Elementary
Curriculum Overview
At BCS, a typical day in the elementary classroom presses a student to demonstrate his desire to be excellent in all that he attempts. Teachers, instructional aids, parent helpers, and resource teachers are responsible for establishing an environment that meets the needs of those God has entrusted to us to educate. The cognitive, social, emotional, and spiritual development of each child takes a primary role both in and out of the classroom. Students who attend Bradshaw Christian elementary school experience a rich and varied academic program. Teachers spend a great deal of their time getting to know each student so they can better meet the needs of the many different types of learners God has placed in their classrooms. Some of the highlights of our academic program for our young learners include: leveled reading groups in our K-2, leveled math groups in our 3rd-5th grades, a focus on differentiated instructional practices, field trips to compliment the curriculum, fine art opportunities, additional academic opportunities for our most advanced learners, and additional resources available for learners who are in need of a little extra support. Students receive a rigorous academic program while the teachers create an environment where there is an emphasis daily on creative implementation of the curriculum.
Curriculum By Grade Level
Language Arts
Pearson Language Arts Zoo Phonics: A method of learning phonics through music and movement
Areas that are of focus throughout the year include:
- Reading: Kindergartners begin the year with letter and sound recognition. By the first trimester students will have begun reading short vowel CVC words (consonant-vowel-consonant)
- Language: We focus on “3 part” sentence structure; capitalization of the first letter, space between the words and punctuation at the end.
- Spelling: Students will practice spelling short and long vowel words through decoding.
- Handwriting: We believe handwriting is a developmental process that occurs over time. We teach the Zaner-Bloser style of penmanship, however, no letter grade is assigned to this concept until 1st grade.
Mathematics
EnVision Math, Pearson-California Edition
Areas that are of focus throughout the year include:
Use of this curriculum as well as hands-on learning centers developed by our teachers creates a “math rich” envirionment. Our students have many opportunities each day to work with hands-on activities that help build the foundational concepts of math.
Science / Social Studies
We alternate our focus between Science and Social Studies throughout the year. Concepts are taught through hands-on activities, core literature, and arts and crafts.
Science
- All about Me
- Fall
- Woodland Animals
- Weather
Social studies
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas
- 100 days of school
- Dr. Seuss
- Black History
- World cultures
Bible
Teacher Created Curriculum
Our Bible curriculum is presented in 4 units: Creation, Faith, Hope and Love. Each week is filled with inviting stories and fun activities that teach our students God’s word and Biblical truths. In addition, students attend chapel once a week.
Enrichment Classes
Computer Lab
- How to use computers to acquire, organize, analyze and communicate
- Plan, revise, edit and publish, clear and effective writing
| Software | Skills |
|---|---|
| Paint | Students will: |
| Storybook Weaver | Students will use inherent creativity to write and illustrate a story, create illustrations that depict their storyline, and develop a picture story. |
| Keyboarding | Students will become familiar with the keyboard by locating the letters of the alphabet. |
| All Software Programs | Students will: |
Students will have computer instruction once per week
Music
In Kindergarten music class, students will listen to, analyze, and describe styles of music. They will learn about the role of music and dance in different cultures around the world. Students will play percussion instrumentsto help them learn the notation of rhythm and the beats that go along with each note (ie. whole notes, half notes, quarter notes). Every day, students practice vocal warm-ups using scales that are played on the piano. During each semester, the class will learn age appropriate songs to perform for school chapel. Students will also have the opportunity to create their own rhythms, sing along with instruments, and move to the music in class.
Students will have music instruction once per week
Language Arts
Reading readiness is determined at the beginning of the year and is assessed throughout the year. Differentiated groups will meet the needs of the emerging reader. Reading books are then selected to meet the student where they are, but also challenge them to grow into confident readers.
Pearson: Reading Street Various Chapter Books (may change from year to year)
- Flat Stanley: The Original Adventure
- Helen Keller: Courage in the Dark
- Molly’s Pilgrim
- Charlotte’s Web
Pearson: Writing & Grammar
We include an outstanding program for Language Arts. Within our differentiated reading groups, students are learning phonics, reading skills, and comprehension skills at their readiness level. We use a variety of curriculum to meet the individual needs of our students. Spelling, writing, and grammar take place in your child’s core class. At the first grade level, language arts takes up a large portion of the day.
Students will have music instruction once per week.
Victory Drill
These are daily timed readings that improve speed and accuracy in reading, leading to greater fluency. Victory drills are part of your child’s oral reading grade each trimester. Victory Drill also provides one of the best opportunities for parent involvement. Parent involvement is KEY for successful implementation.
Math
Pearson: EnVision – Math 1
This curriculum meets the needs of a wide range of student abilities and will help students achieve a high level of proficiency. Horizons Math is a spiraling curriculum in that it introduces a concept and then the concept is repeated throughout the year to further improve comprehension and mastery of a skill. Students will also engage in many hands-on activities with various learning centers to reinforce key concepts.
Science
A Beka: Discovering God’s World
“Discovering God’s World is a class reader designed to stimulate the students’ interest in science through a study of the wonders of creation. From beginning to end, the students read exciting facts about themselves and the world around them. As students learn more about these things which captivate their interest, they are led to a deeper reverence for God Who planned it all.” (publisher)
Science units include:
- Discovering Animals
- Discovering Insects
- Discovering Plants
- Discovering Weather
Social Studies
A Beka: My America, My World
Students will learn that America is a great place to live. We encourage a sense of patriotism and pride as students learn more about their country, its flag, its freedoms, its symbols, its people, its history, and its places.
The Social Studies program will expand in focus from the classroom, to students’ country, and then to their world. Social studies units include:
- Symbols of America
- Pilgrims
- Christmas around the World
- Key American Figures
- Geography (students are introduced to beginning map skills)
Bible
Positive Action: Enjoying God’s Gifts
This study teaches first graders that all we have comes from God and that the greatest gift that God gave us is His Son, Jesus Christ. Stories from everyday life are used to encourage growth in Christian character.
Bible is a part of everyday instruction just as academic instruction. There will be Bible-centered stories, workbook activities, and a bi-weekly memory verse. In addition, students attend chapel once a week.
Enrichment Classes
Library
Students will visit the school library with the teacher each week where they will have the opportunity to check out a book.
Computer Lab
- How to use computers to acquire, organize, analyze and communicate
- Plan, revise, edit and publish clear and effective writing
| Software | Skills |
|---|---|
| Paint | Students will open and exit a program, learn basic drawing tools to create shapes, fill shapes using the program and will be able to draw images. |
| Storybook Weaver | Students will use inherent creativity to write and illustrate a story, create illustrations that depict their storyline and develop a picture story. They will also explore the writing process by using a simple word processor, write one sentence per page and enhance vocabulary by associating words with its picture. |
| Microsoft Word | Students will demonstrate proficiency in beginning word processing skills by typing numbers, letters and words using upper and lower case letters and use space bar, shift and enter keys. |
| Keyboarding | Students will learn and practice home row keys |
Students will have computer instruction once a week.
Music
In first grade music class, students will listen to, analyze, and describe patterns and styles in music. Students identify instruments in a given piece of music and learn about the role of music and dance in different cultures around the world. Students will play percussion instruments in order to learn the notation of rhythm and clap independently to the beats that go along with each note (such as, whole note, half note quarter note, etc). Every day students do vocal warm-ups using scales played on the piano. The class will learn age appropriate songs to perform for school chapel. They will also have the opportunity to create their own rhythms, sing along with instruments, and move to the music in class./p>
Students will have music instruction once a week.
Language Arts
Pearson: Level 2 – Reading Street
The second grade classes will split into leveled reading groups to better meet the needs of each child. Lessons are integrated with reading, writing, discussion, research, and exploration activities. The lessons become increasingly complex and demanding, developing students critical thinking skills.
Various Chapter Books
- The Hundred Dresses
- Sarah Plain and Tall
- Because of Winn Dixie (advanced reading group)
- Tales of Despereaux
Victory Drill
These are daily timed readings that improve speed and accuracy in reading, leading to greater fluency. Victory drills are part of your child’s oral reading grade each trimester. Victory Drill also provides one of the best opportunities for parent involvement. Parent involvement is KEY for successful implementation.
Math
Pearson: EnVision Mathematics
This curriculum uses problem-based interactive activities and a strong emphasis on visual learning. The students work with graph tools, pictures of money and counters, and other visual representations to help them work their way to thinking about abstract mathematical concepts. Grade 2 topics include writing number sentences, comparison, adding three numbers, even/odds, writing numbers, relating shapes to figures, reasoning, time, temperature, place value, patterns, and more.
Science
A Beka: Enjoying God’s World
Science units will cover: Myself and Others, The Animal Kingdom, The Planet World, Things that Work Together, Things that Move, The Air Around Us, The Stars and Planets, and Planet Earth.
Social Studies
A Beka: Our America
Content will cover: America, Our Home, The People Who Built America, Tomorrow’s America
Bible
Positive Action: Finding God’s Promises
In the study of the life of Moses, content will cover: God Gives Us Promises, God Creates the World, God Prepares a Leader, God Delivers His People, and God Guides His People. In addidition to in class study, students will participate in a weekly chapel.
Enrichment Classes
Computer Lab
- How to use computers to acquire, organize, analyze and communicate
- Plan, revise, edit and publish clear and effect writing
| Software | Skills |
|---|---|
| Paint | Students will open and exit program. Learn basic drawing tools to create shapes, fill shapes, use text, magnify and use line and curve tools using program and will be able to draw images. |
| Storybook Weaver | Students will use inherent creativity to write and illustrate a story, create illustration that depict their storyline and develop a picture story. Also, explore the writing process using a simple word processor, write several sentences per page with purpose and enhance vocabulary by associating a words with its picture. |
| Microsoft Word | Students will demonstrate proficiency in beginning word processing skills by typing numbers, letters and words using upper and lower case letters and use space bar, shift, tab and enter keys. Change Font size and Font color. |
| Keyboarding | Practice home row keys. |
Library
Students will visit the school library with the teacher each week where they will have the opportunity to check out a book.
Music
In second grade music class students learn music terms for dynamics, articulation, tempo, and rhythm. Students learn about music history, composers, culture context, and make judgments about works of music. They will look for and derive meaning from different works. Every day students do vocal warm-ups by singing solfege scales accompanied by the piano. The class will learn age appropriate songs to perform for school chapel. Students have the opportunity to create their own rhythms using instruments and sing along with instruments in class.
Students will have computer and music instruction once per week
Enrichment Classes
Teacher Created Curriculum
Our Bible curriculum is presented in 4 units: Creation, Faith, Hope and Love. Each week is filled with inviting stories and fun activities that teach our students God’s word and Biblical truths. In addition, students attend chapel once a week.
Enrichment Classes
Teacher Created Curriculum
Our Bible curriculum is presented in 4 units: Creation, Faith, Hope and Love. Each week is filled with inviting stories and fun activities that teach our students God’s word and Biblical truths. In addition, students attend chapel once a week.
Enrichment Classes
Teacher Created Curriculum
Our Bible curriculum is presented in 4 units: Creation, Faith, Hope and Love. Each week is filled with inviting stories and fun activities that teach our students God’s word and Biblical truths. In addition, students attend chapel once a week.
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