In keeping with our understanding of the Grammar Stage methodology and its correlation to the elementary years, we have divided each area below into Goals and Memory (abbreviated) lists.
Science
We seek to:
- Show and teach that the biblical creation account is true and that the theory of evolution is false
- Teach the students the basic elements of both accounts and that both systems are based on either sound or unsound evidence and faith
- Show the students that, because God made the universe, it has inherent order which in turn makes it possible to hypothesize and experiment (scientific method), as well as to identify, classify, and categorize elements of creation
- Treat the study of science as a part of the study of history. That is, show the students the natural integration between the advances, individuals, and applications of science, with the development of historical events within the cultures studied.
- Use many forms of instruction to teach science, particularly identifying, classifying, categorizing, integrating with history and math, as well as experiments, demonstrations, collecting, field trips, and guest speakers.
💡 MEMORY: The students will recall:
- Flora and fauna, local and otherwise
- The work of each of the six days of creation
- The basic anatomy of the human body
- The major classifications and fields of science, e.g. biology, zoology, etc.
- The basic steps to the scientific method.
Bible
We seek to:
- Have the students read (as soon as able to) the actual text for themselves vs. only prescribed verses
- Have the students read (as soon as able to) at least one Gospel account, one Epistle, and one Old Testament book each year
- Encourage the students to understand the verses in context, along with other good interpretation principles
- Let the scriptures speak for themselves with clarifications and illustrations by the teacher
- Show the students the richness and requirements of the Bible
- Teach the biblical pattern of salvation (not indicate that Jesus comes into our heart, common phraseology in culture but not biblical);
- Encourage each student to come to the Father, through the Son, and grow in their knowledge and love of Him through the Holy Spirit within us.
💡 MEMORY: The students will recall:
- The entire list of books of the Bible in correct order
- The major attributes of God, i.e. Loving, Just, Omnipresent, Omniscient, Creator, etc.
- The names and significance of Adam, Abraham, Moses, David, Paul, Peter, etc.
- The major acts and themes of the Gospels: Jesus’ birth, miracles, crucifixion, resurrection
- The Ten Commandments.
English
We seek to:
- Equip every student with the skills necessary for good writing, including correct spelling and grammar, pleasing style, clarity of focus, proof-reading, and self-correcting
- Put a major emphasis on good writing by requiring the students to write often and correctly in each subject area
- Encourage clear thinking by the students through requiring clear, focused writing
- Introduce the students to many styles of writing using the Bible and other high quality literature.
💡 MEMORY: The students will recall:
- The names and functions of nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections
- Spelling and reading rules
- Correct punctuation marking and capitalization rules
Reading
We seek to:
- Use proper building blocks for teaching students to read
- Encourage the students to read correctly as soon as possible
- Introduce the students to high-quality children's literature
- Carefully monitor the student's reading abilities to ensure he is at a reasonable level, is comprehending adequately, and is reading fluently, both orally and silently. This includes the proper use of word-attack skills (e.g. Barton Method and Logic of English)
- Integrate, wherever possible, other subjects into reading, such as history and science
- Foster a life-long love of reading and high-quality literature, especially the Scriptures, after being taught to recognize the characteristics of such literature.
💡 MEMORY: The students will recall:
- The vowels and their sounds
- The consonants and their sounds
- The definitions of plot, character, fiction, non-fiction, biography, etc.
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Latin
We seek to:
- Instruct the students in the fundamental vocabulary and grammar of Latin to better their fundamental understanding of English, the history and writings of Western Civilization, and the understanding of all Romance languages
- Reinforce the students’ understanding of the reasons for, and the use of, the parts of speech in English
- Cultivate study and logical thinking which are inherent in the study of Latin.
💡 MEMORY: The students will recall:
- Vocabulary introduced and used
- The five declensions of nouns
- The four conjugations for active verbs
- Other chants, including verb examples and pronouns
- Subject-noun agreement
- Noun-adjective agreement
- Forming questions and commands.
Mathematics
We seek to:
- Ensure that the students have thorough memorization and mastery of basic mathematical functions and tables
- Put an emphasis on conceptual, as well as practical, understanding through the use of story problems
- Illustrate God's unchanging character through the timeless, logical mathematical systems He gave to man through His gift of reason.
💡 MEMORY: The students will recall:
- The four basic mathematics properties; i.e. addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and their uses
- Multiplication facts to 12
- Addition and subtraction facts to 20
- All aspects of telling time, reading thermometers, and identifying dates
- All cardinal directions and basic geometric shapes.
History/Geography
We seek to:
- Teach the students that God is in control of history and He will determine its ultimate outcome
- Enable the students to see God's hand in the history of the world, and the United States specifically, by illustrating the effect His people have had on history
- Broaden the students' understanding of history and geography as the students mature, specifically by deepening the level of exposure and research into various topics kindergarten through sixth grade
- Make history and geography "come alive" for the students through the use of a unit approach to history and its related areas and by using many forms of information and research, e.g. biographies, illustrations, field trips, guest speakers, music, art, foods, architecture, etc.
💡 MEMORY: The students will recall:
- The names and capitals of all fifty United States
- The names of the seven continents and four major oceans
- Key figures in history; e.g. Homer, Martin Luther, George Washington, etc.
- Key dates and their significance in history; e.g. Fall of Rome, 1492, 1620, 1776, etc.
- Preambles to the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution
Art
We seek to:
- Teach the seven Elements of Design and provide practice exercises and projects for the students to apply these building blocks to their artwork.
- Teach the seven Principles of Design and provide practice exercises and projects for the students to apply these concepts to their artwork.
- Provide a variety of mediums for the students to use to create artworks.
- Demonstrate and teach techniques for using the mediums (drawing, painting, weaving, sculpting, composition development, etc.).
- Present the six main Genres of Art.
- Introduce Art History, from ancient art times to the early 1900’s.
- Present a variety of famous artists and some of their artwork. Students will analyze these pieces of art for elements and principles of design, genres, and their place in art history.
- Discuss morality and ethics in art from a Christian worldview.
💡 MEMORY: The students will recall:
- The seven Elements of Design
- The seven Principles of Design
- Basic techniques for one and two point perspective drawing, painting, weaving, sculpting and developing a good composition
- Six genres of art
- Six famous artists
- Six master artworks
Music
We seek to:
- Teach the fundamentals of Melody through singing, listening, playing a piano, playing a recorder, and creating melodies.
- Teach the fundamentals of Rhythm through playing a variety of percussion instruments, reading notes, writing notes, and creating rhythm patterns.
- Teach the common Dynamics found in music through singing, listening, playing instruments, playing music games and creating simple songs.
- Teach the fundamentals of Harmony through playing chords on the piano, singing, and listening.
- Teach students how to read simple music and play that music on a recorder and a piano.
- Give students many opportunities to practice improvisation.
- Equip the students to Worship our Lord through music; the students will learn the difference between singing and Worship through singing.
- Discuss morality and ethics in music from a Christian worldview.
💡 MEMORY: The students will recall:
- Melodies and lyrics of 6-8 songs per school year (3-4 will be worship songs)
- Timing for quarter, eighth, half and whole notes and for their corresponding rests
- Basic Dynamics (piano, moderato, forte, crescendo, decrescendo, fermata, staccato, legato, largo, allegro)
- The names of the keys on a piano and recorder
- The different intervals and common chords on a piano
- How to read notes on the treble staff
Physical Education
We seek to:
- Systematically work with the students to teach them basic exercises and game skills
- In cooperation with the families, encourage the students to establish and maintain good health
- To enhance biblical patterns of behavior through activities requiring cooperation, teamwork, and general good sportsmanship.
💡 MEMORY: The students will recall:
- The benefit specific exercises provide for various body parts
- The names and function of different muscles and how to strengthen them.
