Overview of First Grade Curriculum
Language Arts, including Phonics, English, Spelling and Reading: Bob Jones University Press; Handwriting: A Beka Publications: Building on the foundation introduced to students at the kindergarten level, students continue to learn the phonograms that make up the English language by listening to them, speaking them and writing them in manuscript print. Once students begin to master the initial phonograms, they are introduced to spelling and creative writing. This strong foundation builds student confidence in their language skills and encourages them to be life-long readers. To compliment the Language Arts program, students use beginning readers from Bob Jones University Press. Independent reading in the classroom and reading to students from classic children's literature are an essential part of the program.
History and Geography: A-Beka Publications: Students continue their study of America and the world. Some topics they discuss and from which they learn more about the United States include America's flag, America's freedoms, symbols of America, and great people of America. Then students study things about countries around the world including: Mexico, Peru, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, England, the Netherlands, Norway, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Israel, Egypt, India, China, Australia, Guam and American Samoa.
Science: Bob Jones University Press: Topics that first grade students cover include:
Earth Science: Air: temperature; movement; evaporation; condensation; precipitation clouds. Weather; temperature; movement of air, forms of precipitation, weatherman; thermometer, recording weather observations; Space; Sun, moon, and stars: parts of the sun; path of the sun shape of the moon constellations
Life Science: Roots, stems and leaves; parts for growing grouping and eating: Flowers, fruits and seeds: making new plants; flower groups; fruits and seeds; parts for eating: Animals: tame animals; livestock; wild animals in woods and zoos
Human Body: Senses: seeing touching; tasting; smelling; hearing: Teeth: parts of teeth; two sets of teeth shapes, and care of teeth
Physical Science, Motion: Pushes and pulls (forces); gravity; magnetic force; mechanical force; friction
Energy: Heat: melting and freezing; vaporizing and condensing; temperature changes; Sound: vibration; travels in all directions and through gas, liquid and solid; how sound is used
Matter: Takes up space; can be weighed; in solid form; in liquid and gas forms
Mathematics: Saxon Publishers and A Beka Publishers: Mathematics builds on prior kindergarten skills. Each day begins with a Math meeting. Through this, students learn skills related to calendar, counting, patterning, weather, reading a graph, time and money. The math lesson occurs later in the day. During the lesson, a new objective, or increment, is introduced through a carefully selected group activity. Children use manipulative materials, engage in discussions, and work in cooperative groups to help each other learn. Lessons also include individual written practice and number fact practice. Strategies are presented to help children learn the number facts. Children are encouraged to recall the facts through the use of pattern recognition. They practice the facts orally and monitor their progress on written fact sheets. Automatic fact recall is expected by the end of third grade. Word problems are presented through the use of drawing pictures and writing number sentences. The A-Beka curriculum is used to enhance and support Saxon Math to build confidence and speed in computation work.
Bible: God and My World-The Association of Christian Schools International: Although all of our curricula is taught from a Christian perspective, the systematic study of God's word is an essential element of the Christian school. Children learn how to study God's word and practically apply it to their daily lives.
Enrichment Classes:
*Computer Introduction and Instruction: Curriculum skillfully integrates classroom studies with computer skills. Students at all grade levels learn about keyboarding, desktop publishing, data base management, spreadsheets, multimedia presentations and all other components of the Virginia Standards of Learning in the area of technology.
*Music: In weekly music classes, students learn the fundamentals of rhythm and music theory.
*Physical Education: Our physical education teacher helps the children develop large motor skills and knowledge of games with rules.
*Library: All elementary students have the opportunity to visit the school library each week for a literacy lesson. They are also able to borrow books on a weekly basis.
*Spanish: Students learn conversational Spanish in a fun and interactive way through the internet language program Rosetta Stone.
*Art: Students have an art class in addition to the art that is integrated into the daily program. Students learn about different techniques and about working with different media, as well as receiving an introduction to Art History. They are introduced to famous artists, and see how Bible stories and concepts have been illustrated through the ages with art.
*Chapel: The entire elementary school joins together in the church chapel for a short service each Wednesday morning. This is a time of worship, prayer, and testimonies. Classes take turns presenting the weekly lessons. Christ Chapel pastors are frequent visitors.
We also offer private music lessons at an additional fee.
