Learning God’s Word
Theme: Living Out Faith
The middle school Bible curriculum focuses on deepening the student’s understanding of the Christian faith and its application in their lives. At the 7th Grade level, the curriculum focuses on:
- Foundations of Faith: Overview of major beliefs and practices in the faith tradition and the importance of Scripture and tradition.
- Personal Spiritual Growth: Understanding prayer and its role in daily life and developing a personal relationship with God.
- Community and Service: The significance of being part of a faith community, engaging in service projects, and understanding the call to serve others.
- Moral and Ethical Living: Exploring moral dilemmas and decision-making through a faith lens, and the role of conscience and teachings of the faith in guiding actions.
- Historical Context: A brief overview of key historical events and people who have shaped the faith, as well as the understanding of religious beliefs over time.
Memory Work
- Weekly verses reinforce biblical study, discussing their historical and modern relevance.
- Verses that align with the school’s theme.
- Key passages supporting key teachings of the Christian Faith.
- Citations and Bible verses outlined in Luther’s Small Catechism
Spelling and Vocabulary
Students learn English spelling rules, roots, and SAT-level vocabulary through pattern recognition and word formation.
English
English skills cover:
- Grammar, parts of speech, and sentence structure
- Proofreading, punctuation, spelling, and word choice
- Writing instruction on sentence fluency and six traits of good writing (ideas, organization, voice, word choice, fluency, mechanics)
Writing
Genres covered include descriptive, narrative, expository, and persuasive writing through shared and individual practice.
Language Arts/Literature
Historical fiction and various genres are used to:
- Identify idioms, metaphors, similes
- Compare genres, analyze cause/effect, identify bias and literary devices
- Analyze plot, characters, theme, and imagery
- Study Norse mythology, Shakespeare’s sonnets, creative writing, and accelerated reading goals
Math: Algebra 1
This honors course preps students for Geometry by covering:
- Linear equations and inequalities, graphing
- Polynomials, factoring, quadratics
- Square roots and rational expressions
Social Studies: Middle Ages
Focus areas include world history, cultures, and religions that align with church history, including:
- Byzantine Empire, Feudalism, African Cultures
- Islam, Crusades, Renaissance, and Reformation
- Exploration and the Americas
- Asia, rationalism, and American global influence
Science: Integrated – Earth and Life Science
Students study earth and life science with hands-on activities and a three-day outdoor education experience on Catalina Island, covering:
- The composition of matter
- Energy and matter in ecosystems
- Earth processes through geologic time
- Matter cycles and energy flows
- Chemical reactions
- The distribution of Earth’s resources
- Sustaining living systems in a changing world
Spanish
Online Spanish classes focus on reading, writing, listening, and speaking with vocabulary and grammar lessons, covering:
- Vocabulary: body parts, clothing, food, routines
- Grammar: reflexive verbs, adjectives, possession, verb conjugation
Art
TK – 8th Students attend art class with Ms. Hailey once a week:
Throughout the year, students will work with a wide range of materials, tools, and mediums. They will explore the elements of art and principles of design to create art pieces inspired by significant art movements throughout history. This approach aims to ignite curiosity and foster a lifelong love of art.
Physical Education
Students wear CLS uniforms three times per week for activities like:
- Strength training, stretching, and running
- Sports basics: basketball, volleyball, soccer, softball
- Presidential fitness training for yearly evaluation & certification
Technology
Students practice typing, create presentations, and learn online tools. Projects include:
- Creating store advertisements
- Designing an animated “book trailer” in PowerPoint
- Developing a business with products and data analysis in Excel
Field Trips
Typical trips for 7th grade include:
- Museum of Tolerance (Fall)
- Medieval Times (March)
- Catalina Island (3-day camp in Spring)
- Universal Studios Hollywood (year-end)