Elementary School

 

 

Elementary School Curriculum

 

Kindergarten

Bible
Biblical Choices Kindergarten: The God of Creation is divided into four quarters of emphasis:

  1. God created the perfect world
  2. Choices in the family
  3. God becomes the perfect person
  4. Jesus is our example

Bible stories are reinforced through dramatic play and songs.  Prayer and biblical teachings are intertwined throughout the day.

Phonics/Reading
Kindergarten Beginnings K5, Bob Jones University Press, covers 44 phonetic sounds and their common spellings.  It assimilates phonics, listening, reading comprehension, science, Heritage Studies and literature through songs, charts and activities.  High frequency words are reinforced in the easy reader class booklets.  Hand writing skills are also practiced using pre-cursive strokes.

Writing
Kid Writing Journaling, teaches students the phonemic process of decoding words to learn sound-symbol relationships.  Adult underwriting allows children to compare their writing to conventional writing.  Young Author books are dictated, illustrated and “published” by the students.

Mathematics
Math Their Way is a hands-on, manipulative based math program.  Key concepts include counting, number to object correspondence, patterning, shapes, graphing, money, time, addition and subtraction.

Science
FOSS (Full Option Science System) includes two units of study – Animals 2x2 and Wood/Paper.

Animals Two by Two provides young students with close and personal interaction with some common land and water animals.  Appropriate classroom habitats are established, and students learn to care for the animal.

Wood and Paper Module- students are introduced to a wide variety of woods and papers in a systematic way.  They observe the properties of these materials and discover what happens when they are subjected to a number of tests and interactions with other materials.  Students learn that wood and paper can be recycled to create new forms of paper or wood that has new properties.  Finally, they use what they know about the properties of these marvelous materials as they change wood and paper into a variety of products.

Computer
Students reinforce basic math, reading/phonic skills using a variety of educational software such as Jump Start Kindergarten and Jump Start Kindergarten Advanced.  Students practice mouse control and beginning keyboard usage.

Field Trips/Cultural Experiences
Students go on field trips as they are related to units and learning activities in class.
Pumpkin Patch (fall)
Post Office/Scoops Ice Cream Shop (winter)
Gymnastics for You

Major Thematic Units
Raccoons & Bees (fall)
Polar Bears (winter)
Frogs (spring)

First Grade Curriculum

Bible
Biblical Choices of a New Generation is our Bible curriculum.  It teaches God’s love for us, from His creation through the patriarchs ending with the life of Jesus.  Practical application for each child is woven into the lessons.  They learn to “hide God’s Word in their heart” as they memorize selected Bible verses.  Each week students attend a school chapel service.  Each day begins with devotions and prayer.  Sharing from God’s Word is intertwined throughout the day.

Reading
In first grade the students learn to read!  We build a love and joy for reading through the Bob Jones Reading curriculum.  First graders begin by reviewing the sounds letters make, blending sounds to form words, and building a sight work vocabulary.  Students read in small, ability groups to practice their skills.  They do this by working through six books filled with exciting stories poems and plays.  We want to instill a life long love for reading.  Reading daily with their parents is also encouraged.

Phonics/English
First graders use the Bob Jones English curriculum, which introduces writing readiness through listening, speaking and thinking activities.  Students begin with letters and words, and work up to sentences and an introduction to the parts of speech.  The Phonics and English curriculums are integrated which adds layers to their learning.

This curriculum reinforces the sounds and letters learned for reading.  Students study all consonant and vowel sounds at the beginning, middle and the end of words.  Learning to decode words helps make reading easy and fun.

Writing
Students are encouraged to write regularly.  Writing is integrated throughout the day and intertwined in many subject areas.  Each year students are led through the entire writing process from brainstorming to rough draft and finally to a longer published story.  Students are asked to write and illustrate many short stories each year.  These stories are shared with the class and posted for parents and others to read.

Spelling
Bob Jones First Grade Spelling is used to increase vocabulary and transfer spelling skills to writing assignments.  Weekly test are given with spelling words used in a sentence.  This reinforces listening skills and encourages good sentence writing.  Challenge words are also included each week.

Mathematics
In ACSI First Grade Mathematics students learn the basic concepts of addition and subtraction.  They develop problem solving skills as well as skills in geometry, fractions, graphing, money, time, measurement, and finally two digit addition and subtraction.  Skills are practiced daily with the use of many math manipulatives.  We also use ICSP (Individualized Computational Skills Program) once a week.

Science/Health
Students use FOSS Science Kits covering three large units each year.  First graders learn about wind and weather, new plants, and solids and liquids.  These kits include many hands-on activities and opportunities for science journaling.  Other units studied include the five senses, space and dental health.

Social Studies
We use the Heritage Studies for Christian School curriculum.  Students learn about their world…past and present, through a series of mini-units including Pilgrims & Native Americans, Famous Americans, and a study of maps, globes, continents and oceans.  Each month students receive a copy of God’s World News.  This publication is full of current world events that are read about and discussed in the classroom.

Art
Students have art instruction each week.  The focus of the art program is not only to teach students the elements of art, but to also foster creativity.  Students also learn an appreciation of art through this creative experience regardless of their level of artistic ability.

Field Trips
Students go on field trips that are related to units and learning activities in class.  Each fall, first graders walk to Lake Sacajawea to gather leaves, seeds and other fall treasures.  Each winter we love to attend a play at the Columbia Theater.  In the spring, students travel to a garden center to learn about plants.  Field trips add that extra, first-hand experience to learning.

Second Grade Curriculum

Bible
The theme for this year’s Biblical Choices is “The God of Freedom.”  The first half emphasizes the freedoms we have in Christ and the ways we can serve Him and others.  New Testament stories and parables are extended into practical applications.  The second half of the year, we follow the Israelites from their bondage in Egypt through the wilderness journey and into the Promised Land.   The key points of Exodus through Joshua are highlighted.  Second graders memorize and recite weekly Bible verses, books of the Bible, the Ten Commandments, and the Lord’s Prayer.  Every week, students attend a school chapel service.

Reading/Phonics
The two reading texts, from Bob Jones University Press, are filled with fiction, non-fiction and poetry selections for enjoyment and development of vocabulary, comprehension, and decoding skills.  The accompanying workbooks and resources further reinforce phonics skills.  In second grade, we review vowels, blends, digraphs, and diphthongs; we further explore contractions, synonyms, antonyms, prefixes, and suffixes.  The classroom is filled with exciting literary opportunities!  Books are read aloud, silently, and with partners to promote comprehension, fluency and appreciation of literature.

Writing/English
Writing opportunities are provided for the second graders in many subject areas.  From scientific observations to original poetry to informal journaling, they write!  In English for Christian Schools, students learn about sentence forms, nouns, verbs, adjectives and punctuation.  These skills are then applied to writing sentences paragraphs, stories, and friendly letters.  A research report and book reports provide excellent opportunities to “unite” the reading writing speaking, and listening of the Language Arts.

Spelling
ACSI’s Spelling curriculum is used to practice the words in different ways.  At the beginning of the week a pre-test is given.  They are also given two bonus words.  The post-test is given at the end of the week, with spelling words dictated.  During the week, students practice using their words in sentences.

Science
“Full Option Science System” (FOSS) – Second graders explore three units of FOSS throughout the school year.  “Pebbles, Sand, and Silt” is an exploration of rocks and other earth materials.  “Insects” is an exploration on the life cycle, habitat, and needs of insects.  “Balance and Motion is an exploration on how things move and work.  The students also read about God’s many creations in  A Beka Book – Enjoying God’s World Science Reader.

Social Studies
A Beka Book – Our American History/Geography Reader topics include “American our Home,” “The People Who Built America,” and Tomorrow’s America.”  Second graders read and discuss current events through God’s World News, and learn of the history behind our holidays throughout the calendar year.

Math
ACSI Purposeful Design – The math focus for second grade includes concepts such as patterns, place value, addition, subtraction, geometry, measurement, time, double-digit addition and subtraction.  We touch on fractions, multiplication, and division.  We also use ICSP (Individualized Computational Skills Program) once a week, as well as a variety of math games to build numeric thinking skills.

Art
We try to have an organized art lesson once a week.  The goal is to provide experience in as many mediums as possible and to promote creativity.

Third Grade Curriculum

Bible
We utilize Biblical Choices for a New Generation, which is divided into four sections, each having a theme.  Students learn of God’s love and how He can help them make the best choices in life.  Third graders, every week, memorize selected Bible verses and recite them.  Each week, students attend a school chapel service.  Prayer and sharing from God’s Word are intertwined throughout the day.

Reading/Phonics
Third graders use the Bob Jones University Press reading text Once Upon an Open Book.  Students are introduced to writings by a variety of great authors and are encouraged to seek out the book to read the rest of the story.  The reading selections include fiction, nonfiction, fantasy, poetry, and biographies.  Comprehension and analytical skills, as well as vocabulary and phonics skills, are reinforced.  Third graders review consonant sounds and long and short vowels.  Students advance in their skills with compound words, digraphs, contractions, plurals, prefixes, suffixes, diphthongs, synonyms, and antonyms.  All these skills lead to improved reading.

Spelling
In third grade, students use ACSI’s spelling curriculum.  Weekly activities include using list words in a sentence to encourage good grammar, punctuation, and capitalization skills.  Challenge words are included in the lists each week.

English
Third graders use English Writing and Grammar.  Students apply writing and grammar skills such as punctuation, capitalization, usage, parts of speech, and composition skills.  They demonstrate an understanding of the nature and function of the English language.  Strategically placed in the curriculum are writing assignments for students to practice the skills learned.  Students write a friendly letter, a biography, persuasive essay, and a research project on a famous American.

Mathematics
The ACSI Mathematics series introduces students to math concepts and problem-solving strategies.  Students learn addition, subtraction, multiplication, division. Geometry, estimation, place value, measurement and graphing, time, and money.  Third graders also begin to learn their multiplication by memory.

Science
Third graders use FOSS Science Kits to introduce scientific discovery in units about rocks and minerals, the structures of life, and the physics of sound.  Students learn about science from the Christian perspective, emphasizing the wonders of God’s creation.

Social Studies
Heritage Studies is about the people and events that shaped America.  American Heritage surveys American history through the biographies of great Americans.  The emphasis is on patriotism, character development, and the contributions made by Americans to this country.  Practice exercises are also given in map and globe skills, chart and graph skills,
critical thinking, and research.

Fourth Grade Curriculum

Bible
Biblical Choices is a study of various Bible stories from both the Old Testament and the New Testament.  Special focus is on Old Testament prophets and Paul’s missionary journeys.  Students learn of God’s love and care for people through the ages.  Fourth graders study some miracles of Jesus.  They memorize selected Bible verses.  Each week students attend a school chapel service.  Prayer and sharing from God’s Word are intertwined throughout the day.

Reading
In the Bob Jones University Press, I Met You in a Story, students read samples from award winning authors.  They are exposed to all kinds of literature – fiction, nonfiction, biographies, fantasy, mystery, and poetry.  Written exercises emphasize comprehension, interpretation, and vocabulary.  Students also read novels in small groups to enhance the joy of reading.  Fourth graders also do monthly book reports based on home reading.

Phonics
Students review their long and short vowel sounds, blends, silent letters, syllables, suffixes digraphs, diphthongs, plurals, possessives, prefixes, synonyms, antonyms, and homonyms.  With the ability to decode, reading becomes a great adeventure!

English
We use English for Christian Schools by Bob Jones University Press.  Students apply writing and grammar skills with instruction on parts of speech, mechanics, and vocabulary.  Practice is also given in listening and speaking skills as well as reference and study strategies.  Students are instructed to use writing steps that include planning, first draft, revising, proofreading, final copy and presentation.  Writing assignments: personal narrative, friendly letter with instructions, compare/contrast essay, book review, tall tale, research report, business letter, and poetry.  Daily Oral Language and journaling are completed every morning to practice proofreading and writing.

Spelling
Spelling is used to increase vocabulary and transfer spelling skills to descriptive writing.  Weekly tests are given.  Challenge words are also included each week.

Mathematics
We use ACSI Mathematics or Saxon.  Lesson and activities focus on computational proficiency and problem solving.  Students focus on whole numbers (up to one million), fractions, mixed numbers, place value, time, graphing, geometry, data, measurement, multiplying and dividing by two-digit numbers, probability, decimals, estimation, story problems, and mental math.  Fourth graders concentrate on learning the basic facts in all four operations by memory.

Science
FOSS Science kits are used in the fourth grade for discovery and learning.  Units include magnetism and electricity, water, and the human body.  Extra reading in those areas is used to enhance their learning.  Students learn science from a Christian perspective, emphasizing the wonders of God in our world.

Social Studies
We use News Current by God’s World, which presents current events from a Christian perspective.  Fourth grade use Heritage Studies to learn about states and regions of the United States.  In U.S. History, we cover the time periods beginning at the War for Independence through the movement westward, Pony Express, and Civil War.  Areas covered include history, geography, government, resources, the land, the people, the the regions.  They learn map and globe skills, chart and graph skills, and critical thinking and research skills.  We have a field trip to the State Capital at Olympia to study government.  In Washington State history, we use Discovering Washington to study our state and government history.  The students study a unit on Lewis & Clark with a field trip to the Lewis & Clark Memorial.  They write a famous person report on someone influential in U. S. History.

Fifth Grade Curriculum

Bible
We utilize Biblical Choices.  Students have weekly memory verses that follow the lessons.  This curriculum has been designed to demonstrate God’s ability to work through ordinary people on this earth.  There are articles to read on people such as Martin Luther, Rachel Joy Scott, and John Jacobs.  Students will discover how others have dedicated their lives to the Lord’s service and made a lasting contribution.  In the final sections, the students will have an opportunity to compare several different religions.

Mathematics
We use the Saxon Series.  Lessons and activities focus on active learning, computational proficiency, problem solving and cooperative learning.  Fifth graders focus on whole numbers (up to one billion), decimals and integers, addition, subtraction, and equations, multiplication and division up to three-digit numbers, decimals and fractions, measurement, probability, number theory, geometry, ratio, percents, integers, and the coordinate plane.

Spelling and Vocabulary
We use the ACSI Spelling and Vocabulary Series.  Fifth graders demonstrate spelling and work usage through application.  They identify and understand the literal and figurative meaning of words and solve analogies.

Reading and Literature
We use the Bob Jones Reading Series.  Fifth graders demonstrate competence in the general skills and strategies of the reading process by applying these skills and strategies to the reading of literature and literary texts.  Student read, analyze, evaluate, and respond to a variety of literary forms including short stories, novels, poetry, stories from other countries, and mythology.

English
We use the Bob Jones English Series.  Fifth graders apply writing and grammar skills including parts of speech, sentence types, capitalization, punctuation, speaking, and listening.  They also complete creative writing assignments using the skills and strategies of the writing process. Students recognize and use simple, complex, and compound sentences.  They recognize and use standard editing symbols.  The weekly assignments cover a variety of topics and strive to enhance creativity and communication skills, including report writing, poetry, business letters, and compare and contract essays.

Social Studies
We use the Bob Jones series.  Fifth graders study the United States regions, industry and immigration, World War I and World War II, the Twenties, the Cold War years, and the western hemisphere today.  They learn geography, history, civics and government, economics, culture, map and globe skills, chart and graph skills, reading and research skills critical thinking skills, and citizenship skills.  A country report is done by using these skills.

Science
We use the FOSS kits.  Fifth graders learn science in a Christian environment emphasizing the wonders God has created.  They utilize reading and scientific experiments as they study rocks in Earth Science, environments, and machines.

Sixth Grade Curriculum

Bible
Our Bible curriculum, “Welcome to Biblical Choices,” is published by Standard Publishing.  The sixth grade Bible studies are divided into four quarters, each with its own theme.  After a brief review of pivotal Bible lesson from the Old and New Testaments studied during the fifth grade, students start the year by examining Paul’s pastoral letters to Timothy and Titus.  The second quarter studies center around the book of James and 1, 2, and 3 John.  Students are challenged to model their living and active faith to everyone in their circles of influence.  During the third quarter, students are challenged to examine many issues that affect their Christian walk, and discover the tools they need to defend their position on these sometimes controversial topics.  Then, in the fourth quarter, students study Revelation, the final written pages in the word of God.  Students are led to discover that although Christians may suffer as a result of their beliefs God is still in control and the final victory will belong to Him and His people.  Each week students have memory verses to learn, and some students accept the additional challenge of learning optional Scripture Scholar verses.  In addition to our formal times of Bible study, we enjoy daily devotions and prayer times together as a class.  Also, as a student body, we celebrate and worship in a chapel service once a week.

Mathematics
At the upper grade level we use Saxon Math, which is “an incremental approach to gaining skill in mathematics.”  Lessons focus on computational proficiency as well as problem solving.  Sixth graders learn operations with whole numbers, fractions, number theory, integers, rational numbers, expressions and equations, ratios, proportion, percents, geometry of plane and solid figures, statistics and coordinate graphing.  Supplemental math activities challenge the students’ abilities in problem solving, pre-algebra skills, and communicating in math.  Students moving along faster (or slower) in math are accommodated by special groupings during the math period.

Spelling and Vocabulary
For spelling practice, we use the A.C.S.I (Association of Christian Schools International) spelling curriculum.  Sixth graders demonstrate spelling and word usage through application.  They take weekly spelling tests and learn work etymology through a variety of activities and challenges.  Students learn to break down big words by looking for and understanding Latin and Greek roots.

Reading and Literature
Our reading curriculum is published by Bob Jones and includes different genres from various cultures as well as selections from classic authors and junior novels.  Biblical principles and discernment for daily living are integrated throughout the reading and literature lessons.  The selections reflect Christian truth, and related assignments provide practical application of biblical principles and skills.  Higher-level thinking skills are demonstrated through accompanying assignments.  Sixth graders read silently at times and orally at time, and they are encouraged to read independently.

Social Studies
Sixth graders use the Bob Jones Heritage Studies curriculum to learn about ancient world history.  World geography, government, civics, and citizenship are also included as part of the social studies curriculum.  Current events are also an emphasis through monthly issues of Top Story, a Christian news magazine aimed at 6th-9th graders.

English
We use the Bob Jones English series, which incorporates daily grammar skills and writing instruction.  Writing lessons explain how to use the Writing Process, and students use the entire writing process to “publish” a personal narrative, a newspaper editorial, an instructional piece, a research report, an historical fiction piece, a compare-contrast essay, a limerick, a free verse poem and a cover letter.

Science
The FOSS (Full Option Science System) kits make up a big part of our science curriculum.  Beginning in 2008-09 sixth graders will be learning using the kits: Landforms, Nutrition and Levers/Pulleys.  This curriculum, centered on inquiry learning is particularly strong in teaching the scientific process.  We also supplement the FOSS curriculum with the sixth grade curriculum from Christian Schools International and Bob Jones Press.  In addition, sixth graders participate in numerous scientific field studies at Outdoor School.

Technology
Students become well acquainted with computers and the most used programs.  Students use Microsoft Word for word processing; learn some desktop publishing, PowerPoint, Excel, and they utilize the Internet and on-line encyclopedias for a variety of research assignment.

Cultural Experience
We incorporate at least one play during the sixth grade year.  In October of 2008, we saw the play “Gosamer” in Portland.  As opportunities arise, we take our learning “on the road.”  We have gone “to the potter’s house” by visiting the ceramics classroom at Mark Morris High School, and we spend a day with a guide from The Seven Wonders Museum learning about creationism and Mt. St. Helens.  We also try to get in a trip to OMSI and other field trips that correspond to classroom learning.

Outdoor School
One of the highlights of the year is our four-day outdoor school experience.  We attend an outdoor school program at a Christian camp directed and taught by Christian instructors.  High school students from our Junior/Senior High campus are counselors and spend quality (and a quantity of) time with the sixth graders.  Student work hard, learn lots and have a great time at outdoor school.  Curriculum there includes activities in Bible, worship, and prayer, patriotism, team building, and, of course, a scientific look at God’s amazing creation.