Middle School - Lipscomb Academy (2024)

In 6th Grade, students have the opportunity to participate in either Orchestra, Band, or Chorus. All 6th Grade students will choose to take one of those classes for the entire school year. This class would alternate with the other EnCore classes offered in 6th Grade: P.E., Art, and now THEATRE!

Encore offers students more choices in what they may take for their EnCore rotations. These choices allow the students to spend more time in a creative area if they choose to do so. These options include:

• 1 Semester of P.E. / 1 Semester of Art

• 1 Semester of P.E. / 1 Semester of Theatre

• 1 Semester of P.E. / 9 weeks of Art / 9 weeks of Theatre

• 3 Quarters (27 weeks) of P.E. / 9 weeks of Art OR 9 weeks of Theatre

Below you will find some course descriptions from the teachers of Chorus, Band, and Orchestra.

Chorus

Students will learn to sing harmony, and we sprinkle in a little bit of music theory. We are excited to bring back live performances this coming year! Get ready to sing for some big crowds! If your student is trying to decide between singing and playing an instrument, I HIGHLY recommend they try band or strings in 6th grade. Yes, you heard me correctly! I, the chorus teacher, am telling your student to try learning an instrument instead of taking my class. They can always jump back into singing - we get new singers in chorus every year - even their senior year of high school! But it is much more difficult to learn a band or string instrument later in life.

Band

Students in 6th Grade have the chance to begin learning a concert band instrument. No previous music experience is necessary- we truly start at the beginning.

Orchestra

6th grade strings students will continue developing their ability to read music and make a beautiful sound on their instrument. Vibrato, shifting, advanced bowing techniques, and a ton of amazing music are all in store for you in our strings class! We can’t wait to make music with you!

7th Grade Math

The seventh grade math course is designed to prepare students for pre-algebra. A broad range of topics are covered throughout the year, including: whole number concepts, operations with fractions decimals and percents, place value, measurement, geometry, ratio and proportions and integers (negative numbers). Some algebraic concepts are introduced: solving simple equations, graphing, and scientific notation.

Pre-Algebra

Seventh Grade Pre-Algebra course is a study primarily designed to prepare students for Algebra 1. This class provides advanced pacing for those students who have a strong background in mathematics. A broad range of simple algebra topics are covered throughout the year, including: equations, graphing, integers, rational numbers, mathematical properties, one, two, and multi-step equations, factoring, negative exponents, inequalities, functions. Some geometry is covered with algebra concepts included. There is an entrance test to take to be considered for this class. An end of the year average must be 87 or above in order to be accepted into Algebra Honors.

Guitar(Elective)

In the Beginning Guitar class, students will learn the basics of playing guitar as well as fundamental music theory. The 12-week class includes studies in music notation, key signatures, chord structuring and progression, all with practical application on the guitar. By the end of the course, students will understand chord relationships, how to notate music, how to play a variety of chords and melodies on the guitar, and will gain the experience of writing a song. Students do not need to have previous experience with the guitar.

Physical Education (Elective)

Beginning in seventh grade, classes begin to dress out for physical education. Our physical fitness units are expanded at this level. The curriculum focuses on the skills and strategies within team sports. The concepts of teamwork, selflessness, and sportsmanship are emphasized as the students learn to compete as a part of a team.

Theatre (Nine Week Rotation)(Elective)

​​In seventh grade theatre, students will have the opportunity to learn the basics of theatre and performance. Vocabulary, warm-up techniques, ensemble building, stage directions, characterization, story structure and performance will be areas of focus for the class. Students will leave this class having an experience that consists of personal growth in teamwork, communication, and performance. At the end of the 9 weeks, students will be able to put on a small performance for peers in their theatre class.

Theatre (Year Round Course) (Elective)

In the year long 7th and 8th grade theatre rotation, students will be able to have a more intensive and in depth experience of several aspects of theatre. Over the course of the class, each 9 weeks will have a specific focus. Students will develop an understanding of theatrical vocabulary and techniques, an overview of the history of theatre, the process of characterization, the art of performance and a basic intro to tech theatre. Students will leave this class having an experience that consists of personal growth in teamwork, communication, and performance.

Visual Art(Elective)

Seventh grade visual art aims to increase students’ skills in at least three different mediums of art. Students will build upon the principles of design that they learned in the sixth grade, and will learn how to convey an illusion of space by drawing a cityscape using the rules of 2 point perspective.

We will also learn how to draw the human face in correct proportion while comparing it to the exaggerated features of animation used today in Pixar movies, anime and emojis. Students will learn how to create a mixed media sculpture using everyday objects, and how to create a relief print by carving an image into a block. This class also ties in some art history where we will learn about artists from the Impressionist era to the Surrealist era.

Band(Elective)

Students in seventh grade band continue to develop strong musical skills through resources such as method books and high quality music literature. The seventh grade and eighth grade band students have a combined class forming the Middle School Concert Band which performs multiple times each year, including the Christmas and Spring concerts, MTSBOA Concert Adjudication and Evening With The Arts. Eighth grade students also have the opportunity to participate in the High School Pep Band, MTSBOA All Mid-State Festival and various Solo and Ensemble events.

Chorus(Elective)

The 7th & 8th Grade Choral curriculum is based on the national Music Standards, and students singing SAB and SATB music in a variety of styles and languages. Performances include Middle Tennessee Vocal Association (MTVA) events, Choral Festivals, Christmas Programs, “Evening with the Arts” in the Spring, and several Chapel times throughout the year. The LA 7th & 8th Grade Chorus has received Superior Ratings at Adjudication in both performance and sight-reading for the past nine years.

Introduction to Languages (Elective)

Introduction to Languages is designed to give seventh grade students an overview of necessary foreign language study skills, plus a basic introduction to the 3 languages offered at Lipscomb Academy, Latin, French and Spanish. These students have the opportunity to explore which languages they might like to pursue in high school.

Algebra 1 Honors

This is a high school level honors course offered to eighth grade students who complete seventh grade Advanced Pre-Algebra with a recommendation from the seventh grade faculty and an 87 average or higher. This course introduces the basic structure of algebra and the real number system. Problem solving is developed using thetechniques of variables and equations.The curriculum includes but is not limited to: algebraic expressions, equations, linear functions and inequalities, systems of linear functions and inequalities, exponential functions,an investigation of polynomials with a focus on quadraticfunctions and equations, radical functions andequations, and rational functions and equations.All topics include an emphasis on problem solving and include geometrical application. Graphing calculators are used for analyzing and solving problems.Upon successful completion of this course the student will receive a high school honors math credit.

Algebraic Concepts

This course is an overview of middle grade mathematics with the purpose of transitioning the student from arithmetic to algebraic thinking.Points of emphasis include problem solving and translating word problems using algebraic language.The curriculum includes but is not limited to: the real number system, the relationship between percents, fractions and decimals, algebraic laws and principles, simplifying expression, solving equations, linear function, the geometry of shapes and solids, and basic statistics. Technology is used as a tool in learningand developing critical thinking skills.The goal of this course is to provide students with the skills needed for success in ninth-grade Algebra I and beyond.

Band (Elective)

Students in eighth grade band continue to develop strong musical skills through resources such as method books and high quality music literature. The seventh grade and eighth grade band students have a combined class forming the Middle School Concert Band which performs multiple times each year, including the Christmas and Spring concerts, MTSBOA Concert Adjudication and Evening With The Arts. Eighth grade students also have the opportunity to participate in the High School Pep Band, MTSBOA All Mid-State Festival and various Solo and Ensemble events.

Chorus (Elective)

The 7th & 8th Grade Choral curriculum is based on the national Music Standards and students singing SAB and SATB music in a variety of styles and languages. Performances include Middle School “Middle Tennessee Vocal Association” (MTVA) events, Choral Festivals, Christmas Programs, “Evening with the Arts” in the Spring, and several Chapel times throughout the year. The LA 7th & 8th Grade Chorus has received Superior Ratings at Adjudication in both performance and sight-reading for the past nine years.

Strength and Fitness (Elective)

Beginning in the 8th grade, students will have the opportunity to take Strength and Fitness. This class allows students to learn about all aspects of physical fitness. Students will be introduced to weight, agility, and cardiovascular training as well as flexibility and mobility. Students will also have weekly lessons from the school nutritionist focused on their needs and questions. This class is designed for all students, no matter their experience in this setting.

Spanish (Elective)

In Exploratory Spanish we work to expand on the students’ prior knowledge about languages and culture. Using our curriculum, Exploring Spanish, we enable the students to communicate in the target language on a very basic level with a focus on building vocabulary. It is also important to demonstrate the importance of studying a foreign language and its uses in both our local and global communities and how that relates to our Christian walk. The students will explore these issues through classroom and at home activities and discussions and through cultural awareness projects.

Visual Art 1(Elective)

Students in eighth grade make three main projects that include a two point perspective architectural drawing, an iMovie presentation using stop motion animation, and an artwork using mixed media after the artist Romero Bearden. Students will have more freedom and responsibility to work after given requirements for each large project. The goal is for students to take ownership of their own growth as an artist.

Theatre (Nine Week Rotation)(Elective)

​​In seventh grade theatre, students will have the opportunity to learn the basics of theatre and performance. Vocabulary, warm-up techniques, ensemble building, stage directions, characterization, story structure and performance will be areas of focus for the class. Students will leave this class having an experience that consists of personal growth in teamwork, communication, and performance. At the end of the 9 weeks, students will be able to put on a small performance for peers in their theatre class.

Theatre (Year Round Course) (Elective)

In the year long 7th and 8th grade theatre rotation, students will be able to have a more intensive and in depth experience of several aspects of theatre. Over the course of the class, each 9 weeks will have a specific focus. Students will develop an understanding of theatrical vocabulary and techniques, an overview of the history of theatre, the process of characterization, the art of performance and a basic intro to tech theatre. Students will leave this class having an experience that consists of personal growth in teamwork, communication, and performance.

Introduction to Languages (Elective)

Introduction to Languages is designed to give seventh grade students an overview of necessary foreign language study skills, plus a basic introduction to the 3 languages offered at Lipscomb Academy, Latin, French and Spanish. These students have the opportunity to explore which languages they might like to pursue in high school.