Middle School program
At the Cambridge School of Dallas students are taught mastery of basic concepts and skills that lead to Upper School success within the context of a traditional Christ-centered education. Students do more than learn facts from textbooks; they learn to respect and enjoy knowledge and to be humble and wise in their pursuit of it. Students learn by example to stand for truth. Parents can have confidence that their child is being prepared for future academic success. Our faculty will strive to make sure every student is doing their best and reaching their full potential.
How is this achieved? There are four factors that contribute to Cambridge’s overall success. First is the quality of the teachers who are committed to each child’s academic and spiritual development. Their success is linked to your child’s success. Second is the culture of the student body where learning and working hard are encouraged. Expectations are high and students rise to them. Third is a carefully designed curriculum that links instruction across the grades and avoids gaps in sequence. Fourth are parents who are committed to the fact that learning is demanding and that academic success has no short cuts.
As a transitional period in which students begin to assume more personal responsibility for their time and education, the Middle School program at Cambridge prepares students for the rigorous but rewarding academic experience of the Upper School.
Ten Distinctions of the Middle School Curriculum:
*Teaching students from classical works that build character and inspire virtue.
*Seeing and understanding life through the lens of a biblical worldview.
*Emphasizing mastery while learning key facts in each discipline.
*Mastering mathematics and exploring science in order to better understand both the order and the mystery of the universe.
*Shaping our cultural identity through the study of Western Civilization.
*Introducing classical languages, building a bridge into structured and critical thinking.
*Teaching writing that is accurate, precise, and stylistic.
*Grounding beliefs and growing in wisdom through the study of God’s word.
*Shaping early sensibilities through art, music, and drama.
*Learning the life-long joy of discipline, teamwork and athletic skills.
Fifth and Sixth Grade Curriculum
Language Arts (Year One/Year Two)
Students read classical works that build character and inspire virtue. They enjoy different genres of literature, including allegory, historical narrative, mythology, drama, historical journal, epic poetry, and sonnets. Through individual assignments, students strengthen habits of independent reading.
Students master parts of speech, parts of a sentence, and various verbal constructions, and are able to identify and diagram a variety of sentence constructions. They learn to write an expository paragraph, a compelling and well-ordered narrative, and a beautiful descriptive paragraph. In addition, students are expected to develop a beautifully legible style of handwriting.
Declamation
All students at Cambridge are required to practice their rhetorical skills in the annual declamation competition. Students memorize a substantial work, recite it before a panel of Cambridge judges, and the finalists go on to recite the piece before a panel of non-Cambridge judges.
History (Year Two)
The Renaissance, Reformation, and the Age of Exploration are presented from a biographical perspective. Students explore the lives of important historical figures, their contributions to culture and civilization, and the great events that influenced them. Students learn geography and by course end, can give a concise description of the general movement of history during these time periods.
Mathematics (Year One/Year Two)
Students master basic mathematical concepts and skills for practical use and as a foundation for further studies. Daily practice through consistently completing and correcting homework is essential for success in this course. The primary text used is Saxon Math 7/6 and Saxon Math 8/7, by Hake and Saxon.
Science (Year Two)
The scientific method is used to investigate the world God created. Students learn key facts and concepts that lay the foundation from which future studies will build. Topics of study include physical laws of the universe, the earth’s weather and geology, the human body, and the history of science.
Introduction to French I and French II (Year One/Year Two)
This two year introductory class is designed to excite students’ interest and fluency in foreign language. Students will memorize dialogues, poems, and songs, and engage in conversations. They will be introduced to grammatical facets of a foreign language which will aid them in 7th and 8th grade Latin.
Bible (Year One/Year Two)
Students read key books in the Bible that link the overall redemptive theme throughout Scripture. By course end, they will develop and demonstrate a solid understanding of the narrative flow of the entire Bible. Class reflection and discussion are encouraged along with memorization of creeds and key verses.
History of Art I and II (Year One/Year Two)
Physical Education
Physical Education is an important and necessary part of a well-balanced life. It is here that students learn about the life-long joy of teamwork and sportsmanship, the discipline that sports require, and basic skills of many of the sports Cambridge offers beginning in 7th grade.
Seventh and Eighth Grade Curriculum
Language Arts
7th grade focuses primarily on American Literature. As students read short stories, poems, and novels by predominantly American authors, they examine, study, and absorb the way these authors carefully craft syntax and diction so that the students reflect the same care in their writing. In 8th grade students are taught to recognize excellent writing and to craft their own responses to questions posed to them on themes, literary devices, and literary structure. Students learn and articulate the hallmarks of comedy and tragedy. Reading, writing, and discussion provide opportunities to deepen their understanding of the nature of man as a spiritual and thinking being.
Declamation
All students at Cambridge are required to practice their rhetorical skills in a yearly declamation competition. Students memorize a substantial work, recite it before a panel of Cambridge judges, and the finalists go on to recite the piece before a panel of non-Cambridge judges.
History
7th graders survey United States history beginning with the Age of Exploration and the “discovery” of the Americas and continuing through the 20th century. They see how God has raised up and used people, conflict, and leaders to accomplish His purposes. The objective of this course is to acquaint students with the significant facts and eras in history with geography being a major component. 8th grade World Cultures shares the same objectives while focusing on the eight major civilizations that have emerged since the end of the Cold War.
Latin I and II
Cambridge requires Latin in both the 7th and 8th grades. Students focus primarily on Latin grammar and translation skills so that they are equipped to read and understand Latin. Knowledge of the culture, mythology, and political setting of our Roman ancestors accompany their study, giving a deeper insight into a culture that has so heavily influenced our lives today.
Mathematics
Upper School mathematics and science courses depend on a strong foundation in Algebra. Pre-Algebra (7th) and Algebra I (8th) equip students to be able to succeed. Unique to the School’s mathematics instruction is an emphasis not simply on knowing “how” to answer a question or solve a problem, but understanding “why” mathematics works.
Science
Earth Science (7th) and Physical Science (8th) lay the foundation for upper level courses. It is here that students learn the basic techniques of the scientific method through regular laboratory experiments. Topics in Earth science include: geology, meteorology, astronomy, plate tectonics, and oceanography. 8th graders gain an introductory and working knowledge of chemistry and physics.
Bible
The Bible is the foundation of the School’s curriculum and instruction. Over two years, students survey all 66 books of the New and Old Testament providing an overview of the themes of creation, fall, redemption, and consummation. These courses equip students with a solid working knowledge of the Bible that forms the foundation they need entering the Upper School.
Logic I and II
These courses are designed to teach students how to study effectively and to think critically. The first year covers study skills and informal logic (fallacies) and the second year covers formal logic (syllogisms). Informal logic examines the soundness of arguments. Formal logic explores the validity of arguments and consequently prepares students for Upper School courses such as geometry and philosophy.
History of Art III
7th graders survey the history of painting and become acquainted with significant works of art. They learn about the artists and the periods in which they live and have the opportunity to paint and draw in similar styles. In the 8th grade student’s transition to a study based program in which they continue to imitate the great masters with increasing knowledge of technique and design elements.
Art
In the eighth grade student’s transition from an art history-based program to a studio- based program. Students will learn to draw by careful observation of the visual world around them. In addition they will continue to imitate master drawings and paintings, but they will build upon these exercises to form their own artistic expressions, as they grow more sophisticated.
Athletics
Students are required to participate in three sports seasons in the 7th and 8th grade in order to fulfill the 1 ½ credit Middle School athletic requirement. Athletic credits are earned through team participation in “shortened” sports seasons during the year. Sports offered include basketball, cross-country, golf, track, and volleyball. The emphasis in these grades is to encourage students to try different sports. Students can receive credit for non-school sponsored athletic programs.
Drama
Although students do not take drama, all Middle School students are encouraged but NOT REQUIRED to participate in the school productions each fall and spring as an extra-curricular activity.