Religion
As students study the Old Testament, they see God’s plan for the world and man and how that plan was altered. They understand that sin broke the perfect relationship that God provided, but that God still cares for us in every way. They study the development of God’s church on earth beginning in the Old Testament. Students are able to participate meaningfully in worship services.

Pre Algebra
Inductive and deductive reasoning helps students arrive at problem solving ideas. Graphing linear equalities and inequalities, working with polynomials, understanding real versus irrational numbers, and notations serve to prepare these students for upper level math classes. The understanding of theorems and additional geometrical terms and figures plus measurements that include volume of objects like spheres will also aid their future classes. Students use the basic principles of algebra to analyze and represent proportional and non-proportional relationships. Calculators are used as more emphasis is put on learning the process and establishing and maintaining basic skills.

Language Arts
Short story, nonfiction, the novel, and poetry set the stage for powerful and exciting literature in the seventh grade. Focusing on structure and style, the students will be challenged to analyze and interpret the literature through their writing. An intensive classical root word vocabulary program and grammar study will guide the seventh grade into new growth and academic direction.

Band / Choir / Drama / Music Appreciation / Technology
Students in seventh grade have a semester choice of the above fine arts classes.

Social Studies
God’s hand in founding, establishing, and maintaining Texas as a state is studied in detail. Students study in depth a progression of topics as the work of the Spanish explorers, the Spanish missions built and established to further His kingdom, the realization of the Lone Star becoming a state in the Union, and present day political, social, and economic involvements of the state of Texas. Because of the progression of knowledge involved, students are easily able to understand why it is so important to be an involved citizen in their state. Living history reinforces their learning as the class travels to areas of historic interest in the state.

Science
Life science is studied at this level. Students are exposed to various forms of life, including microscopic organisms, and the components of living organisms. Learning what is essential for life gives the students a greater appreciation for life and the creatures that inhabit the earth. Concepts such as metabolism, stimulus-response, chromosomes, and growth of virus, fungi, and bacteria provide a well rounded study. In depth study of the human body and how its systems work together to make a complete organism are at the core of this course. Hands-on learning makes the understanding more concrete for them.

Computer Science
Computer literacy continues along with the use of computers. Besides terminology and understanding the various functions a computer can perform, students study the history of computers and look ahead into the future generations of computers and their possible uses. For students who have progressed through the program, keyboarding skills have reached a high level of ability and use which enables them to use computers not only in the computer classroom but across the curriculum in other areas such as the preparation of papers and presentations. In addition to understanding and using online services, students continue with their use of databases and desktop publishing. Students learn about and use spreadsheets.

Art
Art terms such as tone, tint, and relief and the application of those terms broaden the perspective of students at this age. For them personally, art can be very realistic or take on other characteristics that would make it expressionistic, modernistic, or abstract. In whatever form, students explore the talents given them by God and appreciate the gift of creativity that everyone has but in differing degrees. Giving and receiving criticism of art work is expected. Students are aware of other cultures and art forms that can be found throughout the world.

Health
Students determine alternate courses of action to avoid peer pressure. Learning first aid skills aids them in helping others and reacting to situations that can occur in everyday life. They work on communication skills to foster healthy relationships with those they meet. Understanding substance abuse and its repercussions, they have a knowledge of laws that relate to the abuse of these illegal substances. Recognizing the body systems and their functions aids them in knowing how to care for the bodies God has given to them.

Spanish
Students expand their knowledge of the Spanish language. The teacher converses in both Spanish and English using a natural grammar-implied approach which includes greetings, commands, phrases, and other everyday conversations. Students speak, read, write and sing in Spanish. They continue learning the use of conjugated verbs, articles, adverbs, and adjectives. They are able to describe and discuss their immediate environment and other people.

Physical Education
Enthusiastic participation and the enjoyment of competition are key to students this age. While they enjoy and participate readily, there is often an awkwardness with this group that must also be overcome. As they learn to appreciate themselves and their God given talents and abilities, they also learn to accept the talents and abilities of others. Team sports are of great importance and the ability to work on certain skills within the sport make the activity more of a challenge to all students.

Textbooks Used
Voyages, Concordia Publishing House, 2002
Mathematics Pre-Algebra, Prentice Hall, 2004
Life Science, Scott Foresman, 2003
Elements of Literature, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2003
Selected Novels
Texas and Texans, Glencoe, 1996
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!