Main Menu

Middle School Class Offerings

SCIENCE (MS 6-8) - Leann Belz

Required Materials: Discovering Design with Earth Science by Dr. Jay L. Wile with Answer Key & Tests sold by Berean Builders

 

Classroom time will be used for doing experiments. Students will be required to keep a lab notebook which they will be graded on. There will be a test to take at home after each chapter. For 6th and 7th graders, I will provide simplified tests and make the math component extra credit. If reading comprehension is a problem for younger students, there is an audio book available for purchase at bereanbuilders.com.

 

Description from the course web-site:

This laboratory-based earth science course can be used for either eighth or ninth grade.  Most homeschooled students should be ready for it in eighth grade, but privately- and publicly-schooled students will be more comfortable with it in ninth grade.  It covers the general properties of the earth’s geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.  Students learn about all the sections of the geosphere (such as core, mantle, crust, etc.) and then they study each in more detail.  When studying the earth’s crust, they learn about minerals, rocks, and the rock cycle.  Plate tectonics is then covered, which leads to a discussion of seismic waves, earthquakes, and volcanoes.  Students then learn about fossils and how both uniformitarians and catastrophists interpret those fossils as well as the sedimentary rocks in which they are found.  A discussion that compares uniformitarianism and catastrophism follows, in which the strengths and weaknesses of each view are covered.

 

After that, the hydrosphere is discussed.  Students first learn the properties of water such as polarity, the ability to hydrogen bond, and heat capacity.  That leads to a discussion of the hydrologic cycle and residence time.  Students then learn about the waves, currents, and tides in the ocean.  They then move on to the ice reservoirs on the earth and then the freshwater reservoirs.  Water in the air is the last part of the hydrosphere that is covered.  The atmosphere is then discussed, including the composition of air, the sections of the atmosphere, temperature gradients, and pollutants.  This leads to a discussion of weather.  The course ends with two chapters on space, one that covers the solar system and one that covers the universe as a whole.

 

CREATIVE WRITING (2 offerings for 6-12th) - Kaia Bakken

This class is designed to spark creativity in students of all experience levels as we explore the elements of storytelling - character development, plot structure, setting, dialogue, and more. Students will engage in fun writing prompts, collaborative activities, and projects that encourage self-expression and build confidence in their writing. We’ll also practice giving and receiving constructive feedback in a positive and supportive environment. By the end of the course, students will have a portfolio of original work they can be proud of! 

Materials: a notebook or journal and a pen or pencil. No prior experience is necessary - just a willingness to write, share ideas, and have fun! Optional: laptop for writing and keeping notes, if that’s easier for students. 

 

INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED ART IN NATURE (6-12) -  Jerusha Betzold

Art, nature, and the work of our hands have always been important parts of my life, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to share them with you this year. From a young age, I have loved the beauty of God's creation and the creativity He placed within each of us. Whether sketching a flower, observing the tiny details of a leaf, or learning a new skill with my hands, I have always felt a deep connection between these activities and the wonder of the world God made.

My love for these subjects grew through my own education, especially during my time in a homeschool co-op. In those years, I had the blessing of being surrounded by people who encouraged a love of learning, beauty, and careful observation. We spent many happy hours studying great works of art, exploring the outdoors, and learning the traditional skills that generations before us have practiced. These experiences not only taught me knowledge and skills but also helped me develop patience, attention to detail, and a lasting sense of wonder.

Art Study has taught me that great works of art are not just beautiful images — they are windows into the heart of the artist and the times they lived in. Learning to look carefully, to notice colors, brushstrokes, and meaning behind the work has made me a more attentive and thoughtful person. I believe that studying art together will help us all slow down and truly see the beauty around us, not just in museums but in everyday life.

Nature Study has always been especially close to my heart. Being outdoors, observing the plants, animals, and landscapes that God has created, reminds me of how much there is to discover and appreciate in the world. It is through quiet walks, sketching in a nature journal, and noticing small seasonal changes that I have learned some of my greatest lessons about patience, gratitude, and awe. I look forward to exploring with you, helping you to sharpen your skills of observation, and hopefully deepening your own love for the natural world.

Handicrafts are another special passion of mine. I have enjoyed learning skills like knitting, sewing, weaving, and other traditional arts that not only create beautiful and useful things but also teach persistence, care, and creativity. Handicrafts give us the chance to work with the gifts God has given us — our hands, our minds, and our creativity — in a way that is deeply satisfying and meaningful. I hope to encourage each of you to approach these crafts not only with a spirit of excellence but also with joy and purpose.

Throughout this year, my hope is that through Art Study, Nature Study, and Handicrafts, you will grow not just in skill and knowledge, but in your appreciation for the beauty and order that God has placed in the world around us. I pray that this class will help you slow down, look carefully, and take delight in the good work of learning, creating, and observing together.

 

US CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT (3-6) -  Rosie Daleiden

As a first generation christian, I value empowering and challenging others to know what they believe-even our kids. You may have heard, “God doesn’t have Grand-children…. Only Children.” Our kids need to encounter God and know Him for themselves. They are the next generation who will stand in the gap defining, speaking, and protecting truth in our churches, our government and our world. 

 

In my class we will be learning about some of our founding fathers, the Constitution, the declaration of independence and tackling many hard subjects like slavery, women’s rights, and maybe even some of the current issues if they arise . My goal in this class is not to give all the answers, but to give them the opportunity to seek God and develop a biblical worldview. I want to build confidence and empower them to use their unique God-given voices. They will be allowed to challenge, develop, and speak their own opinions amongst their peers. We will be incorporating prayer and learning key verses of scripture throughout the class. 

 

I will be adapting lessons from the Good and Beautiful US Government and Constitution Curriculum for mature 3rd graders to 6th Grade. (The curriculum was developed for 4th-8th grade). You know your kids and what they are ready for! If you aren’t in the age range but feel ready feel free to reach out. 

 

MATH TUTORING (4 classes available: K-12th)  - Katie DesLauriers

This course time is available to students who need extra guidance in math. I will work with your family’s chosen curriculum to guide students to a better understanding of the math techniques they are learning. Students will be required to have their own curriculum to work out of.

 

MATH TUTORING (1 class available: K-12th) -  Melissa Fredrickson

As a math tutor, I will provide personalized support for students from elementary math through algebra. I will use each student's home curriculum when available and create a tailored plan if needed. My approach will include hands-on manipulatives, videos like those from Khan Academy, and other resources to help students master key concepts.

 

I will introduce multiple ways to solve problems to reach different learning styles. When students are at similar levels, I will incorporate math games to reinforce learning and keep sessions fun. My goal is to help students build confidence and a solid foundation in math.

 

PRACTICAL MATH WITH CONCESSIONS (6 - 12th) -  Melissa Fredrickson

Practical Math with Concessions is a hands-on, self-designed curriculum that brings math to life in a real-world way. In this class, students won’t just learn math. They will use it! By managing and operating a hands-on concessions stand, students will apply key math concepts in meaningful, everyday situations.

 

We’ll cover topics such as:

 

This is a project-based course where students will take ownership of the concessions stand. They will plan, prepare, sell, and evaluate their results. My goal is for them to finish the class with stronger math skills, practical business experience, and greater confidence in their ability to apply what they’ve learned.

 

I created this course plan to help students see that math isn’t just something found in textbooks. It’s a valuable life skill they can use every day. I’m so excited to get started and to see how much they grow!

 

PHYSICAL EDUCATION + HEALTH (6 -12TH) -  Brendon Thompson

Let’s get moving, and have fun doing it!

Physical Education and Health Class will provide a variety of skills through activities, sports, and fitness exercises. Our goal is to provide a fun, active program in a Christian environment where students not only learn the technical skills of a sport or activity, but also important values such as teamwork, cooperation, and sportsmanship.

Students will participate in a variety of partner and small-group games. Students will play hard, get sweaty, learn new skills and have fun interacting with one another in group games and team sports. Units include, but are not limited to, indoor and outdoor games, soccer, flag football, ultimate frisbee, kickball, volleyball, floor hockey, and modifications to many of the sports listed.

There will be supplementary work packets taken from Thrive: Health and Physical Education for Homeschoolers: A Journal about how God made their body to function, the importance of sleep, hydration and nutrition, how to exercise safely, and so much more! This biblically-based curriculum teaches teens how to care for their bodies that God created, talks about nutrition, allows high schoolers to work independently to learn to monitor their physical activity, nutrition, and general health habits, and more.

 

THE CURIOSITY COVE, EXPLORING ELEMENTARY LITERATURE (3-6 ) - Ellie Johanek

In this engaging literature class, students will dive into classic and contemporary children's books, exploring stories through discussion and creative activities. Each week, we’ll read and explore rich works of literature, build vocabulary, and explore literary elements like character, setting, and plot. Students will have the opportunity to respond through art, writing, and building personalized lap books as they feel inspired.  This class will be reading literature recommended for ages 8 and up.  We will have a variety of reading styles available to explore.  All titles I’ve chosen will be available in paperback, audiobook and many are also in graphic novel format so hopefully this will meet your kids at whatever reading level they are at.  

 

Goals: Foster a love of reading, strengthen comprehension and critical thinking, and encourage creative expression through literature.

 

Materials: There will be a $15 supply fee to cover in-class materials.  A list of books will be provided ahead of time for families to source from the library or a place of their choosing.  

 

Expectations: Occasional light reading and project assignments at home will be encouraged but not required between classes.  

 

Possible Books for Curious Minds: - 

Benjamin Franklin by Ingrid & Edgar Parin d'Aulaire

Ben & Me: An Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin by His Good Mouse by Robert Lawson

Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink

The Happy Prince by Oscar Wilde 

Anne of Green Gables (both the novel & graphic novel)

Call It Courage by Armstrong Sperry

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

Pippi Longstocking (Both novel and picture books)

A Wrinkle In Time (Both novel and graphic novel)

The Secret Garden (Both novel and graphic novel)

 

Wind in the Willows (Both novel and graphic novel) 

 

LITERATURE (MS 6-8) - Leann Belz

We will begin the year by using picture books to learn the structural parts of a story. During this time, the students will independently read the first novel and be ready to discuss it in class. A short (3-5 paragraph) writing assignment or test will follow each book but this is not a writing class. This class is modeled after 2 books: Teaching the Classics A Socratic Method for Literary Education and Worldview Detective by Adam and Missy Andrews. I am using the 7th grade booklist from Reading Roadmaps by the same authors. Parents do not need to purchase these books.

 

Required Materials: Available to purchase from exodusbooks.com https://www.exodusbooks.com/reading-roadmaps-7th-grade/37236/

The booklist from Exodus Books includes picture books that we will read in class. You do not need to purchase those. Because of that, buying the books individually may be more economical.

The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare, 

The Odyssey translated by Robert Fagles, 

Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, 

Short Story Unit: (To Build a Fire by Jack London, The Telltale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe and The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell) These can be found online and are not included in the collection from Exodus Books.

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, 

Watership Down by Richard Adams, 

Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes, 

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

 

Alternative Titles (If a student has already read the first choice or needs an easier version of The Odyssey): 

The Devil’s Arithmetic by Jane Yolen may be substituted for The Bronze Bow.

The Wanderings of Odysseus by Rosemary Sutcliffe for The Odyssey

Henry V by William Shakespeare for Huckleberry Finn

A Connecticut Yankee in Kingå Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain for Short Stories

Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson for Great Expectations

Here There Be Dragons by James A. Owen for Watership Down

A Gathering of Days by Joan W. Blos for Johnny Tremain

The 100 Cupboards by N. D. Wilson for The Hiding Place

 

PIANO AND GUITAR LESSONS (9 Individual Spots avaiable) - Leslie Glenn

Piano and guitar students will learn note reading on the musical staff as well as basic music theory concepts and ear training. Students will also learn performance preparation and have the opportunity to perform their music at select events during the school

year.

 

Prerequisites: None

 

Curriculum/Text: Piano: Bastien Piano Basics and supplemental music. Guitar: Hal Leonard

Guitar Method and supplemental music.

 

Required Material: Music books selected by instructor according to student’s age

level/experience and a blank notebook.

 

MIDDLE SCHOOL SPANISH (6 -8 ) - Alexis Girling

My goal in teaching Spanish is to inspire kiddos to have fun exploring and learning something new. Many of my students are not usually exposed to other languages and cultures, so teaching them a new language that makes them think about different cultures and countries in the world we live, feels like a win to me. I like to make learning fun, but also hope to challenge the students to say things out loud in a language that is foreign to them, this is a lot easier with the younger grades, but really awesome when my middle schoolers and high schoolers get excited and want to try it too.

 

APPLIED TECHNOLOGY: MIDDLE SCHOOL ROBOTICS, CODING & DESIGN (6-8TH) -  Jeremy Lubich

This hands-on, year-long course empowers junior high students to explore the world of modern technology through weekly one-hour sessions filled with creativity, problem-solving, and real-world application. Students will journey through four exciting semesters designed to build foundational skills in:

Each week includes a bite-sized project that builds toward bigger challenges. Whether they're coding a light sensor, modeling a gear system, or testing a robot on a custom obstacle course, students will gain confidence as inventors, builders, and thinkers.

No prior experience needed—just curiosity and a willingness to learn!

?? Required Materials:

?? Supply Fee: $75 per student

This one-time annual fee covers:

These materials are essential to ensure every student has what they need to build, code, and create confidently throughout the course.

 

EXPLORATORY CLASSES (6 -12TH) - Many Teachers 

Click link HERE to see options for these 3 week courses! 

To Top