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 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.

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 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.

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.

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 8th 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.

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 8th grade student.

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.

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.

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.

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.