Religion
Creation, redemption, and sanctification are understood in view of the Trinity. Learning about the Fruits of the Spirit and Law and Gospel provides the students with tools to use in sharing the Good News with others. The chronology of the Bible becomes more concrete as students study the Old Testament but with the focus of how the New Testament tells the “rest of the story.” Baptism and Holy Communion are studied in depth.

Math
Working with integers and equations at this level provides a basis for future experiences in mathematics. Working with percents and simplifying proportions reinforce previously learned material but on a higher level of thinking. Students learn to estimate, round, and order fractions as they learn to add and subtract them. Geometric work progresses with construction terms and divisional terminology. Calculators are used as more emphasis is put on learning the process and establishing and maintaining basic skills.

Language Arts
Students begin to bring all aspects of higher level language arts into focus this year. An intensive writing program, vocabulary program incorporating Latin root word bases, and a rich grammar study create the foundation for higher level growth. Classic and contemporary literature from all genres provide students with a new window to the literary world.

Band / Choir / Drama
In sixth grade, students have semester choices of band, choir, and drama.

Social Studies
God’s hand in making all the nations of the earth is the slant of this class. A study of the development of world trends and cultures and their relationships to the historic past provides a way for students to see more clearly God’s hand as an omnipresent one. In studying historic backgrounds of world societies, students learn how the governments and societies were affected by major shifts or displacements and what effect these had on future nations and generations. Understanding different forms of government around the world helps students see the roles of citizens change according to the expectations of the government and the power controlled by people or by the governments themselves.

Science
Students are exposed to more in depth physical science at this level. Understanding forces and the nature and types of machines help students to discover how things work and why. Using hands on investigations helps them with their learning.

Computer Science
Computer literacy continues at this level. Students become familiar with computer related terminology and understand more about the parts of a computer which they can identify. Their familiarity with the keyboard and the word processing skills allows them to produce special projects. Desktop publishing skills and knowledge about file sharing continue. Work on educational software reinforces classroom objectives. They create and print their own database.

Art
Students study about the effects of color. As students appreciate art in everyday life, they explore different types of art and mediums. Drawing and the use of perspective in drawing and artwork take on more meaning to the students as they see and appreciate varied types of art.

Health
Students can identify daily health and safety practices that ensure a healthy body and promote self-concept. They identify facts in society that might influence poor decisions regarding illegal substances. As they identify these facts, they are aware that they are personally responsible for the choices and decisions they make. Learning to display self-control in winning or losing is emphasized.

Spanish
Sequentially taught, students expand their understanding of the Spanish language in a bilingual classroom. The teacher converses in both English and Spanish using greetings, commands, phrases, and other everyday conversations. Students speak, count, tell dates and time, read, write, make conversation, and sing in Spanish.

Physical Education
As team sports in the school arena, these same sports are favorites of the students to continue to improve upon whenever they are given the opportunity. The students have time to fine tune aspects of these sports such as knowing and understanding the rules, the use of specialty teams within the larger teams, and Christian sportsmanship. Along with this desire to play well for the school comes the need to encourage self-control in losing situations and a willingness to try again.

Textbooks Used
Voyages, Concordia Publishing House, 2002
Mathematics Course 1, Prentice Hall, 2004
World History, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1998
Science, Scott Foresman, 2003
Elements of Literature, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2003
Viva el Espanol, Learning System C, 1998

How committed is Salem Lutheran School to providing what is best for middle school students?
Salem Lutheran School began as a one-room schoolhouse in 1874. Since then, we have continued to provide for students in grades kindergarten through eight. In 1981, we added an early childhood program. We currently serve 450 students and their families. Our programs are accredited through National Lutheran School Accreditation in St. Louis, Missouri, and the National Association for the Education of Young Children in Washington, D.C. As such, we continue to study research and practice as to what is best for our students. We continue steadfast in the fact that we are committed to teaching all subjects in the light of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We strive to practice biblical living and teaching everywhere, not only in our curriculum, but also in the administration of our faculty and staff. Our faculty members are primarily educated and trained through Lutheran Synodical Universities across the United States. Our student body consists of 14 Christian denominations that represent 50 congregations spanning eight school districts. Those students coming from unbelieving homes are consequently educated in a Christian culture dominated by the authority of the Word of God. To God be the glory!