Middle School
7th-8th Grades


The Middle School years are a time of transition. Anchor provides challenging Middle School courses, which continue our interactive, Classical approach to learning but challenge students to begin thinking at a deeper level and owning their learning. These 7th & 8th grade years will prepare our students for the rigors and responsibilities that await them in the High School years and beyond.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONStop
To go directly to a course description, click on the course names below.
To register for the the 2020-2021 School Year click here: Class Registration
ART HISTORY and ME | FITNESS C | IEW WRITING (7th-9th Grade) |
MAPPING the WORLD by HEART | PHOTOGRAPHY | TODAY'S ARTISTS and ME |
TUTOR: Trisha Pellegrino
REQUIRED TEXTS: Apologia Exploring Creation with Anatomy and Physiology
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins./32 weeks
CLASS TIME: Tuesdays 1:00-2:30
COURSE FEE: $253 MATERIALS FEE: $30
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Human Anatomy and Physiology is a laboratory-based course that investigates the structure and function of the human body. Topics covered will include the basic organization of the body and major body systems, along with the impact of diseases on certain systems. This course will include dissections, microscope use, short oral presentations, and hands-on activities to reinforce learning. Students will be using the textbook as a foundational resource, and additional learning resources will be provided by the instructor.
TUTOR: Laura Thompson
REQUIRED MATERIALS: Tutor will send a supply list via email.
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins./15 weeks fall semester
CLASS TIME: Thursdays: 9:00- 10:30 or 10:30-12:00
COURSE FEE: $129 MATERIALS FEE: $45
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Light
GRADE LEVEL: 7th-12th Grades
COURSE DESCRIPTION: From Ancient Art to Van Gough and Frida Kahlo, in this class we will learn the inspirational stories about artists of the past and use their art techniques to create original artwork. This class will take fine art learning to the next level and lead the students to create artwork that reflects themselves or that conveys a message. Journals will log artists and techniques which will ultimately create a wonderful reference book. Using the styles of watercolor, painting, ink, mixed-media and printmaking, the class will connect to the past and create pieces of art that express what resonates with the students today.
TUTOR: Kayla Handly
REQUIRED MATERIALS: Comfortable clothing and sneakers
CLASS LENGTH: 40 mins
CLASS TIME: 2:30-3:10
COURSE FEE: $124/24 weeks (follows Elementary dates)
MATERIALS FEE: None
GRADE LEVEL: 7th-12th Grades
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This class will be 40 minutes of high-energy and fun-filled activity, starting with a dynamic warm-up, a series of exercises, and ending with games. By making exercise fun, students get excited to move around. Moving around results in becoming physically stronger and more energetic. It's a great first step on the road to cultivating a lifetime of health and fitness!
TUTOR: Trisha Pellegrino
CLASS LENGTH: 45 minutes/24 weeks
CLASS TIMES: Thursdays 1:00-1:45
COURSE FEE: $103 MATERIALS FEE: $20
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Students should do their normal math curriculum at home.
PRE-REQUISITE: Students should be at a grade 6 level or higher in math readiness.
GRADE LEVEL: 5th-8th Grades
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will focus on the mastery of basic skills that middle school students need to prepare for Algebra I. Course includes a short amount of instruction by the tutor, followed by activities or games to reinforce and practice the concepts. Concepts include fractions, decimals, order of operations, multi-digit division & multiplication, measurements & data, statistics & graphing, and ratios.
TUTOR: Cathy Backhaus
PREREQUISITE: Because this level of IEW moves at a more rapid pace, it is recommended that a student who is new to IEW be able to write an organized paragraph with a clear topic sentence and complete body sentences before enrolling in this course. If there is uncertainty about the placement of a 7th grader in an IEW class, it would be beneficial to speak with Mrs. Backhaus before registering.
REQUIRED TEXT & MATERIALS: Modern World History-Based Writing Lessons, 2nd Edition; Jan. 2020 by Lori Verstegen; Copyright date-Jan. 2020 (Student Book Only)
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins./32 weeks
CLASS TIME: Tuesdays 9:00-10:30
COURSE FEE: $273 MATERIALS FEE: $45
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Approximately 30-45 minutes daily; varies from student to student.
GRADE LEVEL: 7th-9th Grades
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This class will develop composition, grammar, and vocabulary skills while students write about World history. Incrementally, instruction will cover all the IEW models of structure and elements of style, including grammar rules, vocabulary, and stylistic techniques. We will be writing narrative stories, poetry, research papers, critiques, formal five-paragraph essays with proper formatting, and summarizing references. Daily journal entries to provide practice of written expression will be assigned every other week throughout the year. In addition, we will complete weekly FIX-IT Grammar editing worksheets which will boost the students’ general ability to communicate through the written word.
TUTOR: Gayla Kingston
REQUIRED TEXTS: TBD by instructor
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins./32 weeks
CLASS TIME: Tuesdays 10:30-12:00
COURSE FEE: $253 MATERIALS FEE: $20
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This class will explore nonfiction and fiction genres of Literature. During the Fall semester, students will utilize essays, speeches, autobiographies, and biographies to explore nonfiction. Students will choose a biography to read and develop a presentation for the class at the conclusion of the Fall semester. They will also be expected to write several variety of essay types in the Fall semester. During Spring semester, the focus will shift to fiction as we explore drama, historical fiction, science fiction, and mystery genres. Students will explore creative writing and literary elements in Spring semester. Goals for this course include familiarization with the two main categories of literature and their respective literary works. Students will also have the opportunity to develop brainstorming techniques for different varieties of writing, as well as presentation preparation and delivery. Students will be expected to complete weekly homework assignments and to read selections in advance of class when required.
TUTOR: Cathy Backhaus
TEXT USED BY TUTOR ONLY: Mapping the World/USA by Heart by David Smith. Student does not need to purchase text.
REQUIRED MATERIALS: Each student will need an atlas, which will be ordered by the tutor.
CLASS LENGTH: 60 mins./32 weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 6th-12 Grades
CLASS TIME: Tuesdays 3:00-4:00
COURSE FEE: $180 MATERIALS FEE: $60
Please note that a large portion of the Materials Fee will be used to purchase a complete set of student maps for each student and the graphing paper used for this course.
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Light
GRADE LEVEL: 6th-12th Grades
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Students will learn to read and create maps of the world through David Smith's Mapping the World by Heart. This will be a hands-on class with students learning how to understand maps and will be able to create their own world map by the end of the year. For more information please refer to www.mapping.com. (No purchase necessary)
TUTOR: Tina Jenkins
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT: A computer with photo editing software of the student's choice; a DSLR Camera (IMPORTANT: Point-and-shoot cameras are not allowed. The camera must have manual mode.)
CLASS LENGTH: 60 mins./32 weeks
CLASS TIME: Tuesdays 2:30-3:30
COURSE FEE: $180 MATERIALS FEE: $35
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Light to Moderate
GRADE LEVEL: 7th-12th Grades
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This is a fun, hands-on class with lots of activity. We will begin the year with the history of photography and quickly progress to learning to use our cameras in manual mode. Students will be required to upload images weekly to a class site. We will work through the basics of photography in the first part of the year by composing technique photos. These will be compiled in an album created by the student on the Shutterfly website. The last part of the year, the students will collaborate to create a photo story utilizing the techniques they have learned. This photo story will also be created on the Shutterfly site, and a copy will be printed for each student to use in their portfolio review. We will end the year with a photography exhibition. Each student will be required to submit two 8x10 matted prints for this end-of-year event. This class will be graded by the tutor to encourage students to complete their assignments in a timely manner. Important Note: Students will be required to print their own album containing their technique photos at their own cost from Shutterfly.com. The album with the collaborative photo story will be printed by the tutor for the class. It will be an additional cost at the end of the year and is dependent upon the length of the album and other factors, but cost will be kept to a minimum.
TUTOR: Robert Kendall
REQUIRED TEXT: Story of Science: Newton at the Center by Joy Hakim, textbook and Student's Quest Guide
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins./32 weeks
CLASS TIME: Tuesdays 1:00-2:30
COURSE FEE: $253 MATERIALS FEE: $25
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate
GRADE LEVEL: 7th-8th Grades( preference given to 7th graders first)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This introduction to physics and engineering covers scientific development from around AD 1500-1900. The study of scientists such as Newton, Galileo, Copernicus, Kepler, Descarte, Boyle, Dalton, and Faraday will examine their beliefs and contributions to the scientific community. Attention will be given to the world-view of each scientist and how it shaped his work. Class time will focus on hands-on projects, enabling better understanding of the discoveries of the scientists studied. Emphasis will be placed on facilitating a love for science and engineering and possible career opportunities in these fields. As such, the class will explore contemporary applications of the insights gleaned from the scientists studied. Outside of class, students will be expected to read, research, collaborate, and prepare for various projects.
TUTOR: Laura Thompson
REQUIRED MATERIALS: Tutor will send a supply list via email.
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins./17 weeks Spring semester
CLASS TIME: Thursdays: 9:00- 10:30 or 10:30-12:00
COURSE FEE: $150 MATERIALS FEE: $55
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Light
GRADE LEVEL: 7th-12th Grades
COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this class students will learn the inspirational stories about artists of today and use their art techniques to create original artwork. This class will take fine art learning to the next level and lead the students to create artwork that reflects themselves or that conveys a message. Journals will log artists and techniques which will ultimately create a wonderful reference book. Using the styles of watercolor, painting, ink, mixed-media and printmaking, the class will connect to artists of today and create their own expressive art.
TUTOR: Becky Van Rees- ushistorymrs.vr.early@gmail.com/ ushistorymrs.vr.late@gmail.com
REQUIRED TEXTS:
1.) SUMMER READING: A History of US: Liberty for All 1820 – 1860 by Joy Hakim
2.) A History of US: War, Terrible War 1855 – 1865 by Joy Hakim
3.) A History of US: Reconstructing America 1865 – 1890 by Hakim
4.) A History of US: An Age of Extremes 1880 – 1917 by Joy Hakim
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins. /32 weeks
CLASS TIME: Tuesdays at 9:00 & 10:30
COURSE FEE: $253 MATERIALS FEE: $35
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate to heavy
COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this course, we will examine major U.S. events from the antebellum period to World War I. Using a Socratic approach, students will learn to look deeply into primary source texts and examine history for themselves by close reading, contextualizing, and corroborating. Students will express themselves through rich discussions, writing, independent research, historical simulations, blog posts, and digital projects. Expectations include daily readings of historical texts and weekly online class participation, as well as coming prepared weekly to engage in all class discussions and activities.