his resurrection. 8th grade students are challenged to participate in Bible topics discussions which address various issues present in 21st Century America. These topics include fashions, music, movies, euthanasia, abortion, capital punishment and many more.
Social Studies
Students will encounter God’s call to obedient living, develop data-based arguments, evaluate culture on biblical principles, and become God’s agents of justice.
The most important focus to our history and social studies curriculum is for the child to understand the unfolding of God’s plan in the events of the world. From Creation until the present, God is guiding and directing the affairs of man. All of history is a study of God’s guiding hand in the day to day events of the entire world. Students should learn to recognize how sin has impacted human relationships. The most important events in the history of mankind were the Creation by God through His Son, the Word; the coming of Christ into the world as God incarnate; and the coming of Christ into the world as reigning Savior and Lord. History and social studies should teach students the value of living in harmony with God and their neighbor.
The 6th grade curriculum focuses on the various ancient civilizations. We travel to the various continents discovering the history and geography of each place. Main important areas of focus are Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, India, China, Africa, and South America. The study of the ancient people includes their desire to find and worship God which leads to a close examination of the world’s main religions. The history and geography of North America are excluded from 6th Social Studies.
7th grade Social Studies focuses on the history of the United States from colonial times through World War I. We look to find out the connections between events and people across the late 18th century through the 20th century, and evaluate different events through the lens of a Christian perspective. We spend some weekly time also discussing current events, linking the past to present.
The 8th grade curriculum spends one semester intently focusing on the US Constitution. Review is given to the nature of government and how it formed here in the American colonies. A majority of the time is spent studying the actual words and phrases found in the Constitution. The second semester focuses on the 20th Century US History beginning with the Great Depression.
Spanish
Sheboygan Christian School prepares students for their part in God’s culturally diverse world using inspiring, engaging and relevant language learning.
Students will achieve the basic skills to understand and communicate in Spanish, and will develop an interest and appreciation of the Hispanic culture, in and outside of the U.S. In the Spanish classroom, SCS focuses on communication, cultures, connections, comparisons, and communities. Students learn through the use of technology, songs, group work, conversation, and games. The classroom is a positive, challenging, fun and energetic environment that motivates and helps students succeed at becoming proficient in the language. By learning a new language, students’ minds are opened to new cultures and therefore new ideas and different ways of looking at God’s diverse world.
In Middle School, students dive deeper into the Spanish language and are prepared to enter Spanish II when they enter high school. Students learn to communicate more in depth with their peers in the target language. Students continue to learn basic vocabulary and grammar. Verbs and verb conjugations are in the present tense.
Physical Education
Sheboygan Christian School’s physical education program seeks to support the growth of a Christian student in the image of God and provide understanding of our purpose and value in service to God.
God created man in His image and likeness, able to develop socially, mentally, physically, and spiritually. God desires to have a close relationship with us. Since sin came into the world through Adam and Eve our body and soul have been tainted by sin.
I Corinthians 6:19-20 reminds us that “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” Christians need to do everything in their power to maintain their bodies in excellent condition to honor God and to be ready and able to serve God. Maintaining our bodies is a lifelong desire that involves exercise, proper nutrition, and sufficient rest.
Students participate in a variety of games and activities that encourage teamwork, fitness, and good sportsmanship.
Applied Technology
Middle school technology class covers a wide variety of topics and lessons needed to navigate the highly technological world around us. Lessons cover basics such as learning how to use Google Slides, Google Sheets, and Google Documents in ways applicable to assignments they get from other teachers. The class spends time learning about coding as well. Discussion topics include digital footprints, internet safety, and privacy settings and scams. Students learn about banking, checking, and budgets. The class also practices data entry, formulas, and graphs while learning about the stock market and investments.