Middle School Curriculum

Language Arts: Understanding the importance of strong writing and reading skills as they enter high school and college, WCCS allocates two full periods for language arts throughout middle school – one for Reading/Literature, and one for Writing/mechanics. Students strengthen their communication skills by studying and writing within a variety of structures and modalities, including both larger papers and smaller writing assignments for the following types of writing: persuasive, descriptive, narrative, and expository. Students also develop their computer literacy, keyboarding skills, and research skills. All writing focuses on reinforcing the conventional standards of grammar and punctuation, with particular emphasis on editing and revision skills. In addition, students in all grades develop 21st century literacies through quarterly projects. In literature, students work to develop reading stamina, comprehension skills, and an understanding of literary elements while examining a variety of literary forms such as novels, poetry, plays, essays, and articles. Particular emphasis is placed upon developing critical thinking and analysis skills to understand both the explicit and implicit meanings of texts. Students are also exposed to a broad range of new vocabulary, learning to infer meaning from both context and word study.

Mathematics: Students engage in problem solving situations that require application of skills to learned concepts. Students learn calculator skills and work with rational number operations, number patterns, exponents, ratios, proportions and percentages as well as area, volume, and probability.

Social Studies: Ancient World History

Science: Earth Science

Bible: Students delve deeply into the Wisdom Literature of the Bible, extracting biblical truths to guide them through the challenges of growing up and navigating middle school life and beyond.

Physical Education: Students learn both team and individual sports – the history, rules, skills, and strategies. Students also learn about personal fitness and complete standard fitness testing. An emphasis is put on developing a healthy and active lifestyle.

6th Grade Electives: Band, Art, Theatre, Life skills/Financial Literacy, Mental Health/Sports Psychology, SAME (Science and Math Exploration) Lab, Psychology, Intro to Spanish & Culture, Graphic Design, Guitar, and Personal Health & Fitness (7th & 8th Grade).

Language Arts: Understanding the importance of strong writing and reading skills as they enter high school and college, WCCS allocates two full periods for language arts throughout middle school – one for Reading/Literature, and one for Writing/mechanics. Students strengthen their communication skills by studying and writing within a variety of structures and modalities, including both larger papers and smaller writing assignments for the following types of writing: persuasive, descriptive, narrative, and expository. Students also develop their computer literacy, keyboarding skills, and research skills. All writing focuses on reinforcing the conventional standards of grammar and punctuation, with particular emphasis on editing and revision skills. In addition, students in all grades develop 21st century literacies through quarterly projects. In literature, students work to develop reading stamina, comprehension skills, and an understanding of literary elements while examining a variety of literary forms such as novels, poetry, plays, essays, and articles. Particular emphasis is placed upon developing critical thinking and analysis skills to understand both the explicit and implicit meanings of texts. Students are also exposed to a broad range of new vocabulary, learning to infer meaning from both context and word study.

Mathematics 7: Students gain a deeper and more thorough understanding of the material presented in 6th grade, such as work with rational number operations, number patterns, exponents, ratios, proportions and percentages as well as area, volume, and probability. The course also introduces some algebraic thinking to prepare them for higher level math.

Social Studies: Regions of the World – Asia, Africa & Latin America

Science: Life Science – Cells, heredity, DNA, creation vs. evolution, bacteria, protists and fungi, animals, and dissection

Bible: New Testament Survey – Students complete a survey of the New Testament, focusing on the Gospels, the birth of the Church, and Paul’s Epistles. Particular attention is given to the daily application and impact of the Gospel on students’ lives.

Physical Education: Students learn both team and individual sports – the history, rules, skills, and strategies. Students also learn about personal fitness and complete standard fitness testing. An emphasis is put on developing a healthy and active lifestyle.

7th Grade Electives: Band, Art, Theatre, Life skills/Financial Literacy, Mental Health/Sports Psychology, SAME (Science and Math Exploration) Lab, Psychology, Intro to Spanish & Culture, Graphic Design, Guitar, and Personal Health & Fitness (7th & 8th Grade).

Language Arts: Understanding the importance of strong writing and reading skills as they enter high school and college, WCCS allocates two full periods for language arts throughout middle school – one for Reading/Literature, and one for Writing/mechanics. Students strengthen their communication skills by studying and writing within a variety of structures and modalities, including both larger papers and smaller writing assignments for the following types of writing: persuasive, descriptive, narrative, and expository. Students also develop their computer literacy, keyboarding skills, and research skills. All writing focuses on reinforcing the conventional standards of grammar and punctuation, with particular emphasis on editing and revision skills. In addition, students in all grades develop 21st century literacies through quarterly projects. In literature, students work to develop reading stamina, comprehension skills, and an understanding of literary elements while examining a variety of literary forms such as novels, poetry, plays, essays, and articles. Particular emphasis is placed upon developing critical thinking and analysis skills to understand both the explicit and implicit meanings of texts. Students are also exposed to a broad range of new vocabulary, learning to infer meaning from both context and word study.

English I: Students that qualify, based on grades, test scores, and teacher recommendation at the end of 7th grade, may take 8th grade English I. This course is a high school level course and will be reflected on the student’s cumulative high school transcript. Students that do well in English 1 in 8th grade may be slated for our honors English track in high school. Students will focus on fluency in reading and analyzing different genres of literature, including speeches, persuasive essays, poetry, a Shakespearean play, short stories, and novels, as well as persuasive, descriptive, narrative, and expository writing. Students will also tackle SAT vocabulary, Greek/Latin roots, and sentence diagramming.

Mathematics – Pre-Algebra: Students gain deeper understanding of foundational concepts and work on algebraic concepts including equations with rational numbers, working with polynomials, and functions.

Mathematics – Algebra: Students that qualify, based on grades, test scores, and teacher recommendation at the end of 7th grade, may take Algebra I in 8th grade. Topics include recognizing and developing patterns using tables, graphs, and equations. In addition, students will explore operations on algebraic expressions and apply mathematical properties to algebraic equations. Students will solve problems using equations, graphs, and tables to investigate linear relationships. Technology will be used to introduce and expand upon the areas of study listed above. This course is a high school level course and will be reflected on the student’s cumulative high school transcript. Students that do well in Algebra 1 in 8th grade may be slated for our honors math track in high school.

Social Studies: South Carolina History

Science: Physical Science – Students develop their understanding of matter and energy using principles of chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Labs or investigations provide students with hands-on learning experiences, emphasizing practical applications of the material. The Scientific Method is consistently integrated throughout the many topics of study, some of which include states of matter, atoms, the periodic table, elements, mixtures, compounds, chemical reactions, acids and bases, light and electromagnetic spectrum, energy, heat, types of waves, Newton’s laws, momentum, and simple machines.

Bible: Old Testament Survey – Students complete a survey of the Old Testament which emphasizes God’s creation, man’s responsibility to God, and the message of God’s promised salvation. Students are challenged to make a personal application of biblical truth.

Physical Education: Students learn both team and individual sports – the history, rules, skills, and strategies. Students also learn about personal fitness and complete standard fitness testing. An emphasis is put on developing a healthy and active lifestyle.

8th Grade Electives: Band, Art, Theatre, Life skills/Financial Literacy, Mental Health/Sports Psychology, SAME (Science and Math Exploration) Lab, Psychology, Intro to Spanish & Culture, Graphic Design, Guitar, and Personal Health & Fitness (7th & 8th Grade).