Curriculum
The middle school curriculum at Nashville Christian School is intentionally designed to challenge, engage, and support students during these formative years. With a strong foundation in core academic disciplines, our program encourages critical thinking, creativity, and intellectual curiosity while preparing students for the expectations of upper school. Through a balance of rigorous coursework and enriching opportunities, students develop the skills needed to grow as confident learners, effective communicators, and thoughtful problem-solvers, all within a Christ-centered framework that connects learning to purpose.
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5th Grade
Language Arts
ELA -HMH, Daily Language Review, Writing and Rhetoric
The goal of the Language Arts program at NCS is for each student to develop competence in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language. We believe these skills are developmental in nature and provide a foundation for both academic success and positive communication. NCS offers a variety of opportunities for students to strengthen these skills through engaging literature, purposeful writing, thoughtful discussion, and meaningful application, while encouraging creativity and fostering strong foundational skills.
Grammar
Students strengthen grade-level grammar and language skills, including parts of speech, sentence structure, verb usage, capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and proper usage, applying these skills in written and oral communication.
Vocabulary
Students build vocabulary through literature and informational texts, using context clues, word parts, and reference materials to determine meaning. They also explore synonyms, antonyms, figurative language, idioms, and academic vocabulary.
Writing
Students plan, draft, revise, and edit narrative, informative, and opinion writing for a variety of purposes and audiences. Emphasis is placed on organization, supporting details, textual evidence, transitions, and writing conventions.
Literature
Students read and analyze increasingly complex literature, exploring themes, characters, settings, plots, points of view, literary elements, and the author’s craft. They strengthen comprehension and support their ideas with evidence from the text.
Informational Text
Students analyze informational texts to identify main ideas, supporting details, text structures, vocabulary, and the author’s purpose. They compare information across sources and use textual evidence to communicate understanding.
Speaking & Listening
Students participate in collaborative discussions, listen thoughtfully, ask and answer questions, and communicate ideas clearly and respectfully. They also develop confidence in presenting information to different audiences and for different purposes.
Social Studies
American History
In fifth grade, students develop a deeper understanding of American history by exploring the people, events, movements, and ideas that shaped our nation. Beginning with the Civil War and Reconstruction, students examine westward expansion, American imperialism, and World War I, the early twentieth century, World War II, and the Civil Rights Movement while considering the causes, consequences, and perspectives surrounding major events in our nation's story.
History comes to life through thematic learning experiences that encourage students to investigate, discuss, and analyze primary and secondary sources and make connections across time. Creative themes and hands-on experiences provide memorable frameworks for learning while maintaining a strong focus on historical content, vocabulary, evidence, and critical thinking.
Throughout the course, students are encouraged to view history through a Christian worldview, considering what historical events teach us about people, leadership, justice, responsibility, perseverance, and the consequences of our choices. Through thoughtful discussion and analysis, students grow not only in their understanding of America's past but also in their ability to engage thoughtfully with the world around them.
Science
Physical Science
In fifth grade, students explore the laws, patterns, and systems that help us understand the physical world God created. Through the study of matter and chemistry, energy, light, sound, forces, and motion, and the structures and changes of Earth, students develop a deeper understanding of how and why the world around them works.
Learning is active and engaging, with students investigating scientific questions, analyzing evidence, conducting hands-on activities, and applying concepts to real-world situations. Students also explore connections to living systems, including adaptations, classification, cells, and marine biology, as they consider the complexity, order, and design evident throughout God's creation.
Throughout the course, students develop important scientific skills, including asking thoughtful questions, communicating explanations using appropriate vocabulary, distinguishing observations from evidence and conclusions, and thinking critically about the world around them. Thematic learning experiences help students connect new concepts to memorable stories, experiences, and big ideas.
Math
Fifth-grade mathematics strengthens foundational skills while helping students become confident, independent problem solvers. Students build fluency with whole number operations, fractions, and decimals while exploring numerical expressions, patterns, coordinate planes, measurement, volume, data, and geometry.
Through engaging instruction and real-world applications, students learn to think critically, explain their reasoning, make connections between concepts, and use multiple strategies to solve problems. Emphasis is placed on perseverance, accuracy, and learning from mistakes as students prepare for the increased expectations of sixth-grade mathematics.
A biblical worldview is integrated throughout the curriculum, encouraging students to recognize order, patterns, and purpose in God’s creation and to approach learning with integrity, curiosity, and excellence.
Bible
Miracles of Jesus
Students explore the life and ministry of Jesus through the study of His miracles, discovering how each account reveals His power, compassion, authority, and love. Through Scripture, discussion, prayer, and reflection, students examine miracles of healing, provision, and restoration, as well as Jesus’ power over creation, while considering the deeper spiritual truths within each story.
Students are encouraged to connect these biblical accounts to their own lives, developing a greater understanding of faith, obedience, trust, and God’s character. Through this study, students deepen their understanding of Jesus as the Son of God and are challenged to grow in their relationship with Christ, recognize God’s work in their lives, and live out their faith through love, service, courage, forgiveness, and compassion.
7th Grade
Language Arts
The seventh grade language arts curriculum is designed to strengthen students' ability to communicate clearly and effectively while fostering a deeper appreciation for reading and writing. Students engage with literature to better understand the world around them and to develop critical thinking skills.
Vocabulary
Students expand their vocabulary through the study of Greek and Latin roots, commonly misspelled words, and terms encountered in both literature and nonfiction texts. Emphasis is placed on applying new vocabulary in both written and spoken communication.
Writing and Composition
Writing instruction focuses on both the structure and craft of effective composition. Students learn the mechanics of strong writing while also developing their voice through the study of accomplished authors. They write for a variety of purposes, audiences, and genres, including creative, narrative, and expository pieces.
Literature
Students explore a range of fiction and nonfiction works from both classic and contemporary authors. Through guided analysis and independent reading, students examine key literary elements such as plot, theme, tone, and characterization while making meaningful connections to the text.
Grammar
Grammar instruction reinforces the foundations of language by studying parts of speech, sentence structure, and clause types. Students develop editing and revision skills, learning to apply correct grammar and pucntuation to strengthen their writing.
Social Studies
World Geography
Students explore the world through the lens of both physical and human geography, developing a deeper understanding of how people, places, and environments are interconnected. The course examines key geographic themes, including spatial relationships, regions, physical systems, human systems, and the interaction between society and the environment.
Students study major world regions, including North America, Latin America, Europe, Russia, Africa, Asia, Australia, and Antarctica, gaining insight into the cultures, economies, and geographic features that shape each area. A portion of the year is also dedicated to the study of Tennessee, allowing students to connect with geographic concepts to their own state and its history.
Through this course, students build global awareness, critical thinking skills, and an understanding of how geography influences the world around them.
Science
Life Science
Life Science invites students to explore the complexity and beauty of the living world through the lens of God's creation. The course begins with the study of classification, where students learn to group organisms based on structure, behavior, and function. They examine the major kingdoms and develop an understanding of how living things are organized and interconnected.
As the year progresses, students explore genetics and heredity, learning how traits are passed from one generation to the next. Through the study of human genetics, including karyotypes and inherited traits, students gain insight into the uniqueness of each individual.
In the second semester, students take a closer look at the systems and organization of living organisms, with a focused study on the human body and its intricate design. The course concludes with an exploration of plants and biomes, helping students understand how organisms interact with ecosystems.
Through hands-on investigation, observation, and analysis, students develop critical thinking skills and a deeper appreciation for intentional design and the complexity of God's natural world.
Math
Pre-Algebra
Pre-Algebra is an advanced mathematics course designed to strengthen foundational skills while introducing students to key algebraic concepts. Building on prior knowledge, students develop greater confidence and precision in computation while expanding their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Throughout the course, students explore topics such as the properties of mathematics, the language of algebra, solving one- and two-step equations and inequalities, and operations with integers and rational numbers. Additional areas of study include proportions, percentages, statistics, probability, graphing, geometric applications, measurement, and introduction to trigonometry, and the basics of polynomials.
With an emphasis on problem-solving and real-world application, Pre-Algebra equips students with the skills and understanding needed for a successful transition into Algebra 1.
Mathematics
Seventh-grade mathematics continues to build a strong foundation while introducing students to key algebraic concepts and problem-solving strategies. Students develop confidence in applying their mathematical knowledge to a variety of real-world situations.
The course explores topics including operations with integers, fractions, decimals, and percents; ratios and proportional reasoning; introductory algebraic expressions and equations; data analysis and probability; and the area and volume of two- and three-dimensional figures. Students also begin to examine patterns, linear relationships, and functions.
Through engaging instruction and practical application, students strengthen their reasoning and analytical skills, preparing them for success in Pre-Algebra.
6th Grade
Language Arts
The goal of the Language Arts program at Nashville Christian School is for each student to develop competency in the following areas--reading, writing, speaking, and listening. We believe these skills to be developmental in nature and the keys to both academic success and positive social interaction. NCS offers a variety of opportunities for students to develop their skills in these areas, encouraging creativity while fostering fundamental soundness.
Grammar
Identify and use all parts of speech, with emphasis on pronouns, prepositional phrases, dependent & independent clauses, sentence structure & variety, and punctuation and conventions. Students will also be asked to apply these grammar skills to their writing.
Vocabulary
Identify commonly misspelled or misused words, recognize words from literature and the concepts of language (such as voice, propaganda, idioms, etc); distinguish synonyms and antonyms, interpret analogies, and select grade- and situation-appropriate word choice.
Writing
Brainstorm, organize, draft, revise, and edit; compose pieces that cover the foundations of composition--narrative, descriptive, expository, and persuasive writing; form unified paragraphs, summaries, and journal entries; identify and apply the elements of poetry; interpret and analyze literary works.
Literature
Build a strong basis for reading by increasing independence as readers, practicing reading comprehension strategies, and analyzing literary devices. While students will learn the literary elements in text selections, such as theme, style, characterization, and the parts of a story, they will also discover the text's aesthetic elements, explore the emotions, and analyze and evaluate what they have read.
Social Studies
World History
In sixth grade, students develop a strong understanding of geography, early civilizations, and the foundations of the ancient world. They explore the characteristics and uses of maps, including political maps and Mercator projections, while building skills in identifying both physical and human geographic features.
Students examine the origins of the world and the development of early civilizations, studying regions from Africa and Asia to the Mediterranean empires. Through interactive hands-on learning experiences, such as visiting a Hindu temple, performing a Greek mythology play, and constructing an Egyptian pyramid or tomb, students bring history to life in meaningful ways.
Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on developing essential skills, including effective communication, critical thinking, and collaboration, equipping students to engage thoughtfully with both historical content and the world around them.
Science
Earth Science
In 6th-grade Earth Science, students explore the complexity and beauty of the world God created. Through the study of Earth's structure and systems, students examine topics such as the composition of the planet, changes to the Earth's surface, water systems, weather and climate, and an introduction to astronomy.
Learning takes place through a variety of engaging methods, including reading, discussion, demonstrations, and both individual and collaborative projects. Throughout the course, students develop a deeper understanding of scientific concepts while growing in curiosity, critical thinking,m and an appreciation for God's creation.
Math
Students build on foundational skills while developing a deeper understanding and confidence in problem-solving. Aligned with Tennessee state standards, the course emphasizes both mathematical concepts and process skills, encouraging students to think critically and apply their learning in meaningful ways.
Students strengthen their fluency with fractions and decimals while expanding their knowledge of key concepts, including integers, ratios, and proportional reasoning, introductory algebraic thinking, geometry, measurement, and probability and statistics.
Through engaging instruction and real-world application, students grow in accuracy, reasoning, and independence, preparing them for continued success in either Pre-Algebra or seventh-grade mathematics.
8th Grade
Language Arts
The eighth-grade language arts curriculum prepares students for the expectations of upper school by strengthening their ability to think critically, communicate clearly, and engage deeply with literature. Students refine their reading, writing, and analytical skills while developing confidence in expressing their ideas.
Vocabulary
Students expand their vocabulary through the study of Greek and Latin roots, commonly misspelled words, and terms encountered in literature and nonfiction texts. Emphasis is placed on applying vocabulary effectively with written and spoken communication.
Writing & Composition
Writing instruction focuses on both the structure and craft of strong composition. Students study accomplished authors and apply those techniques to their own work, writing for a variety of purposes, audiences, and genres, including creative and expository pieces.
Literature
Students explore a range of fiction and non-fiction works from both classic and contemporary authors. Through guided analysis and independent reading, they examined literary elements such as plot, theme, tone, and characterization while making meaningful connections to the text.
Grammar
Grammar instruction reinforces key language concepts, including parts of speech, sentence structure, and clause types. Students develop editing and revision skills, applying correct grammar and punctuation to strengthen their writing.
Foreign Language
Spanish 1 (High School Credit Opportunity)
Qualified eighth-grade students may take Spanish 1 for upper school credit. This course introduces the foundational skills needed to build proficiency in Spanish, with an emphasis on communication in both written and spoken forms.
Students develop skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking while learning essential grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary. Topics include greetings, numbers, time, weather, and everyday conversation, as well as present-tense verb conjugation and key grammatical concepts such as subject pronouns, adjective agreement, and ser vs. estar.
In addition to language development, students explore the culture and geography of Spanish-speaking countries, gaining a broader understanding of the global community.
Social Studies
American History
Students receive a comprehensive, chronological study of the development of the United States from early exploration through the Civil War and Reconstruction. Students examine how civilizations began and evolved in America, gaining a deeper understanding of the nation's foundations.
The course explores the causes and key events of the American Revolution, as well as the influential individuals and ideas that shaped the formation of the United States. Students analyze important documents and political principles that established the framework of the nation's government.
As the year progresses, students study the early republic, westward expansion, and the Civil War and Reconstruction era, while also gaining an introduction to the structure and function of the United States constitutional government.
Science
Physical Science
This class introduces students to foundational concepts in both chemistry and physics, helping them better understand the order and design of the natural world.
During the first semester, students explore basic chemistry concepts, including the structure and organization of the periodic table, chemical reactions, and molecular behavior. Through hands-on experiments, students investigate mixtures, properties of matter, and the fundamentals of balancing equations, Lewis structures, and acids and bases.
The second semester focuses on introductory physics, with an emphasis on motion and forces. Students study speed, velocity, acceleration, and direction through interactive labs and real-world applications. Additional topics include simple machines, Newton's three laws of motion, and an introduction to nuclear reactions.
Through active experimentation, observation, and analysis, students develop critical thinking skills and a deeper appreciation for the structure and consistency of God's creation.
Math
Algebra 1 (Upper School Credit Opportunity)
Algebra 1 is an advanced course that provides students the opportunity to earn upper school credit while building a strong foundation for future mathematics and science courses. Students enrolled in this course will complete a state-mandated end-of-year course assessment to demonstrate mastery.
The course focuses on developing a deep understanding of algebraic concepts and problem-solving strategies. Students work extensively with linear equations, inequalities, and systems, using tables, graphs, and equations to analyze and represent relationships. They also expand their understanding of the number system to include irrational numbers and begin exploring polynomials and introductory quadratic relationships.
Through the use of technology, modeling, and real-world applications, students develop multiple approaches to solving complex problems, building both confidence and critical thinking skills essential for success in higher-level coursework.
Pre-Algebra
Pre-Algebra is a standard course that reinforces and builds on a student’s prior knowledge of math, adding advanced computation and an emphasis on algebraic concepts. Students will become familiar and build a solid foundation with the following: the properties of mathematics, the language of algebra, solving one step and two step equations, operations with rational numbers and integers, solving inequalities, graphing equations and inequalities, proportion, percent, statistics and graphs, probability, applying algebra to geometry, measurement, introduction to trigonometry, and the study of polynomials. The skills learned in this class will prepare the students for success in Algebra 1.
Summer Work and Supply List
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