Meet Our Staff

Welcome to Grades 7 and 8!

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In Grades 7 and 8, the bulletin board is updated with current projects, whether creative writing exercises or reports on Civil War figures. Our students enjoy the privileges of seniority, which includes access to a private eating area and a comfortable lounge area with couches.

Mr. (Larry) Cleek Larry is the head pastor of Covenant Love Community Church as well as the 7/8 homeroom teacher. He currently teaches Bible, U.S. history, life and physical science, and health. As a teacher with over 25 years of experience at all age levels, he enjoys the freedom to teach from a Biblical worldview and to share the life of God in every subject area. Larry received his B.S. from Creighton College in Memphis, TN prior to attending Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA. Larry and his wife have four adult children, all graduates of CLCS, and one granddaughter. In his spare time Larry enjoys calligraphy, reading, woodworking, and camping. Mrs. (Mary) Johnson Mary currently teaches math for grades 6 and 8 as well as serving as the school’s bookkeeper. She was a volunteer math teacher for many years and had a prior stint as the school bookkeeper. Mary graduated from Cornell University with a B.S. in Agricultural Economics. Mary and her husband have fourchildren, all of whom attended CLCS. Mary’s pastimes include hiking, bicycling, cooking, and spending time with family and friends. Mrs. (Gail) Felker Gail is our 7th and 8th grade English Language Arts and 7th grade math teacher.  She holds a BA in Elementary Education from Grove City College in Pennsylvania and a MA in Christian Counseling from Liberty University in Virginia.  A pastor’s wife and mother of four adult children, Gail comes to us this year with extensive experience in Christ-centered education and ministry.  Gail home educated her own children from Kindergarten through grade twelve, published a Vacation Bible School curriculum and was a regular contributor for Homeschooling Today magazine. We are excited to have her join our teaching staff!  Gail absolutely loves teaching at CLCS. Gail and her husband reside in Ithaca where her husband pastors Christ Chapel. In her leisure time Gail enjoys sewing and gardening. Miss (Tonika) Jones Tonika teaches Spanish to our studentsat all grade levels. Known for her enthusiastic and energetic teaching style, she has helped instill a deep love and appreciation of foreign language and culture into our students. She also provides support in the 7/8 classrooms. Tonika graduated from SUNY Cortland with a B.A. in English Literature and Spanish Language. She served at SUNY Cortland as a residence hall director and as the interim coordinator of multicultural affairs for three years. She also assisted adults with developmental disabilities at the Franziska Racker Center and was an ESL tutor. Tonika greatly appreciates how life at CLCS centers around Christ and the leading of the Holy Spirit. In addition to teaching, Tonika enjoys crafting, worshiping, singing, and spending time with people who are precious to her. Bible is a two-year course. In the first year, we do an Old Testament survey covering all 39 books. Included are memory verses of key texts, the Ten Commandments, and a study of the major covenants. Time is alsospent on the hidden and expressed attributes of God and basic historic doctrines of the Trinity, salvation, gifts, and callings, and God’s overall plan of calling a covenantal people designed to steward His world. The second year is a New Testament survey with a strong emphasis on the life of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit on the book of Acts. We learn about the basic doctrines of salvation, redemption, sanctification, and the Kingdom of God. There is a lot of Bible reading, discussion and question and answer times for the students. We also keep a list of about 22 key verses and themes during both years: creation, Abraham’s covenant, the Ten Commandments, the New Commandment, the Greatest Commandment, Psalm 23, Psalm 100, Isaiah 53, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Beattitudes are some of the topics included. Teacher Resources Lectures in Systematic Theology – Henry Thiesen Understanding the Times- David Noebel Right from Wrong- Josh McDowell Our English Language Arts program is aninteractive, integrated approach to learning. Grammar, composition, vocabulary, research, technology and computer use, drama and even history are interwoven with classic literature. Units recently covered were Johnny Tremain, by Esther Forbes, poetry (we even published our very own book of poetry!), Beowulf, Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood, career exploration and research, and then Shakespeare’s, Midsummer Night’s Dream. American History Using the Bible as a base, we study God’s laws that apply to all people, at all times, in all places. During this two-year program, we study how law developed in England (Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights) and in the United States (Federalist and Anti-Federalist Papers, Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, Gettysburg Address, and Bill of Rights). Lively discussions, response papers, reports, and classroom debates add to our learning approaches. We also memorize portions of famous historical documents and learn about being involvedcitizens. Students learn to serve the community through various outreaches and take in-depth field trips. Student materials The American Nation Prentice Hall The Federalist Papers Various Publishers (Penguin Classics) Teacher resources Teaching with Documents National Archives The Law Foundation for Economic Education, Irvington-on-the-Hudson Common Sense Thomas Paine Essential Thinkers by Alexander DeTocqueville The World’s Great Speeches- edited by L. Copeland and L. Lamm The Confederate Nation- Emory M. Thomas Common Sense, the Rights of Man- Thomas Paine From Magna Carta to the Constitution- edited by David L. Brooks Teacher Selected Trade Books and supplemental resources. Mathematics 7 In seventh grade math, we continue the three-year curriculum started in sixth grade. Concepts covered include fractions, decimals, linear equations, geometry, ratios and graphs. The students work through related problems in class and daily homework assignments are completed to supplement the classwork. Additional fun projects such as creating a new recipe, designing a board game, following the stock market, etc. are encouraged to enhance application and understanding of math. Student materials Prentice Hall Mathematics: Course 2 Pearson, Prentice Hall Accompanying Workbook for Course 2 Pearson, Prentice Hall Mathematics 8 In eighth grade math, students complete the third year of the curriculum started in sixth grade. Concepts covered include fractions, decimals, linear equations, proportions, and geometry. We introduce concepts in class and then students work through example problems. Daily homework assignments supplement the class work. We use hands-on activities and manipulatives to enhance the textbook lessons as well. Student materials Prentice Hall Mathematics: Course 3 Pearson, Prentice Hall Accompanying Workbook for Course 3 Pearson, Prentice Hall Math Minutes Grades 6-8 – Creative Teaching Press Greg Tang Math Worksheets Physical Science begins with a biblicalfoundation of God as Creator, making all of the matter of the universe out of nothing. Then we look at the periodic chart with the elements as the building blocks of the universe and study the properties of matter. We explore the chemistry of matter with atoms and their ability to bond as well as chemical reactions. Then we move into motion, forces, and energy and today’s uses/needs of energy. Toward the end of the year, we study heat, light, and electromagnetic energy, in light of our call to be good stewards of resources, the environmental effects of energy use, and the search for new, viable sources of energy. Weekly labs help students to apply information from lectures, debates, and discussion. Student materials Exploring Physical Science – Prentice Hall The Bible – New International Version Teacher resources Exploring Chemical Elements and Their Compounds TAB Books/McGraw Hill Polymer Chemistry NSTA National Science Teacher’s Association Science of the Physical Creation A BekaBooks The Elements Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers Life Science The classroom is a mixture of lectures, question and answer, and lots of student participation. There are hands-on weekly labs that explore topics like the metric system, osmosis, structures of plant/animal cells, and growth of various cultures. The students show proficiency by their answers in class and through regular testing. In this relaxed, open atmosphere, we encourage students to ask questions, and we occasionally hold debates on controversial topics. Biology covers the metric system, various styles of scientific proofs and then covers cell theory, cells, tissues and organ systems. Each of the 6 Kingdoms are covered at an introductory level. We give additional attention to human biology and anatomy. In addition, we address alcohol, tobacco and drugs and touch on genetics, biomes and man’s responsibility to steward the planet. Student materials Exploring Life Science – Prentice Hall Teacher resources RedeemingScience – Crossway Books Explore Evolution – Hill House Publishers Planet Earth video series – BBC Video Investigating Evolution video series- Coldwater Media The Privileged Planet book and video- Illustria Media Darwin’s Dilemma – Illustria Media Spanish 7 In Grade 7, our students learn vocabulary necessary to describe homes, neighborhoods, give instructions, and discuss vacation plans. We use previously acquired vocabulary to old and new grammar construction and increase self-editing skills by paying closer attention to conjugation, noun-adjective agreement, spelling, and more. Students receive interactive introductions to new vocabulary words and review familiar vocabulary through classroom games. Through audio activities, students gain exposure to various regional accents and pronunciations. Dialogue writing and role-playing situations (i.e. shopping in a Spanish-speaking market) aid conversation development. Students also design a 3D spanish dictionary, usually depicting a room oftheir home, or a whole house or apartment. Student materials Paso a Paso 1 Scott Foreman Paso a Paso 1 Practice Workbook Scott Foreman Spanish 8 By Grade 8, students understand basic Spanish through reading, listening, speaking, and writing. In the classroom, we enjoy translation activities, vocabulary review games, writing dialogues and letters, group activities, presentations, and more. Students know how to start conversations, collect and provide information, give or request directions, and discuss topics like school, food, vacation, and media. The first two quarters of the year mark the completion of the Paso a Paso curriculum and the last two quarters consist of cumulative review of material from the past three years. Grade 8 students look forward to our special field trip to the local Mexican restaurant, where we order lunch in Spanish and enjoy a meal together! Student materials Paso a Paso 1 Scott Foreman Paso a Paso 1 Practice Workbook Scott Foreman Teacher resourcesAudio/video tapes We use the Total Physical Response approach, in which students use motions to demonstrate the meanings of 10-20 action verbs. Ms. Jones begins the lesson with worksheets activities such as coloring, fill-in-the-blank, translating, or cutting and pasting. We also enjoy related activities like painting, making posters, eating food, learning Spanish songs, making puppets, play “store,” dress-up, vocabulary bingo, and other games. Teacher resources Teach Them Spanish! (PreK and Kindergarten) Art Physical Education Worship Music