Middle School Curriculum

English

Math

Earth Science

PE

Bible

Music

Visual Art

Spanish 

World History

Character Education

English

Pre-Algebra

Life Science

PE

Bible

Music

Visual Art

Spanish

World History

Character Education

English

Algebra I

Physical Science

PE

Bible

Show Choir

Conditioning

Spanish

US/TN History

Character Education

6th Grade English

6th grade English is designed to help students become critical readers and thoughtful writers.  Students will read a novel every nine weeks in addition to a variety of short stories, poems, and articles. Students become actively engaged in the texts through classroom discussions, creative writing assignments, and dramatic presentations. By forming connections, asking questions, making predictions, inferring themes, and synthesizing the content of literature with their own world, students learn to think critically and relate to the written word on a much more personal level.  As students become immersed in the richness of literature, they also receive instruction in vocabulary and in the rules of grammar to improve their writing styles.  ​Students collaborate with their peers as well as their instructor to develop independence and stamina for writing.  By the end of the year, students will have written narratives, short stories, expository pieces, and persuasive essays.

7th​ Grade English                                                                                                            

7th grade English is focused on creative thinking, critical reading, and analytical writing. Students read three extended texts.  These central texts inspire inquiry-based projects that challenge students to investigate important aspects of writing like voice, audience, and purpose while improving their visual and cultural literacy. The fourth unit on poetry requires nuanced and structural thinking, encouraging students to be aware of style and form when reading and writing. Students will be challenged to learn new literary terminology and expand their grasp and comprehension of the English language through vocabulary studies. The class is a collaborative space, emphasizing individual productive contributions to full class conversations, focused and energized group work, and partner reviews and sharing. In 7th grade English, students are held accountable for their own intellectual development and are expected to demonstrate maturity and independence. 

8th Grade English

In 8th grade English, students are instructed in the basic skill areas of grammar, vocabulary development, writing skills, and reading comprehension. These skills will be discussed thoroughly throughout the course of the year while students analyze a group of novels. The novels chosen for this class focus on the importance of one’s choices in life and how choices can affect themselves and others. Students will participate in several projects and writing activities with varied teaching and learning strategies to accommodate learning differences among students.

6th​ Grade Math

6th grade Math is designed to reinforce the student’s foundation in basic rational number skills and to also serve as a bridge to the foundation for success in Pre-Algebra, Algebra, and other higher-level math courses. This is an engaging year in math for students, and instruction begins with the number theory necessary to master fractions and decimals. It then progresses through more advanced concepts such as exponents, order of operations, understanding negatives, algebraic expressions, one-step algebraic equations and inequalities, ratios, coordinate graphing, geometry (with the emphasis on 3-dimensional shapes), basic statistics, and probability.

Pre-Algebra                                                                                                            

Pre-Algebra begins with the study of the classification of rational and irrational numbers.  Students will learn to add, subtract, multiply, and divide positive and negative integers. These operational skills with negatives will then be used to simplify and evaluate algebraic expressions, equations, and inequalities.  Progression to solving two-step and multi-step equations will follow.  Students will also study ratios, proportions, and percent.  Geometry covered includes plane geometry skills with an emphasis on angles and triangles, the relationship between area and circumference of circles, and 3-dimensional geometry skills with emphasis on volume and surface area.  Statistics will include recognizing and developing statistical questions, as well as producing plots and graphs to illustrate data.  Probability is also a component of this course.

Algebra 1                                                                                                                       

Algebra 1 will be introduced with an in-depth review of pre-algebra and build on that foundation to introduce the new concepts in this course. This course covers: simplifying and evaluating expressions, solving equations and systems of equations, graphing linear equations and inequalities, factoring polynomials and operations of polynomials, statistical models, quadratic functions, and much more. At the conclusion of this course, students will be prepared for success in Geometry and Algebra 2.

6th Grade Earth Science

Earth Science is designed to expose middle school students to the world in which we live. This class is discussion-based and will encourage student thought into how our interactions impact our world. Students will explore interactions between organisms and the ecosystems in which they live. They will study the atmosphere and understand how renewable resources necessary for the modern world can act to negatively impact the world around us. Students will study the oceans and their implications for weather and climate. In addition, students will be introduced to geology and the study of the Earth’s surface and learn about the composition of the Earth’s crust.

7th ​ Grade Life Science

Life science covers a variety of topics using many different methods. The learning objective of this course is to set the foundation of knowledge for biology and chemistry. Throughout the year, students are given inquiry-based lessons on the many different science skills and scientific attitudes. Hands-on activities and labs are a part of each unit. Powerpoint presentations, interactive activities from the CK-12 curriculum and the instructor's store of material, and relevant videos from a variety of internet websites help to supplement the reading and lecture material that takes place throughout the year. Additionally, each semester, a project-based assignment is given that relates to the topics covered during that time. The first-semester assignment relates to the 7th grade Punnett squares and determining genotypes. The second semester involves swabbing for bacteria in different areas of the school then monitoring the growth of bacteria.​ The major areas covered in this course include: (1) the nature of science and measurement, (2) cell structure and function, (3) genetics and heredity, and (4) the major human body systems.

8th Grade Physical Science                                                                                       

Physical Science emphasizes the main concepts that create the backbone for high school Physics and Chemistry. This class uses many project-based learning tools to reinforce the major topics discussed in class to demonstrate real-world applications of the themes discussed. Students will gain confidence throughout the class in seeing the relationship between math and science while honing and building their basic algebra skills. Project-based learning will be utilized to better understand Newton’s three laws, the transfer of energy between objects, and chemical reactions. ck-12 e-textbook is the primary learning tool and is supplemented by the instructor. Major areas covered in this class include: (1) Motion and force, (2) Energy, (3) Atomic structures, and (4) Chemical reactions. 

6th Grade World History and Geography

In this course, students will concentrate on the beginning of early civilizations through the fall of the Western Roman Empire. They examine the geographical, social, economic, and political foundations for early civilizations progressing through the Roman Empire, and they will analyze the shift from nomadic societies to agricultural societies. Students take a look at the development of civilizations, including the areas of Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, China, Ancient Israel, Greece, and Rome. The study of these civilizations will include the impact of geography, early history, cultural development, and economic change. The geographic focus will include the study of physical and political features, economic development and resources, and migration patterns.

7th Grade World History and Geography

This course concentrates on the Middle Ages to the Exploration of the Americas. Students will explore the social, cultural, economic, geographical, political, and technological changes that occurred after the fall of the Roman Empire and in Medieval Europe. They examine the period from the fifteenth to the eighteenth century, including the Islamic world, Africa, China, and Japan, but with a heavier emphasis on western civilization in Europe during the Renaissance and Reformation. Students compare and contrast the history and geography of civilizations that were developing concurrently throughout these continents during medieval times, and examine the growth in economic interactions among civilizations as well as the exchange of ideas, beliefs, technologies, and commodities. We will learn about the resulting spread of Enlightenment philosophies and the examination of new concepts of reasoning toward religion, government, and science that continue to influence our world today. Students also analyze geography’s influence on the development of these civilizations as they continue their study of world history and geography and examine the Meso-American and Andean civilizations, as well as the age of European explorations. 

8th Grade U.S. History

This course emphasizes learning about the foundations of our country and the meaning of being an American citizen. As the year comes to a close, students should have an acute understanding of the migration process to America, the thirteen colonies, the Revolutionary and Civil wars, the reconstruction, the expansion of America, and more. Primary content emphasis for this course pertains to the study of American history from the exploration and colonization period to the reconstruction period following the Civil War.  Students will be exposed to the historical, geographic, political, economic, and sociological events which influenced the development of the United States. The primary textbook is Creating America: A History of the United States. 

6th Grade Bible

This course consists of analyzing the overview of a life compelled by the love of Jesus. Individuals will learn what it looks like to have a relationship with Jesus and the importance of spending time in God’s word. Each student will be fully equipped to observe the textual factors, interpret scripture, and apply scripture to their daily lives to set a foundation that leads to following Jesus for a lifetime. Proverbs will be the book of the Bible that will be the primary focus for the 6th-grade level. Proverbs raises questions of values, moral behavior, the meaning of human life, and right conduct. Its theological foundation is that "the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom" which is an essential concept to understand for students. 

7th Grade Bible

This course consists of breaking down the life of Christ. We will take a journey through Jesus’s life from His birth until His ascension into heaven. We will examine Jesus’s ministry through parables, conversations with those around him, miracles, and more. Resources include the Bible and The Life of Christ by Frank Hamrick.

8th Grade Bible 

As the culminating Bible course in the TRA middle school, this course will encourage students to live a life compelled by the love of Jesus as they enter their high school years.  Individuals will continue to learn what it looks like to have a relationship with Jesus and the importance of spending time in God’s word and with Him daily.  Each student will be fully equipped to examine scripture.  Through conversations, testimonies, and scripture memory, we will learn the meaning of a Christ-centered life. Each student will have a designated devotional time in class that facilitates the importance of scripture, prayer, evangelism, and fellowship amongst believers– all of which lead to a life of obedience to God.

6th Grade Physical Education                                                

This is a course in which all sixth graders participate, and they experience a Physical Education program that is sport and fitness-based. Students are separated into gender-specific classes for P.E. to ensure fair play in games and to minimize the chance of injuries. Students will rotate between having P.E. 3 days a week one semester to 2 days a week the next. Sports covered in wellness are taught in a developmentally appropriate and safe manner. Students will experience fundamentals in soccer, pickleball, basketball, volleyball, baseball/softball, floor hockey, speedball, flag football, and ultimate frisbee. Building on what these students learned as 5th graders, the fitness model will continue to focus on the foundation of movement patterns, but at a more challenging level than that of their 5th-grade year.

7th Grade Physical Education                                                          

This is a required course for all seventh graders, and they will experience a Physical Education program that is sport and fitness-based. Students are separated into gender-specific classes for P.E. to ensure fair play in games and to minimize the chance of injuries. Students will rotate between having P.E. 3 days a week one semester to 2 days a week the next. Sports covered in wellness are taught in a developmentally appropriate and safe manner. Students will experience fundamentals in soccer, pickleball, basketball, volleyball, base/softball, floor hockey, speedball, flag football, and ultimate frisbee. Building on what these students learned as 6th graders, the fitness model will continue to focus on the foundation of movement patterns, but at a more challenging level than that of their 6th-grade year.

8th Grade Physical Education                                                    

All eighth graders participate in this course and will experience a Physical Education program that is sport and fitness-based. Students are separated into gender-specific classes for P.E. to ensure fair play in games and to minimize the chance of injuries. Students will rotate between having P.E. 3 days a week one semester to 2 days a week the next. Sports covered in wellness are taught in a developmentally appropriate and safe manner. Students will experience fundamentals in soccer, pickleball, basketball, volleyball, base/softball, floor hockey, speedball, flag football, and ultimate frisbee. Building on what these students learned as 7th graders, the fitness model will continue to focus on the foundation of movement patterns, but at a more challenging level than that of their 7th-grade year.

6th Grade Spanish

This is an engaging introduction to the Spanish language and Spanish-speaking cultures. This course is taught over a period of nine weeks. It is designed to introduce the students to vocabulary and basic grammar. Some of the vocabulary covered will be the Spanish alphabet, numbers 0-100, colors, days of the week, months of the year, basic greetings, family members, and school items. The goal is to gain student confidence in understanding and speaking the language.

7th Grade Spanish

This is a continuation of 6th grade Spanish. We will continue to reinforce and build on prior vocabulary learned through earlier Spanish exposure. This course is taught over a period of nine weeks. It is designed to review and build on prior Spanish vocabulary while being able to confidently use it through various activities. Students will review Spanish numbers 0-100, days of the week, months of the year, basic greetings, family members, and school items. We will build on that vocabulary by learning food items, adjectives, emotions, weather, and clothing. We will focus on understanding the vocabulary, as well as listening and speaking skills. The goal is to continue building student confidence in understanding and speaking the language and to properly prepare them to move forward in eighth-grade Spanish.

8th Grade Spanish

This course is an introductory level course designed to prepare the student for Spanish I the following year. It is a single-semester course and will introduce basic vocabulary and grammar skills used in the everyday Spanish language and aspects of Hispanic culture.  We will use the main communication skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) throughout the course of this class in order to build the skills necessary to be able to communicate effectively in the target language. 

Character Education 6                                                                                                         

Each student in sixth grade will have this Character Education course for one quarter of the school year. The purpose of our Character Education classes is to develop the personal values and virtues for sustainable participation in a globalized world. This is a learning process that enables students to understand, care about, and act on core ethical values such as patience, kindness, honesty, selflessness, forgiveness, commitment, and humility. We also work to develop and understand the importance of patience, kindness, honesty, selflessness, forgiveness, commitment, and humility. We use the program “Character Strong” to help teach these lessons. This program includes videos, quotes, and scenario examples. Through discussion, reading, and writing, we relate each lesson to the Bible and how we are called to behave and interact with the world in which we live. 

Character Education 7                                                                                                    

Each student in seventh grade will have this Character Education course for one quarter of the school year.  The purpose of our Character Education classes is to develop the personal values and virtues for sustainable participation in a globalized world. This is a learning process that enables students to understand, care about, and act on core ethical values such as patience, kindness, honesty, selflessness, forgiveness, commitment, and humility. We also work to develop and understand the importance of patience, kindness, honesty, selflessness, forgiveness, commitment, and humility. We use the program “Character Strong” to help teach these lessons. This program includes videos, quotes, and scenario examples. Through discussion, reading, and writing, we relate each lesson to the Bible and how we are called to behave and interact with the world in which we live. 

Character Education 8                                                                                                    

Each eighth-grader will have a full semester of this Character Education course.  The purpose of our Character Education classes is to develop the personal values and virtues for sustainable participation in a globalized world. This is a learning process that enables students to understand, care about, and act on core ethical values such as patience, kindness, honesty, selflessness, forgiveness, commitment, and humility. We also work to develop and understand the importance of patience, kindness, honesty, selflessness, forgiveness, commitment, and humility. We use the program “Character Strong” to help teach these lessons. This program includes videos, quotes, and scenario examples. Through discussion, reading, and writing, we relate each lesson to the Bible and how we are called to behave and interact with the world in which we live. 

6th Grade Visual Arts

Each 6th-grade student will spend one quarter in this course.  This course will explore a variety of visual art materials and processes with an emphasis on drawing.  Students will develop artworks from directed lessons, observed, and imagined subjects.

7th Grade Visual Arts

Each 7th-grade student will spend one quarter in this course.  This course will explore a variety of visual art materials and processes with an emphasis on famous artists and their materials and styles.  Students will develop artworks in the styles of famous artists from directed lessons, observed, and imagined subjects.

General Music & Theatre 6

Each 6th grader will spend one quarter in this course.  This course is designed to acquaint Middle School students with the basic fundamentals of Music & Theatre. The music portion will include: recognition of instruments, tones, and the four primary voice parts.  The theatre portion will include basic theatre terminology and “how to prepare for an audition”. The class will also focus on the development of basic acting skills through pantomime games and improving both stage presence and vocal projection by presenting solo monologues and beginner-level group scenes. 

General Music & Theatre 7

Each 7th grader will spend one quarter in this course.  This course is designed to acquaint Middle School students with the basic fundamentals of Music & Theatre. The music portion will include: recognition of instruments, tones, and the four primary voice parts.  The theatre portion will include basic theatre terminology and “how to prepare for an audition”. The class will also focus on the development of basic acting skills through pantomime games and improving both stage presence and vocal projection by presenting solo monologues and beginner-level group scenes.