Middle School

Grades 6 - 8

Middle School Shouldn't Be Hard. It Should Be Life Changing.

The middle school years are a time of transition and growth for our students spiritually, physically, socially and emotionally. Our middle school consists of grades 6-8 and is grounded in the core subjects of Bible, English, Math, Social Studies and Science. Our students also have the opportunity to enrich their God given talents through opportunities in sports, leadership development, and a variety of enrichment classes. Our goal is to help them foster a love of Christ through a curriculum that is immersed in God’s truths and academically rigorous for each individual learner.

CSY Middle School Is

The Blu Crew

dcarpenter@csyonline.com

Mr. Derek Carpenter currently serves as the Middle School (6-8) Principal and Athletic Director at CSY. Mr. Carpenter graduated from Lancaster Bible College with bachelor's degrees in Bible and in elementary education. This year marks Mr. Carpenter's 18th year working at CSY and 24 years in the field of education, with years of teaching in 3-5th grade, Middle School History and Bible, and High School Bible. Mr. Carpenter has served in administration for 7 years serving as a principal and assistant head of school.

Mr. Carpenter's favorite verse is Phil 4:6-7 which states, "Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God...shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Mr. Carpenter and his wife, Brenda, are the parents of Brayden (college) and Cally (high school). As a family they enjoy cookouts, going to Florida on vacation and spending quality time together. Mr. Carpenter enjoys watching sports, playing golf, and spending time with family.

Middle School Principal (6-8) / Athletic Director

Mr. Derek Carpenter

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Parents looking for the best Christian education for their children will find it in central PA! Christian School of York grows your child in Christ while guaranteeing their academic success. As a fully-accredited school, we provide the highest-quality Christian school educational experience for pre-schoolers through grade 12.

Contact us with any questions or to request admission to our school. Enroll your child today and invest in their future as a student and as a disciple of Christ!

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Course Descriptions for Middle School

Art

Students learn to refine basic art concepts throughout their middle school
career including painting, drawing and ceramics. Students will refine their ability to use drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpting techniques to organize and depict ideas, feelings, and moods. They will spend time drawing from direct observation and learn the techniques of perspective in a landscape.

Bible

6th Grade Bible

In 6th grade Bible, students are using the first half of the curriculum Route 66, which is a survey of all 66 books of the Bible. Students will concentrate on the Old Testament books, completing, roughly, a book a week. They will spend time highlighting the major stories, themes and applications of each book of the Bible. Students will use the Bible Project to summarize each book of the Bible in a creative way while also focusing on personal application. CSY also integrates a weekly Bible memory verse that has students not only memorize scripture, but discuss and memorize its meaning as well.

7th Grade Bible

In 7th grade Bible, students are using the curriculum Route 66. Students will concentrate on the New Testament books, completing, roughly, a book a week. They will spend time highlighting the major themes of the New Testament and how we can apply them to our life. CSY also integrates a weekly Bible memory verse that has students not only memorize scripture, but discuss and memorize its meaning as well.

8th Grade Bible

In 8th grade Bible, students are using the curriculum Wise Up: Wisdom in Proverbs. The objective of this curriculum is to guide middle school students in using the wisdom of God as they make more complicated choices and decisions in their life. It is to help make the transition from learning Bible stories to applying the guidance of Scripture to their lives in order to live a life following Jesus. CSY also integrates a weekly Bible memory verse that has students not only memorize scripture, but discuss and memorize its meaning as well.

Health & PE

Middle school health and PE courses provide students with critical knowledge during a crucial period in their lives. It is essential that a program is engaging enough to capture your students' attention while covering topics that they will encounter in the real world. A Biblical perspective on health and fitness is intertwined throughout the curriculum to teach students a healthy perspective on how God views health and fitness. We believe we were all created in His image and with a purpose. Students are encouraged to dive into God’s word to deepen their faith and learn to love their uniqueness. PE courses teach students basic rules of sports including, basketball, soccer, volleyball, track and field, and fitness training.

English Language Arts

6th Grade ELA

Our sixth grade English course focuses largely on the skills of reading comprehension and understanding, and paragraph structure and formation. We also work on developing the upper-level thinking skills required to process information and relate to it in a deeper and more analytical way. Students’ major units include a collaborative literature circle unit, plot unit, informational writing unit, and a connection to history with a research unit and introduction to MLA. Through reading, discussion, journaling, creative writing, short essays, and a research paper, students will improve their writing and communication skills.

7th Grade ELA

In seventh grade English, students practice analyzing and interpreting various texts, and they practice developing and refining their writing to be more thoughtful, logical, focused, and cohesive. The students participate in discussions based on questions that require higher order thought (evaluation, analysis, synthesis, etc.) to solve. Students are given structure to create the questions that provoke higher order thinking. Our major units include literature circles, narrative journaling, persuasive writing, and a science focused research paper in MLA format. Through narrative, persuasive, and research essays, students will improve their writing, editing, and proofreading skills; discussion, teaching, and reading will improve their understanding of literature.

8th Grade ELA

The eighth grade English students practice connecting to, evaluating, analyzing, and synthesizing information from text and discussion. Furthermore, the students learn to support their thoughts and opinions and present their well-developed ideas in a focused and organized manner so that their writing flows well from one topic to the next. The students hold discussions about higher order questions (evaluation, analysis, synthesis, connection, etc.) of their own creation. They learn to create their own higher level questions based on a model and graphic organizer. The students will study several major units including drama, literature circles, poetry, persuasive writing, response to literature, and a research paper with citations in MLA format. Through response to literature, and a research essay, students will refine their thoughts, strengthen their logic, and present their ideas clearly. In addition, through persuasive speaking, discussion, and debate the students will learn to take in information from various sources, process the information and form their own higher-level response.

Math

6th Grade Math

In Math 6, CSY students will study the following broad topics:

Ratios & Unit Rates
Fractions, Decimals, & Percents
Integers & The Coordinate Plane
Algebra Basics: Expressions & Equations
Geometry
Statistics & Probability

In sixth grade, students will study previously learned processes of mathematical computation more deeply, and be introduced to ratios, percentages, integers, and algebraic concepts. We use a variety of tools in class to make the learning effective, engaging and meaningful, such as guided notes, application projects, videos, object lessons, and class games. Students are also taught how to take notes and utilize study guides to prepare for tests. We want our students to think deeply about the concepts and processes that they are learning, and not only understand the how, but also the why behind these concepts and processes. Throughout all of this, we strive to teach our students to have a growth mindset about mathematics.

7th Grade Math

In Math 7, CSY students will study the following broad topics:

Ratios & Proportional Reasoning
Percents & Percent Applications
Computation with Integers
Rational Numbers
Algebraic Expressions (Including Linear Expressions)
Equations & Inequalities
Geometric Figures
Area, Surface Area, and Volume of Figures
Probability
Statistics

In seventh grade, students will explore many of the concepts previously introduced in sixth grade, but at a deeper level. We use a variety of tools in class to make the learning effective, engaging and meaningful, such as guided notes, music, videos, object lessons, and class games. Students are also expected to continue learning how to take notes and utilize study guides to prepare for tests. We want our students to think deeply about the concepts and processes that they are learning, and not only understand the how, but also the why behind these concepts and processes. Throughout all of this, we strive to teach our students to have a growth mindset about mathematics.

8th Math: Pre-Algebra or Algebra I

Pre-Algebra

In Pre-Algebra, CSY students will study the following broad topics:

Variables, Expressions, and Integers
Solving Equations
Multi-Step Equations & Inequalities
Factors, Fractions, & Exponents
Rational Numbers & Equations
Ratios, Proportions, & Probability
Percents
Linear Functions
Real Numbers & Right Triangles
Measurement, Area, and Volume
Data Analysis & Probability
Angle Relationships & Transformations

In Pre-Algebra, we review concepts students were exposed to in seventh grade, but include a higher emphasis on the use of variables throughout the course. We use a variety of tools in class to make the learning effective, engaging, and meaningful, such as guided notes, student-generated notes, music, videos, object lessons, and class games. Students are required to take more thorough notes, and are encouraged to utilize them for assistance as they work on their homework each night. We want our students to think deeply about the concepts and processes that they are learning, and not only understand the how, but also the why behind these concepts and processes. Throughout all of this, we strive to teach our students to have a growth mindset about mathematics.

Algebra 1

In Algebra 1, CSY students will study the following broad topics:

Expressions, Equations, & Functions
Properties of Real Numbers
Solving Linear Equations
Graphing Linear Equations & Functions
Writing Linear Equations
Solving & Graphing Linear Inequalities
Systems of Equations & Inequalities
Exponent Rules & Pythagorean Theorem
Polynomials & Factoring
Probability & Data Analysis

In Algebra 1, students will be exposed to many new concepts that require more algebraic and abstract reasoning than the previous math classes they have taken. It will be more rigorous than the previous math classes they have taken. We use a variety of tools in class to make the learning effective, engaging, and meaningful, such as guided notes, graphic organizers, music, videos, object lessons, and class games. Students are required to take thorough notes, and are encouraged to utilize them for assistance as they work on their homework each night. We want our students to think deeply about the concepts and processes that they are learning, and not only understand the how, but also the why behind these concepts and processes. Throughout all of this, we strive to teach our students to have a growth mindset about mathematics.

Science

6th Grade Science

Our middle school has adopted an integrated science program in which 6th grade sets students up with basic understanding of all areas of science that will grow in depth in 7th and 8th grade, allowing students to experience physical, life, and Earth science each year of middle school. 6th graders start out with Earth science, learning the basics of the Sun-Earth-Moon system, the Solar System, and Earth’s systems, surface, and natural resources. We then give an introduction to life science, specifically to cells, classification, and ecology. Finally, we end the year with physical science and an introduction to matter, atoms, electricity, and magnetism.

7th Grade Science

Our middle school has adopted an integrated science program, allowing students to experience physical, life, and Earth science each year of middle school. We begin the 7th grade year with life science, focusing on cell functions and processes, anatomy of the human body, and a deeper understanding of ecology. Students then dig deeper into physical science, focusing on the periodic table, energy, motion, and forces. Finally, 7th grade ends the year with Earth science, focusing on a deeper look at Earth’s systems, plate tectonics, atmosphere, weather, and climate.

8th Grade Science

Our middle school has adopted an integrated science program, allowing students to experience physical, life, and Earth science each year of middle school. In 8th grade, students begin with a focus on physical science, specifically motion, energy, machines, atoms and chemical bonds, reactions, and physical changes. Students then study Earth science and dig deeper into space and galaxies, rocks and minerals, plate tectonics, and earthquakes and volcanoes. 8th graders end the year focusing on life science, especially biomes, ecology, and human impact as well as a deeper study of genetics and a creation vs. evolution unit.

Social Studies

6th Grade Social Studies

We will start by learning why we study history. Our focus will be on Ancient Civilizations. We will be covering topics on the Origins of Civilizations, the Fertile Crescent, Ancient Egypt and Kush, Ancient India, Ancient China, Ancient Greece, the Roman Republic, the Roman & Byzantine Empires, Medieval Christendom, and Medieval Europe. We will be using the text My World Interactive: World History. There will be vocabulary assigned on each topic on which the students will be tested. There will also be projects assigned. We will be reading the novels Where is the Great Wall of China? and The Bronze Bow in social studies class this year. Each student will need to do research on a person in their history book and write an oral presentation. We will have a middle school night towards the end of the year where each middle school student will be doing a wax museum presentation of their historical figure.

7th Grade Social Studies

We will start by learning why we study history. Our focus will be to continue with world history up to present times. We will be covering topics on the Islamic World & South Asia, Civilizations of East Asia & Southeast Asia, Civilizations of the Americas, African Civilizations, the Renaissance & Reformation, Explorers, Absolutism & Enlightenment, Revolutions, and the Modern World. We will be using the text My World Interactive: World History. There will be vocabulary assigned on each topic on which the students will be tested. There will also be projects assigned. We will be reading the novels What was the Age of Exploration? and The Boy on the Wooden Box: A Memoir of Leon Leyson in social studies class this year. Each student will need to do research on a person in their history book and write an oral presentation. We will have a middle school night towards the end of the year where each middle school student will be doing a wax museum presentation of their historical figure.

8th Grade Social Studies

We will start by learning why we study history. Our focus will be on American History. We will be covering topics on the Early Americas & European Exploration, European Colonization of North America, the Revolutionary Era, the Constitution, the Early Republic, the Age of Jackson & Westward Expansion, Society & Culture before the Civil War, and Sectionalism & Civil War. We will be using the text My World Interactive: American History. There will be vocabulary assigned on each topic on which the students will be tested. There will also be projects assigned. We will be reading the novels The Duel: The Parallel Lives of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr and Courage to Run: A Story Based on the Life of Young Harriet Tubman in social studies class this year. Each student will need to do research on a person in their history book and write an oral presentation. We will have a middle school night towards the end of the year where each middle school student will be doing a wax museum presentation of their historical figure.

STEM

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) curriculum focuses on hands-on learning and brainstorming skills in the classroom. Middle School students are encouraged to take thoughtful risks, persist in problem solving, collaborate within a team, and work through a creative process. Students learn to think critically, challenge their imaginations, and learn how to collaborate on projects. Learning to use the engineering design process, students will create engineering notebooks for STEM challenges each year.

Spanish

Middle School Spanish is designed as an introduction to the Spanish language as well as to the cultures of Spain, Latin America, and other Spanish speaking regions around the world. Students are exposed to large amounts of the Spanish language in context in order to begin building their ability to understand and later express themselves in Spanish. A variety of hands-on activities will allow students to engage with both the language and culture in-context.

Life Skills

6th Grade

Cyber Safety, Study Skills, Conflict Resolution Skills,, Identity in Christ, Overcoming Fear, How to handle Pressure

7th Grade

Growth Mindset, Setting Goals, Belonging, Identity in Christ, Overcoming Fear, How to handle Pressure

8th Grade

Upper School Readiness and Future Planning, Identity in Christ, Overcoming Fear, How to handle Pressure

Computer

6th Grade Computer

Middle School Computer courses provide students with typing skills and use of Microsoft Office and Google Office. Introduction to Google Classroom, Email Basics and Correct Typing Technique.

7th Grade Computer

Middle School Computer courses provide students with typing skills and use of Microsoft Office and Google Office. Continuing Type concepts and technique and use of Microsoft Word.

8th Grade Computer

Middle School Computer courses provide students with typing skills and use of Microsoft Office and Google Office. Continuing with Typing concepts and technique and use of the entire Microsoft Office Suite.