Middle School
2010-2011
The time is near! Less than a month left for vacation.
Pickles is missing all of you!
We are looking forward to an exciting year.
Bible
We study the Bible each and every day. We begin with a review of Jesus life that we studied last year, and continue with the week of passion, the crucifiction, resurrection, the risen Christ on earth, and the early church. We will then move on to study Abraham and the other Patriarchs. Our curriculum is designed to cover the entire Bible in 4 years.
Scripture memory work is an integral part of the program, and students will be required to memorize a portion each week.
Students need a New King James version of the Bible. It should be inexpensive, as they will be needing to mark in it.
American History
We desire for our students to know the true history of this wonderful country of ours. Understanding the Founding documents, the government as our founders intended it to be, and the events that have continued to shape us. A firm foundation now will allow students to understand and form their own opinions of events as they reach voting age, and perhaps become our leaders in the future.
Science
Our first science unit will be to learn 
.
We will then move on to plant science – where students will create a book of what they learn.
Math
Each student studies math at his/her own level using the Saxon Math curricula. In addition, we will be doing some orienteering, finding our way around using a compass and map. We will also be doing some building projects requiring the practical use of math skills.
Students will also master multiplication facts!
Each student will need:
¼ inch graph paper
a metal ruler
a protractor
a compass (for drawing circles)
an orienteering compass
Tools (hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, etc.)
returning students bring toolbox
new students will make a toolbox
Reading – each student will be using a reader at his/her own level. Students are also encouraged to read, read, read – anything and everything.
Writing – Students will be continuing to learn to express themselves in written form. They will be writing letters each week to family, friends, neighbors, pastors, church members, missionaries, politicians, and anyone else we can think of. Students need to bring a list of relatives and friends, etc. with their addresses. Please brainstorm over this list and include anyone who would appreciate a letter from your student. Be prepared to add to this list throughout the year.
Spelling – We are beginning a concentrated spelling program this year. The goal is to turn your good speller into a great speller, and your poor speller into a good speller. It will be only 15 minutes a day, but it is a powerful program concentrating on the words most commonly used, and your child’s own misspelled words. Each child will be tested and begin work at the level he needs to be to achieve success.
Vocabulary – Words are the tools of success. It is important that each student adds daily to his list of mastered words. To this end, we will be using Greek and Latin roots to allow the student to analyze words and find the meanings quickly. Students will also learn to use the dictionary and thesaurus with ease. Each student needs a dictionary of his/her own.
We require all students 4th grade and above to purchase a Webster’s Dictionary/Thesaurus, ISBN 0-7645-6545-1, that will carry him/her through high school.
It will get heavy use, and cannot be shared. Please make sure your student has this dictionary on the first day of school.
Art
Our art program this year will start with a unit on origami. Other units will depend on student’s interests and the teacher’s ability to teach it or to find resources for it.
a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a case for the toothbrush.
Our Economic Program
Each student is paid (in funny money)
$6.00/day that he is in school. In addition, the grades that he receives on Friday are added up, and he is paid that amount on top of the daily rate. So he can earn $30 to $40 each week.
From that amount, he has to rent his desk at $30/month. We also have a store where he can buy things like water bottles, pencils, glue sticks, hole reinforcers, paper clips, etc. Occasionally, when I can afford it, or when parents supply something, we add snacks to the store. Students also are fined for various infractions of grammar rules (saying “ain’t”, using a double negative, saying “me and him” did something, etc.) depending on what the student needs to learn. The purpose is to teach how to handle money – how to plan to have enough for rent, and getting the things you need. At the end of the school year, we have an auction at which time students may spend any left-over money.
I need parent’s help in two ways for this to be an effective tool.
1. Supply stuff for the store. This can be anything that students would need or want.
2. Supply stuff for the end-of-year auction. Again this can be anything students might want. If you are a yard saler, keep your eyes open for stuff 3rd through 8th graders might want.
You will have my undying gratitude for any help in this matter. EJC