7th Grade Course Description 2009-2010

We believe that middle school students are at a unique time in their lives. Research tells us that successful schools for adolescent learners have curriculum that is relevant, challenging, integrative, and exploratory. At Harvest Preparatory School we take it many steps further by delivering this curriculum from a Christian worldview. With this in mind, we have carefully and thoughtfully re-designed the 7th grade curriculum for the 2009-2010 school year.

Ohio Academic Content Standards are taught in all core subjects. Seventh grade classes are all pre-scheduled. Seventh grade students will experience all electives listed. Introduction to Spanish will be offered in the eighth grade and Spanish for high school credit will now be offered beginning in ninth grade.

REQUIRED CLASSES: All classes are year long.

Bible:
This course concentrates on the issue of character. Thirty four character traits are presented. Some examples are love, wisdom, faith, honesty, humility, and patience. Students study these traits from a biblical perspective. Each trait is the topic of study of Scripture, definitions and descriptions. Students study the importance of each trait, Bible Characters who exhibited the traits, the cautions regarding its negative counterpart, and practical applications to everyday living.

English:
This course combines grammar, composition, and reading instruction. Through interaction with various genres and themes of literature, students develop both their writing and reading comprehension skills. Students are instructed in the entire writing process. Instruction in grammar allows students to develop the precision in mechanics and diction that they will need in order to become excellent writers. Vocabulary and spelling are also important components of instruction. A Bible-based perspective governs the approach to all reading assignments.

Foundations for High School 1:
This mini-course was formerly known as Prep for Success. It meets before or after lunch for 30 minutes each school day throughout the year. This new course is an advisory period designed to help seventh-graders transition from elementary to secondary school. Students will learn strategies for academic success and personal growth. Topics covered are organization, character development, study skills, and career planning. Students earn a Pass or Fail grade.

Math 7:
This course is designed to help students with an understanding of fundamental processes essential to success in higher-level math courses. Students work with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percents, and signed numbers. Students will identify the proper uses of functions. Students will increase their competency in geometry concepts and in solving linear equations.

Physical Education: This course is designed to help students learn the fundamentals of a variety of team sports, good sportsmanship, and habits for a healthy lifestyle.

Pre-Algebra: By teacher recommendation only.
This course is designed to help students prepare for success in a future algebra course. Students will develop skills, properties, uses and representations of introductory algebra and geometry. Mathematical organizational skills, reading, and problem solving will be emphasized. Understanding of the real number system and its properties through the study of variables, expressions, equations, inequalities, and analysis of data derived from real world situations will be the focus.

Science:
This is hands-on course is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of aspects related to life science as well as increasing the methods and understanding of scientific inquiry. The course specifically focuses on the life processes that occur within the cell individually as well as how organs interrelate into systems. This course also delves into the various structures of multi-cellular organisms, and the way that they reproduce, develop, and adapt to their environment. This course provides units on life’s basic structure and function, animal and plant diversity, body systems, and ecology. An emphasis is placed on how God is the author of science and His hand is at work throughout its many processes.

Social Studies:
In this course students will consider how different peoples and civilizations interacted with their environments and each other since 5000 B.C. Some of the themes that will be emphasized and examined are the roles that conquest, trade, diffusion of ideas and technology played in bringing different parts of the world together.

ELECTIVES: Students will take all electives, with the option of Lunch Choir

Art: Meets for one quarter.
This course is a foundations art class. Students will be introduced to formal elements and principals of design and begin to use them in their own artworks. The class will cover various techniques and utilize several different kinds of media. Students will gain a greater understanding of the purpose of art as a means for communication.

Health: Meets for one semester (two quarters).
The purpose of this course is to present the Bible as the foundation for a healthy lifestyle. This class will deal with the integration of the physical, mental, social and spiritual dimensions of life.

Introduction to Technology: Meets for one quarter.
This course will introduce students to the benefits of technology and how it affects their lives. Students will learn about the responsible use of technology, how to properly operate a computer, and how to properly use Microsoft windows.

Lunch Choir: Meets year long (during periods 5A or 5B).
Students who would like to participate in the school choir may elect to take Lunch Choir opposite their lunch time. Students will be expected to perform at designated school events to earn credit for this course. Please fill out the attached form to register for this class.

8th Grade Course Description 2009-2010

We believe that middle school students are at a unique time in their lives. Research tells us that successful schools for adolescent learners have curriculum that is relevant, challenging, integrative, and exploratory. At Harvest Preparatory School we take it many steps further by delivering this curriculum from a Christian worldview. With this in mind, we have carefully and thoughtfully re-designed the 7th grade curriculum for the 2009-2010 school years.

Spanish for high school credit will now be offered beginning in ninth grade.

Required Classes: All classes are full year classes.

Algebra I:
**Pre-requisite: Pre-Algebra**
Algebra is a fundamental course designed to introduce students to the skills, properties, and representations of expressions, equations, and inequalities. The primary focus is linear relations, but other topics addressed are number sense and arithmetic operations, non-linear relations (quadratic, absolute value, and exponential), data analysis, and problem solving. Students will be challenged to make connections between algebraic, geometric and statistical concepts. Appropriate use of technology is emphasized.

Algebra I Honors:
**Teacher recommendation form must be completed**
The purpose of the honors program in Algebra is to provide students with the opportunity to study concepts at a higher, more challenging level. In addition, this means that the student will gain exposure to additional topics not necessarily covered in a regular Algebra class.

Bible:
This is a year-long course concentrating on the issue of character. Thirty-four character traits are presented. Some examples are love, wisdom, faith, honesty, humility, and patience. Students study these traits from a biblical perspective. Each trait is the topic of study during which students engage in a variety of creative experience including a study of Scripture, definitions and descriptions, Students study the importance of each trait, Bible characters who exhibited the traits, the cautions regarding its negative counterpart (opposite characteristics), and practical applications to everyday living.

English:
This class is a combination of grammar, composition, and reading instruction. Through interaction with various genres and themes of literature, students develop both their writing and reading comprehension skills. Students expand their understanding of composition as a process of prewriting, drafting, revision, and publishing. Instruction in grammar allows students to develop the precision in mechanics and diction that they will need in order to become excellent writers. Vocabulary and spelling are also important components of instruction. A Bible-based perspective governs the approach to all reading assignments.

English Honors:
**Teacher recommendation form must be completed**
This honors class is a combination of grammar, composition, and reading instruction, but students are expected to cover the same curriculum more quickly and in greater depth. Through interaction with various genres and themes of literature, students develop both their writing and reading comprehension skills. Students expand their understanding of composition as a process of prewriting, drafting, revision, and publishing. Instruction in grammar allows students to develop the precision in mechanics and diction that they will need in order to become excellent writers. Vocabulary and spelling are also important components of instruction. A Bible-based perspective governs the approach to all reading assignments.

Physical Education: Students will learn the fundamentals of a variety of team sports and good sportsmanship, along with developing habits for a healthy lifestyle.

Pre-Algebra:
This course is designed to help students prepare for success in a future algebra course. Students will develop skills, properties, uses and representations of introductory algebra and geometry. Mathematical organizational skills, reading, and problem solving will be emphasized. Understanding of the real number system and its properties through the study of variables, expressions, equations, inequalities, and analysis of data derived from real world situations will be the focus.

Science:
This is a hands-on oriented course that is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of aspects related to earth science as well as increasing the methods and understanding of scientific inquiry. The course specifically focuses on Earth and how the differing processes associated with Earth impacts both humans today and in the future. This course also delves into space which includes the planets in the solar system, the Sun-Earth-Moon system, and stars and galaxies. This course provides units on the materials that contribute to Earth, Internal Processes, Earth’s air and water, the changing surfaces of Earth, and Astronomy.
Social Studies:
This course deals with the leading aspects of United States history from discovery through Reconstruction. Attention is given to political issues, institutions, political parties, leadership, and diplomatic and constitutional questions, as well as economic, social and intellectual trends.

ELECTIVES: Each elective is a semester long class. Students will choose two (2).

Art:
This class is a foundations art class. Students will be introduced to formal elements and principals of design and begin to use them in their own artworks. The class will cover various techniques and utilize several different kinds of media. Students will gain a greater understanding of the purpose of art as a means for communication.

Choir: The choir is open to all students who have a willingness and desire to improve as a singer and musician. The class will deal specifically with intonation, blend, breathing techniques along with basic choral repertoire. The choir is required to participate in HPS musical events, i.e. winter and spring musicals. Students enrolled in Choir may not take lunch choir.

Health:
**If students did not take in 7th grade**
The purpose of this class is to present the Bible as the foundation for a healthy lifestyle. This class will deal with the integration of the physical, mental, social and spiritual dimensions of life.

Keyboarding:
Students will learn proper technique, build speed and accuracy proficiency. This course will help develop keyboarding skills to enhance their use of technology for learning.

Introduction to Spanish:
This course is designed to prepare students for success in Spanish I through Spanish IV. Students will learn the rules of verb conjugation, use of definite and indefinite articles with nouns, adjective agreement, and other basic rules of grammar. They will lean how to tell time, express likes and dislikes, numbers, greetings, and calendar information just to name a few topics. It is intended to be informative and full of activities to capture and hold their interest. The ground work should be laid to assure success at the high school level and generate excitement for learning another language and culture.

Lunch Choir: Meets year long (during periods 5A or 5B).
Students may elect to take Lunch Choir opposite their lunch time. Students will be expected to perform at designated school events to earn credit for this course. Please fill out the attached form to register for this class.