Elementary School Curriculum

List of 6 items.

• Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten

  Kindergarten students continue learning and growing their social skills. In addition, kindergarteners begin learning sight words and work on comprehension, writing, and basic grammatical mechanics. In math, they also learn to skip count by 2’s, 5’s, and 10’s, recognize patterns, tell time on a clock, identify coins, and add and subtract.

• Grade 1

  Art
  Students refine fine-motor skills and hand/eye coordination through various media. Encouraging creative thinking and problem solving is always a priority. Students focus on concepts like symmetry to connect what they learn in math class. Literature is often used as an introduction for art lessons.
  
  Art class is an opportunity to support subject material learned in academic classes.

  
  Counseling
  Students learn social skills, problem solving, fruit of the Spirit, and character traits.

  
  Language
  The six interrelated focuses are: reading, vocabulary, grammar, student writing, spelling, and penmanship. The objective is to foster strong decoding skills, progress toward reading fluency, build vocabulary, develop listening and speaking skills, introduce the principles of spelling, and begin the practice of good penmanship. The principle rules and mechanics of the English language foster the need to write effectively. Through a careful balance of grammar and writing, students obtain the skills instrumental to personal expression.

  
  Math
  Children master numbers through 100 and begin to understand place value. They are able to add and subtract to 20 using manipulatives, at first, and then using addition and subtraction strategies and finally through memorization (“Mad Minute” quizzes). They begin to identify geometric shapes, congruence, and symmetry. They learn how to tell time and how to count money using pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. They also learn to measure using non-standard units, inches, and centimeters. By the end of first grade, most students are able to translate words into math by practicing solutions to word problems.

  
  Physical Education
  Children build on what they learned in kindergarten, adding to their skills set and incorporating cooperative games in their activities. In the spring semester, students participate in DA Runners every Wednesday, training for the ING Kids Rock Marathon, which coincides with the Country Music Marathon. Students log their first 25 miles in class, then run their last mile at LP Field on Sunday afternoon of the marathon weekend.

  
  Science
  Includes content in life science, earth science, and physical science. Emphasis is put on building skills of inquiry in order to enable children to solve problems, evaluate their solutions, and plan their own investigations. Children learn how to observe, measure, compare, classify, make models, communicate, infer, put things in order, predict, investigate, and draw conclusions.

  
  Spanish
  

  Spanish for preschool and first grade students focuses on the development of fine motor skills through writing practice, movement and vocabulary learning through songs and motion, as well as application of new vocabulary knowledge through classroom games and activities designed to create an immersive language learning experience. Students in these grades are learning Spanish vocabulary for colors, numbers, foods, and counting from 0-100 in Spanish as well as spelling! We focus on Spanish activities that will complement what students are also learning in their homeroom class. 

  
  Technology
  Kindergarten skills are reinforced and new skills are developed. As students begin logging on to the school network, they learn about usernames and passwords. They develop greater graphic skills and multimedia skills as they use animated objects and sound in projects. Students begin a keyboarding readiness program, and they practice using two hands for keying and locating letters, numbers, and special characters. Their word processing skills develop as they begin inserting graphics and learn about alignment.

• Grade 2

  Art
  Students manipulate a variety of materials to execute their creative ideas. Sculpting 3D construction is one example of how students examine spatial relationships in abstract artwork. Concepts such as positive and negative space, foreground, middleground and background are also other topics stressed. Students begin to learn how art history plays a role in why and how art was created in the past.

  
  Counseling
  Focus is on work habits and character, goal-setting, cooperation, and friendship skills.

  
  Language
  Encompassed are: reading, vocabulary, grammar, phonics, spelling, penmanship, and student writing. We review and expand many of the skills introduced in the previous grades. The goal in grammar is to teach principle rules and mechanics of the English language, giving students the tools they need to write effectively. There is a strong focus on improving student writing with an emphasis on revision, elaboration, word choice, and sentence fluency. Reading and phonetic skills taught in first grade, and as well as the move is more toward comprehension skills. This is done through stories in the basal reader, as well as several novel studies. Handwriting is fine-tuned as the students’ fine motor skills continue to develop.

  
  Math
  Children learn to master their addition and subtraction facts with repetition and speed drills. They are expected to do two-digit and three-digit addition and subtraction. Mastery of basic math facts will be essential to their academic success. Students review knowing place value and ordinal numbers, telling time, counting money, and becoming familiar with word problems. They begin to learn fractions, such as the concept of a half, a third, a quarter, and an eighth. Second graders move beyond recognizing shapes to becoming fluent with the language of geometry so they can use terms, such as curves, vertices, edges, faces, and angles, to describe the attributes of two- and three-dimensional shapes. By the end of second grade, students are able to apply knowledge in new situations, to solve problems by generating new ideas, and to make connections between what they learn in class to the world around them.

  
  Physical Education
  Many different games are introduced to students, such as game strategies, team building, and fair play. Students start to learn how to throw different shaped objects like football and Frisbee. Badminton is also introduced. Students participate in DA Runners every Wednesday in the spring semester, preparing for the ING Kids Rock Marathon.

  
  Science
  Children learn by using hands-on, inquiry-based approaches. Science consists of a way of thinking and investigating, as well as a growing body of knowledge about the natural world. Students raise questions about the world around them and seek answers by making observations and exploring. They observe changes in plants and animals as they grow and develop, as well as the changing patterns of the moon and stars. They form ideas as to whether the changes are natural or manipulated.

  
  Spanish
  

  Students in 2nd and 3rd grades practice their writing, speaking and spelling in Spanish as well! Spanish topics such as food, clothing, weather, family members, how to describe ourselves and the world around us are visited as well as exploring the diverse array of animal habitats, geography and geographic landscapes in the Spanish speaking world. We often use songs and motion to better retain vocabulary as well as interactive group games to apply knowledge of new concepts. 

  
  Technology
  Students continue to develop skills in using graphics. They include original computer art to illustrate their writing, as well as creating slideshows using their art. They continue to develop word processing skills as they write, proofread, spell check, save, open, and print their stories. Students learn to research topics on the internet and report their findings using a variety of tools (word processing, graphics, graphic organizers, slideshows, or spreadsheets.) Safe access to the internet is emphasized through a series of lessons on internet safety. Second graders participate in keyboarding readiness exercises using Type to Learn Jr.

• Grade 3

  Art
  Students analyze fundamentals in art with more intensity. Science and math concepts are also stressed through art class. Continuing to enhance knowledge of technical skills with a variety of materials is a main focus. Some key aspects of the curriculum involve analyzing special properties in art, layering through design, using materials properly, and connecting life experiences through art history.

  
  Counseling
  Students work on problem solving, communication, friendship skills, assertiveness skills, and character development.

  
  Language
  Providing students with the necessary skills needed to communicate, understand, and interpret the written and spoken word is a critical part of the language arts program in third grade. The curriculum focuses on the development of strong comprehension strategies needed for success in all content areas, analysis and interpretation of a wide variety of literary forms, and application of decoding skills and word identification strategies. Developing vocabulary, building fluency and accuracy for effective oral reading, and fostering a love and appreciation of reading for knowledge, understanding, analysis, and enjoyment are also emphasized. Explicit instruction in writing and spelling skills using Standard English, grammar, usage, and mechanics is taught and assessed. Students are expected to understand and use the steps of the writing process to create their own writing pieces. Children write personal narratives, persuasive paragraphs, informative, explanatory, and opinion pieces, poems, plays, stories, reports, articles, and journal entries. Numerous opportunities are provided for students to develop their speaking and listening skills through class discussions, debates, collaborative projects, book reports, and presentations. Third graders also learn cursive writing with correct spacing and slant.

  
  Math
  Students are regularly given opportunities to extend, evaluate, and apply problem-solving knowledge to real world tasks within a multi-faceted learning environment. A wide array of brain-based learning strategies build the foundation necessary for high level math operations, including six-digit place value, comparing, rounding, and ordering numbers, and increasingly complex patterning and data analysis. Music, rhythm, and technology combine to reinforce automatic recall of subtraction and division facts. Students also delve deeper into fractions, decimals, and multi-digit addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division procedures.

  
  Physical Education
  This is considered a transition year. Students are introduced to anatomy and take four anatomy tests over the course of the year, which include the skeleton, muscles, heart, and nutrition. Students learn team games and skills for each of the sports and conclude that particular unit by playing the game. The nationally recognized Presidential Physical Fitness test is administered twice a year so that students can see the development of their physical abilities. Students participate in DA Runners every Wednesday during the spring semester to prepare in running their final mile at the ING Kids Rock Marathon in April.

  
  Science
  Science instruction is hands-on, utilizing discovery learning methods that build students’ critical-thinking skills. In addition, students perform regular investigations and experiments to enhance areas of study that include biology (plants and animals), earth science (weather and space), and physical science (matter, energy, and machines). These areas also integrate biblical concepts of God’s creation and include weekly science lab investigations which reinforce what is being taught in the classroom. Within the science lab, students have unique opportunities to explore a wide variety of activities, such as owl pellet dissection and aerodynamics. The earth science unit culminates with a trip to the Huntsville Space Center.

  
  Spanish
  

  Students in 2nd and 3rd grades practice their writing, speaking and spelling in Spanish as well! Spanish topics such as food, clothing, weather, family members, how to describe ourselves and the world around us are visited as well as exploring the diverse array of animal habitats, geography and geographic landscapes in the Spanish speaking world. We often use songs and motion to better retain vocabulary as well as interactive group games to apply knowledge of new concepts. 

  
  Technology
  Students begin keyboarding lessons using Type to Learn. They learn the home row keys and begin practicing other letters and special characters on the keyboard with an emphasis on technique. Students continue word processing skill development and work on multimedia projects that include text, graphics, sounds, and animation. They learn the basics of spreadsheets including using basic formulas and creating charts (graphs) from their data. Students safely access information on the internet and use that information for projects.

• Grade 4

  Art
  Connections between art history and different cultures with art making are made. Whether it is through painting, drawing, printmaking or clay, students are engaged in executing their knowledge of the elements of art through the principles of design.

  
  Counseling
  Friendship and assertiveness skills, bullying prevention, communication, and problem solving are main topics.

  
  Language
  Curriculum provides the grammar fundamentals every student should know with continuous review of the skills learned. It has a strong focus on improving student writing with opportunities for listening, speaking, viewing, and representing published works. Writing rubrics, peer- and self-assessment involves the student at every step of the writing process. Spelling curriculum challenges students to learn valuable spelling patterns and strategies which allows them to retain and transfer spelling knowledge for success in reading, writing, and test taking. Vocabulary word skills introduces students to English words derived from common Latin and Greek stems and gives students practice with words found in a variety of text and standardized testing. Reading curriculum delivers research-based instruction on phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, and text comprehension. Supplemental reading of novels is added to allow students to explore a variety of genres and create a love for reading in addition to applying specific reading strategies.

  
  Math
  Fourth graders are expected to know basic facts in all four operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Problems for computation at the beginning of each class provide practice for vital skills needed on a continual basis throughout the school year. Curriculum provides the opportunities for students to apply learned skills both in and out of the classroom, including: place value; data analysis and probability; elapsed time; customary measurement; graphs; multiplication; long division; fractions; decimals; and theoretical word problems that engage much needed critical thinking.

  
  Physical Education
  All sports, cooperative games, fine motor skills, and rhythm through dance are taught. Students have the opportunity to grow skills that were introduced in lower grades. Students participate in the Presidential Physical Fitness evaluation.

  
  Science
  Curriculum is in three sections: life science, the study of living things such as cells, organisms, plants, and animals (with and without backbones); earth science, learning from rocks, fossils, soil, and the solar system; and physical science, the study of properties and states of matter with physical and chemical changes, as well as motion, forces, and energy (along with heat, light, sound, and electricity). Students observe, infer, classify, and interpret data throughout all sections of the curriculum.
  
  Spanish
  

  Students in 4th and 5th grades have their focus on culture, history, geography, and vocabulary related to describing where we live and our school environment. Students are encouraged to research a Spanish speaking country of their choice and present about it in pairs to their peers. Students also apply their math skills through learning about different currencies in the Spanish speaking world and how they convert to USD, how we go about shopping in the local market or ordering food in a restaurant. They become familiar with the different flags that represent Spanish speaking countries, demographics, culture and history of Latin America, Spain, and the Caribbean. 

  
  
  Technology
  Students learn to use their individual iPad effectively for completing assignments, including obtaining digital assignments from eBackpack, completing in Notability, and submitting the assignment in eBackpack. They also learn to use the iPad for research, creative projects, and presentations. Fourth graders also continue to develop keyboarding skills as they practice skills in Type to Learn. They also will develop skills in productivity software as they complete projects in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint. One such annual project, the Tennessee Project, integrates many technology skills in completing the project. During the digital citizenship unit students will learn about internet safety, technology ethics, and responsible use of digital information.

• Grade 5

  Art
  Students learn to develop long-term artistic goals that encourage the evolution of ideas. Graphic arts, printmaking, and color theory in painting are further examined through art history lessons and art making.
  
  

  Bible

  Fifth grade Bible is a survey of the major events and themes of the Old Testament. Lessons focus on the following: God’s care for Abraham and his family, the journey of the Israelites from Egypt through the wilderness, as well as their first struggles in Canaan, the early kings of Israel, the division of the kingdom, the Babylonian Exile, as well as God’s wisdom and righteousness, as revealed in the Poetic and Prophetic books. 

  
  English-Language Arts

  Fifth grade offers a balanced approach to reading, grammar, writing, and vocabulary. Reading instruction includes a variety of class novel studies and independent reading.  We emphasize skills such as visualizing, analyzing text structure and features, inferring, summarizing, and synthesizing. Independent reading is encouraged and modeled. Students continue to learn the fundamentals of grammar and the principal rules and mechanics of the English language. There is a focus on improving student writing through emphasis on organization, revision, and the development of techniques such as elaboration, word choice, and sentence fluency. Multiple genres of writing are covered throughout the year.

  
  Math
  Computational fluency with whole numbers and decimals is a major focus. There is also a great deal of emphasis placed on fractions, place value, and geometry concepts. Working with integers and solving algebraic equations are introduced in this curriculum. Students also engage themselves in daily problem-solving activities with the focus being on retention of skills, as well as life application.

  
  Physical Education
  Team games as well as team building help enhance the students overall understanding of physical education. Students continue to grow and develop skills learned in early grades. By grade 5, students should have mastered catching and throwing. Ability and skills are evaluated on each sport and activity. The Presidential Physical Fitness test is given to determine fitness level.

  
  Science
  We begin with the study of earth, including detailed lessons on weather and climate, followed by a more detailed study of the properties of matter and energy. Lastly, students advance their study of plants, animals, and the interactions of living things. Students also participate in a class project, guided through the steps of the scientific method from research to drawing conclusions. This allows students to develop and use the scientific thought process, enhancing their ability to solve problems in creative and unique ways.
  
  

  Social Studies

  Students explore United States history from the Civil War to present day. Additionally, students work on fundamental reading strategies as they learn to read for content information. Project based learning occurs throughout the year to help students gain a better understanding of history.

  
  Spanish
  Projects like “Our Spanish Speaking Neighbors” are created on the students’ iPads, and are designed to enrich the cultural side of the fifth-grade curriculum. Students work on increasing the skill of communicating in the target language. Age-appropriate praise songs, prayers, and Bible verses are taught throughout the academic year.

  
  Technology
  This class provides fifth grade students with essential skills and knowledge to navigate and utilize digital tools effectively. Students engage with various software applications, including word processors, slideshow creators, and spreadsheets. These tools enhance students' ability to communicate, organize information, and analyze data efficiently. Students participate in a Digital Citizenship unit, where they explore the rights and responsibilities associated with living in a digital world. Students gain an understanding of concepts such as online privacy, digital etiquette, and responsible internet use. The fundamentals of computer coding are taught, emphasizing algorithmic thinking as a problem-solving approach. Through coding, students not only gain insight into how software operates but also enhance their logical reasoning and critical thinking abilities. Through hands-on activities, collaborative projects, and real-world applications, students develop proficiency in utilizing technology responsibly and creatively to solve problems and accomplish tasks.