Academics
Curriculum
BJU Press Education Philosophy:
Through the BJU Press curriculum, our dedicated Christian staff provides Bible-based instruction to foster academic success and build strong Christian character in your child. Our curriculum and staff, as well as our focus on family values will help you do just that! Educational opportunities beyond the core curriculum include: Art, Computer/Technology education, Physical Education, Music Fundamentals, Worship, Introduction to Spanish, and educational field trips. You may view the scope and sequence of the curriculum we teach can be viewed at www.bjupress.com
6th Grade Curriculum
MATHEMATICS
Students learn, through Bob Jones University Press, to learn and apply math concepts as part of the creation mandate. Math courses are not lock-stepped and students are placed according to diagnostic test results. Courses available are 6th grade Math, Math Fundamentals, and Pre Algebra.
ENGLISH
In English class, students are challenged to fine-tune their use of one of God’s most amazing creations, the human language, through Bob Jones University Press. Sixth grade English covers parts of speech, develops students’ writing abilities, and cultivates understanding of sentence structure.
LITERATURE
Classic and contemporary literature selections are provided through Bob Jones University Press 6th grade literature reading and work texts. These thoughtfully chosen poems, novel excerpts, essays, and short stories will enrich a students’ literary knowledge, appreciation, and understanding. Small literary groups are designed to enhance a students learning ability in critical analysis, biblical thinking, and understanding effective literary techniques.
HISTORY
The Heritage Studies engages students to think like Christian historians with the awareness that the field of historians is an open pathway. The course covers ancient civilizations in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas in addition to building skills in reading and interpreting maps and charts. Students will focus on the theme of the Creation, Fall, Redemption, and they will learn to recognize it in ancient civilizations.
SPELLING
6th grade is the final year for focused spelling instruction through Bob Jones University Press. Students learn valuable spelling strategies, etymology, and common Greek and Latin word roots as they expand their vocabulary.
SCIENCE
Through Bob Jones University Press text book and activity manual, students explore the living world with all its wonders. God’s world is brought to life through experiments, activities, dynamic reading, and concept application.
BIBLE
Middle-school students are daily confronted with worldviews that want to win their hearts. Bible 6: Basics for a Biblical
Worldview helps students distinguish a biblical worldview from a false worldviews and equips them to live out a biblical worldview. Students learn to relate the story of Scripture to basic Christian beliefs and values as they learn what the Bible says about their identity, work, relationships, society, and belief system.
ELECTIVES
Electives include Physical Education, Art, and Life Skills.
7th Grade Curriculum
MATHEMATICS
Every subject at FCMS is viewed and taught with the Bible as a lens, and mathematics is no exception. The beauty and consistency of mathematical properties reflects the orderliness and precision of our unchanging God, and we would be amiss not to teach it in this light. Math courses are not lock-stepped and students are placed according to diagnostic test results. Courses available are General Math, Math Fundamentals, Pre-Algebra, and Algebra I.
GRAMMAR AND WRITING
In grammar class, students are challenged to fine-tune their use of one of God’s most amazing creations, the human language through Bob Jones University Press. Seventh grade grammar covers parts of speech, requires the analysis of sentence structure, and develops the students’ proper use of words.
For writing Skills development, students are guided through a WriteShop curriculum course, wherein a student acquires the sills needed to communicate descriptively, persuasively, and logically.
LITERATURE
Classic and contemporary literature selections are provided through Bob Jones University Press 7th grade literature textbooks. These thoughtfully chosen poems, novel excerpts, essays, and short stories will enrich a students’ literary knowledge and understanding. Class discussions are designed to enhance a students learning ability in critical analysis, biblical thinking, and understanding effective literary techniques.
HISTORY
World Studies provides a fresh look at the civilizations of the world through the lens of a Christian worldview. This edition begins with a brief review of history from Creation to the coming of Christ and progresses in chronological journey around the world studying the egg and flow of empires, cultures, Christianity, and world religions, concluding with an examination of the trends of the emerging 21st century.
The Story of the Old
Testament
The Story of the Old Testament teaches students to study and recognize the big story of Creation, Fall, and Redemption in the Old Testament through individual narratives. Students will develop an understanding of the Old Testament’s application to the New Testament. Ultimately, students will learn to conduct their independent Bible study as they understand the principles of hermeneutics and biblical theology. The course materials work together to present the Bible as the true story of what God is doing to glorify Himself by redeeming His fallen creation.
SCIENCE
Bob Jones University Press textbook Life Science studies the living world with all its wonders. It is presented from a biblical worldview that involves studying organism classification, cellular biology, genetics, and the differences between Creation and evolution.
ELECTIVES
Electives include Physical Education, Art, Life 101, ASB, Worship, Music Fundamentals, Drama, and Computers(mandatory for 7th grade), Coding, Biblical Worldview and Critical Thinking(mandatory for 8th grade)
8th Grade Curriculum
MATHEMATICS
Every subject at FCMS is viewed and taught with the Bible as a lens, and mathematics is no exception. The beauty and consistency of mathematical properties reflects the orderliness and precision of our unchanging God, and we would be amiss not to teach it in this light. Math courses are not lock-stepped and students are placed according to diagnostic test results. Courses available are General Math, Fundamental Math, Pre-Algebra, and Algebra I.
GRAMMAR AND WRITING
In Grammar and Writing Class, students are challenged to become clear, coherent, and well-developed communicators by giving them opportunities to learn from good writers and apply grammar and writing skills to their own writing through the Bob Jones University Press Curriculum. This course teaches students how to use written, spoken, and visual language to communicate clearly and effectively. Scaffolded writing practice and writing assignments take students through the six traits of writing as they progress from writing paragraphs to writing essays.
LITERATURE
Classic and contemporary literature selections are provided through Bob Jones University Press 7th grade literature textbooks. These thoughtfully chosen poems, novel excerpts, essays, and short stories will enrich a students literary knowledge and understanding. Class discussions are designed to enhance a students learning ability in critical analysis, biblical thinking, and understanding effective literary techniques.
HISTORY
American Republic unfolds the history of the United States through richly detailed narrative and a colorful, engaging presentation, through the Bob Jones University Press curriculum. This course has been designed to prepare students to become discerning citizens who can think critically about the events of history and learn from the successes and failures of the past to make wise decisions for today. To do this, students will survey the major events that have shaped American history, paying special attention to cultural shifts and influences. In each step of this journey, they will interact and engage with details of events so they can understand the context and the relationship it has to history. Starting with the discovery of the New World, the text races the path of American history up to the present day. In addition to a historical account, American Republic demonstrates the distinctiveness of American values and government, and emphasizes the importance of understanding and appreciating United States history.
The Life of Christ
The Life of Christ continues to follow the unified story of the Bible established in The Story of the Old Testament, with a special focus on the life of Christ. The Gospels present the life of Christ as the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan as promised in the Old Testament. Jesus has all of the characteristics of the Messiah and fulfills the Messiah’s mission to advance the kingdom of God. This course will prepare students to live with Christlikeness in our world today, teaching them crucial Bible study skills for interpretation and application.
SCIENCE
ELECTIVES
Electives include Physical Education, Art, Life 101, Spanish, ASB, Worship, Music Fundamentals, Drama, and Computers.
Technology
Introduction to Essential Digital Technology
Basic technology skills have become a necessary part of our lives. In addition to being tools that we can use to make our lives more productive, computers and technology have become vitally important to academic success. We require all 7th grade students to take our Computer Class. Students will begin by learning proper keyboarding skills, which is crucial for succeeding in today’s world. The class also incorporates some of the ins and outs of basic computer use and Google Slides. Additionally, important facts and safety precautions will be discussed concerning Internet use.
Education Specialist and Resources 
Foothills Christian Middle School does not have an Academic Resource Specialist or Legal Resources to serve IEP or 504 eligibility recipients.
Individualized Assessment Testing is required for all new students. Moderate accommodations, with our curriculum, can be considered according to the students learning abilities, to help develop the learning skills necessary to be a successful and independent student.