Language and Literacy Development

Early literacy skills are intentionally and strategically taught through reading aloud, singing, rhyming, storytelling and purposeful play.  Daily phonics activities include age appropriate activities such as recognizing upper and lowercase letters, producing letter sounds, and identifying and manipulating sounds in words. As students develop as readers, high-frequency words and decodable books are used for initial reading experiences.  Students experience spoken language through large group, small-group, individual, and center activities.  These activities are designed to promote comprehension, discussion, and listening skills.  Students will also develop the foundations of writing through fine motor activities and daily writing tasks.  

Math Development

Through hands-on activities, problem solving and purposeful play, students develop essential pre-math skills. Such skills as counting, sorting, classifying, identifying patterns, number sense, basic operations, geometry and measurement will be covered before entering first grade.

Spiritual Development

The Bible curriculum emphasizes the characteristics of God and His desire for a relationship with us. Through scripture, memory, songs and Bible stories, students build the foundation for a lifetime of knowing and walking with the Lord.

Physical Development

As active learners students use a variety of tools and materials to develop find and gross motor skills. Chalk, paint, play dough, sand, markers, crayons, dance, exercise, nature walks and playground time are all part of this development.

Social Emotional Development

Students will develop important social and emotional skills as they interact with each other, explore the classroom, follow daily routines and expectations, take care of class materials, work cooperatively, express and manage emotions, take turns, problem solve and develop self-confidence.  

Co-curriculars 

Music, Physical Education, Art, Library, TILT (Technology Integration Literacy Time for PK4-K)

Science and social studies are also added in Kindergarten.

Service Learning 

In order to equip students to live extraordinary lives for Jesus Christ, our students engage in authentic service learning in our school, our community and beyond. Both school-wide community service projects and grade specific outreach opportunities are woven into our curriculum.

Bible - Deep Roots

Deep Roots lays the foundation for a biblical worldview education. First grade students study biblical accounts from Creation through the life of Jesus.

Math - Eureka Math Squared

Through engaging lessons, students in first grade learn number sense, place value, addition, subtraction, data analysis, problem-solving, measurement and geometry. Students also begin using Reflex Math to build fact fluency.

Language Arts/Reading McGraw Hill Open Court, Guided Reading, VOWAC, Orton-Gillingham Methodology

First graders learn to read using phonics-based instruction.  Teachers utilize an explicit and systematic approach to teach reading in small groups at various ability levels. Phonics rules are integrated to enhance word-decoding skills, increase sight word vocabulary, and promote phonics-based spelling skills.

Handwriting - D'Nelian handwriting

This continuous stroke method supports early literacy and the development of fine motor skills with a focus on proper letter slant, size and spacing.

Science - Purposeful Design

First grade students engage in the engineering and design process as they study life science, physical science, earth science and the human body from a Christian worldview.

Social Studies - Thematic Units

The social studies curriculum includes authentic learning experiences that are integrated across the curriculum. Students engage in multiple hands-on, cross-curricular projects to include the following units: landforms, community, and culture.

Bible - Deep Roots

Second grade students learn biblical truth while studying the life of Jesus and the beginning of the early church. In addition, students memorize a Bible verse each week that relates to the unit of study.

Math - Eureka Math Squared

Students develop an understanding of number sense as they learn multiple strategies to solve problems and engage in real life problem solving. Reflex Math is used to build fact fluency.

Language Arts/Reading - Guided Reading, VOWAC, Orton-Gillingham Methodology 

Second grade students learn and practice strategies to develop fluency, comprehension and critical thinking of both fiction and nonfiction texts.  Students continue to master foundational phonics skills through direct, explicit, multisensory instruction using the VOWAC program.  Spelling words are based on the phonics rule or pattern that is being studied that week.  Small group instruction and special activities provide opportunities to apply the skills and strategies in authentic ways.

Handwriting - D'Nelian manuscript

Students continue to practice D'Nelian manuscript leading to cursive in the second half of the year.

Science - Purposeful Design

Second grade students engage in the engineering and design process as they study life science, physical science, earth science and the human body from a Christian worldview.

Social Studies - Thematic Units

Focus on multiple hands-on, cross-curricular projects to include the study of cultures and customs of various countries and geography.

Bible - Deep Roots

Third grade students learn biblical truth with a focus on the Old Testament. In addition, students memorize a Bible verse each week that relates to the unit of study.

Math - Eureka Math Squared

Students become proficient in key math concepts such as multiplication, division, fractions, geometry and measurement while engaging in authentic problem solving. Reflex Math is used to build fact fluency.

Language Arts/Reading - Guided Reading, Orton-Gillingham Methodology

Third grade students use authentic texts to develop fluency, comprehension and critical thinking skills through the study of both fiction and nonfiction texts.  In addition, students receive a systematic and well-balanced approach to writing through the use of modeling and small group instruction.  The reading units are used as mentor texts as the students learn to write fiction and nonfiction.. Spelling words are based on specific phonics rules and patterns. 

Science - Purposeful Design

Third grade students engage in the engineering and design process culminating with a STEM Day project. They also engage in the scientific process as they study life science, physical science, and earth science from a Christian worldview.  

Social Studies - Thematic Units

In third grade students focus on community and culture specifically studying ancient civilizations and how they impact modern civilization. A biblical worldview is integrated as real world connections are made to the Bible curriculum.

Bible - Deep Roots

Fourth grade students learn Biblical truth with a focus on Paul's ministry. In addition, students memorize a Bible verse each week that relates to the unit of study.

Math - Eureka Math Squared

Students deepen their grasp on number sense and become proficient in key math concepts such as multi-digital multiplication and division, operations with fractions, decimals and geometry. Fourth graders use 99 Math to build fact fluency.

Language Arts/Reading - Guided Reading, Orton-Gillingham Methodology

Students study various novels to develop critical thinking, composition and comprehension skills. Reading and writing instruction is taught through the use of modeling and small group instruction. Vocabulary, spelling and grammar are embedded into the ELA curriculum.

Science - Purposeful Design

Fourth grade students engage in the engineering and design process as they study life science, earth science and the human body from a Christian worldview.

Social Studies - Thematic Units

In fourth grade students focus on geography, mastery of the 50 states and their regions. Students also develop research skills as they study topics such as the Industrial Revolution, Ellis Island and National Parks.

Bible - Deep Roots

Fifth grade students learn Biblical truth with a focus on Old Testament prophets. In addition, students memorize a Bible verse each week that relates to the unit of study.

Math - Eureka Math Squared

Students deepen their grasp on number sense and become proficient in key math concepts such as multi-digital multiplication and division, operations with decimals and coordinate planes, while also engaging in authentic problem solving.

Language Arts/Reading - Guided Reading, Orton-Gillingham Methodology

Students study various novels to develop critical thinking, composition and comprehension skills. Reading and writing instruction is taught through the use of modeling and small group instruction. Vocabulary, spelling and grammar are embedded into the ELA curriculum.

Science - Purposeful Design

Fifth grade students engage in the engineering and design process as they study life science, earth science and the human body from a Christian worldview. In addition, they perform multiple experiments throughout the year to illustrate the concepts that are learned in class.

Social Studies - Thematic Units

In fifth grade students focus on early American History including the founding of the United States of America. Students also develop research skills as they develop interactive presentations and projects.

Additional Programming 

Chapel

Lower School students attend chapel once a week for worship, prayer and teaching. This age appropriate fellowship enables students to learn biblical teaching and apply it to their daily lives.

Co-curriculars

Music, Physical Education, Art, Technology Integration Literacy Time (TILT)

Service Learning 

In order to equip students to live extraordinary lives for Jesus Christ, our students engage in authentic service learning in our school, our community and beyond. Both school-wide community service projects and grade specific outreach opportunities are woven into our curriculum.