Middle School Course Descriptions

At Portland Christian Middle School, we recognize the unique character and characteristics of the Middle school age child, and as such strive to offer a program that meets the needs of the child during this transitional period. In general, students in the eleven through fourteen-year-old age bracket exhibit a tremendous number of changes in their physical, intellectual, social, and educational growth. Nowhere in their educational experience will so many transformations occur at different rates than in this age student. Unlike the elementary age child, where changes take place at a more uniform and somewhat predictable rate, the Middle school age child deals with nearly cataclysmic changes on all fronts.

Because we work with students exhibiting a wide variety of thinking skill levels and apparent abilities, we provide a program that enables us to meet each student where they are, and challenge them to improve on their personal bests. Those who are able, proceed to higher level course work, e.g. math, science.

Students at this age are still very impressionable; yet exhibit behavior demanding more freedom and less structure. We take extreme care amongst our faculty and administration to uphold, as well as model, Biblical standards of attitudes, conduct, and speech. Because reasoning and decision-making processes are becoming more complex, we provide a program that is structured with room to "flex," which will prepare students for the freedoms and the social, and learning skills necessary to function in the higher grades.

BIBLE DEPARTMENT

Bible 6
Bible 6 is a survey of the New Testament with special emphasis on practical application of New Testament teachings.

Bible 7
In 7th grade Bible, students will be led in a survey of the Old Testament. They will learn the basic geography of Old Testament times; develop a simple chronology of Old Testament events; and study the lives of men and women who trusted in God and were greatly used by Him to carry out His work.

Bible 8
In 8th grade Bible, students will survey the New Testament giving to them an overview of God's Word. Students will begin to develop an understanding of the ministry of the Lord Jesus and the purpose for the Church. Students will learn the books of the New Testament, and key verses will be memorized. The basic geography of New Testament times will be studied, along with the lives of significant men and women who trusted God and were used by Him to further the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As students study the New Testament, they will gain a deeper understanding of their personal relationship to God and His deep concern and love for them.

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
At Portland Christian Middle School we recognize "that all truth is God's truth," regardless of the channels. The Language Arts program is designed to improve the students' awareness of the important role that language and literature play in their lives. Students are urged to develop and refine their language abilities. They are encouraged, within their Christian worldview, to realize their need for discernment in all literature.

English 6
English 6 is a thorough review of the parts of speech and sentence structure. Also included in the total Language Arts block are spelling, writing skills, and reading, with a concentration on comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency.

English 7
In this course, vocabulary development, grammar usage through the development of writing skills, and the study of literary terms and elements are taught through a significant amount of reading in various genres. All traditional areas of 7th grade English are covered, and students are taught to recognize the importance of carrying over those skills into other areas of the curriculum.
In developing their understanding that language (both verbal and written) is a gift from God, students will understand the role played by articulate speech, and clear, concise writing in conveying information and establishing satisfactory personal relationships.

English 8
English 8 is a continuation of English 7, but with more detail given to literature and composition. A wide variety of literary selections will be read and writing assignments, (including literary essays, reports and creative writing) related by style to the reading selections, will be assigned. Students will also become familiar with tasks involved in research: locating information, note-taking, outlining, using a variety of reference tools, and writing a bibliography.

MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT
If mathematics is God's thought, then the beauty, order, infinitude and power mathematics exhibits arc reflections of God's "power and Godhead". (Rom. 1:20) The student, beholding the glory of the Creator, is changed into Christ's likeness (2 Cor. 3:18), thus fulfilling his destiny as a Christian (Rom. 8:29, 1 John 3:2). This is the theoretical, abstract, structural aspect of mathematics.
At the Middle school level we show the student that they need mathematics to obey God's command to subdue and replenish the earth and take dominion over it (Gen. 1:28). This is the vocational, scientific, and applied aspect of mathematics.

Math Course 1
Math Course 1 is our introductory math class. Students completing this course will move on to Math Course 2 or Pre-Algebra in the depending on their abilities. Students will become aware of the order, power, and infinitude of God as reflected in mathematics.
In this course, students will be able to state the nature and purpose of mathematics and accurately use the vocabulary, symbolism, and operations of arithmetic, especially with decimals, fractions, ratios, and percents. They will also be introduced to geometric concepts and problem-solving techniques. This course provides a full year of practice in the fundamentals of mathematics.

Math Course 2
Math Course 2 is a course for middle school students of average skill level. Students completing this course would be well prepared to take Pre-Algebra in the next grade and should become aware of the order, power and infinitude of God as reflected in mathematics. This course provides a full year of the fundamentals of arithmetic and a bridge to pre-algebra.
In this course, students will be able to state the nature and purpose of mathematics and accurately use the vocabulary, symbolism, and operations of arithmetic, especially fractions, ratios and percents. Students will begin the basics of geometry, including areas of triangles, parallelograms, and circles, use the metric system in solving problems, and translate word problems from English to mathematical terms.

Pre-Algebra
Pre-Algebra is a course for 8th graders of average ability in mathematics and for the mathematically advanced 7th graders. Students completing this course should be well prepared to take algebra in the 9th grade, and should become aware of the order, power and infinitude of God reflected in mathematics. This course provides a full year of practice in the fundamentals of arithmetic, while basic abstractions of algebra are introduced and practiced.
In this course, the student will be able to state the nature and purpose of mathematics, and accurately use the vocabulary, symbolism, and operations of arithmetic, especially fractions, ratio, and percent. The students will learn to determine area, volume, and perimeter, and apply formulas to solve problems, translate numbers from English to mathematics and vice-versa, translate problems from English to mathematics, and accurately use the vocabulary and symbolism of simple algebraic ideas.

Algebra I
Advanced 8th grade students may be placed in an Algebra I class. These exceptional students will be taught at the same level and degree of rigor as any student at the Senior High school level. See High School Mathematics section for a description of this course.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

The student shall behold the glory of God reflected in the development and movement of the human body and in individual character development as evidenced in exercise, games, sports and rhythms.

PE 6, 7 and 8
At the Middle School all students in grades 6, 7 and 8 are required to take PE. PE classes are gender specific for grades 7 and 8.
Even though much of the activity taught at the 6th, and 7th grade level is also taught in the 8th grade, 6th, 7th and 8th grade students are taught in separate classes.

During this course, students will experience the use of their bodies, a creation of God. Through a variety of PE activities the students will develop muscular coordination, agility, cardiovascular endurance, mental alertness, and an appreciation for personal hygiene. In competitive situations the student will have opportunity to learn sportsmanship, teamwork and self-control.

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
The Science Department at Portland Christian accepts the Bible as the inerrant Word of God. For this reason, science is taught from a literal creation account, based on observable scientific phenomena. Students are taught that true science is the study and investigation of the universe that God has created.

Science 6 (Integrated Science)
Through a combination of lecture, discussion, hands-on laboratory activities, and special projects, students in Science 6 are taught fundamental concepts in each of the three main domains of science (life, earth, and physical science). All scientific concepts are taught from a distinctively Christian perspective, based primarily on the Genesis account of creation. Through their study of the natural world (God's creation), students learn to better appreciate and understand God's character and attributes.

Life Science 7
This class is designed to introduce students to the characteristics of living things; to study the diversity of organisms created by God in order for them to see His character in His creation. Using as much lab work as possible, it is our goal that students develop a sense of wonder about God's creation. It is important that the student see the overall design of the creation and learn how to apply the scientific method to problem solving.

In this course, students will understand the Genesis account of Creation as opposed to evolution. As students understand the characteristics of living things, they will describe the steps in the scientific method, use the metric system, and explain cell theory and how living things are classified. Students will be introduced to the concepts of simple organisms and the comparative anatomy of higher order animals.

Physical Science 8
This course is centered on the physical sciences, accompanied by applications in earth and space sciences. The physical sciences are a practical study of the relationship between matter and energy in God's Creation, and include the introduction of physical laws and chemical processes. Students are provided with a variety of experiences to help them develop and apply critical thinking skills. During this course, students will be able to define physical science, describe and experience some of the activities used by scientists in solving problems, outline and follow the scientific method, perform laboratory experiments that illustrate key concepts, and distinguish quantitative and qualitative characteristics. Students will perform all calculations using significant digits and use the factor-label method to solve problems. They will recognize the difference between the Christian world view and the non-Christian, naturalistic world view, and realize that the implications of their world view will determine how they think and what they conclude about all of life.

SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT
The Department of Social Studies at the Middle School level encompasses a broad range of course work, including World Geography and US History. In the History class the student is exposed to the revelation of God in time, space and human events. History is the realm of unrepeatable phenomena, with certain consequences for human knowledge and understanding. In history dwells the unveiling of the personal God, His character, His attributes, and His nature. Through the study of the past and God's clarification of that past, we also come to grip with who man is today.

Social Studies 6
Social Studies 6 focuses on world geography and culture.

Ancient World 7
In Social Studies 7, students will learn that Jesus Christ is not merely a Western Messiah, but ruler of the entire universe. Students will understand that all cultures deserve respect because they were created by God. During this course, students will be able to identify basic needs of mankind and how these needs are fulfilled in different ancient cultures.

Social Studies 8
The 8th grade American History course at Portland Christian Middle School seeks to help students develop an understanding of the mind of Christ. Though events and the what of history are important, this course seeks to help students see beyond the whatto the why. In studying why people took the actions they did and the conditions of the society contributing to their decisions, the student can gain knowledge of God and recognize His presence in the world. By gaining this knowledge, the student can develop a deeper relationship with God.
During this course, students will be able to define a Christian world view of history, identify how the Old World inhabitants discovered and explored the New World, identify the process by which major European nations established colonies in the New World, and explain the establishment of the U. S. as a separate nation through the Constitution. Students will understand how the Northeast, South and West grew socially and economically apart. They will identify progress and problems of America's 19th century industrial revolution, and identify influential events in American history from the turn of the century to the present.

MIDDLE SCHOOL ELECTIVES
At Portland Christian we believe that the middle school years are unique ones. Through our elective course offering we help prepare our middle school students for high school and beyond.

Electives do not provide in-depth coverage of a single subject matter. Instead, most are designed as exploratory classes to provide opportunities for our students to gain hands-on experience. Chorale and Band are the only full year electives offered. These two electives are part of our overall 6-12 music program. Therefore, those students with strong musical ability, particularly those qualified in Performance Band, are challenged at a more demanding level.

At this time we offer the following electives: (subject to change for enrichment)

MS Art 1 and MS Art 2
It is a unique privilege to be made in the image of our Creator God. The process of creating reveals the very nature of God and offers a means for glorifying Him. In Junior High Art, students will have the opportunity for creative expression in two and three-dimensional art, learn the basic elements of design, and become familiar with the works of some major artists.

Concert Band
In this course, students develop technical skill on their respective instruments. As these skills are developed, students will learn to interpret music with sensitivity, and musicality is acquired through various rehearsal formats.

6/7/8 Choir
While the objectives for the chorale are the same as those for other vocal performing groups, the expectations are not as rigorous.

MS Computer/Keyboarding
Students in Computer/Keyboarding are introduced to the computer for their personal use. Students will learn keyboarding technique and understand that computer literacy is absolutely necessary in today's culture.

MS Drama
Drama is a class that will introduce the basics of production of a play or other dramatic presentation. The students will explore this in several ways with their teacher's guidance.

MS Home Management Skills (Cooking & Sewing)
Foods and Family Living Class is designed to give students a working knowledge of the basic food groups, kitchen safety, how to read a recipe, and plan a menu. Students will learn to be a good host or hostess. They will learn to prepare and graciously serve a fine meal. Students will also receive instruction in the use and care of the tools used in sewing, as well as how to cut a pattern correctly and prepare a finished sewing project.

MS Yearbook 6/7/8
The students will receive instruction in layout, publishing and photography and will participate in creating the middle school yearbook.

Excel Guided Study Program 7/8
Students in the Excel will be assigned to a Guided Study Skills class where daily and long-range assignments will be carefully monitored. The teacher of the class will help students develop the skills necessary to work independently on projects, papers and homework. Organizational skills and management of time are integral units taught in this class. The Directed Study Skills teacher will maintain class contact with the Basic Education teacher, counselor, and the home.

MS Guitar
This is a beginning guitar class where students learn the fundamentals of playing the guitar. No experience necessary.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES
Students can participate in a variety of extracurricular activities.

Athletics
Because Portland Christian Middle School resides on the same campus as PC High, our Middle school students can take advantage of all the facilities our high school program has to offer. This includes a state-of-the-art track and field. At the Middle school level, students can participate in basketball, track, boy's football, and girl's volleyball, and coed soccer.