Middle School

Guiding curious minds in a Christ-centered environment.

6th-8th Grades

At a stage of learning that demands more critical thinking and independent work, middle-school students find themselves coping with the social and emotional pressures of the early-teen years. Trinity anticipates these pressures and provides a structured, safe environment where grace, acceptance, and affirmation shape a context in which students are secure enough to direct energy to classroom learning and character formation. Academically, Trinity offers a rigorous curriculum with high expectations at the same time that it offers the academic and personal support students need to meet those expectations.

Curriculum

In 6th grade, students focus on a study of the New Testament Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. Additionally, holidays and key figures and celebrations in the history of the church are studied and celebrated: the Reformation, Advent and Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost. Students will learn to:

  • Apply Godly principles to thought, speech, and action.
  • Respond personally to the gospel of grace in Jesus Christ.

In 7th grade, students walk through the entire Old Testament.  The course is set up in a Bible study format that allows students to engage with Scripture in a way that will challenge them academically and spiritually. During the course of the year students are offered the opportunity to:

  • Understand the primary themes found in Scripture.
  • Identify key biblical events and figures.

In 8th grade, students explore how God’s word is a guide for their lives, and they:

  • Explore the faith relationship they do or can have with God.
  • Understand how having Jesus in our hearts affects our interactions in our families, friendships, and school and church communities.
  • Realize service opportunities and participate in our communities.
  • Discuss current events and topics relevant to middle school students, and they learn to view these through the lens of God’s word.

Scripture memorization is a key component of Biblical study in middle school.

Literature: Literary studies in grades 6, 7, and 8 involve the study of short stories, drama, novels, and nonfiction. Analyses of each of these genres is taught and practiced, and literary devices and their applications in particular works are identified and discussed. Importantly, independent reading is required with reading journals.

These titles, among others, are read in middle-school Literature classes:

  • The Lightning Thief, Rick Riordan
  • Holes, Louis Sachar
  • Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, Robert O’Brien
  • Eight Days: The Story of Haiti, Edwidge Danticat
  • The Omnivore’s Dilemma, Michael Pollan
  • Narrative of the Life of a Slave, Frederick Douglass
  • Al Capone Does My Shirts, Gennifer Choldenko
  • Pygmalion, George Bernard Shaw
  • Trash Revolution, Erica Five

Writing: In each grade, students will concentrate on the areas of composing, written expression, and usage/mechanics in developing writing to entertain, to inform, to argue, and to persuade. Students will study media message techniques and apply research techniques to gather, organize and communicate information. In addition to writing, some units will also incorporate speaking and presentation skills.

The math curriculum at Trinity provides a solid foundation that prepares students at all levels for future success. The teachers seek to develop depth of knowledge and a solid understanding of mathematical concepts so that students are poised to excel in high school math courses.

Math 6:  Students in this class will build on concepts that were introduced in 5th grade, further exploring fractions, decimals, word problems, data analysis, measurement, volume, perimeter, area, and both two and three dimensional figures.

Pre-Algebra: Students become skilled with pre-algebra concepts. Topics covered in this course include but are not limited to the following: integers; rational numbers; solving equations and inequalities; ratios, proportions, and percents; Geometry: angles, shapes, transformations, area, surface area, and volume; graphing and writing linear equations; real numbers and the Pythagorean Theorem; exponents and scientific notation.

Algebra: Students study algebraic concepts that build on the topics introduced during Pre-Algebra. Upon entering high school, some students will be prepared to test for high school Geometry.

Beginning in 6th grade, students may be placed on an accelerated track based on previous math class performance and MAP testing scores. Students placed on an accelerated track will take Pre-Algebra in 6th grade, Algebra in 7th grade and be introduced to Geometry in 8th grade.

The science curriculum at Trinity provides a framework through which to study God’s created world and the natural laws God created for the working of that world. Understanding the systematic nature of the world assists students in discovering new ways to use technology and nature to improve and protect the world today and in the years ahead.

Scientific literacy enables people to use scientific principles and processes to make decisions and to participate in discussions of scientific issues that affect all of society.

Our Science program helps to engage and inspire our students to pursue STEM careers and develop the skills they need in the 21st century.

The science curriculum includes:

  • Problem solving and self-discipline
  • Use of technology
  • Collaborative work
  • Making connections across the curriculum
  • Active participation in science experiences and hands-on laboratory activities
  • Use of scientific principal and engineering design

6th grade: Earth science

7th grade: Physical science

8th grade: Life sciences

6th graders study Minnesota History, beginning with Native American History and continuing through some current events.

7th graders study World Geography, including studying the world through the Five Themes of Geography and current events.

8th graders study American History, from the Revolutionary War through World War II and current events.

7th and 8th graders have the opportunity to go to Washington, DC every other year.

Art

  • 6th-8th grade Art, includes art appreciation, artist studies and projects using a variety of media.

Health

The health curriculum at Trinity builds on the Bible verses from 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20.  “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own, you were brought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your body.”

The Health curriculum includes;

  • Real life connections
  • Technology
  • Hands on opportunities
  • Making connections across the curriculum
  • Research

Physical Education.

Physical Education at Trinity is designed to further develop the whole child for a healthy and fit future. Students are given the opportunity to exercise and to learn new physical skills. Classes are designed to develop student fitness, teach and expand physical skills, and provide experience and practice in setting goals for life-long fitness. Instruction focuses on team play, cooperation, rule application, personal improvement, fitness monitoring, and skill development.

Spanish

This class will focus on beginner-level Spanish through listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Concepts such as the alphabet, the calendar, classroom objects and school subjects, numbers, greetings, basic conversational expressions, and some simple verbs will be taught.

Band

Band is a yearlong course meeting twice a week throughout the school year. It offers members the opportunity for continued musical growth and skill development in a large ensemble playing experience. Students will perform and play music of various styles and genres. Individual growth and achievement are encouraged through participation in band class as well as individual or small group lessons offered weekly during the school day throughout the school year. A band fee is billed to each participant yearly and attendance at all performances are required.

 

Choir

Choir is a yearlong course meeting twice a week throughout the school year. Choir will provide opportunities for growth in the students’ singing strength and music reading skills. Students will sing and perform a variety of music throughout the year. Choir will perform in chapel, church services, and concerts. Attendance at all performances is required.

 

Creative Writing & Speaking

Creative Writing & Speaking is a yearlong course meeting twice a week throughout the school year. In Creative Writing & Speaking, students will complete several writing projects, from monologues to podcasts to stories to poetry. Students will also participate in different speaking activities that will include performing what they have written, in addition to debate.

FACS

FACS is a yearlong course meeting twice a week throughout the school year. FACS is an acronym for Family and Consumer Sciences. In this class students will learn life skills including cooking, nutrition, and sewing.

Geopolitics

Geopolitics is a yearlong course meeting twice a week throughout the school year. In Geopolitics, students will use an online game created by a social studies teacher to learn about current events around the world.  Students will use this information to make trades and draft unclaimed “free agent” countries as they learn more about what’s happening in today’s news.

Handbells

Handbells is a yearlong course meeting once a week throughout the school year. No prior music instrument study is required to participate in this group. Students will learn note reading skills, rhythm skills, and the technique needed to play handbells. Handbells will perform in chapel, church services, and concerts. Attendance at all performances is required.

Junior Achievement

Junior Achievement is a yearlong course meeting once a week throughout the school year. This course is an economics education program offered in schools throughout the world. Students will experience hands-on activities to learn financial literacy and will be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in school and beyond.  This class will include a field trip to the Junior Achievement Finance Park in St. Paul to spend a day applying the skills learned throughout the year.

Praise Team

Praise Team is a yearlong course meeting once a week throughout the school year. The Praise Team will include opportunities for musicians, singers, audio/video/lighting techs, and more. Students will have the opportunity to learn how to work together as a team through specific focus-area work on their instrument (e.g. guitar, voice, sound console), and through an increased general understanding of all of the parts of the team. Prior experience in a worship team or other instrumental ensemble is not required; however, students should have a basic understanding of their instrument as this class will not function as a group lesson environment.

 

 

STEM I

STEM I is a yearlong course meeting twice a week throughout the school year. In class students will focus on creating, using technology as the medium. Students will discover some of the fun ways to use various electronic devices along with other interesting tools to discover, learn, and imagine what is possible.

 

STEM II

STEM II is a yearlong course meeting once a week throughout the school year. This class builds on STEM I allowing students additional time to focus on creating while using technology as the medium.