Middle School
7th & 8th Grades
The Middle School years are a time of transition. Anchor provides engaging Middle School courses, which continue our interactive approach to education, but challenge students to begin thinking at a deeper level and owning their learning. These 7th & 8th-grade years will prepare our students for the rigors and responsibilities that await them in the High School years and beyond.
Registration for the 2024-25 school year will start the week of April 15th for current families and May 15th for new families.
For easy viewing, click here for a Printable Middle School Schedule
For information on tuition and fees, click HERE!
| 2024/2025 Classes | Classes on Rotation |
|---|---|
| American History | American Literature |
| World Geography | |
| Maryland History | IEW 7th-9th |
| General Science | Creative Writing 8th+ |
| Anatomy & Physiology | Life Science |
| Foundations of Math | Physical Science |
| PreAlgebra |
| 2024/2025 Elective Classes | Elective Courses on Rotation | |
|---|---|---|
| Art | Drama | |
| Fitness | Studio Art | |
| American Sign Language 1 | Art History and Me! | |
| American Sign Language 2 | ||
| Spanish 1 |
TUTOR: Becky Van Rees
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins. / 30 weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 7th - 8th Grades
COURSE FEE: $260 MATERIALS FEE: $35
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate to Heavy
REQUIRED TEXTS:
1.) A History of U.S.: Liberty for All 1820 – 1860 by Joy Hakim
2.) A History of U.S.: War, Terrible War 1855 – 1865 by Joy Hakim
3.) A History of U.S.: Reconstructing America 1865 – 1890 by Hakim
4.) A History of U.S.: An Age of Extremes 1880 – 1917 by Joy Hakim
COURSE DESCRIPTION: American History Part 2: Students in this course will investigate the political and cultural forces that made America…America. Using the Socratic approach, we will explore U.S. history from the antebellum period to World War I. Students will learn to look deeper into text and examine history for themselves through close reading, contextualizing, and collaboration. Students will demonstrate their understanding through rich oral discussions, writing, independent research, historical simulations, blog posts, and digital projects. Expectations include daily readings of historical texts, class participation, and being prepared weekly to engage in all class discussions and activities.
To deepen their understanding of this time in our great nation, students will explore many questions, including the following:
• Did Manifest Destiny bring greater progress and freedoms to the prairies?
• How might the United States have been affected if transportation and communication systems had not followed closely on the heels of the pioneers?
• Would war have resulted even if the North stopped advocating for abolition?
• Do individuals shape history, or are individuals shaped by the times in which they live?
• What advantages and disadvantages did the Union and the Confederacy each possess at the start of the Civil War?
• What factors helped push immigrants out of Europe and Asia and pulled them toward the United States?
• How did the muckrakers prove the saying, "The pen is mightier than the sword."?
• Did the progressive movement die with the opening shots of World War 1?
TUTOR: Brenda Gibbs
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins./30 weeks
COURSE FEE: $260 MATERIALS FEE: $35
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate
REQUIRED TEXTS: will be provided
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will review grammar and punctuation rules needed throughout the writing process. Students will learn and practice foundational communication skills through essays, using the four traditional forms of writing: informative, explanatory, argumentative, and narrative. Students will learn to create an outline or graphic organizer to organize their ideas, compose a rough draft, revise and edit their draft, and finally format and polish their paper before submission. This course will include both interactive lessons and collaborative activities.
TUTOR: Brenda Gibbs
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins./30 weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 7th & 8th Grades
COURSE FEE: $260 MATERIALS FEE: $40
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate
REQUIRED TEXTS: will be provided
COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this class, we will explore Maryland's rich history as we journey back to discover our state's diverse and fascinating history. We will have a variety of interactive activities, discussions, and projects designed to explore historical events, figures, and themes that examine how our unique geographical, cultural, and economic factors have influenced vital events.
TUTOR: Jen Orie
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins./30 weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 7th & 8th Grades
COURSE FEE: $260 MATERIALS FEE: $75, includes lab supplies
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate
TEXT: TBD
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is a true general science course covering a wide range of branches of science. We will cover the history of science, scientific analysis, astronomy, geology, paleontology, meteorology, oceanography, chemistry, physics, life science (molecular biology, microbiology, immunology, botany, zoology, genetics), marine science, and environmental science. Classes will consist of short lectures and lots of hands-on activities. Students will learn to design, conduct experiments, and write lab reports correctly. Homework will consist of textbook reading, comprehension questions, completing lab reports, and take-home quizzes.
TUTOR: Brenda Gibbs
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins./30 weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 7th - 9th Grades
COURSE FEE: $280 MATERIALS FEE: $75, includes lab supplies
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate
REQUIRED TEXTS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This class will explore the human body following systems in depth. First, the skeletal system's function and the muscular system's basics make up the musculoskeletal system. We then move to the cardiovascular and respiratory systems to study the body's circulation and breathing. Finally, we look at the nervous system, including the central and peripheral systems, encompassing the brain and spinal cord.
TUTOR: Jennie Carr
GRADE LEVEL: 6th+
CLASS LENGTH: 90 minutes twice a week
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Assignments on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
TUITION: $560; SUPPLIES: $50
PREREQUISITE: Students should be working on at least 6th-grade math. Click here for: Summer work to prepare
CLASS DESCRIPTION: This class will focus on the skills your students need to prepare for Pre-Algebra. The tutor introduces two to three new skills each week and works closely with students to ensure comprehension of further information. Students must complete assignments outside of class to keep up with the pace of the course. Students will work independently and in groups during class, and we are instructed to maximize involvement and understanding. Topics reviewed and reinforced will include Whole numbers, rational numbers, integers, positive & negative numbers, combining terms, inequalities, ratios, area, and volume. You can find outlines here: Foundations Outline. The placement test can be helpful to determine if your child is ready. They only need to score about 50% correct to move on to Foundations.
TUTOR: Jessica Knott
CLASS LENGTH: 60 minutes twice a week
COURSE FEE: $560 MATERIAL FEE: $50
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Assignments on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
PREREQUISITE: Students should be working at a 7th-grade math. Summer work to prepare can be found here: Summer work. The placement test can be found here: Pre-algebra Placement Test.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: You can access an outline here: Curriculum Outline. This class will focus on your students' skills to prepare for Pre-Algebra. Two to three new skills will be taught each week, and the tutor will work closely with students to ensure comprehension of further information. In addition, students must complete assignments outside of class to keep up with the pace of the course. Students will work independently and in groups during class and be instructed to maximize involvement and understanding. Topics reviewed and reinforced will include positive & negative numbers, combining terms, equation & inequality solving, graphing, linear equations, and beginning geometry.
TUTOR: Angela Somers
GRADE LEVEL: 7th–12th Grades
COURSE FEE: $370 MATERIALS FEE: $25
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate
REQUIRED TEXT: Provided by the tutor
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Students are required to attend both in-person classes each week!
Students will learn signs and become proficient in using American Sign Language to communicate with others. The course's primary focus is to introduce students to American Sign Language. In addition to learning ASL, students will be exposed to the fundamental aspects of the Deaf community.
TUTOR: Sandra Steedle
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins./ 30 weeks
COURSE FEE: $ 280 MATERIALS FEE: $75
GRADE LEVEL: 7th-12th Grades
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Light
COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this class, students will learn art techniques to create original artwork. This class will take exemplary art learning to the next level and lead the students to create artwork that reflects themselves or conveys a message. Sketchbooks will log artists and techniques, ultimately creating an excellent reference book. Using the styles of drawing, watercolor, painting, mixed media, and printmaking, the class will connect to the past and create pieces of art that express what resonates with the students today.
TUTOR: Robin Shultz
CLASS LENGTH: 45 mins
COURSE FEE: $170 year MATERIALS FEE: $10
GRADE LEVEL: 7th-12th Grades
REQUIRED MATERIALS: Comfortable clothing and sneakers
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This class will be a 45-minute high-energy and fun-filled activity, starting with a dynamic warm-up, a series of exercises, and ending with games. By making exercise fun, students get excited to move around. As a result, they move around, becoming physically stronger and more energetic. It's a significant first step to cultivating a lifetime of health and fitness!
TUTOR: Lauren Steakley
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins./30 weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 7th-8th Grades
COURSE FEE: $260 MATERIALS FEE: $35
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate
TEXT: Geomatters: a Trail Guide to World Geography
COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this course, students will explore World Geography by learning the features and traits of all seven continents and identifying important geographical terms. They will also learn how to read and create maps through mapping activities and atlas usage, with reinforcement through drills, assignments, and projects. Independent research will be required weekly.
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins./30 weeks
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Approximately 30-45 minutes daily; varies from student to student.
GRADE LEVEL: 7th-9th Grades
PREREQUISITE: Because this level of IEW moves at a more rapid pace, it is recommended that a student new to IEW be able to write an organized paragraph with a clear topic sentence and complete body sentences before enrolling in this course.
REQUIRED TEXT & MATERIALS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This class will develop composition, grammar, and vocabulary skills while students write. Incrementally, instruction will cover all the IEW models of structure and elements of style, including grammar rules, vocabulary, and stylistic techniques. We will write narrative stories, poetry, research papers, critiques, formal five-paragraph essays with proper formatting, and summarizing references.
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins./15 weeks
COURSE FEE: $140 MATERIALS FEE: $35
GRADE LEVEL: 8th+
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate
PREREQUISITE: Students should be proficient writers and have experience in structured essay writing.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this one-semester course, students can unleash their imaginations and spark their creativity through their writing. Completing writing assignments such as short stories, blog posts, and poetry will allow students to fully develop their creativity and give them different outlets to express themselves. Students will not just be writing; they will expand their vocabulary, learn pre-writing strategies, and use story elements such as plot, character development, and conflict to create unique, creative writing pieces. Students must come to class fully prepared, complete all assigned work, and be ready to participate fully.
TUTOR: Jen Orie
TEXT: Purposeful Design Life Science textbook and student lab manual
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins./30 weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 7th-8th Grades
COURSE FEE: $260 MATERIALS FEE: $75
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate
COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this introductory Life Science class, students will learn about the wide variety of life on Earth. They will study God's creGod's through observation, experimentation, readings, lectures, discussions, and projects. Six units cover the basics of life science, including cells and taxonomy, viruses and bacteria, plants, animals, genetics and heredity, and ecology. Homework will consist of readings, short answer questions, and worksheets. Grades will be based on homework completion, class participation, and performance on tests, quizzes, and projects.
TUTOR: Melissa Hardesty
TEXT: Purposeful Design for Physical Science
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins./30 weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 7th-8th Grades
COURSE FEE: $260 MATERIALS FEE: $75
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Physical Science studies nonliving things that make up the world. From a biblical worldview, students will receive an overview of the two major branches, Chemistry and Physics. Class time will combine lectures, discussions, and labs to reinforce textbook reading. Reading, review questions, and worksheets will be assigned weekly for homework. Three days a week, 30-45 minutes of homework per day should be expected. Grading will be based on class participation, homework completion, and test scores.
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins./15 weeks
COURSE FEE: $140 MATERIALS FEE: $40
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Light
GRADE LEVEL: 7th-12th Grades
REQUIRED MATERIALS: The tutor will send a supply list via email
COURSE DESCRIPTION: From Ancient Art to Van Gough and Frida Kahlo, we will learn inspirational stories about past artists and use their art techniques to create original artwork in this class. This class will take exemplary art learning to the next level and lead the students to create artwork that reflects themselves or conveys a message. Sketchbooks will log artists and techniques, ultimately creating an excellent reference book. Using the styles of drawing, watercolor, painting, mixed media, and printmaking, the class will connect to the past and create pieces of art that express what resonates with the students today.
TUTOR: Liesl Schiavone
CLASS LENGTH: 90 mins. / 15 weeks
COURSE FEE: MATERIALS FEE:
GRADE LEVEL: 7th-12th
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Light
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will teach beginning and intermediate acting skills and improvisation. The class will culminate in a lunchtime production.
TUTOR: Angela Somers
GRADE LEVEL: 7th–12th Grades
PREREQUISITE: ASL 1
COURSE FEE: $370 MATERIALS FEE: $25
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate
COURSE DESCRIPTION: THIS CLASS MEETS TWICE A WEEK! Part 2 of our ASL Class offered, students will continue to become proficient in using American Sign Language.
TUTOR: Marne Miller
COURSE FEE: $370 MATERIALS FEE: $25
GRADE LEVEL: 7th-12th
HOMEWORK LEVEL: Moderate
TEXT: Duolingo for Classrooms
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Students are required to attend an additional online class each week!
Spanish 1 is the introductory course in the Spanish language and culture. During this course, students will develop speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills in Spanish around topics related to a student's life. The class will use a combination of Duolingo'Duolingo'ssroom curriculum and supplemental activities to reinforce the skills.