Middle School Curriculum

 Middle School Class Descriptions

Sixth Grade 

Math 6 - Students work towards proficiency in the four operations – addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division – with the following: whole numbers, decimals, fractions, ratios, proportions, and percentages. Students plan logically how to solve word problems.

Life Science - In this course, students develop skills in scientific observation, qualitative description, and the scientific method. Topics include:  What is life?, cells, microorganisms, ecosystems and biomes, plants, insects, and human biological systems.  Students will be using the Prentice Hall "Science Explorer" Series texts.

Literature and Composition 6 - In this course students read and discuss The Horse and his Boy, The Bronze Bow, The Princess and the Goblin, Tuck Everlasting, and Shadow of a Bull. They develop their composition skills by answering reflection questions about the books and writing several short stories.

History of the Pacific Northwest - This course focuses on the history of the Pacific Northwest beginning with a study of Native American tribes and cultures and ending in the post-World War II era. Some of the highlights of this class are reading primary sources and going on field trips.

Geography - An emphasis on how land and water formations shape political, economic, and cultural life.

Intro to Art -  This course begins a formal study of Art. Students participate in the fundamentals of drawing and composition, the study of value, and the use of color. Each semester culminates in an original composition.

Music -  Students begin their study of music by learning to play a stringed instrument, learning to read music, play together in an ensemble, and perform publicly.

Public Performance - This course includes poetry memorization and recitation, interpretive reading, Readers Theater, oration, and solo, duet and ensemble acting.

Seventh Grade

Prealgebra – Students' study of pre-algebra focuses initially on numbers and their properties, especially integers, decimals, fractions, and percentages.  Students are then introduced to elementary set theory and move on to geometric figures and their properties.  Finally, they study linear equations.

Earth, Life and Space Science I – Students continue to hone their skills in observation and employing the scientific method as they learn about what occurs inside the earth, on its surface, and in space.  Topics include: plate tectonics, earthquakes, the atmosphere, and astronomy.  Students will be using the Prentice Hall "Science Explorer" Series.

Literature and Composition 7 – Focus on grammar, with the goal of making the students better readers and, ultimately, better writers. The course begins with a study of the parts of speech, then teaches the construction of sentences, and culminates in teaching how to write a coherent paragraph of at least five sentences. Throughout the year, the students read both literature and poetry. They learn how to discern and discuss plot, setting, imagery, character, and other elements of literature. Reading list: Alfred Lansing, Shackleton’s Valiant Voyage; Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer; Richard Adams, Watership Down; Jack Schaefer, Shane; and British and American poetry.

Ancient History – Students study early civilizations from the rise of the Sumerians around 3500 BC to the sack of Rome in 410 AD. Specifically, students learn about the civilizations of the Tigris-Euphrates River Valley, Egypt, the Near East, Greece, and Rome, and how they interacted. The course involves reading, lectures, note-taking, discussions, video, and various hands-on activities.

Old Testament – Study of the main characters and narrative accounts of the Old Testament. In particular, the focus is on God’s creation, his establishment of a covenant with his people, the history of Israel, prophecy, and the messianic hope.

Latin I – A study of three of the groups (declensions) of nouns and adjectives and all verb groups (conjugations), including irregular verbs. Students are expected to master a substantial vocabulary, to understand elementary Latin grammar, and to acquire a basic skill in translating from English to Latin as well as from Latin to English.

Music – Students choose to continue with strings or begin choral studies. Focuses on music theory and the history of the Baroque Era in music. The rudiments of note-reading, note values and rhythm, time signatures, major scales, and key signatures are studied. By the end of the semester, students perform pieces and write several elementary melodies.

Art I – Begins with a unit on calligraphy, emphasizing basic pencil techniques and the use of color in illuminated word designs. Students are then taught to draw, with an emphasis on proper proportions and shading. They finish the semester by studying and practicing portraiture.

Eighth Grade

Algebra - Students study algebra and focus on developing skills for solving equations with one or two variables. We also introduce students to functions and their graphic representations. The concepts and skills the students gain in this course are the foundations for all future mathematics at Trinity Academy.

Physical Science - In the eighth grade, students build upon their descriptive skills to include more quantitative analysis of cause and effect. Emphasis is also placed on creating mathematical models from data. Topics include: atoms and bonding, electricity and magnetism, energy and simple machines and catapults. Students continue to use the Prentice Hall "Science Explorer" Series. 

Literature and Composition 8 – Focuses on the reading and discussion of literature, the mastery of English grammar and punctuation, and the writing of a formal paragraph. Instruction in the rules and structure of English grammar and coherent paragraph-writing lays a foundation for the essay-writing that students will pursue in the rest of the curriculum. Readings include: J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit; Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol; Beowulf; Roger L. Green, King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table; William Gibson, The Miracle Worker; British and American poetry.

Medieval History – A thematic examination of the history of Western Europe from roughly 200 BC to the beginning of the Renaissance. Students learn about the emergence and spread of Christianity in the Roman Empire, the development of modern nation-states from the collapsed Roman Empire, the role of the Catholic Church and its institutions in Western Europe, the struggles between the Catholic Church and secular authorities, and the conflict between Islam and Christian Europe. Primary and secondary sources are read and discussed.

New Testament – Begins with a review of the Old Testament claims about the end of Israel’s exile and then proceeds with an in-depth reading of the Gospel of Mark. The focus of the reading is on the new covenant that Jesus establishes with his followers by his life, teaching, death, and resurrection. Students read the Acts of the Apostles to examine how the early Christians tried to live out Jesus’ new covenant. As time permits, students read and discuss excerpts from the Epistles and the Book of Revelation.

Latin II – Covers the core grammar of Latin. Students learn the indicative forms of active and passive verbs, five noun declensions, adjectives, pronouns, adverbs, and subordinate clauses. Learning new vocabulary and grammar is aimed increasingly at understanding the relationships of different parts of a sentence and at the coherent and fluid translation of Latin stories.

Music – Builds on the foundation laid in sixth and seventh grade. Students continue singing or playing strings and study the history of the Classical Era in music, focusing on Mozart. Minor scales, key signatures, triads, and intervals are covered in music theory and each student writes a two-part composition at the end of the semester.

Art II – Begins with a review of the drawing techniques learned in seventh grade. The students then learn several new drawing skills and new techniques with colored pencils, pastels, and watercolor.