GAC Middle School 2017-18 Program of Study
Greater Atlanta Christian School Program of Study for Middle School 2017-18
Charles Edwards, Principal Lauren Hollier, Academic Dean Betty Morris, K-12 Director of Curriculum The Middle School years of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade present unique challenges and opportunities for growth, academically, physically, and spiritually. Our GAC Middle School faculty engage middle grades learners and create meaningful and memorable experiences in all five core academic areas – science, social studies, mathematics, English, and Biblical studies. Contemporary learning environments support project based-learning and investigative research: huddle spaces, break-out rooms, reconfigurable tables, and outdoor learning venues offer places for collaboration and communication in small or large group settings. Students also gain greater perspective and purpose through a variety of mission trip and leadership opportunities. Our Program of Study is guided by teachers who meet regularly in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to examine and foster best practices and effective methods that ensure the academic success of every student.
6th Grade
7th Grade
8th Grade
Bible 6
Bible 7
Bible 8
Language Arts 6⬥
Language Arts 7⬥
Language Arts 8⬥
Math⬥
Math⬥
Math⬥
Science 6
Science 7
Physical Science
Social Studies 6
American History 7
American History/World Issues 8•
Revolve
Elective 1
Elective 1
Elective 1
Elective 2✓
Elective 2✓
⬥ Honors courses are available in the areas of Language Arts and Math.
In order to qualify for entrance into or to remain in an Honors course, students should meet the following criteria: 1. A minimum of 90 NPR (National Percentile Rank) score on a standardized achievement test (Iowa Assessments) in the ELA, reading, or math total 2. A minimum 115 SAS (Standard Age Score) on a standardized assessment of cognitive abilities test (CogAT) in the verbal or quantitative areas 3. Completed prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of 90% in an Honors math or language arts course or 94% in a non-Honors math or language arts course 4. A recommendation from a current Language Arts or Math teacher; recommendations will be based on STAR Reading and Math, MobyMax assessments, PSAT 8/9 scores (for 8th graders only), projects, final exams, writing samples, timely response of projects and assignments, and LPR (Local Percentile Rank) *If you would like your child to be considered for an Honors course but he or she has not met the above requirements, please schedule a meeting with a middle school administrator. Students recommended by their current 5th grade math teacher to take Honors Pre-Algebra in 6th grade will be required to take additional diagnostic assessments over the summer break. • A blended version of this course is offered, meeting once a week outside of the other seven classes. An application is required for admission into this class. ✓7th grade students can begin the first half of a World Language course in French, Latin, Spanish, or Mandarin with the second half taken in 8th grade. This course, over a two-year span, offers one credit for High School graduation. (A&B) ✓8th grade students can also elect to take French 1, Latin 1, Mandarin Chinese 1, or Spanish 1 in one year for one credit for High School graduation. Math courses available to middle school students include Math 6, Honors Math 6, Pre-Algebra, Honors Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Honors Algebra 1 and Honors Geometry. Middle school classes that count towards High School graduation credit include Algebra 1, Honors Algebra 1, Honors Geometry, Physical Science, and Foreign Language courses (French 1A&B, French 1, Latin 1A&B, Latin 1, Mandarin Chinese 1, Spanish 1A&B, Spanish1).
Electives Electives are offered to allow students to try something new or to further develop a skill or an art. Please see the following pages for a complete listing of the available electives. Revolve is a 9-week rotation of Physical Education, Visual Art, MakerSpace and Theory of Thinking. All 6th grade students will experience Revolve as one of their elective choices. All electives are available to be taken once per year except where noted on the following list:
Year-long Electives
Semester-long Electives 6
7
8
Coding
✓
✓
✓
Creative Writing
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Dance Fitness - Girls■ Drama 6■★
✓
✓
Intro to Photography
✓
✓
Intro to Video Production
✓
✓
MakerSpace 1★
✓
✓
MakerSpace 2°★
✓
✓
Performance Training – Boys■★
✓
✓
Performance Training – Girls■★
✓
✓
Physical Education - Boys■★
✓
✓
Physical Education - Girls■★
✓
✓
Robotics
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Swim - Girls■★ (Spring Only)
✓
✓
Visual Art 1 (Fall Only)
✓
✓
Visual Art 2° (Spring Only)
✓
✓
Student Ministry■ Swim - Boys■★ (Fall Only)
✓
Advanced Orchestra°★ Band 6°★
✓
Beginning Band★
✓
7
8
✓
✓
✓
✓
Chinese 1
✓
Drama 7/8■★
6
Choir (Rising Voices)
✓ ✓
✓
Concert Band° Dance 1/2°★
✓
Dance 3°★
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
French 1 French 1A Intermediate Orchestra°★
✓
✓
✓
Latin 1 Latin 1A
✓
✓
✓
Spanish 1 Spanish 1A
✓
✓
°These courses require previous experience, teacher recommendation and/or audition/interview. ■May ★
be taken twice in one year.
These courses may require additional supplies.
ACADEMIC Creative Writing
Theory of Thinking
Designed to challenge and engage students interested in original literary composition, providing them with a substantial foundation for further exploration of their creative work. Intended to help students become stronger and more productive throughout their educational career. Topics of study include organization, brain health, determining one’s learning style, effective metacognitive skills, creating personalized learning goals, and research-based study strategies. Throughout the course of study, growth mindset is emphasized.
WORLD LANGUAGES French 1
A foundational study of the basic skills of French speaking, listening comprehension, reading, and writing. High School graduation credit.
French 1A
Part 1 of a two-year sequence to gain High School foreign language credit. This two-year sequence is equivalent to taking French 1 for one year.
Latin 1
A foundational study of the basics skills of Latin grammar, reading, writing, and experiences in classical culture. High School graduation credit.
Latin 1A
Part 1 of a two-year sequence to gain High School foreign language credit. This two-year sequence is equivalent to taking Latin 1 for one year.
Chinese 1
A foundational study of the basic skills of Chinese speaking, listening comprehension, reading, and writing. High School graduation credit.
Spanish 1
A foundational study of the basics skills of Spanish speaking, listening comprehension, reading, and writing. High School graduation credit.
Spanish 1A
Part 1 of a two-year sequence to gain High School foreign language credit. This two-year sequence is equivalent to taking Spanish 1 for one year.
FINE ARTS Band 6 Beginning Band Concert Band
Teaches band skills for students with at least one year experience Teaches band skills for students with no previous band experience or who have taken time off from their intrument Teaches band skills for students with at least two years of experience
Intermediate Orchestra
Enriches orchestral skills for students who have at least one year of experience and teacher approval to enroll
Advanced Orchestra
Enriches orchestra skills for students who have at least two years of experience and teacher approval to enroll
Choir – Rising Voices
A three-part advanced choir that develops students’ abilities in choral music and offers opportunities to perform
Drama 6
Introduction to the study of the dramatic arts with opportunities to participate in creative classroom dramatics
Drama 7/8
A further study of the dramatic arts with opportunities to participate in dramatic performances
Visual Art 1
An introduction to or further study of the elements of art and principles of design focusing primarily on drawing and other 2-D lessons
Visual Art 2
An introduction to or further study of the elements of art and principles of design; continuing study of the elements of art and principles through creation of three or four works of art in 3-D
PHYSICAL EDUCATION Dance 1/2
Intermediate dance is open to 6th-8th graders with some previous dance training, exploring various topics in dance through the study of ballet, jazz, and modern dance techniques
Dance 3
Advanced dance is open to 7th and 8th graders with multiple years of previous dance training. Students explore various topics in dance through the study of ballet, jazz, and modern dance technique. Auditions or teacher placement required.
Dance Fitness – Girls
Explores physical fitness though various aerobic and strengthening exercise formats including Zumba, Aerobic Dance, Line Dancing, Ballet Fit, Yoga, Jazz Dance, and Pilates
Performance Training - Boys Promotes the growth of a male athlete’s speed and agility Performance Training – Girls Promotes the growth of a female athlete’s speed and agility Physical Education – Boys
Emphasizes life-long fitness skills for boys through games and sports
Physical Education – Girls
Emphasizes life-long fitness skills for girls through games and sports
Swim – Boys
Focuses on water safety, swimming techniques including strokes, starts, and turns, and fitness through games like water polo, water basketball and water aerobics
Swim - Girls
Focuses on water safety, swimming techniques including strokes, starts, and turns, and fitness through games like water polo, water basketball and water aerobics
TECHNOLOGY Coding Introduction to Photography Introduction to Video Production
An introduction to learning the skill of writing step-by-step commands for the computer to follow in order to perform certain functions An introduction to the basics of creating effective photographic imagery through an understanding of camera settings, lighting, and framing An introduction to the basics of visual storytelling through video
MakerSpace 1
Encourages students to create, invent, and learn using technologies such as woodworking, 3D printing, computer programming, electronics and other tools
MakerSpace 2
An advanced study into the world of “making;� students have more opportunities to create their own projects while being challenged to develop different skills culminating with an AP-style portfolio of projects centered around their desired craft.
Robotics
Designed to stimulate creativity, problem-solving skills, and collaboration through the construction and programming of robots
MISCELLANEOUS Student Ministry
Promotes student leadership through the planning, preparing and presenting of the Middle School weekly chapels. Application and interview required.