Up and Running!

I know that RenWeb is keeping you up to date on assignments, but here is another snippet of what is happening in my classes...

7th Grade English: We are working on grammar.  We have mostly been reviewing grammar but have learned a few new concepts.  We shall see how well the work has sunken in after this Tuesday's assessment.  We just finished a novel and have already written two papers: a personal essay and a literary critique of sorts, both in the five paragraph essay format to reinforce supporting a three-point-thesis with specific evidences.  Our next literature unit (starting Monday) is on myths, legends, and folktales.   We have finished two vocabulary units and will continue working on vocab as well during this quarter.

7th Grade Bible: We finished the first unit, an overview of the Old Testament. Now we are on to Unit Two: The Nine Jewish Feasts.  Please see the handout and information given regarding the project that coincides with this unit.  It is so awesome to see how Christ is the fulfillment of each festival and feast!

8th Grade English: We finished our first literary work, A Midsummer Night's Dream.  We had so much fun with this drama; I think the students have fallen in love with Shakespeare.  They really understood the beautiful, and often silly, Shakespearean language.  We have an essay AND the first two vocabulary units under our belts, and we will complete another paper and two more vocab units before the quarter ends.  Our next literature unit  (starting Monday) is on Corrie TenBoom's The Hiding Place, The Diary of Anne Frank, and poetry from the Holocaust.  This will lead us into our Washington DC Trip where we will be visiting the Holocaust museum.  Additionally, the students will be writing research papers on one aspect of the Holocaust.  Of course we will also have continual grammar lessons throughout our literature units.  See RenWeb for assignments and tests/quiz dates.

8th Grade Bible:  We finished the first unit, The Early Church in the New Testament.  The class test average was a 91%, which is very high!  I joked that I would try to make the next assessment much more difficult.  We are currently working on the second unit in our curriculum: Themes of the New Testament.  As we look at the persecuted church, our hearts are filled with gratitude that we can openly talk about our Savior who loves us so much!  We have been having wonderfully deep conversations about theology and more complicated themes presented in Scripture.  Pray for our class through these topics as my only desire is to point them to Jesus and to a hunger for the Word of God.

I must confess...I took them out for recess...

Genesis 15:5

Today in 7th grade, our Bible class lesson was about God's promises to Abraham and how this everlasting covenant is equally for us as well.  I was inspired to take the students outside for some reason...

Genesis 15:5 -6:  He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

After some discussion and Scripture reading, the students worked on writing down all the promises God had made to the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  It was so beautiful outside today, and I am thankful that we could enjoy our class among God's creation.

Meet the Eighth Grade!

The eighth grade class at Trinity Christian School is unbelievably awesome!  These incredible individuals are doing a wonderful job showing leadership in the middle school.  We teachers thank God for the fine example they are setting for the younger grades.  

What a blessing you all are to us, eighth grade!  Keep up the great work in serving the Lord amongst one another, through your academics, and in your extra curricular activities.  You bless us all with your positive attitudes and sweet spirits.  Blessings upon your last year of middle school, class of 2021! We are going to have an amazing year together as Jesus guides us!

Twenty angel faces: 

Welcome Back!

Dear Amazing Students,

Welcome back to school!  It is going to be a great year in the TCS Middle School!  We can't wait to see you all tomorrow!

Lots of Love,
Mrs. Agate

Empty Chairs and Empty Tables...

As I sit in my classroom grading final exams in a room full of empty desks, I find myself pausing to reflect on what just happened over the last ten months.  I am filled with gratitude for the wonderful students God has blessed Trinity with over the last years.  I am eternally thankful for the support and encouragement from parents.  I praise the Lord for all of his provisions throughout the school year.  THANK YOU for being a part of it.  THANK YOU for your continued generosity and thoughtfulness.  I appreciate you all so very much.

Students, thank you for giving it your all.  We got through all the curriculum (and then some!), we learned a ton, we had some fun and made some great memories, but I am most interested in the spiritual growth that took place this year.  My prayer is that while the flames of knowledge were certainly fanned, even more so may your hearts continually be set on fire for Christ.  There is a classic reading list on my website, and you need to be reading this summer; but will you please read God's Word the most?  

So here is your summer work:
1. Read God's Word and talk to Him daily.
2. Lovingly SERVE the people you live with, and spend quality time with your family.  (Step away from the screen!)
3. Classify some sentences.  (Please contact me for summer grammar work!  I made packets for those who need extra help!)
4. Read AND write.  (Read one novel at least, and try to write once a week at least!  I would be happy to send writing assignments out for those who are interested.  Contact me for specific writing help and novel suggestions.)
5. Hang out with your friends often, and have fun!

In a nutshell: Read, pray, serve, study, enjoy! :)

I love you crazy kids,
Mrs. Agate

Bible Bowl!

Tomorrow, Tuesday June 7th, is our Fifth Annual Bible Bowl!  At the end of every unit in Bible class, we play Bible trivia.  This year we have played seven rounds in each class.  I recorded the individual points all year, and the students with the highest points get to compete in the Bible Bowl!  Mrs. Miller has the names of the 6th grade competitors, and I would like to congratulate the middle school teams.
7th Grade: Zachary Bray, Samuel Dutton, and Lucie Scandrett
8th Grade: Dean Merritt, Jacob Pan, and Aliza Weaver

Parents are welcome to come and watch this fun competition.  It will take place in 8th period and will only take around 40 minutes (2:05-2:45).

Friends, Fellowship, Food, Fun, Foosball...

Thank you to all the drivers and chaperones and to Mr. Jensema who organized the fun field trip for the middle school today!  

This little time together before final exams was just perfect!