In the Fifth Grade Bible course, the primary goal is to make the Word of God more meaningful to the life of each student. By looking at basic principles, learning the history of the Bible, and memorizing Scripture, students begin to develop the confidence to share their knowledge and faith with others according to God’s Word. The Bible (ESV) and utilizing Positive Action Bible Curriculum are our sources of study. Students use the entire Bible as their source with passages from various books used in each lesson. Emphasis is placed on the Old Testament with character studies and lessons from The Fall of Man to the Minor Prophets. It is our strongest desire that each student leaving the fifth grade will have a personal relationship with Christ, a deep knowledge of Scripture, a clear understanding of right from wrong, a developing confidence to share Christ with others, and a love for serving others as Christ did.

The Fifth Grade Reading course emphasizes reading comprehension, analysis, and fluency. Through novel studies, students take ownership of their reading, are held accountable for their level of comprehension, and are challenged with problem-solving developing higher-level thinking skills. Students read novels that are appropriately leveled and learn and build vocabulary knowledge within different contexts. The course is also designed to prepare students for reading, thinking, and problem-solving in real-world situations. The Accelerated Reader Program is used in addition to motivate students and personalize reading by allowing students to set individualized goals suitable for their reading level.

Biblical Concepts for Reading:
• There is an order to how things happen, and one event can influence all the events that follow; therefore, we must be conscientious to make moral choices that please God.
• God can teach us through trouble and tragedy because He alone is our hope.
• The thoughts of God are specifically revealed in written form through Scripture.
• Excessive devotion to books is tiresome, and it is wise to be selective in what we read.

In our Fifth Grade Language Arts course, students build on prior knowledge to begin incorporating grammar correctly within the writing process. The writing process focuses on organization, content, idea, word choice, and sentence fluency. Students will be exposed to friendly letters, poetry, compare and contrast, narrative, expository, and persuasive writing, along with completing a research paper implementing the entire research process. The course also highlights and expands grammatical skills. Resources used are Daily Grammar Practice created by Dawn Burnette and English for Christian Schools published by BJU Press.

Biblical Concepts for Language Arts:
• Mankind was created to communicate in ways that are clear, interesting, and easily understood.
• The human ability to use language is a reminder that we have been made in the likeness of God for the task of ruling in the earth, with the capacity to manage abstract thought and process creative reasoning.
• People have the capacity to praise and magnify God through thought, speech, and written language.
• When people use language to communicate, they are following a logical process that God thought through beforehand.

In the Fifth Grade Mathematics course students review and advance in general concepts: whole numbers, place values from millions to thousandths, graphing, decimals, fractions, measurement, and geometry. The course gives an introduction of algebraic concepts and further development of ratio, variables, probability, averages, and order of operations. Real-world applications and problem-solving logic are used to build math confidence and provide an enjoyable learning environment. EnVision Math and numerous learning manipulatives are the primary resources used.

Biblical Concepts for Math:
• Two-step equations remind us that we live in an intelligently designed and ordered world.
• God is the ultimate designer of symmetry, and lines of symmetry reveal His love for balanced design and orderliness.
• God’s attribute of infinity is seen in mathematics.
• Mathematics reminds us that we live in an intelligently designed and ordered world.

The Fifth Grade Social Studies course is a study of the history of the United States beginning with the Civil War and ending in the 21st century with current events. The course provides students with an opportunity to identify players, locations, and circumstances of America’s Civil War; the people’s expansion west; World War I; the Roaring Twenties; Great Depression; World War II; and America’s role in bringing resolution of the Cold War. Students will survey major themes, ideas, conflicts, and movements of these periods as well. Critical thinking skills, discussion, note taking, role playing, and writing are implemented as students actively participate in learning significant events in history. Other than PowerPoint presentations, videos, pictures, and props, Houghton Mifflin’s United States History is the primarily used resource book. Lastly, students are exposed to economics through gaining new understanding of supply and demand and the stock market.

Biblical Concepts for Social Studies:
• Leaders are influential beings, whether the choices they make be good or bad. They have a moral responsibility to know that the decisions they make affect the entire nation. (Romans 13:1-7)
• God governs the rise and fall of governmental leaders. (Proverbs 8:15-16)
• Opposition to God affects historical events. (Romans 1:18-22)
• Moral order is clarified through biblical examples of good and evil. (Psalm 119:104)

In the Fifth Grade Science course students are presented with various ways to explore, discover, and investigate the world around them. Students develop a basic understanding of constructive and destructive processes, examine animal/plant classifications, explore electricity and magnetism, compare chemical and physical processes, and discover the secret realm of microscopic life. Opportunities to kinesthetically learn as each topic is explored provide the students with an exciting learning environment. Experiments and the use of scientific equipment also provide a hands-on approach to learning about God’s design of the world around them. If applicable, students will refer to Purposeful Design by ACSI for extra support.

Biblical Concepts for Science:
• God is the Creator of all things and reveals Himself through creation. (Genesis 1:1)
• The nature of the sciences is to reveal God, and the purpose of science is to glorify Him. (Romans 1:20)
• The creation of God is orderly, purposeful, and intelligible. (Psalm 119:90-91)
• The purpose for all things centers in Christ. (Colossians 1:16-18)

Physical Education provides each student with the opportunity to participate in a program consisting of skill development, lead-up games, team sports, and physical fitness activities. The students receive instruction in rules, skills, and strategies associated with the different sports as well as learning experiences involving physical conditioning activities. The program promotes the keys of good sportsmanship, spirit of cooperation, leadership, fair play, and friendly competition.

Health

Health discusses the relevant topics that young people are facing right now in each area of their lives: physical, mental, social and spiritual. This course is to help students develop a healthy lifestyle in each area of life.

Academy Chorus

The mission of Strong Rock Christian School’s Fifth & Sixth Grade Academy Chorus is to enrich students’ vocal abilities through the study of two-part and three-part choral music, along with the practice of proper vocal techniques; music reading skills; and finally, the ultimate presentation of these skills through public performance. Students perform choral literature that ranges in style from classical pieces in Latin to contemporary Pop and Jazz pieces, developing an eclectic musical palette of musical genres that will help them become well-rounded musicians in the years to come. Students perform in seasonal concerts and festivals each year: Fall Concert, Christmas Concert, Spring Festival, Spring Concert, and finally the big Spring Musical that features the cooperation of all the fine arts groups at Strong Rock Christian School.

Music Appreciation

The mission of Strong Rock Christian School’s Fifth & Sixth Grade Academy Music Appreciation class is to enrich students’ understanding of how music works and how music has developed throughout the centuries. In this nine-week course, students study an overview of the basic elements of music including: Rhythm, Melody, Harmony, Dynamics, Tempo, Timbre, Texture, and Form. Using a variety of interactive media, vocal and instrumental performance, games and activities, classroom discussion as well as the musical performance of a final small-group project, students will demonstrate their understanding of the musical concepts listed above. Additionally, students study how music has progressed through the following historical periods: Ancient, Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romanic, 20^th Century, and 21^st Century. Students will look and listen to the similarities and differences of each time period and discover that they can better appreciate how God’s gift of music is tied together from the past until today.

5th and 6th grade Class Piano: Beginning Piano

The Beginning Piano class focuses on music fundamentals which provide the opportunity to become proficient at a level 2 piano skill by the end of the first year.  Students will learn correct hand position, posture, note reading, and rhythm skills that will enable them to play a variety of music including folk, Christian, popular and classical styles with solo and ensemble performance opportunities throughout the school year. This class will play solos in the cafeteria at Christmas and in 4 -part orchestrated Ensembles in the May Concert. God is the giver of the human ability to create.

5th and 6th grade Class Piano: Early Intermediate

During the second year of Piano class the fifth and sixth grade piano class will reinforce musical fundamentals with emphasis on more difficult music, theory, and more performance opportunities throughout the year in solo and Ensemble. Students will have the option of playing for adjudication at the Association of Christian Schools International Piano Festival in February.  It is good to sing praises to the Lord.

5th and 6th grade Visual Art

Visual Art is an introduction to art and will provide students with the foundation needed to continue in other art courses. Students will study Art History, Art Criticism and learn the elements and principles of design through a variety of studio lessons. Emphasis will be placed on the use of art terms, the proper use of media and creativity in production of artwork. This is a nine-week rotation class.

Beginning Band

Beginning Band is available to all students with parents who are prepared to invest in an instrument and instrument supplies. This is a performing ensemble. This ensemble shows students how to produce sounds on their respective instruments as well as take advantage of performing quality beginning wind literature. The Standard of Excellence method book is the main textbook for this ensemble. Performances are scheduled Christmas and Spring Concerts.

Theater

By developing a deep understanding and working knowledge of theatre, students will be encouraged to use the talents God has given them. This understanding is accomplished through a research-based instructional plan including differentiated instruction, integrated lessons, hands-on activities, performance based projects, and bi-yearly scheduled public performances to practice and master the skills that theatre professionals use in their craft. Beginner activities involve but are not limited to theatre games, physical exercises in concentration and attention, playing an objective, voice, movement, stage terminology, characterization, performance monologues, and rehearsal techniques. In more advanced courses, students will strengthen and build upon skills learned in introductory courses. Advanced courses continue a steady progression to voice and diction, dialects, character studies, musical theatre training, scene work, production participation, theatre history, directing, critiquing, environmental design, and participation with technical aspects of the theater.

The purpose of the Academy technology class is to enable students to address the challenges of the 21^st century. By using technology, students will be encouraged to solve problems, select appropriate technology for different tasks, create solutions, and evaluate their accomplishments. Students will develop a foundation in becoming life-long users of technology so that they may enhance the quality of their lives. Throughout the nine-week period or the semester, assignments may include but are not limited to Keyboarding, Email, Paint, Word, Publisher, PowerPoint, Internet, and Excel.

Students in sixth grade Bible are taught to apply God’s wisdom in all areas of their lives. The class will be based primarily on an in-depth study of the book of Proverbs. Students will be challenged to learn God’s perspective concerning issues of everyday life. Students will be challenged to pursue and mature in their relationship with Jesus Christ as they face their middle school years.

The English course focuses on literature, grammar, and writing. The literature component encompasses all genres and includes a variety of activities that connect the grammar and writing pieces. The grammar component reviews and expands grammatical skills using the Daily Grammar Practice. Daily Grammar is used to teach the foundation of grammar using repetition and a question and answer flow to classify each word in a sentence, as well as, the sentence as a whole. These concepts in conjunction with our writing curriculum, Institute for Excellence in Writing, are used to expand, improve and edit the student’s writing. The students write for a variety of purposes including responding to topics, developing compositions, and sharing thoughts in free style writing. They write to a variety of audiences using formal and creative forms of writing such as narrative, descriptive, persuasive, creative, and expository. They also use the writing process of prewriting, drafting, editing and publishing in formal writing and the research process. The course takes time to focus on and develop each aspect of our language and connect it to Biblical principles that support God’s plan for us to be able to communicate effectively.

The Sixth Grade mathematics course is designed to reinforce basic math concepts and to introduce fundamental algebraic skills. Critical thinking skills and problem solving strategies are emphasized throughout the year. The curriculum is devoted to seven units including number patterns and algebraic concepts, graphs, decimals and fractions, integers, equations, percent and probability, measurement and geometry. These concepts are reinforced all year in Mountain Math daily bell work, classroom practice, cooperative learning groups, projects, quizzes, and tests. Assigned projects are cooperatively planned and coordinated with other disciplines. Our seven units focus on our God and Savior, the greatest mathematician of all. Each unit supports Biblical principles that shows God as the Creator and connects order and balance to the bigger picture of God.

Sixth grade Social Studies focuses on the culture, geography, and history of the ancient world. Some topics of study include the River Valley Civilizations, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome, and Medieval Europe. Map skills are reviewed and extended throughout the course. The curriculum is taught through a variety of learning opportunities. Students participate in stations that are set-up for them to explore the material hands on, reading activities that promote in depth investigations of the text, and vocabulary studies that encourage them to make connections between the ancient world and their own. A Biblical worldview is emphasized in this course of study.

Sixth grade science is a year of concentrated study in Earth and Space Science. The inquiry based curriculum is taught through a variety of learning opportunities that include investigations, reading, video presentations, and modeling concepts. Students are expected to develop higher order thinking skills as they integrate a Biblical worldview into the arena of science. Students will experience Biblically integrated lessons that will show the Creator’s rule over the natural world.

Physical Education provides each student with the opportunity to participate in a program consisting of skill development, lead-up games, team sports, and physical fitness activities. The students receive instruction in rules, skills, and strategies associated with the different sports as well as learning experiences involving physical conditioning activities. The program promotes the keys of good sportsmanship, spirit of cooperation, leadership, fair play, and friendly competition.

Health
Health discusses the relevant topics that young people are facing right now in each area of their lives: physical, mental, social and spiritual. This course is to help students develop a healthy lifestyle in each area of life.

Academy Chorus
The mission of Strong Rock Christian School’s Fifth & Sixth Grade Academy Chorus is to enrich students’ vocal abilities through the study of two-part and three-part choral music, along with the practice of proper vocal techniques; music reading skills; and finally, the ultimate presentation of these skills through public performance. Students perform choral literature that ranges in style from classical pieces in Latin to contemporary Pop and Jazz pieces, developing an eclectic musical palette of musical genres that will help them become well-rounded musicians in the years to come. Students perform in seasonal concerts and festivals each year: Fall Concert, Christmas Concert, Spring Festival, Spring Concert, and finally the big Spring Musical that features the cooperation of all the fine arts groups at Strong Rock Christian School.

Music Appreciation
The mission of Strong Rock Christian School’s Fifth & Sixth Grade Academy Music Appreciation class is to enrich students’ understanding of how music works and how music has developed throughout the centuries. In this nine-week course, students study an overview of the basic elements of music including: Rhythm, Melody, Harmony, Dynamics, Tempo, Timbre, Texture, and Form. Using a variety of interactive media, vocal and instrumental performance, games and activities, classroom discussion as well as the musical performance of a final small-group project, students will demonstrate their understanding of the musical concepts listed above. Additionally, students study how music has progressed through the following historical periods: Ancient, Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romanic, 20th Century, and 21st Century. Students will look and listen to the similarities and differences of each time period and discover that they can better appreciate how God’s gift of music is tied together from the past until today.

5th and 6th grade Class Piano: Beginning Piano
The Beginning Piano class focuses on music fundamentals which provide the opportunity to become proficient at a level 2 piano skill by the end of the first year. Students will learn correct hand position, posture, note reading, and rhythm skills that will enable them to play a variety of music including folk, Christian, popular and classical styles with solo and ensemble performance opportunities throughout the school year. This class will play solos in the cafeteria at Christmas and in 4 -part orchestrated Ensembles in the May Concert.
God is the giver of the human ability to create.

5th and 6th grade Class Piano: Early Intermediate
During the second year of Piano class the fifth and sixth grade piano class will reinforce musical fundamentals with emphasis on more difficult music, theory, and more performance opportunities throughout the year in solo and Ensemble. Students will have the option of playing for adjudication at the Association of Christian Schools International Piano Festival in February.
It is good to sing praises to the Lord.

5th and 6th grade Visual Art
Visual Art is an introduction to art and will provide students with the foundation needed to continue in other art courses. Students will study Art History, Art Criticism and learn the elements and principles of design through a variety of studio lessons. Emphasis will be placed on the use of art terms, the proper use of media and creativity in production of artwork. This is a nine-week rotation class.

Beginning Band
Beginning Band is available to all students with parents who are prepared to invest in an instrument and instrument supplies. This is a performing ensemble. This ensemble shows students how to produce sounds on their respective instruments as well as take advantage of performing quality beginning wind literature. The Standard of Excellence method book is the main textbook for this ensemble. Performances are scheduled Christmas and Spring Concerts.

Second Year Band
Second Year Band is available to all students who have proven they can play past the level of the Beginning Band. This ensemble will increase the musicianship of each member through the performance of quality beginning wind literature and technical exercises. The Standard of Excellence method books, as well as the First Performance books are the main textbooks for this ensemble. This ensemble also performs at the Christmas and spring concerts.

Theater
By developing a deep understanding and working knowledge of theatre, students will be encouraged to use the talents God has given them. This understanding is accomplished through a research-based instructional plan including differentiated instruction, integrated lessons, hands-on activities, performance based projects, and bi-yearly scheduled public performances to practice and master the skills that theatre professionals use in their craft. Beginner activities involve but are not limited to theatre games, physical exercises in concentration and attention, playing an objective, voice, movement, stage terminology, characterization, performance monologues, and rehearsal techniques. In more advanced courses, students will strengthen and build upon skills learned in introductory courses. Advanced courses continue a steady progression to voice and diction, dialects, character studies, musical theatre training, scene work, production participation, theatre history, directing, critiquing, environmental design, and participation with technical aspects of the theater.

The purpose of the Academy technology class is to enable students to address the challenges of the 21st century. By using technology, students will be encouraged to solve problems, select appropriate technology for different tasks, create solutions, and evaluate their accomplishments. Students will develop a foundation in becoming life-long users of technology so that they may enhance the quality of their lives. Throughout the nine-week period or the semester, assignments may include but are not limited to Keyboarding, Email, Paint, Word, Publisher, PowerPoint, Internet, and Excel.

The seventh grade Bible curriculum is the first half of a two year study entitled Route 66 – A Journey Through the Bible. Seventh grade addresses the books of Genesis through Daniel, with the remainder of the Bible completed in eighth grade. A look at the beginning of the nation of Israel and its struggles to follow God is based on the foundation of God as Creator and His desire to have a relationship with mankind. Students will experience a variety of instructional techniques to help them apply God’s Word to their everyday lives.

The seventh grade language arts curriculum is multi-faceted and includes an examination of various fiction and non-fiction texts as well as intensive practice with composition, grammar, and vocabulary. Students read and examine the components of language arts both independently and collectively with classmates. Students demonstrate their knowledge of grammar, literary devices, and vocabulary through discussion and multiple forms of writing including analysis of literature, poetry, letters, and essays. With each element of language arts, we regularly integrate Biblical Worldview concepts to support students on their path to true wisdom.

The PACE seventh grade Language Arts curriculum is an accelerated and advanced version of the regular seventh grade curriculum, and students must be eligible to participate. The small class size allows for extra field trips, increased teacher interaction and writing workshops. Writing units include, but are not limited to, expository writing, creative writing and research writing. Reading centers on classic novels and excerpts, inspirational non-fiction, poetry and short stories. Vocabulary units are based on Latin and Greek root words, and grammar concepts are similar to that of the regular seventh grade Language Arts class.

The seventh grade curriculum follows the guidelines of the Georgia Performance Standards, and is divided into two sections; regular seventh grade mathematics and advanced study. Students are assessed in the spring of sixth grade, to qualify for advanced placement, along with teacher recommendation. Regular seventh grade math will prepare students for continuing on in the eighth grade mathematics program, and the advanced curriculum, is designed to prepare students for Algebra 1 placement in the eighth grade. The regular math course of study reinforces basic skills, and is presented in the following units: Operations with Rational numbers, Expressions and equations, Ratio and Proportional Relationships, Inferences, Geometry and Probability. Students will also enrich their mathematical skills by participating in critical thinking and problem solving labs, focused on engineering and architectural design.

Advanced seventh grade mathematics curriculum follows the guidelines of Georgia Performance Standards, and is a combination of seventh and eighth grade mathematics. This course is designed to prepare students for Algebra 1 in the eighth grade. The mastery of basic skills is expected, with continuing reinforcement throughout the units of study. Emphasis is placed on the eighth grade units of study such as: Transformation, Congruence and similarity, Exponents, Geometric application of exponents, Functions, Linear Functions, Linear Tables and Models, and Solving systems of Equations. Students will also enrich their mathematical skills, working collaboratively, using critical thinking and problem solving skills, through completing projects in engineering and architectural design.

The seventh grade World History course provides an overview of world themes that include medieval Asia and Latin America, in addition to a survey of the political, economic, religious, and technological changes of Europe from the middle ages through the 21st century. This course provides a solid foundation for the in-depth studies of world history that will be required in high school. Students will examine all topics with a biblical worldview frame of reference and see evidence of God’s authorship of history. Resources utilized include textbooks, maps, PowerPoint presentations, video footage, and Smartboard applications.

Seventh grade life science is a year of focused study on living things and the relationships/interactions between them. Topics of study include cellular structure, classification, microorganisms and disease, genetics, ecology, animal phyla, Biblical Creation and evolution, and the systems of the human body. Inquiry skills and practice in data interpretation are emphasized in all areas of study and a variety of learning styles will be addressed through experiments, models, demonstrations and projects. The underlying theme of all topics is a focus on God as the Creator. This course provides part of the foundation for the student to succeed in high school biology in the future.

Four-Fitness
The purpose of Physical Education is to guide and motivate children to be active for a lifetime. Students are challenged through physical education to perform basic skills used in individual and team sports, motor skills, and fitness activities. Through the social interaction of organized play along with Biblical integration, students have the opportunity to grow and mature physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Health
Health discusses the relevant topics that young people are facing right now in each area of their lives: physical, mental, social and spiritual. This course is to help students develop a healthy lifestyle in each area of life.

Strength Training 1 and 2
Strength Training 1 and 2 provides each student with the opportunity to participate in a program consisting of skill development, lift progressions, flexibility, and lifelong muscle/strength building exercises, injury prevention and physical fitness activities. Strength Training 1 and 2 promotes proper lifting techniques and exercises that they can do for a lifetime. Our purpose is to build the students up through targeting their stabilizing muscles and their core, so that when they enter into the advanced weight training classes in high school they are ready to participate in the more advanced lifts and techniques. Upon completion of this course, students will have learned the rules, skills, and strategies associated with weight training along with proper flexibility techniques and lifelong physical activities. “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. “ 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Theater
By developing a deep understanding and working knowledge of theatre, students will be encouraged to use the talents God has given them. This understanding is accomplished through a research-based instructional plan including differentiated instruction, integrated lessons, hands-on activities, performance based projects, and bi-yearly scheduled public performances to practice and master the skills that theatre professionals use in their craft. Beginner activities involve but are not limited to theatre games, physical exercises in concentration and attention, playing an objective, voice, movement, stage terminology, characterization, performance monologues, and rehearsal techniques. In more advanced courses, students will strengthen and build upon skills learned in introductory courses. Advanced courses continue a steady progression to voice and diction, dialects, character studies, musical theatre training, scene work, production participation, theatre history, directing, critiquing, environmental design, and participation with technical aspects of the theater.

Academy Band
Academy Band is available for all students in 7th and 8th grade who have prior playing backgrounds. Here, students work mostly out of the Habits of a Successful Musician Book to develop their musical abilities. They begin to learn more scales, technical exercises, and “habits” that are preparing them to play more challenging literature. This ensemble performs quality wind band literature of various styles and cultural backgrounds in a number of performances throughout the year: the Variety Show, Christmas Concert, ACSI Band Festival, and Spring Concert.

Academy Percussion
Academy Percussion is a section of the Academy Band. Though they perform with the Academy Winds for all four performances, they rehearse separately on most days. This allows for instruction to address specifics regarding stroke types, varying percussion approaches within the section, and other issues percussion targeted. In the spring, they will do a stand-alone performance at the McEachern Day of Percussion where they will perform medium to advanced literature for adjudicators and fellow percussionists in Cobb County, GA.

Academy Chorus

The mission of Strong Rock Christian School’s Upper Academy (7th & 8th Grade) & High School Choruses is to enrich students’ vocal abilities through the study of two-part and three-part choral music, along with the practice of proper vocal techniques; music reading skills; and finally, the ultimate presentation of these skills through public performance. Students perform choral literature that ranges in style from Classical pieces in Latin to Contemporary Pop and Jazz pieces, developing an eclectic musical palette of musical genres that will help them become well-rounded musicians in the years-to-come. Students perform in seasonal concerts and festivals each year (Fall Concert, Christmas Concert, Spring Festival, Spring Concert, and finally the big Spring Musical that features the cooperation of all the fine arts groups at Strong Rock Christian School).

Class Piano 7/8 and 7/8: Intermediate
Moving into seventh and eighth grade, students continue as their repertoire becomes more difficult. At this stage, emphasis is placed on musicianship and learning all sharp major scales and primary chords. Stress will be placed on the importance of giving our personal best for God through music. Students will play for adjudication at the Association of Christian Schools International Piano Festival in February and have many solo and ensemble performance opportunities throughout the year.
The nature of our music is subject to God’s standards of excellence and goodness.

7th and 8th Grade Visual Art
Visual Art is an introduction to art and will provide students with the foundation needed to continue in other art courses. Students will study Art History, Art Criticism and learn the elements and principles of design through a variety of studio lessons. Emphasis will be placed on the use of art terms, the proper use of media and creativity in production of art work. This is a semester class paired with technology.

The purpose of the Academy technology class is to enable students to address the challenges of the 21st century. By using technology, students will be encouraged to solve problems, select appropriate technology for different tasks, create solutions, and evaluate their accomplishments. Students will develop a foundation in becoming life-long users of technology so that they may enhance the quality of their lives. Throughout the nine-week period or the semester, assignments may include but are not limited to Keyboarding, Email, Paint, Word, Publisher, PowerPoint, Internet, and Excel.

The eight grade curriculum for Bible teaches the Bible as the divinely inspired and infallible Word of God, and presents students with the Gospel message as well as plants seeds that may one day lead them to a committed relationship with Jesus Christ. This course continues in the Bible where the 7^th grade curriculum concludes. It begins with the Minor Prophets of the Old Testament and then continues through the Gospels, the birth of the Church, the Epistles of Paul, and all the way through Revelation. Students will learn basic principles repeated through Scripture preparing them for Christian thinking and further Bible interpretation as it relates to the past and present.

The 8^th Grade English course focuses on literature, grammar, and writing. The literature component encompasses all genres and includes a variety of activities that connect the grammar and writing pieces. The grammar component reviews and expands grammatical skills using the Daily Grammar Practice. Daily Grammar is used to teach the foundation of grammar using repetition and a question-and answer flow to classify each word in a sentence, as well as, the sentence as a whole. These concepts in conjunction with our writing curriculum, Institute for Excellence in Writing, are used to expand, improve and edit the students’ writing. The students write for a variety of purposes including responding to topics, developing compositions, and sharing thoughts in free style writing. They write to a variety of audiences using formal and creative forms of writing such as narrative, descriptive, persuasive, creative, and expository. They also use the writing process of prewriting, drafting, editing and publishing in formal writing and the research process. The course takes time to focus on and develop each aspect of our language and connect it to Biblical principles that support God’s plan for us to be able to communicate effectively.

The PACE eighth grade Language Arts curriculum deepens and extends the students’ exposure to all the areas of language arts. Vocabulary based on Latin and Greek roots continues to be used, and AP English reading, writing and testing concepts and skills are introduced. In addition, other writing includes narrative, literary critique, persuasive and research. Grammar units continue throughout the year. Students must be eligible to participate.

Mastery of arithmetic is expected at the eighth grade level.  Reinforcement of previously learned skills will be continuous.  The course will focus on units such as solving equations; scientific notation and exponents; classifying numbers with emphasis on irrational numbers;  the Pythagorean theorem; volume; triangles; similarity, lines and congruence; transformations, relations and functions.

“Mathematics is the pen with which God has written the universe,”– Galileo.

The fundamental purpose of Coordinate Algebra is to formalize and extend the mathematics that students learned in the middle grades.  The critical areas are organized into the following units: Expressions, Equations, Proportional Thinking, Inequalities, Sequences, Relations & Functions, Linear Functions, Systems of Equations and Inequalities, Exponential Functions, and Statistics. Throughout the course, students should experience mathematics as a coherent, useful, and logical subject that makes use of their ability to make sense of problem situations. There are specific requirements students must meet in order to register for this course as an 8^th grade student.

The general objectives, in US History, are to focus on God’s providence in the areas of and to outline major periods within each era. Within each era, the course highlights continuity and change in politics, economics, religion, society, science and arts, along with continuity and change in foreign relations, including past wars, and the roots of modern foreign policy.

This high school preparatory course is an integrated physics and chemistry course designed to focus on the basic concepts in each area in both the classroom and laboratory. There will be a continual emphasis on the spiritual aspect of science in conjunction with common scientific practices and safety skills. The first semester centers on the scientific method, lab safety, measurement, with a concentration on chemistry and the processes that occur in the world around us. Students will gain a deeper understanding of chemistry concepts through the nature of matter, atomic structure, introduction to periodic table, as well as chemical formulas and bonding. The second semester focuses on physics and the basic laws of nature that God established. Conceptual study of physical science work will include but is not limited to the following laws: conservation of matter, conservation of energy, motion and forces, energy transformation, and various principles and laws as applied to fluids, waves, and electricity. Students will also participate in cross-curricular investigative projects that as well as lab activities throughout the year.

 

Spanish I focuses on teaching an introductory course in the language which includes common first year vocabulary terms, such as; greetings, calendar, school and leisure activities, describing self and family members, and food and restaurant vocabulary. Grammar structures include usage of the subject and adjective agreement as well as subject and verb agreement. It also includes the proper use of prepositional phrases, the immediate future and the differences between the uses of Ser vs. Estar. Various activities are used throughout the year to aid students in acquiring reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Furthermore, numerous cultural and Biblical scriptural references are integrated throughout the curriculum to make to make the first year language study a more comprehensive and wide ranging study of the language and culture complete with a contemporary and relevant focus on Biblical truths.

Four-Fitness
The purpose of Physical Education is to guide and motivate children to be active for a lifetime. Students are challenged through physical education to perform basic skills used in individual and team sports, motor skills, and fitness activities. Through the social interaction of organized play along with Biblical integration, students have the opportunity to grow and mature physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Health
Health discusses the relevant topics that young people are facing right now in each area of their lives: physical, mental, social and spiritual. This course is to help students develop a healthy lifestyle in each area of life.

Strength Training 1 and 2
Strength Training 1 and 2 provides each student with the opportunity to participate in a program consisting of skill development, lift progressions, flexibility, and lifelong muscle/strength building exercises, injury prevention and physical fitness activities. Strength Training 1 and 2 promotes proper lifting techniques and exercises that they can do for a lifetime. Our purpose is to build the students up through targeting their stabilizing muscles and their core, so that when they enter into the advanced weight training classes in high school they are ready to participate in the more advanced lifts and techniques. Upon completion of this course, students will have learned the rules, skills, and strategies associated with weight training along with proper flexibility techniques and lifelong physical activities. “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. “ 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Theater
By developing a deep understanding and working knowledge of theatre, students will be encouraged to use the talents God has given them. This understanding is accomplished through a research-based instructional plan including differentiated instruction, integrated lessons, hands-on activities, performance based projects, and bi-yearly scheduled public performances to practice and master the skills that theatre professionals use in their craft. Beginner activities involve but are not limited to theatre games, physical exercises in concentration and attention, playing an objective, voice, movement, stage terminology, characterization, performance monologues, and rehearsal techniques. In more advanced courses, students will strengthen and build upon skills learned in introductory courses. Advanced courses continue a steady progression to voice and diction, dialects, character studies, musical theatre training, scene work, production participation, theatre history, directing, critiquing, environmental design, and participation with technical aspects of the theater.

Academy Band
Academy Band is available for all students in 7th and 8th grade who have prior playing backgrounds. Here, students work mostly out of the Habits of a Successful Musician Book to develop their musical abilities. They begin to learn more scales, technical exercises, and “habits” that are preparing them to play more challenging literature. This ensemble performs quality wind band literature of various styles and cultural backgrounds in a number of performances throughout the year: the Variety Show, Christmas Concert, ACSI Band Festival, and Spring Concert.

Academy Percussion
Academy Percussion is a section of the Academy Band. Though they perform with the Academy Winds for all four performances, they rehearse separately on most days. This allows for instruction to address specifics regarding stroke types, varying percussion approaches within the section, and other issues percussion targeted. In the spring, they will do a stand-alone performance at the McEachern Day of Percussion where they will perform medium to advanced literature for adjudicators and fellow percussionists in Cobb County, GA.

Academy Chorus

The mission of Strong Rock Christian School’s Upper Academy (7th & 8th Grade) & High School Choruses is to enrich students’ vocal abilities through the study of two-part and three-part choral music, along with the practice of proper vocal techniques; music reading skills; and finally, the ultimate presentation of these skills through public performance. Students perform choral literature that ranges in style from Classical pieces in Latin to Contemporary Pop and Jazz pieces, developing an eclectic musical palette of musical genres that will help them become well-rounded musicians in the years-to-come. Students perform in seasonal concerts and festivals each year (Fall Concert, Christmas Concert, Spring Festival, Spring Concert, and finally the big Spring Musical that features the cooperation of all the fine arts groups at Strong Rock Christian School).

Class Piano 7/8 and 7/8: Intermediate
Moving into seventh and eighth grade, students continue as their repertoire becomes more difficult. At this stage, emphasis is placed on musicianship and learning all sharp major scales and primary chords. Stress will be placed on the importance of giving our personal best for God through music. Students will play for adjudication at the Association of Christian Schools International Piano Festival in February and have many solo and ensemble performance opportunities throughout the year.
The nature of our music is subject to God’s standards of excellence and goodness.

7th and 8th Grade Visual Art
Visual Art is an introduction to art and will provide students with the foundation needed to continue in other art courses. Students will study Art History, Art Criticism and learn the elements and principles of design through a variety of studio lessons. Emphasis will be placed on the use of art terms, the proper use of media and creativity in production of art work. This is a semester class paired with technology.

The purpose of the Academy technology class is to enable students to address the challenges of the 21st century. By using technology, students will be encouraged to solve problems, select appropriate technology for different tasks, create solutions, and evaluate their accomplishments. Students will develop a foundation in becoming life-long users of technology so that they may enhance the quality of their lives. Throughout the nine-week period or the semester, assignments may include but are not limited to Keyboarding, Email, Paint, Word, Publisher, PowerPoint, Internet, and Excel.