“You shall speak to all the skillful, whom I have filled with a spirit of skill, that they make Aaron’ garments to consecrate him for my priesthood. Exodus 28:3” God gives a variety of specialized abilities which are creative in nature.
The goal of the Elementary Visual Art program is to challenge students to use their creativity and imagination to develop their own style of art, while learning about how God created each of us in his image. We are his masterpiece, and although each of us are different, we are all created beautifully and carefully, with a specific plan.
Within each multi-class segment, a new artist is introduced, and a new art technique or medium is used such as Picasso and cubism, Van Gogh and acrylics, Da Vinci and sketching. Throughout the various projects, elementary students learn proper techniques when using watercolor, acrylic, oil and chalk pastels, paper, and pencil.
Over the course of each multi-day segment, students complete one large project using the new art techniques and concepts they have learned. Students are challenged to go out of their comfort zone and try something new, even if they are unsure how it will turn out. Students are taught how to turn mistakes into their own masterpieces, just as God can use our mistakes to make something beautiful.
“”In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.” Psalm 119: 14ff Reading and studying the Bible is important to growth in knowledge and understanding of life and our responsibilities in it.
At the heart of GCS is the mission that each child would put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and to develop a Christian worldview. The goal of elementary Bible class is to build a foundation of biblical truth to prepare students for life and godliness. Students learn the Bible through the truths of creation, the fall of man, and the redemptive process. There is one, true God who is the creator and sustainer of all. Man is created in the image of God and created for fellowship with God, with each other, with ourselves, and with creation. As God’s image bearers students are taught to serve one another in love, and to be good stewards of His creation.
In addition to building a foundation of truth, elementary students will walk their way through a survey of the Old and New Testaments from kindergarten through fifth grade. Students are encouraged to hide God’s Word in their hearts through scripture memory, and to apply biblical truth to their own life in everyday situations. As students take the Word of God to heart, His character is revealed throughout their lives.
“The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple” Psalm 119:130. We are responsible for know and heeding what God says.
Literacy is a major building block in elementary education so students can become effective communicators in the written and spoken English language. Communication is an essential life skill that our students will learn to master in order to solve problems, think critically, and build relationships to further the kingdom of God. Instructional methods in our classrooms are designed to specifically target every area in Language Arts for a balanced approach to learning. Grace Christian School is committed to providing all students the necessary tools to help each student be successful.
The early elementary years stress the importance of particular phonetic skills and structures of the English language. Since beginning students present with different levels of language proficiency, the programs incorporate a variety of activities and challenges that engage students across the entire range of sensory experiences. As students grow and learn language structure, they will be able to use these skills in both reading and writing. Teachers use both individual reading and guided reading to provide help for students who need it and freedom for students who have the proficiency to work on their own.
The upper elementary grade programs continue the emphasis on sentence structure, while adding instruction on other elements of language instruction such as parts of speech, sentence types, and grammar mechanics. Mastery of these language skills provides the basis of solid writing skills and a working knowledge of the English language. Learning these skills helps to foster a love for reading and establish a foundation comprehending challenging texts through multiple genres in literature. Story elements such as character, conflict, setting and purpose are included in this instruction.
Students also study vocabulary through multiple activities that encourage them to learn meanings, usage and connotation. They are encouraged to choose vocabulary that is appropriate and meaningful for their purpose. The writing program follows along with this instruction in vocabulary, teaching students the basics of organization, purpose, and audience. Instruction is also given in creative writing, incorporating skills learned in grammar, vocabulary and story elements. Other instruction includes spelling rules and handwriting, both of which are necessary for effective communication.
The school provides an atmosphere where students are encouraged and expected to engage with one another through communication skills such as public speaking and active listening. Through the use of thoughtful and appropriate materials, the school also provides for students who display a variety of comprehension and maturity levels and encourages them to be independent readers. All of the school’s literature is chosen with a Biblical and faith-based foundation with the expectation of making students grounded in both language skills and a solid Christian approach to life.
“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance?” Isaiah 40:12, ESV
The elementary math program is built on the foundational principle that all truth is God’s Truth. GCS is committed to implementing a program of excellence in purpose and practice throughout the learning process. Our purpose in teaching mathematics is to enable the students to become more aware of their Creator, and to develop an understanding of His characteristics of order, creativity, discipline, and power as He sustains His creation. In practice, as students learn these characteristics, they apply them to math concepts and understand that math is an integral tool for becoming wise stewards of God’s creation.
In the early elementary years, our program focuses on building a strong conceptual foundation of knowledge in our students’ mathematical understanding through the use of manipulatives and modeling. New concepts are introduced at the concrete level through the use of manipulatives to build understanding. As students engage in hands-on activities, they develop the skills needed to solve more abstract problems. Within these activities, students are introduced to the concepts of number sense, basic math fact mastery, and strategies for solving problems. Skills are also developed through the practices of drills and rote learning.
Our upper elementary math program continues to develop the students’ mathematical proficiency through the mastery of basic math facts, number sense, and problem-solving skills. Students learn to complete more advanced calculations in multiplication and division, with an emphasis on problem-solving and processing word problems successfully. The disciplines of algebra, geometry, fractions, and decimals are introduced as well. Students work individually and collaboratively, allowing them to demonstrate their own level of mastery, and to learn through engagement with their peers. Students and groups are challenged to explain their answers or reasoning, which further develops their level of understanding. The skills mastered in the upper elementary years enable our students to become confident in their ability to be lifelong problem-solvers.
The study of mathematics is a vital component of our elementary educational program. Through the development of mathematical competency, we seek to enable students to succeed in future years of educational development and to manage the gifts and areas of service that God entrusts to them in order to further His kingdom and to bring Him glory in their lives.
“They and their families were all trained in making music before the Lord, and each of them – 288 in all – was an accomplished musician.” I Chronicles 25:7 God is pleased with excellence in musical performance which is done for His glory.
Elementary music classes focus on a curriculum of learning music concepts, reading music, playing an instrument, singing, and learning the lives of composers. Our goal is to foster a love for music as students discover it as a form of worship and a way to show their love for God.
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize…”1 Corinthians 9:24ff. Games and athletic competition provide many pictures of the Christian life.
The purpose of the GCS Physical Education program is to assist students in realizing their God-given potential as it relates to physical achievement and fitness. Students are led in activities that teach self-discipline, goal-setting, and the difference between play and athletic competition. Of primary importance is the student’s realization that attitudes during physical training and play are to bring glory to God. Students are challenged to think of fitness as a lifestyle.
Romans 1:20a tells us that “since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities, His power and divine nature have been clearly seen being understood for what has been made”.
Since we believe that God is the Creator of all things, our science curriculum is taught interlocking the wonder of the created world with a Biblical worldview. In order for our students to understand God’s sovereignty in our world, they are introduced to grade-level specific vocabulary and multiple hands-on inquiry based activities. Our units of study include such things as life science, physical science, earth and space, and the human body.
We view teaching science as an opportunity to discover God’s majesty and glory. Science is integrated into all subject areas so that the learners make connections in all areas of study.
Psalm 22:28 “For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations.”
Throughout our lower and upper elementary grades students study historical events in order to learn from past successes and failures. Students gain an understanding of history, geography, government, economics, and culture skills, all which are designed by God. But most importantly, they develop an understanding of God and Christian character and how that affects our society. While studying Social Studies, students will come to understand their rights and responsibilities as a citizen. Students learn that there are wrong and right choices, and that with those choices come consequences. Students are taught that, as individuals, we should be active in our communities and do our best to impact them for the cause of Christ.
“So Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘Truly I understand that God shows not partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him” Acts 10:34-35. God is concerned about all kinds of people, wherever they live or whatever language they speak.
Our Elementary Foreign Language program prepares students in early years to foster and appreciate the learning of a foreign language and understand another culture. Students develop and master Spanish vocabulary and grammar progressively at each grade level. Every lesson includes Biblical integration, and students apply and compare each lesson with Bible stories or verses. Students utilize technology to reinforce the process of learning a second language.
“But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you…In his hand is the life of everything and breath of all mankind” Job 12:7ff. God’s creation teaches how he is related to all of life.
The GCS Elementary STEM program is based on principles of science, technology, engineering, and math. Students develop their God-given creative and innovative talents through various STEM lab projects. Our focus is to offer learning opportunities that foster critical thinking, logical-analytical processing, and problem solving skills. We use a hands-on approach which requires students to utilize 21st Century skills. The program offers new learning avenues in fun ways for students, while building a foundation to support STEM education in middle and high school.
