Niagara Association for Christian Education

Educational Program :

Intermediate Division - Grade Seven and Eight

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BIBLE:

No book is more important to a Christian school than the Bible. It is the Divinely inspired Word that guides us in all our lives, and therefore has great importance for the Christian school.

In NACE schools, the Bible plays three roles:

1) The Bible provides the principles that guide and correct us in regards to the entire teaching-learning process. It gives us an understanding of human nature and relationships, of the world around us, and of the God who has created us and loves us. That means the Bible isn’t merely a subject "added on" to the areas of study you would encounter in any school. Instead it gives us wise counsel on how to understand the nature of our students and what approach to discipling is appropriate. It tells us something of the complexity of the world and what areas are appropriate for study. It helps us discern the effects of human rebellion from the products of God’s loving hand. It sheds light on what trends in the world of education are ill-founded and which are legitimate, positive developments.

2) It is the source for our devotional activities. Our Christian schools engage students in devotional activities daily. Likewise the staff and committees regularly participate in devotional activities. The Bible is central to all of these.

3) The Bible is also the object of guided study in our classrooms. It is important for students in Christian schools to be busy learning about the Bible, its history, contents and message. It is an essential subject in the curriculum of NACE schools.

In Grades Seven and Eight, we maintain the chronological style of study. The Bible is reviewed in its entirety once more. Direct and independent Bible study is included, with emphasis on personal response to the Biblical truths being studied.s

FAMILY LIFE:

Our schools make use of a Family Life program that unfolds from the Kindergarten years through to Grade Eight. The overall program deals with a number of strands, including: Family Relationships, Friendship, Solid Foundations for Self-Worth, Human Growth and Development, and Sexuality as a Good Gift of God.

In the Intermediate Division, the Family Life curriculum spends increased time on proper relationships. The focus turns toward guidelines for appropriate behaviour between boys and girls, and social issues that involve the Family and human sexuality are explored, with an attempt to articulate a Christian response in these very important areas.

MATHEMATICS:

In God’s good creation, He has included three principles that directly influence our study of Mathematics. First, God has created a consistent structure in His world, and therefore we can engage in Mathematics in the expectation that results are consistent and reflect the order of creation. Second, all of God’s creation has both a numerical and a spatial aspect. That means that Mathematics is involved in calculations and activities that are "built right into" God’s World and can reveal something of God’s nature and character. Finally, because Mathematics is a human endeavour it is as capable of being done obediently or disobediently, just like any other creaturely activity. This doesn’t refer to accurate or inaccurate calculations, but to the worldview out of which our culture engages in Mathematics, and the effect they hope to achieve by doing so. Done to achieve mastery over creation with exploitative motivations, or done in the belief that Math is the arena of objective, indisputable, "real" Truth in a philosophical sense, Mathematics can pull humans away from the Creator and His Will. Done with awe and revealing God’s amazing creativity and our dependence on Him, Mathematics can be a wonderful pursuit for Christian students.

Students working at the Intermediate Level consider such topics as integers, statistics, percent, perimeter and area, Three Dimensional Geometry, algebra and relations, and more. The Ontario Ministry of Education and Training’s expectations are noted at http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/curricul/curr97ma/curr97m.html and NACE has made program alterations to ensure that we continue to meet and exceed these requirements.

LANGUAGE ARTS:

The ability to communicate is a gift from God. Communication involves various skills such as speaking, listening, reading, and writing. It is the goal of our schools to further develop speaking and listening skills and to teach reading and writing skills effectively. If we are to have a shaping influence on God’s world, the ability to communicate well both orally and through the printed word, is important for all Christians.

Students working in the Intermediate Division, work to develop ever better writing skills, completing many writing assignments, including a formal essay. Grammar continues to be emphasized, as does spelling and literature - in both prosaic and poetic forms. Throughout, our schools have been very successful in helping students meet or exceed the Ministry’s standards at this level. Details on what the Ministry expects students to achieve at each grade level are available at: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/curricul/curr97l.html#achievement

Whether directly or indirectly, the Intermediate Division student is taught to develop that human gift, communication, and to use it to God’s glory.

FRENCH:

Our schools are committed to the instruction of French. Teaching French is important because God has placed us in this bilingual and bi-cultural country: Canada. In equipping our students to obey the "Great Love Command" (Matt. 22:37-8) we acknowledge the importance of helping our students understand their neighbours in order to show them love. The teaching and learning of French also affirms the beauty of languages as created by God.

At the Intermediate Level, different verb tenses, expanded vocabulary, and increasing fluency, both written and spoken are included in our program. The goal is to work towards a command of French that enables positive relationships and the communication skills those relationships require.

SOCIAL STUDIES:

In this subject area our Christian schools operate out of the Biblical perspective that humans are always to be understood in relationship to God, their neighbours, and to the world around them.

In the Intermediate Division, the specialization into Geography and History continues. The Sahara Desert, Coniferous Forests, and more complex mapping skills are just three areas of Geographical investigation. In History, the focus is on the Ancient and Medieval worlds, and Canadian history from the days before Confederation to the turn of the 20th Century. Throughout students are actively engaged in considering the cultural response of others, and the nature of the inheritance they have left us.

SCIENCE:

In science, the focus of study is God's creation. Our schools teach science in a way that acknowledges that everything that exists has been created by God. This story, recounted in Genesis 1 and 2, shows us that the world and universe are the handiwork of the Lord! We also see here that humans are a special creation of a loving Creator, and not the product of chance mutations. Because God loves His creation and has sacrificed greatly to redeem it (John 3:16), we know it is worthy of study.

In the Intermediate Division, the study of cells, the atmosphere, light and optics, Work, Force and Energy and participation in regular Science Olympics and Science Fairs, provide many opportunities to experience the complexity and diversity God has structured into His creation.

THE ARTS:

Our schools recognize the aesthetic or artistic dimension of humans as a gift of God. We recognize that the arts are an important area of a student’s potential that needs the opportunity to be developed. Therefore, students are encouraged to express themselves in drama, music, and art. They are encouraged to develop their talents as well as become aware of the talents of others.

Students in Grades Seven and Eight, expand their familiarity with the elements of design as well as the variety of media available for artistic expression. A solid introduction to the world of drama is included, as is an instrumental band program led by a music specialist that continues to grow in range and depth. Again, activity and a joyful response are desired outcomes.

COMPUTERS:

Computers have become an integral part of our society. In the Christian school we seek to use this gift of God as a tool to enhance learning across the curriculum. To facilitate this, students are introduced to keyboarding, word processing, and other educational software in our computer labs and as another tool within the classroom.

At the Intermediate Level, computers continue to grow in prominence. Expanded instruction in keyboarding and word processing takes place, and computer usage in other curricular areas is encouraged.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION and HEALTH:

The area of physical education is also an important facet of the education of a child. God cares about our bodies (The Apostles Creed). That is why our schools seek to develop co-ordination and conditioning in our pupils. In addition, the development of Biblical attitudes towards our bodies are taught. Various games are played so that the pupils develop sound bodies, exhibit sportsmanship in group situations, and are exposed to alternatives for the active use of leisure time.

In the Intermediate Years, soccer, volleyball, flag football, baseball, Track and Field, Canada Fitness Testing, "Preparing for Adolescence" and more are enjoyed, seeking to have students grow both in terms of physical health and ability, but also to develop social skills and maturity.

RESOURCE PROGRAM:

We are blessed to be able to offer a strong resource program to our students. For those students that experience areas of special challenge, our resource instructors are trained to diagnose weaknesses and to implement programs for overcoming academic difficulties. Further, when time and resources permit, we offer enrichment activities for students that will benefit from these opportunities.

Our schools have put in place a procedure for entrance into the resource programs which involves prior agreement of the parents, teacher and principal. The resource teacher sets forth the goals of the program for that child which are then pursued by the resource teacher in conjunction with the classroom teacher. Regular reports are made to the parents to keep them informed of the progress of their child.