ENGLISH Language Arts in Middle School
Go Beyond: Words into Action
John 1:1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
The subject of English is about words. At Timothy, we recognize words are a gift of God as revealed in the Biblical narrative. God speaks and the world springs forth. Since we are made in His image, God appointed us to share in the wonderful gift of words.
Consequently, the philosophy of the Timothy English department is to cultivate an appreciation for God’s gift of words. The English department therefore strives to:
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Examine a wide body of literature from both the past and the present, including non-Christian and Christian authors.
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Explore a variety of literary genres (i.e. fiction, non-fiction, drama, poetry, etc) to help students think beyond themselves.
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Employ a variety of rhetorical forms (i.e. research papers, creative writing, informative speech, satire, poetry, etc) to help students express their thoughts.
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Empower students to develop critical thinking and active listening within a small communal setting.
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Evaluate the narratives of the world in light of God’s revelation of what is true.
The English department hopes students will appreciate God’s gift of words and act upon them, whether in school or beyond the walls of Timothy.
Middle School ELA Curriculum Focus
All the components of research-based reading instruction are taught as appropriate to grade level standards: systematic phonics instruction, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.
MATH in Middle School
GO BEYOND numbers to understand God’s depth of order
Colossians 1:17
He is before all things and in Him all things hold together.
The God of the Universe created order in our world, and the subject of math is representative of that order. We believe math demonstrates God’s design for our world. Through this Christ-centered lens, our math students learn to think critically, creatively, confidently, and conceptually.
In developing a growth mindset, our students become engaged learners and skilled problem-solvers. Growth is facilitated through the following methods:
- Varied pacing and leveled content
- Effective and efficient practice
- Rich problem connections
We are committed to making authentic connections with each student, as we model perseverance and resilience. We are intentional about helping our students understand the greater design behind math so that every one of them can better see and appreciate the hand of God in the world and in their own lives.
Science in Middle School
Go BEYOND observations; investigate the world God created.
Romans 1:20
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
God upholds and sustains all things. From the intricacies of molecular interactions to the sophisticated way that objects interact, His fingerprints can be found throughout the study of Science. God is responsible for the details found in the universe and our study of the world He created allows for a deeper understanding of who He is.
Constant wonder is encouraged and fostered with hands-on labs and inquiry-based learning. In our classrooms, Christianity and science are not at odds with each other. As image-bearers of Christ, students learn how to be good stewards of God’s creation by:
- Analyzing and interpreting data
- Communicating sound reasoning
- Formulating solid arguments
We desire to grow and develop life-long learners who remain curious enough to keep asking questions and disciplined enough to continue to uncover the beauty of the answers found in God’s creation.
Social Studies in Middle School
Go BEYOND the historical record; reflect on the progression of God’s plan.
Isaiah 46:9
Remember the former things long past, For I am God there is no other. I am God there is none like me.
History is the unfolding of God’s plan, not simply a series of random events. This redemptive, God-centered worldview connects the past with the present. Through our study of cultures, social and political systems, and economic and environmental movements, we see the unfolding of God’s love and mercy for His people. God’s story is intricately woven into every part of our collective historical record.
We aim to have our students understand their role in shaping history. We are preparing our students to be globally-minded Christian citizens involved in the governments, economies, and cultures of the world. With God’s help, we believe every student has the opportunity to transform the world.
With an appreciation of diversity among world cultures, students explore how social and cultural values have changed over time. All people are created in the image of God and ways to curb injustice are explored. Humility and empathy are developed. Through questioning, analysis, and a storytelling approach, our students learn:
- The wisdom that comes from discernment
- The science of critical thinking
- The art of thoughtful reflection