Elementary Education & Curriculum
Kindergarten - 6th Grade
Grace Lutheran School offers a well-rounded elementary program of studies that includes reading, language arts, history, science, math, health and physical education, art, music, and computer. Our elementary school provides a classical Christian education that prepares students for success in all areas life and builds upon each previous year.
Kindergarten Curriculum
Students in K-4 will participate in the Grace Lutheran School Choir. They will learn vocalizing exercises and memorize several hymns. They will sing for several Chapel services throughout the year as well as during the Christmas program and Springtime Showcase. In addition to singing, the students will learn about music time periods, composers, and listen to various musical examples including operas, ballets, symphonies, and piano sonatas.
Videos
Shurley English
Spalding Method
Abeka Math
1st Grade Curriculum
The Shurley English curriculum is used to teach English in first and second grade. The students learn the parts of speech and other grammar elements using jingles. The students will classify sentences almost daily using the question-and-answer flow. In this technique, the students are guided by the teacher as they determine the function of each of the words. The repetitive nature of this technique enables the student to learn to identify the various parts of speech. In addition, the students learn proper verb tenses and other aspects of grammar using chants and repetition. Finally, the students learn to write sentences and a variety of paragraphs
Complementing the instructional material utilized from Spalding’s The Writing Road to Reading, first grade uses the Series 2 level readers which serve as the foundation of the reading curriculum in first grade. Through daily repetition of the phonograms and Spalding rules, the students learn the sounds the phonograms make while daily reading helps the students practice blending those sounds into words. This process enables students to become fluent readers. As narratives are read, the students are asked questions concerning the story elements and they are asked to recall key facts. The students also develop their ability to comprehend what is being read through the use of both oral and writing comprehension questions. As the year progresses, students will end with a book from Memoria Press to expose them to the literature taught in second grade.
Abeka’s traditional arithmetic series is the curriculum used for first and second grade math. This curriculum focuses on memorization and repetition to provide the students with a solid foundation in math. Students continually practice important skills including counting forward and backward by various numbers, counting money, telling time, and adding and subtracting. Constant repetition is used to help the students memorize items such as the addition and subtraction families, terms for different units of measurement, shapes, and calendar terms. Solving story problems, finding missing terms, borrowing, carrying, and analyzing graphs are also a part of instruction. Visual aids are used to teach new concepts and repetition enables the students to master these skills.
The BJU Press Science 1 textbook and supplemental materials are used for first grade. After each chapter is introduced, the teacher will read and ask oral questions to ensure retention. As the year progresses, students will have the opportunity to read from the textbooks. Vocabulary terms and important facts are discussed throughout each chapter. Visual aids, hands-on activities, and other forms of review are used to help students memorize and retain essential information and provide a multi-sensory learning experience.
The Story of the World Volume 1: Ancient Times by Susan Wise Bauer is used for history in first and second grade. Students listen to the stories which are dramatically read using movement and visuals when possible. Jingles are incorporated to aid in the students learning and retention. Altogether, with the use of jingles, visuals, and dramatic reading, students retain the information. In addition, the students begin to develop map skills to further develop their understanding. Through constant repetition of key facts and participation in creative projects, the students gain an understanding of God’s plan in history.
Cursive in first and second grade is taught using the New American Cursive Penmanship workbooks. The students see each letter and watch the teacher model how to correctly form the letter. Next, they practice tracing and finally writing each letter. After the letters are taught, the formation of words is practiced. Bible verses, common calendar words, names, and finally sentences all serve as good handwriting practice.
Students in K-4 will participate in the Grace Lutheran School Choir. They will learn vocalizing exercises and memorize several hymns. They will sing for several Chapel services throughout the year as well as during the Christmas program and Springtime Showcase. In addition to singing, the students will learn about music time periods, composers, and listen to various musical examples including operas, ballets, symphonies, and piano sonatas.
Text Books
2nd Grade Curriculum
The Shurley English curriculum is used to teach English in first and second grade. The students learn the parts of speech and other grammar elements using jingles. The students will classify sentences almost daily using the question-and-answer flow. In this technique, the students are guided by the teacher as they determine the function of each of the words. The repetitive nature of this technique enables the student to learn to identify the various parts of speech. In addition, the students learn proper verb tenses and other aspects of grammar using chants and repetition. Finally, the students learn to write sentences and a variety of paragraphs.
The Second Grade Literature novels and student guides from Memoria Press serve as the foundation for the literature curriculum in second grade. Class time incorporates both individual student oral reading as well as silent reading. Both oral and silent reading helps to build confidence and fluency of reading. As the novels are read, students are tasked with answering questions to ensure comprehension. This process is done as a stairstep process – done together at first, then the teacher models how to use the question to form the answer and finally students are to write their own answers in complete sentences independently. Students also develop dictionary skills as they look up vocabulary words for each novel.
Abeka’s traditional arithmetic series is the curriculum used for first and second grade math. This curriculum focuses on memorization and repetition to provide the students with a solid foundation in math. Students continually practice important skills including counting forward and backward by various numbers, counting money, telling time, and adding and subtracting. Constant repetition is used to help the students memorize items such as the addition and
subtraction families, terms for different units of measurement, shapes, and calendar terms. Solving story problems, finding missing terms, borrowing, carrying, and analyzing graphs are also a part of instruction. Visual aids are used to teach new concepts and repetition enables the students to master these skills.
The BJU Press Science 2 textbook and supplemental materials are used for second grade. After each chapter is introduced, the students orally read it and a group discussion helps the students better understand the material. As the chapter is read, vocabulary terms and important facts are discussed and recorded in science folders. Science folders are used for reference throughout each chapter and finally serve as a study guide prior to quizzes and tests. Visual aids, hands on activities, and other forms of review are used to help students memorize and retain essential information and provide a multi-sensory learning experience.
The Story of the World Volume 1: Ancient Times by Susan Wise Bauer is used for history in first and second grade. Students listen to the stories which are dramatically read using movement and visuals when possible. Jingles are incorporated to aid in the students learning and retention. Altogether, with the use of jingles, visuals, and dramatic reading, students retain the information. In addition, the students begin to develop map skills to further develop their understanding. Through constant repetition of key facts and participation in creative projects, the students gain an understanding of God’s plan in history.
Cursive in first and second grade is taught using the New American Cursive Penmanship workbooks. The students see each letter and watch the teacher model how to correctly form the letter. Next, they practice tracing and finally writing each letter. After the letters are taught, the formation of words is practiced. Bible verses, common calendar words, names, and finally sentences all serve as good handwriting practice.
In Latina Christiana students will learn to recite the Lord's Prayer and the Apostles Creed in Latin. They will learn how to decline nouns and memorize present, imperfect and future tense endings. Students will memorize common Latin words, phrases, and derivatives that will help them recognize many English words that originate from Latin.
Students in K-4 will participate in the Grace Lutheran School Choir. They will learn vocalizing exercises and memorize several hymns. They will sing for several Chapel services throughout the year as well as during the Christmas program and Springtime Showcase. In addition to singing, the students will learn about music time periods, composers, and listen to various musical examples including operas, ballets, symphonies, and piano sonatas.
Text Books
3rd Grade Curriculum
Students will develop grade-specific skills in place value, multiplication and division facts, measuring, converting measurements, basic algebraic functions, and fractions. Students will participate in speed drills that reinforce their math facts. Real-world problems are also included in instruction, challenging students to use their computation knowledge to solve equations.
Students will continue their studies in the Shurley English curriculum. They will be able to utilize capitalization and punctuation rules in editing, classify sentences using the five primary patterns, and be able to identify prepositions. During this course, students will also be able to formulate outlines and construct rough and final copies of various styles of composition.
The students continue in the tradition of reading and comprehending timeless classics through a Christian lens. This year students will be reading Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, Dangerous Journey: The Story of Pilgrim’s Progress by Oliver Hunkin, and The Cricket in Times Square by Garth Williams. Once the students have completed these books, they will learn how to perform a short play based on one of their readings
Science is a survey of a variety of scientific topics from cold-blooded animals to friction to states of matter. Students will explore how sound is produced by nature and musical instruments, go on hikes to learn about habitats and ecosystems, and create models that demonstrate their understanding of specific subject matter. In this exciting and hands-on class, students will be able to learn about God’s amazing creation through activities and experiments that will bring their scientific vocabulary to life.
Students will take a step back in time each day during their history lessons. Focusing on the period of Elizabeth the First to the victory at the Battle of San Jacinto, students will gain a broader understanding of world history and civilizations. History will come alive through geographical studies, note-taking, literary texts, and craft projects.
This class will use the One Hundred and One Bible Stories book with selections from the Old and New Testaments. Students will learn that the Bible is not a book to collect dust but one that
is to be used daily because it teaches us that our Lord Jesus Christ demonstrated his love for us by laying down his life for us on the cross.
In First Form Latin students will recite the Lord's Prayer and the Apostles Creed in Latin. They will learn how to decline first through fifth declension. Students will memorize present, imperfect, future, perfect, pluperfect, and future perfect tense. The students will begin to be able to translate sentences from Latin into English. Students will memorize common Latin words, phrases, and derivatives that will help them recognize many English words that originate from Latin.
In Third Grade, students will begin learning the marimba. Mallet technique, rhythms, and chords will be emphasized during the third and fourth grade years. Students will also begin reading and playing chime music. They will perform in their percussion and chime ensemble during the Christmas program and Springtime Showcase as well as around the community.
Students in K-4 will participate in the Grace Lutheran School Choir. They will learn vocalizing exercises and memorize several hymns. They will sing for several Chapel services throughout the year as well as during the Christmas program and Springtime Showcase. In addition to singing, the students will learn about music time periods, composers, and listen to various musical examples including operas, ballets, symphonies, and piano sonatas.
Text Books
Religion
4th Grade Curriculum
Students will develop grade-specific skills in place value, multiplication and division facts, measuring, converting measurements, basic algebraic functions, and fractions. Students will participate in speed drills that reinforce their math facts. Real-world problems are also included in instruction, challenging students to use their computation knowledge to solve equations.
Students will continue their studies in the Shurley English curriculum. They will be able to utilize capitalization and punctuation rules in editing, classify sentences using the five primary patterns, and be able to identify prepositions. During this course, students will also be able to formulate outlines and construct rough and final copies of various styles of composition.
The students continue in the tradition of reading and comprehending timeless classics through a Christian lens. This year students will be reading Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, Dangerous Journey: The Story of Pilgrim’s Progress by Oliver Hunkin, and The Cricket in Times Square by Garth Williams. Once the students have completed these books, they will learn how to perform a short play based on one of their readings
Science is a survey of a variety of scientific topics from cold-blooded animals to friction to states of matter. Students will explore how sound is produced by nature and musical instruments, go on hikes to learn about habitats and ecosystems, and create models that demonstrate their understanding of specific subject matter. In this exciting and hands-on class, students will be able to learn about God’s amazing creation through activities and experiments that will bring their scientific vocabulary to life.
Students will take a step back in time each day during their history lessons. Focusing on the period of Elizabeth the First to the victory at the Battle of San Jacinto, students will gain a broader understanding of world history and civilizations. History will come alive through geographical studies, note-taking, literary texts, and craft projects.
The students will continue to build upon their biblical world view by seeing how the hymns that are sung in chapel teach the faith. They will learn that the faith they confess in the three ecumenical creeds (Apostles, Nicene, and Athanasian) are gifts from God through the ancient church. Their knowledge of the word of God will be challenged and enriched as they defend the faith.
In First Form Latin students will recite the Lord's Prayer and the Apostles Creed in Latin. They will learn how to decline first through fifth declension. Students will memorize present, imperfect, future, perfect, pluperfect, and future perfect tense. Second conjugation present and perfect systems will be mastered. The students will be able to translate sentences from Latin into English. Students will memorize common Latin words, phrases, and derivatives that will help them recognize many English words that originate from Latin.
In Fourth Grade, students will begin learning the marimba. Mallet technique, rhythms, and chords will be emphasized during the third and fourth grade years. Students will also begin reading and playing chime music. They will perform in their percussion and chime ensemble during the Christmas program and Springtime Showcase as well as around the community.
Students in K-4 will participate in the Grace Lutheran School Choir. They will learn vocalizing exercises and memorize several hymns. They will sing for several Chapel services throughout the year as well as during the Christmas program and Springtime Showcase. In addition to singing, the students will learn about music time periods, composers, and listen to various musical examples including operas, ballets, symphonies, and piano sonatas.
Text Books
Religion
5th Grade Curriculum
The students continue to review addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts, which they are encouraged to memorize. Students will be building on their knowledge and understanding of basic math concepts they have learned to prepare them for the next level in arithmetic. They should be able to identify whole numbers, mixed numbers, fractions, decimals, and improper fractions. Students will be challenged with word problems, algebraic procedures (finding the unknown) and geometry (graphing, plotting).
The students continue the study of life science, earth science, astronomy, physics, and chemistry. Their study of life science includes further exploration into classifying animals and plants, the relationship between plants and animals including food chains and food webs, as well as the different cycles of the earth including the carbon, water, and nitrogen cycles. In their study of earth science, the students identify some results of the constant change on the earth’s surface, such as earthquakes, volcanoes, weathering, and erosion. In their study of astronomy, students describe the properties and phases of the moon, as well as its conditions and landforms. In their physics study, the students identify simple machines, forces, including gravity and friction, and types of energy, such as potential, kinetic, and thermal. In their Chemistry study, they recognize the different states of matter, characteristics of a mixture and a compound, and the parts of an atom. We also study and research great scientists and recognize their contribution to mankind.
The students will become more familiar with the eight parts of speech and five different sentence patterns. Writing in fifth and sixth grade involves journal writing, creative writing based on short reading assignments, descriptive paragraphs, persuasive essays, personal narratives, short stories with dialogue, explanatory essays, and research reports. Writing at this level begins with three-point paragraphs and moves to five paragraph essays.
Students will use Heritage Studies 5 and 6 in which students study the United States and its involvement in world events. Through their study, students will strengthen their knowledge of God’s wisdom, omnipotence, and sovereignty while cultivating an interest in history, geography, citizenship, economics, and culture. This curriculum provides a balanced approach to the history of America.
Students will audition and be placed into various levels of music performing groups. Each group will learn marimba and chime music to be performed at the Christmas program, Springtime Showcase, selected Chapel dates, and around the community. Emphasis will be placed on music reading, performance techniques, and growth in musicianship. Students will also have the option to take a Music History course that will begin in the Renaissance period and continue through the Contemporary period.
Text Books
Religion
6th Grade Curriculum
The students continue to build on their knowledge and understanding of basic math concepts they have learned to prepare them for pre-algebra. These concepts include fractions, decimals, ratio/proportions, percentages, prime factoring, algebraic equations, measurements, graphing, statistics, geometry, and financial/banking.
The students continue the study of life science, earth science, astronomy, physics, and chemistry. Their study of life science includes further exploration into classifying animals and plants, the relationship between plants and animals including food chains and food webs, as well as the different cycles of the earth including the carbon, water, and nitrogen cycles. In their study of earth science, the students identify some results of the constant change on the earth’s surface, such as earthquakes, volcanoes, weathering, and erosion. In their study of astronomy, students describe the properties and phases of the moon, as well as its conditions and landforms. In their physics study, the students identify simple machines, forces, including gravity and friction, and types of energy, such as potential, kinetic, and thermal. In their Chemistry study, they recognize the different states of matter, characteristics of a mixture and a compound, and the parts of an atom. We also study and research great scientists and recognize their contribution to mankind.
The students will become more familiar with the eight parts of speech and five different sentence patterns Writing in fifth and sixth grade involves journal writing, creative writing based on short reading assignments, descriptive paragraphs, persuasive essays, personal narratives, short stories with dialogue, explanatory essays, and research reports. Writing at this level begins with three-point paragraphs and moves to five paragraph essays
The students will use Heritage Studies 5 and 6 in which students study the United States and its involvement in world events. Through their study, students will strengthen their knowledge of God’s wisdom, omnipotence, and sovereignty while cultivating an interest in history, geography, citizenship, economics, and culture. This curriculum provides a balanced approach to the history of America.
In Third Form Latin students will learn the imperative mood, as well as perfect passive, pluperfect passive, future passive, subjunctive active and passive. Students will also translate stories from Latin to English from the book Thirty-Eight Latin Stories. Students will begin to see if they have not already the usefulness of Latin.
Students will audition and be placed into various levels of music performing groups. Each group will learn marimba and chime music to be performed at the Christmas program, Springtime Showcase, selected Chapel dates, and around the community. Emphasis will be placed on music reading, performance techniques, and growth in musicianship. Students will also have the option to take a Music History course that will begin in the Renaissance period and continue through the Contemporary period.
Text Books