Our Reading curriculum incorporates many aspects of phonics, sight word recognition, writing, vocabulary building, and comprehension strategies. A literacy rich environment, in which students explore different non-fiction topics and literary genres, is provided. Students are encouraged through precise instruction, guided practice, and independent Reading requirements. Furthermore, Reading instruction is differentiated for individual students by offering Reading materials specific to each child’s ability.

The spirit of patriotism shines through as students learn about our country and its place in world history. Period literature and biblical correlations are used to reinforce historical accounts.

Our grammar curriculum equips students with knowledge of proper sentence structure, grammatical rules, and writing mechanics.

FBCS students create many writings throughout the year through which they are encouraged to use their creative voice while applying their understanding of grammar at a developmentally appropriate age level.

Our Reading curriculum incorporates many aspects of phonics, sight word recognition, writing, vocabulary building, and comprehension strategies. A literacy rich environment, in which students explore different non-fiction topics and literary genres, is provided. Students are encouraged through precise instruction, guided practice, and individual Reading requirements. Furthermore, Reading instruction is differentiated for individual students by offering Reading materials specific to each child’s ability.

The Accelerated Reader program, through which students take computerized comprehension tests on books they read, is utilized to encourage and challenge readers at their own pace. Students are given an individual point goal based on the STAR Assessment. Students are required to meet their individualized goal but are encouraged through incentives to double and triple their goal.

The spirit of patriotism shines through as students learn about our country and its place in world history. Period literature and Biblical correlations are used to reinforce historical accounts. The birth of our nation and pivotal events in history are brought to life during our annual Patriots’ Day Celebration.

Our grammar curriculum equips students with knowledge of proper sentence structure, grammatical rules, and writing mechanics. FBCS students create many writings throughout the year through which they are encouraged to use their creative voice while applying their understanding of grammar at a developmentally appropriate age level.

The middle school teaches different writing techniques including the Jane Shaffer method of writing paragraphs and essays.

Students learn and apply strategies for writing narrative, expository, descriptive, and persuasive paragraphs and essays; compare and contrast essays; analytical essays; and letter writing.

Time periods covered: early man through the renaissance and reformation

Lessons are designed and presented using a variety of research-based learning and teaching strategies. Projects and assignments include but are not limited to geography skills, internet research, graphic organizers/thinking maps, hands-on projects, political cartoons, coin and stamp creation, historical Christmas ornaments, and much more.

All 6th grade students develop a social studies fair project for a school-wide social studies fair in December.

8th graders participate in a Louisiana History Course.

The teacher’s perspective: “we believe that teaching must find the connections between what students are learning in the classroom and how they can apply it to the real world. Knowledge and experience cannot be separated. It is not just the child’s education that we want to enhance; we are also committed to supporting intellectual and personal growth.”

The middle school teaches different writing techniques including the Jane Shaffer method of writing paragraphs and essays.

Students learn and apply strategies for writing narrative, expository, descriptive, and persuasive paragraphs and essays; compare and contrast essays; analytical essays; and letter writing.

Time periods covered: colonization through civil war.

Lessons are designed and presented using a variety of research-based learning and teaching strategies. To gain understanding, students will read, listen, watch videos, and discuss. To apply their knowledge, students will take notes, complete graphic organizers, write paragraphs, work in pairs and on teams to create class projects, present orally, and take written assessments.

Students will develop an understanding of American history by making connections between the past and present through the study of culture, time, individuals, institutions, government, and global connections.

The teacher’s perspective: “I believe that through the study of quality literature, students are able to make life connections with the works themselves and with humanity, in general. Creating meaningful connections through these various literary works allows the students to see the usefulness of school. It is our goal to not only teach each child English, but to also teach the life lessons shown through literature, so that students may mature into caring, responsible, and productive young adults.”

The middle school teaches different writing techniques including the Jane Shaffer method of writing paragraphs and essays.

Writing will be taught through a series of lessons which will cover sentence construction, paragraph development, essay writing, and creative writing. Students will put these lessons – as well as their grammar, spelling, and vocabulary lessons – into practice during weekly
Writing Workshop. Here they will produce various finished writings in several categories throughout the year. Further, they will compile a portfolio of these writings to serve as a portfolio to take with them at the end of the year.

Time periods covered in Louisiana history: the first inhabitants through Louisiana now.

Time periods covered in American history: the civil war through America today.

Lessons are designed and presented using a variety of research-based learning and teaching strategies. Projects and assignments include but are not limited to current events, internet research, graphic organizers/thinking maps, hands-on projects, political cartoons, plantation studies, college studies, festival celebrations, historical Christmas ornaments, and much more.

8th grade Louisiana trip is taken each April. We visit the state capitol building; take a river boat cruise and a swamp tour; visit a plantation and the World War II museum, and much more.

Social Studies Fair: Eighth grade students may choose to develop either a social studies fair or science fair project.

The teacher’s perspective: “my goal is to meet students at their individual skill level and help them to improve their sentence and paragraph development, and essay writing, so that they feel confident in their ability to respond to any situation or question with thoughtful and effective writing. Further, i want students to learn to read for enjoyment. My hope for them is that through their experiences this year, they will take with them a true love for literature.”

Spanish in 6th and 7th grade covers basic vocabulary and grammar, including conjugation of verbs and sentence structure. The class is year-long and is held every other day, rotating with PE.
In 8th grade, students take Spanish I for high school credit. The class is structured similarly to a high school course, with assignments in  speaking, writing, and reading in Spanish. Students attend everyday for the entire year. If students earn an average of a C or above in the course,
they will receive high school credit for Spanish I, with the ability to enter Spanish II in high
school.

Our physical education classes include a rich mix of games, class competitions, fitness, endurance, and exercise activities to promote a competitive spirit, wellness, and good sportsmanship.

Students in 6th and 7th grade attend PE every other day for a 50 minute period, alternating with Spanish class. In 8th grade, students will choose PE for two 9-week electives during the year, giving them one semester of PE for the 8th grade year.
When weather permits, students run/walk the “Patriot Mile” around the campus. Other sports and activities include skills in volleyball, basketball, bowling, pilates, yoga, and more!