Jr. High School

The junior high offers a departmental approach to education in which teachers specialize in specific areas. It is believed this approach will be of benefit to the students and the teachers. By specializing, each teacher can build a stronger curriculum and become more knowledgeable of materials and methods to facilitate learning. This approach provides more continuity between junior high and high school. Students have a short homeroom period and then move throughout the day from classroom to classroom. The homeroom serves as a “home base” for students where they can purchase lunch items as well as store their books and materials. Attendance is taken during homeroom period.

Seventh Grade
Life Science
English
Computer
Bible
Ancient History
Math
Boys PE
Girls PE

Eighth Grade
Earth Science
English
Computer
Bible
US History
Math
Boys PE
Girls PE

ELECTIVES will be held twice a week. Electives may include: art, choir, drafting, study skills, cooking, scrap booking or foreign language. Some electives require a materials fee.

CHAPEL is held each week. Pastors, missionaries, Bible teachers, or Christian athletes are invited to speak. Student involvement is also encouraged.

STUDY HELPS are incorporated into each class. Student teaching assistants, teacher aides, and parent volunteers may also provide individual tutoring.

One of the main objectives of the junior high program is to enable the students to successfully transition from elementary school to high school. Junior high is characterized by the following:

• Longer reading assignments
• Projects of longer duration
• Working independently
• Numerous classes and teachers
• Increased class time
• Longer homework assignments

To make this transition, it is important for the students to develop good study habits and organize their time effectively. Various methods will be taught to assist the students. Students will be expected to:

• Complete assignments on time
• Plan ahead for tests and assignments
• Organize time and materials for class
• Be attentive in class (ready and willing to learn)
• Make necessary corrections (CRCs) on papers within time limits
• Build skills in weak areas (cooperating with teachers, aides, and tutors)
• Communicate effectively with parents and teachers about class
• work/assignments
• Obey the classroom rules

Junior high classroom teachers will provide an environment conducive to learning and growth. The application of biblical principles and effective methodology by the teacher will result in the following:

• An orderly classroom
• Subject matter presented in a variety of formats – lecture, discussion, class participation
• Timely feedback to students and parents on classroom work and general progress
• Periodic assessment and evaluation
• Parent-teacher conferences twice a year

Assignments are appropriate to the grade level. Consideration is given for school and church related activities. Additional time or assistance is offered to students having difficulty keeping up with the progress of the class. Students may need to put forth extra effort if they are to succeed. The cooperation and support of the school by the parents is critical to the success of the education of the child. This can be achieved in the following manner:

• On-going communication with the student, teacher, and administration
• Providing a study area in the home
• Overseeing the student’s study time to assure completion of daily assignments
• Assisting the student to improve skills and develop an inquiring mind
• Monitoring long-term projects such as term papers and science fair projects
• Helping the student prepare for quizzes and tests

A weekly assignment portfolio will be provided for students to keep their current work. This portfolio will be sent home and parents are asked to review the enclosed materials and then sign and return the portfolio by the next school day. Weekly student planning sheets will be available to keep a record of daily assignments. Parents can check assignment sheets as needed.

Parents are encouraged to help their children develop good study habits at school and at home. Students are encouraged to have a weekly planner. This planner will help the students to keep track of daily and long-range homework projects and deadlines. Students need a quiet place to study at home. Parents are encouraged to establish a “study table” or set aside a specific time period for schoolwork. Some students are well organized and need minimal direction while other students need closer supervision and direction by parents and teachers. Helping students to develop good study habits is crucial at this age. Time spent now will encourage better grades now and in the future.

One important goal of Forest Lake Christian School is to encourage the development of Christian character within each student, which will be evident to family, teachers, friends, and the community. One way Christian testimony is evidenced is by our dress in every day life. We also believe that a student who is neat and properly dressed will be a positive influence in the school and will help create an atmosphere that is conducive to learning.

General Information

It is our desire that students should dress attractively and appropriately. We do caution against extreme fads because they often conflict with our dress standards and may oppose Christian principles. Also, a student should not dress in such an unusual manner that undue attention is drawn to him or her or that the academic atmosphere is disrupted. Clothes should be appropriate to school functions and activities.

Modesty, neatness, cleanliness, appropriateness, and safety are the basic premises upon which the dress code has been developed. It is not meant to imply that certain clothes are good or bad, but that some styles are appropriate for Forest Lake Christian Junior High School and others are not.

Boys’ and girls’ overall appearance should be neat and clean. Clothes that are ragged in appearance, are frayed, have holes, or do not fit the student well should not be worn. Pants that are too long and drag on the ground are not permitted.

Attire with inappropriate pictures or words printed on the front or back is not permitted. Appropriate logos might include designer brand names, names of colleges, or athletic teams.

Shoes are to be worn at all times.

During warm weather junior high students may wear “walking shorts” that are no shorter than four inches from the floor when kneeling and no longer than the bottom of the kneecap. Walking shorts generally include a waistband, zipper, and belt loops. Appropriate athletic or sport shorts and coordinated warm-up suits are allowed for school wear. Dressy athletic wear is permitted.

Girls’ Dress Code

Girls should take care that they appear neat and well groomed. Clothes should be modest, meaning that they should fit well and not provocative or revealing. The following guidelines are intended to help girls make wise decisions when dressing for school and school sponsored activities.

1. Dresses and skirts should be loose fitting and be no shorter than four inches from the floor when kneeling. Slits in dresses or skirts also should not exceed four inches above the knee. Leggings worn under skirts and dresses require that a skirt be no more than four inches from the knee.
2. When determining the style of top, bare midriffs or styles that expose bare shoulders are not allowed. Tank tops are not allowed, but loose fitting, sleeveless shirts will be allowed. Camisoles are not to be worn as outerwear. There will be no revealing necklines, camisoles, and clothing made of stretch material such as lycra, which is designed to “cling” to the body. Sheer “see through” blouses may not be worn with camisoles. Camisole tops with lace are permitted if above the cleavage point. The back and front necklines are to be well above the normal bra line. Clothing that allows skin to show in the back when one bends over or in the midriff when the arms are raised over the shoulders is not allowed.
3. Hairstyles must be natural and practical, not extreme. Make-up should be neat and natural. Hair is required to be a student’s natural color. Highlights or hair dye are not permitted.
4. Earrings and jewelry may be worn, but should be kept at a minimum.
5. Girls’ pants should be clean and neat, not frayed or torn. Colored jeans are allowed. Black and blue denim jeans, denim shorts, and denim capris are allowed only on Tuesday and Friday. Jeans that are too long and drag on the ground will not be permitted.

We feel that the following current trends conflict with the principles underlying our dress code and therefore will not be accepted:

• Hair dyed in unnatural hair colors (Hair color should be natural for you.) No “multiple” colors.
• Excessively high platform shoes
• Tattoos or body piercings

Boys’ Dress Code

Boys should take care that they appear neat and well groomed. Forest Lake Christian School takes the view that sloppy or overly casual dress is not conducive to good learning habits. The following are guidelines to proper dress for school and school-sponsored activities:

• Knit sport shirts with collars and T-shirts with sleeves covering the shoulder and upper arm are appropriate school attire. Tank tops or plain white cotton T-shirts are not allowed. Shirts designed to be tucked in are required to be worn that way.
• Pants should be clean and neat, not frayed or torn. Pants are to be worn at the boy’s natural waistline, not down on the hips. Pants should be fitted, not baggy or oversized. Pants should not be so long that they drag on the ground.
• The general principles of neatness and simplicity should govern hairstyles. Hair should be clean and practical, not extreme. Hair should be kept trimmed and combed. Hair should be a conservative length, off the collar, ears, and eyebrows. Partial or complete shaving of the hair is not allowed. Hair must be fully blended. Mild spikes are allowed; however, they must be no longer than one inch. The only acceptable hair color is the one that is natural to the student.

We feel that the following current trends conflict with the principles underlying our dress code and will not be accepted:

• Oversized clothing
• Earrings
• Hats worn indoors during school hours
• Hats worn backwards on campus or school activities
• Tattoos or body piercing

Chapel Dress

Chapel will be held every Wednesday, and all students are required to wear “chapel dress.” Boys are to wear pants other than jeans and a collared dress shirt or a collared knit shirt. Girls are to wear dresses or skirts and blouses of appropriate length.

We appreciate your cooperation in purchasing appropriate clothing for school. We enjoy working with you to provide your students with an educational environment that encourages their intellectual, moral, and spiritual growth.

MATH

• Computation – basic operations in whole numbers, fractions, decimals
• Numeration Concepts – rounding, estimating, comparing, factoring
• Metrics/Measurements
• Geometry – shapes, terms, application of formulas, construction
• Pre-algebra – simple equations, order of operations, exponents, square root, integers
• Ratio-proportion, percent
• Business and Statistics – statistical measurements, graphs, charts, interest, tax, commissions, personal business
• Problem Solving – activities in single and multi-step problems
• Text – Pre-Algebra, Bob Jones

Life Science

• The Scientific Process – information gathering, organizing, interpreting
• The Cell – introduction to microscopic study
• Protists – study of pond water, micro organisms (God’s Micro World)
• Plant structures – germination, plant growth experiments
• Animal Organs/Systems – comparison of man to other creatures, study of human organs/systems, study of frog
• Humans and Environment – study of pollution in the environment and internal pollution of body (physical fitness, nutrition)
• Science Fair project and research paper (requirement)
• Wolf Mountain Science School
• Text – Life Science, Bob Jones University Press

English

• Study Skills – note taking and time management
• Grammar – capitalization, punctuation, sentence structure, parts of speech
• Writing – Use of writing process to write descriptive, informative, narrative, expository prose, and a research paper.
• Reading – short stories and novels
• Texts – Institute for Excellence in Writing, Explorations in Literature, Bob Jones University Press, Easy Grammar, Tom Sawyer, The Baronet’s Song

Computer

• Keyboarding and computer skills

Bible

• Study & Appreciation of Christian Character Traits, Character Quest
• In-depth study of the book of Acts, Purposeful Design Publication (workbook)
• Weekly memory verse

History

• Study of ancient history from creation to the Reformation
• Special units on current issues and events
• Map work, geography: World Atlas & Geography of the Eastern Hemisphere, ABeka
• Introduction to test and note taking skills
• Text – The History of the World in Christian Perspective, ABeka
• Enrichment activities: films, projects

Math

• Computation – basic operations involving integers
• Numeration Concepts – rounding, estimating, comparing, factoring expanded
• Metrics/Measurements – compound problems, conversions, comparisons
• Geometry – (Plane and Solid) – construction of angles, shapes, formulas, surface area, volume, Pythagorean formula (sine, cosine, tangent)
• Pre-algebra and algebra – equations, terms, basic operations of monomials/polynomials, powers and exponents, fractions and decimals
• Business and Statistics – measurements, graphs and chart interpretation, probability, personal business
• Texts – Pre-Algebra, Bob Jones, Mathematics Intermediate Course B, ACSI, or Algebra 1, Bob Jones University Press

Earth Science

• Science and origins (Creation vs. Evolution) – flood, fossils, dinosaurs, early man
• Astronomy – constellations, sun, moon, planets
• Space Exploration – history of rocketry to current space projects
• Weather – atmosphere, clouds, weather forecasting
• Geology – rocks, minerals, earthquakes, volcanoes
• Science Fair project and research paper (requirement)
• Mount Herman Science School
• Text – Earth Science, Bob Jones University Press and supplementary material from the Institute for Creation Research.

English

• Reading – short stories and novels
• Literary terms and elements – setting, plot, characterization, point of view, theme
• Grammar – capitalization, punctuation, sentence structure, parts of speech, editing skills
• Writing – essays, research papers. Skills developed using persuasive, expository, descriptive, narrative and informational writing.
• Texts – Excursions in Literature, Bob Jones University Press, Institute for Excellence in Writing, EZ Grammar

Computer

• Keyboarding and computer skills

Bible

• Comparison of the Christian world view with other world views
• Weekly memory verse(s)
• Text – Lightbearers and NIV Bible

History

• Study of American history from discovery to the present
• Special units on current issues and events
• Map work – geography unit
• Test and note taking skills
• Text – The American Republic, Bob Jones University Press