Curriculum – derived from the Latin description of a racecourse, hence the track that is to be followed for the educational program.  ((Source- the Adams Dictionary of Actual Meanings) (the only dictionary that I have found that has the kind of definitions, spellings, and pronunciations that agrees with my understanding of these matters))

            We (the Eastside staff, Administrator, and Board) have spent, and are spending (and will spend) a great deal of time, energy, and resources on what we should teach and when.  (By the look of things, I am setting the record for most parentheses on a single page, (in the male, 32 and older category))

            Most recently, Miss Lubbers and I have been going to Grand Valley for sessions on the new merit graduation requirements issued by the State that affect all of the disciplines.  I will discuss the areas of science and mathematics.

            In science, the 8^th grade year is to provide 2 semesters of Earth Science, and the 9^th grade 2 semesters in basic chemistry and physics.  In our current 2-year cycle of 7^th & 8^th grade science, we spend a semester on a topic in life science such as health, human anatomy, disease and the other three on environmental, astronomy, climate, and other basic geology studies.  Our 9^th graders have always been taught the basic chemistry and physic concepts in our physical science course.

            In math, we utilize the Saxon math curriculum not only because we consider it to present mathematical concepts in the most sensible way, but also because it lends itself well to be taught in an individual, personable, particular manner.  This allows us to best meet the needs of each student in a multi-grade (and more significantly multi-ability) situation.

            We work so that each student arrives into 7^th grade with the basics of math (the arithmetic operations) well in place.  They can then start using the Math 8/7 text and in the next two years complete pre-Algebra and Algebra I.  This is now considered to be the necessary goal for all, as an Algebra II credit will be the high school requirement for all.  We also have students who can skip the Math 8/7 text and start the pre-Algebra in 7^th grade, take Algebra I in the 8^th grade and be in the midst of the Algebra II/Analytical Geometry text by the end of 9^th grade.

            We must always keep in mind, naturally (or better super-naturally), that our goal is not to fit the mind of the State, but to be used by God to develop the mind of Christ in the students given to us to help raise.                                                                                         

Pete Adams