Elementary
(1st-4th)
Curriculum and Instruction
Religion
First grade uses the One in Christ series for their study of religion. Throughout the year, students review and discuss 72 topics from the Old and New Testaments. Each topic provides a story overview and real-life connection to the student’s life. A weekly memory verse serves as a memory tool, supporting student as their knowledge of the Bible grows.
Language Arts
The Scott Foresman Reading Street series serves as the Language Arts curriculum in 1st grade. Through daily hands-on lessons, weekly decodable readers and special writing activities, the students develop a deeper understanding of language arts. A weekly story integrates phonics and spelling concepts presented during the week. The Zaner-Bloser method supports handwriting development.
Math
The Saxon Math program provides 1st graders with 164 lessons focusing on mathematical concepts. Hands-on activities and mental math support students as they learn and master basic math operations and practice problem solving strategies. Basic addition and subtraction, telling time, counting money, geometry, fractions, graphing and measurement serve as the foundational math concepts in 1st grade.
Science
Aligning with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), 1st grade uses the Mystery Science program to support the Science curriculum. To enrich and extend the science program, students work on STEAM projects throughout the school year, challenging students to dig deeper into a topic of interest.
Social Studies
The 1st grade Social Studies program continues the introduction of United States history. Focusing on famous historical figures, the students research the important contributions each person made, the positive character traits exhibited by these people and the places where they lived. Students also explore basic economic concepts.
Religion
The One in Christ series for 2nd grade covers a variety of topics over the school year. Focusing on God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, students learn of the many blessings received from all three. Students learn about the power of prayer, the truth of God’s promises and the forgiveness of our sins.
Language Arts
Second graders begin to transition from learning to read to reading to learn. They begin to read more often and for longer periods of time, selecting more complex texts including chapter books. Writing becomes a more independent activity for 2nd graders. Becoming m ore conscientious about editing and revising their work, students begin to use more symbolic language and verbal interactions in their writing. The 2nd grade students engage in a variety of language and literary activities as they gain independence and mastery of reading, writing, speaking and listening.
Math
The 2nd grade instructional time for math focuses on four critical areas: Extending the understanding of base-ten notation, building fluency with addition and subtraction, using standard units of measure, and describing and understanding shapes. The 2nd grade adopted the Saxon Math series to address the goals identified above.
Science
The performance expectation in 2nd grade help students formulate answers to questions. Students develop proficiency in using models, planning and carrying out investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, constructing explanations and designing solutions, engaging in argument from evidence, and obtaining, evaluating and communicating information.
Social Studies
Following the Social Studies Georgia Standards of Excellence (2016), the focus of the 2nd grade Social Studies curriculum focuses on important historical figures in Georgia and the Creek and Cherokee cultures in Georgia. The positive character traits of individuals and groups as well as the impact made by these people serves as a historical study for the 2nd grade students. The concept of government and basic economics is also introduced.
Religion
The One in Christ series serves as a resource for the study of religion in the 3rd grade classroom. During the 3rd grade year, students learn about core Christian beliefs, the Holy Trinity, and the application of faith in their daily lives.
Language Arts
Tird grade extends the language arts program by integrating novel studies to teach specific skills. The Scott Foresman Reading Street series serves as a baseline resource for the Language Arts curriculum. Focusing on reading comprehension, students develop an understanding of the author’s purpose, cause and effect, character and setting, main idea and supporting details, drawing conclusions, plot, sequencing and summarizing.
The Reading Street 3rd Grade Spelling supports students as they practice spelling rules and incorporate those rules into their daily writing.
Shurley English supports grammar and writing. Students learn the eight parts of speech through jingles, classifying sentences and classroom activities. Throughout this program, students practice the writing process, developing traits of an effective writer including organization, word choice, voice, writing conventions and sentence fluency.
Third grade uses the Zaner-Bloser method reviewing manuscript letter and then focusing on cursive letters. The ability to demonstrate mastery of cursive writing remains a goal throughout the 3rd grade program.
Math
Saxon Math serves as a resource throughout the 3rd grade curriculum. In 3rd grade, students extend the basic operational skills to include multiplication and division. A deeper study of various math topics begins during this grade. Along with extending their knowledge base on geometry and measurement, students also focus on pre-algebra skills, data analysis, and problem-solving skills.
Science
The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) serve to guid the Science curriculum in 3rd grade. These standards support teachers as they design lessons and activities for a variety of science topics. The topics of study include Animal survival and heredity, Plant life and heredity, Weather and climate, Forces, motion, and magnets and Engineering skills.
Social Studies
Students begin a three-year study of United States history. History, geography, civics/government and economics seamlessly integrate into the study. In 3rd grade, the exploration and colonization of North America provide students with an extensive study of American Indian culture and the impact of European colonization of America. Students learn about our government and discuss the responsibilities of a good citizen. The Georgia Studies Weekly serves as a second resource to support topics covered throughout the year.
Religion
Fourth graders learn from stories written in the Bible. The One in Christ series assists students as they make life connections to the stories. The study begins with the Creation story in the Old Testament and continues into the New Testament, exploring stories about the early Christian church. Weekly memory verses solidify their knowledge and understanding of the Bible.
Language Arts
As an extension of the 3rd grade program, novels continue to serve as an integral part of the 4th grade Language Arts curriculum. Students extend their comprehension skills, focusing on the author’s purpose, cause and effect, inferencing, main idea and supporting details, drawing conclusions and summarizing.
The Reading Street 4th Grade Spelling and Shurley English Level 4 support students as they continue to strengthen writing and grammar skills. Continued practice of these skills help students develop the traits of an effective writer.
Math
Under Construction
Science
The 4th grade Science curriculum focuses on the study of the human body, Earth’s features and processes, sound waves and communication, energy and electricity, and various engineering skills. The Mystery Science series serves as a resource for these topics as teachers use the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) as a guideline when designing lessons and activities.
Social Studies
Continuing the second year of a three-year study of United States history, 4th graders begin with a study of the French and Indian War and end with the Reconstruction period. Students also explore the concepts and rights contained within our founding documents. The Georgia Studies Weekly series supplements the standards and topics addressed in 4th grade.