• Middle School Curriculum

    The PacBay Middle School classrooms are challenging and collaboratively rich venues for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders to develop spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Teachers strive to implement best educational practices to maximize learning. A variety of electives complement the core curriculum and allows students exposure to a diverse slate of courses that help them love learning as they deepen a passion for knowledge. 

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    Subject Specific Curriculum: 

    Social Studies

    Social studies instruction at PacBay unites two important elements: acquiring a solid base of knowledge of historical, social, economic, geographic, human behavior, and governmental concepts; and applying the knowledge to life situations using a global Christian perspective and advanced thinking skills. Christians, as citizens of the kingdom of God, must live out their faith ethically, morally, and wisely in the kingdoms of mankind. To provide instruction to that end, developmentally appropriate concepts will be explored through inquiry learning and direct instruction as teachers guide their students to develop thinking and discernment skills. Instruction often is integrated across curricular lines. Curriculum is based on California’s Social Science Content Standards of 1998.

    • Grade 6: Ancient History
    • Grade 7: Medeival History
    • Grade 8: United States History

    Science

    PacBay recognizes the universe as God’s special creation. Science is a process that enables us to understand and appreciate this creation and the laws that govern it. Through science we understand more about the character of God—His creativity, His power, and His desire for order.Science education at PacBay seeks to help students gain knowledge of God and His creation. This is accomplished with an activity-oriented science program and teaches students to think analytically and logically, solve problems creatively, and use technology as a tool. It also endeavors to guide students to become good stewards of the resources that God has created. Our program helps students acquire developmentally appropriate concepts and science skills that ultimately enable them to function as knowledgeable citizens making positive contributions in an increasing scientific and technological society.

    Science Goals for PacBay

    To recognize God as the Creator

    To value science as a way of knowing

    To solve problems using the scientific inquiry method

    To become scientifically literate

    To become good stewards of God’s creation

    • Grade 6: Earth Science
    • Grade 7: Life Science
    • Grade 8: Physical Science

    Mathematics:

    PacBay strives to help students understand and appreciate math as well as use it to glorify God. Thus, the purpose of mathematical instruction at PacBay is to develop students who obtain a mastery of, and appreciation for, the content and processes of mathematics, as well as an understanding of how math relates to other domains in life. This program blends traditional and constructivist approaches to enrich the students’ mathematical development.

    Goals
    To help today’s students prepare for living responsibly in God’s world, the goals of school mathematics must be appropriate for the demands of a global information age. PacBay believes that these four broad goals will meet students’ mathematical needs.

    1. Have a Mastery of Mathematical Content and Understanding

    2. Be Able to Process Mathematically

    3. Value and Have Confidence in Mathematics

    4. Integration with Other Domains Technology

    • Grade 6: Pre-Algebra
    • Grade 7: Algebra 1
    • Grade 8: Geometry 

    Language Arts:

    Language is a gift from God that sets humans apart from the rest of the creation. The language arts (i.e. reading/literature, writing, and listening/speaking/viewing) are not only the entrée to all other school subjects, but also the vehicles for developing close and ongoing relationships with others and God (Tindell, 2001-02). Therefore, developing proficiency in the language arts is one of the most critical processes in the life of the Christian school. Its importance cannot be overstated. It is our responsibility as Christian educators to teach our students to read with comprehension and discernment, to listen with understanding and compassion, to speak with conviction and effect, and to write with clarity and persuasion (O’Malley 1999).

    Bible:

    Effective learning of Biblical principles resulting in life change is fully dependent upon the work of the Holy Spirit. These principles and their application are integrated throughout the school curriculum. Vital elements include recognizing the authority of the Bible, a purposeful curriculum and a modeling teacher using student-appropriate content. The curriculum does not require students to be Christians or to agree with any particular view of Christianity. Middle School Bible courses include Old Testament Overview (Grade 6), The Gospels (Grade 7), and New Testament Overview (Grade 8).

    The PacBay Bible Curriculum

    • Exposes the student to the breadth of the Bible
    • Emphasizes who God is
    • Highlights basic doctrines and Biblical character traits* using Scripture memorization among its strategies
    • Challenges students to accept Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord
    • Encourages students to accept their self-worth as unique creations in God’s image
    • Provides instruction in ethical decision-making from a Christian perspective
    • Promotes respect for persons regardless of race, culture, faith, and values
    • Leads students toward spiritually mature choices in attitude and behavior
    • Fosters personal growth
    • Encourages students to use their own copy of the Bible daily

    Enrichment Courses:

    Students choose two electives to explore each year.

    ART - Art is a hands-on, interactive class for those interested in pursuing creativity. Students learn the 7 Elements of Art and explore various techniques.

    INTERACTIVE STORYTELLING - Everybody is a storyteller and no one can tell a story quite like you. Using your five senses to inspire you, Interactive Storytelling will help you discover your storytelling voice through art, games, crafts and creative writing.

    MS CHOIR - Come join the PacBay Middle School Choir for its 6th Season! We sing a diverse repertoire including folk, art, and gospel and enjoy many performance opportunities throughout the year. No prior singing experience is necessary.

    From our syllabus:

    PacBay Middle School Core Values:

    • Music is a gift from God; our enjoyment and participation in it are integral to our humanity.
    • Music gives us a unique means of communication to God and each other that employs both head and heart.
    • Music connects us to diverse cultures across time and space.

    Priorities:

    • Atmosphere of joy and welcome in the choir: all students are invited, regardless of ability or experience with music.
    • Integration of the choir and worship team for the purpose of developing ready and joyful worshipers in our student body.

    Objectives:

    • The student will understand that music is a unique means of communicating to others and God.
    • The student will be open to learning music of varying difficulty and styles.
    • The student will learn to read and sing musical notation.

    LIFE SKILLS - This course is a hands-on, project based class that includes: basic outdoor survival, orienteering, cooking/baking, money management, positive citizenship, and more.

    INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC     - Students will learn the basic skills of the instruments in a modern musical ensemble - guitar, bass, drums, keyboard and vocals. They will also learn how to run the soundboard and project slides.

    Sports and PE Program:

    The Goals of the PacBay Sports Program are

    • Always Honor Christ
    • Have fun
    • Foster the value of participation without overemphasizing the importance of winning
    • Develop the whole person: body, spirit, and mind as the athlete develops relationships with others.

    Our sports programs promote important life skills and develop good character. PacBay athletes learn to be good sports: gracious in victory and accepting defeat with dignity.

    They think and play as a team, doing their best as they continually improve through personal effort and discipline.

    Middle School PE

    As we apply the goals of the PacBay Sports Program listed above, the PE classes teach through

    • Warmups and drills - performed daily
    • Skills challenge - depending on which unit (sport) we’re on, we break down the fundamental skills for each sport and work on them
    • Fitness - Performing quarterly tests (mile run, push-ups, sit-ups and shuttle runs)
    • Team sports - basketball, soccer, paddle ball, volleyball, nerf hockey, flag football and junior olympics
    • Group hikes

    Middle School Sports

    Middle school sports teams practice during the school day, when the rest of the students are in PE. Our teams play against other schools in the PSAL (Private School Athletic League).

    Currently PacBay offers the following sports in middle school:

    • Flag Football
    • Girls basketball
    • Boys basketball
    • Girls volleyball
    • Girls soccer
    • Boys soccer