Middle School
7th & 8th Grades
The Middle School years are a time of transition. Anchor provides engaging Middle School courses, which continue our interactive, Classical approach to education 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.
Registration for the 2023-24 school year will start May 15th for current families and June 1st for new families.
For easy viewing, click here for a Printable Middle School Schedule
For information on tuition and fees, click: HERE!
| 2023/24 Classes | |
|---|---|
American History | IEW 5th-7th |
| World Geography | IEW 7th-9th |
| Middle School Composition | Life Science |
| Foundational Math | Physical Science |
| PreAlgebra | Creative Writing |
| 2023/24 Elective Courses | Elective Courses offered on Rotation | |
|---|---|---|
| Drama | Studio Art | |
| Art History and Me! (hands-on!) | ASL: American Sign Language 2 | |
| Fitness | ||
| American Sign Language 1 | ||
| Spanish 1 |
TUTOR: Becky Van Rees- [email protected]
REQUIRED TEXTS:
1.) A History of U.S.: From Colonies to Country 1735 - 1791 by Joy Hakim
2.) A History of U.S.: The New Nation 1789 - 1850 by Joy Hakim
3.) Our Constitution Rocks! by Juliette Turner
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins. / 32 weeks
COURSE FEE: $260 MATERIALS FEE: $35
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate to Heavy
Students in this course will investigate the political and cultural forces that made America…America. This course will allow students to investigate historical questions by analyzing primary documents. We will take a Socratic approach as we explore U.S. history from the Mayflower Compact to the seeds of the Civil War. Students will learn to look deeper into text and examine history for themselves through close reading, contextualizing, and collaboration. Students will demonstrate their understanding through rich oral discussions, writing, independent research, historical simulations, blog posts, and projects.
TUTOR: Lauren Steakley
TEXT: Geomatters: a Trail Guide to World Geography
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins./30 weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 7th-8th Grades
COURSE FEE: $260 MATERIALS FEE: $35
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate
COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this course, students will explore World Geography by learning the features and traits of all seven continents and identifying important geographical terms. In addition, they will learn how to read and create maps through mapping activities and atlas usage, with reinforcement through drills, assignments, and projects. Independent research will be required weekly.
TUTOR: Brenda Gibbs
REQUIRED TEXTS: will be provided
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins./30 weeks
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Through thoughtful and lively class discussions, strategic group activities, and weekly written assignments, students will discover the importance of decision-making, discipline, and creativity from a Biblical worldview related to life and writing. In addition, persuasive essays through the lens of charity and redemption will be discussed throughout the year.
Students will learn to apply the basic step-by-step process for writing essays and practice skills taught in class by writing articles from the rudimentary to more advanced by year's end. This fruitful process of writing excellence may be applied across the curriculum.
Students are expected to read assigned selections of fables, fairy tales, short stories, and novels for understanding, discussion, and assignments. In addition, students are expected to contribute thoughtfully and compassionately to class discussions, activities, and projects.
TUTOR: Brenda Gibbs
PREREQUISITE: Because this level of IEW moves at a more rapid pace, it is recommended that a student 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: Rotating
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins./32 weeks
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Approximately 30-45 minutes daily; varies from student to student.
GRADE LEVEL: 5th-7th Grades
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This class will develop composition, grammar, and vocabulary skills while students write. Incrementally, instruction will cover all the IEW models of structure and elements of style, including grammar rules, vocabulary, and stylistic techniques. We will write narrative stories, poetry, research papers, critiques, formal five-paragraph essays with proper formatting, and summarizing references.
TUTOR: Gayla Kingston
PREREQUISITE: Because this level of IEW moves at a more rapid pace, it is recommended that a student 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: Coming soon!
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins./32 weeks
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. Incrementally, instruction will cover all the IEW models of structure and elements of style, including grammar rules, vocabulary, and stylistic techniques. We will write narrative stories, poetry, research papers, critiques, formal five-paragraph essays with proper formatting, and summarizing references
TUTOR: Jessica Knott
GRADE LEVEL: 6th+
CLASS LENGTH: 90 minutes twice a week
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Students must complete homework at least three days a week outside Anchor's class time.
TUITION: $560; SUPPLIES: $35
CLASS DESCRIPTION: The tutor will introduce new topics at each session and give assignments to be completed at home. Parents will be given a complete curriculum, including videos to help them with instruction at home. Parents must take an ACTIVE role in assisting students with the coursework. Students must complete assignments outside of class to keep up with the pace of the course. Topics reviewed and reinforced will include Whole numbers, rational numbers, integers, positive & negative numbers, combining terms, inequalities, ratios, area, and volume.
Click here for the Curriculum Outline. Here for a placement test: Placement Test
TUTOR: Jessica Knott
CLASS LENGTH: 90 minutes twice a week
COURSE FEE: $560 MATERIAL FEE: $25
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Students must complete homework at least three days a week outside Anchor's class time.
PREREQUISITE: Students should be working at a 7th-grade level. If you are unsure if your student is ready, please email Caroline Allie at caroline.allie8@gmail.com
COURSE DESCRIPTION: You can access an outline here: Curriculum Outline. This class will focus on your students' skills to prepare for Pre-Algebra. Two to three new skills will be taught each week, and the tutor will work closely with students to ensure comprehension of further information. In addition, students must complete assignments outside of class to keep up with the pace of the course. Students will work independently and in groups during class and be instructed to maximize involvement and understanding. Topics reviewed and reinforced will include positive & negative numbers, combining terms, equation & inequality solving, graphing, linear equations, and beginning geometry. If you are unsure if your student is ready, click here: Pre-algebra Placement Test.
TUTOR: Jen Orie
TEXT: Purposeful Design Life Science textbook and student lab manual
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins./30 weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 7th-8th Grades
COURSE FEE: $260 MATERIALS FEE: $75
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate
COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this introductory Life Science class, students will learn about the wide variety of life on Earth. They will study God's creation through observation, experimentation, readings, lectures, discussions, and projects. Six units cover the basics of life science, including cells and taxonomy, viruses and bacteria, plants, animals, genetics and heredity, and ecology. Homework will consist of readings, short answer questions, and worksheets. Grades will be based on homework completion, class participation, and performance on tests, quizzes, and projects.
TUTOR: Melissa Hardesty
TEXT: Purposeful Design for Physical Science
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins./30 weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 7th-8th Grades
COURSE FEE: $260 MATERIALS FEE: $75
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Physical Science studies nonliving things that make up the world. From a biblical worldview, students will receive an overview of the two major branches, Chemistry and Physics. Class time will combine lectures, discussions, and labs to reinforce textbook reading. Reading, review questions, and worksheets will be assigned weekly for homework. 30-45 minutes of homework per day, three days a week, should be expected. Grading will be based on class participation, homework completion, and test scores.
TUTOR: Liesl Schiavone
TEXT: provided
COURSE FEE: $140 MATERIALS FEE: $50
GRADE LEVEL: 7th-12th
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Light
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will teach beginning and intermediate acting skills and improvisation. The class will culminate in a lunchtime production.
TUTOR: Angela Somers
REQUIRED TEXT: Provided by the tutor
GRADE LEVEL: 7th–12th Grades
COURSE FEE: $370 MATERIALS FEE: $25
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Students will learn signs and become proficient in using American Sign Language to communicate with others. The course's primary focus is to introduce students to American Sign Language. In addition to learning ASL, students will be exposed to the fundamental aspects of the Deaf community.
TUTOR: Robin Shultz
REQUIRED MATERIALS: Comfortable clothing and sneakers
CLASS LENGTH: 40 mins
COURSE FEE: $85/Semester
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. As a result, they were moving around, becoming physically stronger and more energetic. It's a significant first step to cultivating a lifetime of health and fitness!
TUTOR: Suzette Galyean
TEXT: Duolingo for Classrooms
COURSE FEE: $370 MATERIALS FEE: $30
GRADE LEVEL: 7th-12th
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Students are required to attend an additional online class each week!
Spanish 1 is the introductory course in the Spanish language and culture. During this course, students will develop speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills in Spanish around topics related to a student's everyday life. The class will use a combination of Duolingo's free classroom curriculum and supplemental activities to reinforce the skills.
TUTOR: Laura Thompson
REQUIRED MATERIALS: The tutor will send a supply list via email.
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins./15 weeks Spring semester
COURSE FEE: $140 MATERIALS FEE: $55
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Light
GRADE LEVEL: 7th-12th Grades
COURSE DESCRIPTION: From Ancient Art to Van Gough and Frida Kahlo, we will learn inspirational stories about past artists and use their art techniques to create original artwork in this class. This class will take exemplary art learning to the next level and lead the students to create artwork that reflects themselves or conveys a message. Sketchbooks will log artists and techniques, ultimately creating an excellent reference book. Using the styles of drawing, watercolor, painting, mixed media, and printmaking, the class will connect to the past and create pieces of art that express what resonates with the students today.
*Students will be asked to purchase a specific journal for the class that is not included in the fee*
COURSE FEE: $140 MATERIALS FEE: $25
GRADE LEVEL: 8th–12th Grade
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate
PREREQUISITE: Students should be proficient writers and have experience in structured essay writing.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this one-semester course, students can unleash their imaginations and spark their creativity through their writing. Completing writing assignments such as short stories, blog posts, and poetry will allow students to fully develop their creativity and give them different outlets to express themselves. Students will not just be writing; they will expand their vocabulary, learn pre-writing strategies, and use story elements such as plot, character development, and conflict to create unique, creative writing pieces. Students must come to class fully prepared, complete all assigned work, and be ready to participate fully.