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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.

3RD GRADE

Kindergarten Curriculum

  • Science
    Science: The students spend two years in their life science studies. In their life science studies, the students defend the claim that a biblical worldview makes sense of reality and compare physical life and spiritual life. The students also identify and recognize the characteristics and classification of life, including being able to refute the theory of evolution.
  • Music
    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.
  • Latin
    In this course we continue learning new grammar forms and rules while reinforcing the old. Throughout our study of all noun declensions and verb forms with principal parts will be a course through Biblical Latin. The goal is reading Latin for comprehension. This language still speaks with plenty to say if we’re able to listen.
  • Pre-Algebra & Algebra 1
    Pre-Algebra: Students will review their knowledge and understanding of arithmetic to help them apply the concepts to their daily lives. Concepts learned in pre-algebra are geometry, algebra, probability, statistics, radicals, systems of equations, and trigonometry. These concepts will prepare the students for Algebra 1. Algebra 1: Students will use their knowledge and understanding they developed in Pre- Algebra to advance in Algebra 1. In Algebra 1 the concepts that they will learn are polynomials, factoring, systems of equations, quadratic equations, inequalities, graphing, statistics, rational expressions, radicals, and functions. These concepts will prepare the students for the next course.
  • History and Literature
    History and literature are integrated and taught using two kinds of books, Omnibus Primary and Secondary. The Primary Books can be categorized as “Great Books” and introduce the students to many classic authors. The Secondary Books bring balance to the reading while still offering great works of literature. Utilizing the Great Books brings about discussion, which leads the students to “Great Ideas”. With each book, students are lead in discussions, which take them through the worlds of student, text, culture, and scriptures. The seventh and eighth grade students continue to develop their writing skills through various writing assignments, which include short answer responses, essays, and argument writing. As they progress through the Omnibus curriculum, they will also compose some fiction and poetry.
  • Logic
    Airing an opinion is different from forming a coherent argument. Logic I teaches students the components of argumentation in order for them to think in an orderly, logical manner. Students learn the difference in a major and minor premise, universal and particular terms, and the relationship between statements in arguments that make it either valid, true, or sound.
  • Religion
    In-depth instruction will be given in the six chief parts of Luther’s Small Catechism. Many practical examples will be given so that students can relate and see that the faith that they hold will help guide them in their everyday life.
  • Pre-K2
    The PreK2 program focuses on learning good habits such as: good manners, potty-training, washing hands, following directions, being polite, taking turns, helping others, and developing independence. We use the Abeka curriculum where students learn letters, sounds, colors, shapes, numbers, musical instruments, how to sort, sharing, and making new friends. Students learn about God through daily readings from the Bible.
  • Pre-K3
    The PreK3 program uses the Abeka curriculum and a tremendous amount of a hands-on learning. As the school year begins, we review shapes and colors in fun ways, by going on color hunts to locate items of that week’s color and having a daily snack of that color, too. Once letters and shapes are mastered, we begin discussing one letter a week, as well as a number, and practice that letter and number with chalk on the chalkboard easel, on Magna-Doodles, with Playdoh or in shaving cream. Fine Motor skills are honed daily through sensory tables and other pre-writing activities. Each morning begins with a Bible story from The Beginners Bible. The class enjoys singing “Jesus Loves Me” and each day wouldn’t be complete without music and movement and a dance party.
  • Pre-K4
    The PreK4 program begins each day with Bible time. We read Bible stories from the Old and New Testament, sing songs, and pray. We use the Abeka phonics curriculum in which we recognize the vowels with their sounds and consonants with their sounds. We then blend them with our “blend ladders.” The children learn to write the lowercase letters and then the uppercase letters of the alphabet. The children learn to recognize and understand the concepts of numbers. By the end of the year, they will be able to count 1-100, recognize 1-20, and predict before and after numbers.
  • English
    The Kindergarten Shurley English curriculum gives students a strong foundation in sentence structure. We learn the basic parts of speech and how to recognize them with fun jingles to reinforce classification of sentences. We end the year becoming authors and illustrators by writing our own books
  • Math
    In Kindergarten Abeka math, students master counting to 100 (and beyond) by 1s, 2s, 5s, and 10s. They learn math facts through 10, as well as beginning to tell time and identifying and counting coins.
  • Science
    For Kindergarten Science, we will learn about God’s World with Abeka. We will cover God’s plan for our body, weather, seasons, plants, animals, and the sea.
  • Choir
    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.
  • Learning Skills
    Kindergarteners also learn skills development through Abeka’s Think and Learn. We attempt to tie our shoes and hopefully master it! We play games, work mazes, learn fun drawing skills, among many others.
  • Phonics
    Kindergarten Spalding Phonics curriculum introduces 70 phonograms to the children, the most learned in any other year. They learn the correct way to write manuscript letters which segways right into learning cursive in first grade. We use phonograms and spelling rules to crack the code to reading.
  • English
    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
  • Religion
    Students will read aloud the stories contained in the Old and New Testaments. They will study the selected chapel reading for the day and learn that context is of the upmost importance when reading the Bible. Bible verses along with portions of Luther’s Small Catechism will be memorized weekly.
  • Choir
    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.
  • Science
    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.
  • Math
    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.
  • Latin
    In Prima Latina students will learn to recite the Lord's Prayer in Latin. They will learn how to decline nouns and memorize present tense endings. Students will memorize common Latin words, phrases, and derivatives that will help them recognize many English words that originate from Latin.
  • Handwriting
    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.
  • Reading
    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.
  • History
    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.
  • Science
    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.
  • History
    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.
  • Math
    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.
  • Religion
    Students will read aloud the stories contained in the Old and New Testaments. They will study the selected chapel reading for the day and learn that context is of the upmost importance when reading the Bible. Bible verses along with portions of Luther’s Small Catechism will be memorized weekly.
  • Handwriting
    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.
  • Literature
    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.
  • Latin
    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.
  • Choir
    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.
  • English
    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.
  • Math
    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.
  • Literature
    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
  • Choir
    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.
  • Latin
    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.
  • English
    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.
  • History
    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.
  • Music
    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.
  • Religion
    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.
  • Science
    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.
  • Latin
    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.
  • English
    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.
  • Religion
    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.
  • Math
    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.
  • Science
    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.
  • Choir
    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.
  • Literature
    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
  • History
    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.
  • Music
    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.
  • Literature
    The students will read classics from the Great Books list, integrating literature and history. We also discuss poetry and short stories as part of the literature curriculum. The students are encouraged and expected to participate in level-appropriate leisure reading.
  • Math
    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).
  • Science
    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.
  • Latin
    In Second Form Latin students will learn i-stem declensions, first and second pronouns, future passive and much more. Portions of Lingva Latina by Hans H. Orberg will be translated from Latin into English. Derivates will teach the students that many of our English words come from Latin.
  • English
    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.
  • Music
    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.
  • Religion
    Details of biblical stories will be explored to get an even richer understanding of biblical stories. Denominational differences will be explored to show why church bodies have come to the conclusions they have. Portions of the Lutheran Confessions will be explored.
  • Spelling
    Students will use Spalding’s Writing Road to Reading as the foundation for teaching spelling for grades three through six. Students review the 70 phonograms and use their knowledge of the 29 spelling rules, as well as phonograms to spell unfamiliar words.
  • History
    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.
  • Latin
    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.
  • Science
    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.
  • History
    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.
  • Religion
    Details of biblical stories will be explored to get an even richer understanding of biblical stories. Denominational differences will be explored to show why church bodies have come to the conclusions they have. Portions of the Lutheran Confessions will be explored.
  • Music
    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.
  • Math
    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.
  • Spelling
    Spalding’s Writing Road to Reading is used as the foundation for teaching spelling for grades three through six. Students review the 70 phonograms and use their knowledge of the 29 spelling rules, as well as phonograms to spell unfamiliar words.
  • Literature
    The students will read classics from the Great Books list, integrating literature and history. We also discuss poetry and short stories as part of the literature curriculum. The students are encouraged and expected to participate in level-appropriate leisure reading.
  • English
    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
  • Logic
    Airing an opinion is different from forming a coherent argument. Logic I teaches students the components of argumentation in order for them to think in an orderly, logical manner. Students learn the difference in a major and minor premise, universal and particular terms, and the relationship between statements in arguments that make it either valid, true, or sound.
  • Religion
    In-depth instruction will be given in the six chief parts of Luther’s Small Catechism. Many practical examples will be given so that students can relate and see that the faith that they hold will help guide them in their everyday life.
  • History and Literature
    History and literature are integrated and taught using two kinds of books, Omnibus Primary and Secondary. The Primary Books can be categorized as “Great Books” and introduce the students to many classic authors. The Secondary Books bring balance to the reading while still offering great works of literature. Utilizing the Great Books brings about discussion, which leads the students to “Great Ideas”. With each book, students are lead in discussions, which take them through the worlds of student, text, culture, and scriptures. The seventh and eighth grade students continue to develop their writing skills through various writing assignments, which include short answer responses, essays, and argument writing. As they progress through the Omnibus curriculum, they will also compose some fiction and poetry.
  • Latin
    In this course we continue learning new grammar forms and rules while reinforcing the old. Throughout our study of all noun declensions and verb forms with principal parts will be a course through Biblical Latin. The goal is reading Latin for comprehension. This language still speaks with plenty to say if we’re able to listen.
  • Pre-Algebra
    Pre-Algebra: Students will review their knowledge and understanding of arithmetic to help them apply the concepts to their daily lives. Concepts learned in pre-algebra are geometry, algebra, probability, statistics, radicals, systems of equations, and trigonometry. These concepts will prepare the students for Algebra 1.
  • Music
    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.
  • Science
    The students spend two years in their life science studies. In their life science studies the students defend the claim that a biblical worldview makes sense of reality and compare physical life and spiritual life. The students also identify and recognize the characteristics and classification of life, including being able to refute the supposed evolutionary significance to the modern classification system.
  • Public Speaking/Rhetoric
    This course will teach students public speaking through secrets learned from the classical tradition. Students will learn how to win an argument from the great Cicero. They will learn inventio (framing the argument), elocutio (style of argument), and actio (delivery of argument) to improve their public speaking skills.
  • Omnibus II – Literature, History, and Theology
    Omnibus II is an integrative course that takes the student back to the Middle Ages to learn the early history of the Christian Church and how the church dealt with the many heresies that arose from the earliest days. They will be brought through time to the spread of the church into the most remote realms of the known world and get to see how the Word of God replaced the dominant pagan worldview throughout Western Europe. They will learn that it took time, faith and dedicated effort on the part of believers to change the way people saw themselves and their relationship to their Creator through the salvific work of their Savior. They will get exposed to the lives of monks, kings, knights and others as the church grew to become the center of medieval life.
  • Home Economics
    In Home Economics, students learn the art and science of home management. Students will learn about different textiles and how to sew basic garments. They will be taught food safety and food preparation skills and nutrition.
  • Algebra 2
    Students build on concepts learned in Algebra 1 and continue solving polynomial functions, exponential functions, logarithmic functions, and trigonometric functions. The students solve problems with irrational, imaginary, and complex numbers. They will also learn math concepts such as factoring, exponents, probability, and statistics.
  • Woodshop
    Woodworking combines multiple skills. One needs math, patience, and measuring skills to make good projects. Woodshop at Grace teaches the fundamentals of wood working, how to use various tools, and shop safety. By the end of the year, students will have a project they’ll be proud to display.
  • Music
    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.
  • Chemistry
    In High School Chemistry, the students learn atomic properties and structure, bonding, chemical reactions, kinetic theory, gas laws, acids and bases. The students will be taught from a faith-informed perspective as disciples of Christ studying God’s created order.
  • Physics
    In High School Physics, students utilize graphs and equations to solve speed and velocity problems. The students learn to describe Newton’s first, second and third laws of motion. The students solve problems using Kepler’s laws. They then calculate kinetic energy, mass or velocity given the other two quantities.
  • Algebra 1
    Students will use their knowledge and understanding they developed in Pre- Algebra to advance in Algebra 1. In Algebra 1 the concepts that they will learn are polynomials, factoring, systems of equations, quadratic equations, inequalities, graphing, statistics, rational expressions, radicals, and functions. These concepts will prepare the students for the next course.
  • Physical Education
    The physical education curricula for all grades teaches students habits that will lead to lifelong fitness and continue the cultivation of the body, mind, and soul. Students will learn good Christian sportsmanship through games in which students win or lose. Through cultivating the student’s health, we maximize what the mind can do throughout the rest of the day and life.
  • Latin
    High School Latin continues Latin grammar while diving deeper into larger passages of Biblical Latin and including segments from Wheelock’s Latin. Comprehension is critical while also learning new grammatical forms given in the text. Recitation and memory shall be exercised in our pursuit to understand not only the components of this ancient language but be better students of the Holy Scriptures and the wisdom of the past so helpful for today.
  • Logic
    Most of us know how to speak our opinions and stick to our emotions. This isn’t, however, the same as preparing and articulating a sound argument. Traditional formal logic at GLS teaches students the basic structure of the argument, the function of terms, differences between “contrary” and “contradictory” statements and detecting those arguments that are valid but untrue. Classical students do not fall victim to “mob mentality” because of their ability to think and process critically what they hear rather than just following the masses. Formal logic assists in this task and is an indispensable skill of the liberal arts for the formation of wise, faithful students ready for the world.
  • Composition
    This class gives students experience in various genres and topics of composition, from personal narratives to persuasive essays and creative writing. Students complete classical exercises to teach analysis and critical thinking skills that will help them to benefit from and appreciate good writing in college and in life. Students will learn to craft well-written essays that include preparation for college entrance exams. The class also covers the basics of research, including using and citing different types of sources.
  • Biology
    The study of science should always begin with wonder. The Biology 1 class is an integrative course. The habit of compartmentalizing disciplines of learning must be eliminated, and to that end, we employ frequent use of math problems and have opportunities to develop good written expression through labs, exams, and papers. Finally, we expose key historical connections.
  • Geometry
    Students taking Geometry at Grace Lutheran High School will be guided through a mathematical journey of angles, lines, postulates, and theorems. Daily drills of computations and proofs will reinforce concepts as students gain understanding of this upper-level math. In addition to daily skills-building exercises, students will take their knowledge and relate it to real-world applications of Geometry.
  • Anatomy
    Anatomy is a course based on the study of human anatomy, associated experiments, and use of laboratory equipment. There are sixteen modules ranging from anatomy and physiology, tissues, nervous system etc. “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:16.

Videos

Shurley English
Spalding Method
Abeka Math

1st Grade Curriculum

  • Science
    Science: The students spend two years in their life science studies. In their life science studies, the students defend the claim that a biblical worldview makes sense of reality and compare physical life and spiritual life. The students also identify and recognize the characteristics and classification of life, including being able to refute the theory of evolution.
  • Music
    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.
  • Latin
    In this course we continue learning new grammar forms and rules while reinforcing the old. Throughout our study of all noun declensions and verb forms with principal parts will be a course through Biblical Latin. The goal is reading Latin for comprehension. This language still speaks with plenty to say if we’re able to listen.
  • Pre-Algebra & Algebra 1
    Pre-Algebra: Students will review their knowledge and understanding of arithmetic to help them apply the concepts to their daily lives. Concepts learned in pre-algebra are geometry, algebra, probability, statistics, radicals, systems of equations, and trigonometry. These concepts will prepare the students for Algebra 1. Algebra 1: Students will use their knowledge and understanding they developed in Pre- Algebra to advance in Algebra 1. In Algebra 1 the concepts that they will learn are polynomials, factoring, systems of equations, quadratic equations, inequalities, graphing, statistics, rational expressions, radicals, and functions. These concepts will prepare the students for the next course.
  • History and Literature
    History and literature are integrated and taught using two kinds of books, Omnibus Primary and Secondary. The Primary Books can be categorized as “Great Books” and introduce the students to many classic authors. The Secondary Books bring balance to the reading while still offering great works of literature. Utilizing the Great Books brings about discussion, which leads the students to “Great Ideas”. With each book, students are lead in discussions, which take them through the worlds of student, text, culture, and scriptures. The seventh and eighth grade students continue to develop their writing skills through various writing assignments, which include short answer responses, essays, and argument writing. As they progress through the Omnibus curriculum, they will also compose some fiction and poetry.
  • Logic
    Airing an opinion is different from forming a coherent argument. Logic I teaches students the components of argumentation in order for them to think in an orderly, logical manner. Students learn the difference in a major and minor premise, universal and particular terms, and the relationship between statements in arguments that make it either valid, true, or sound.
  • Religion
    In-depth instruction will be given in the six chief parts of Luther’s Small Catechism. Many practical examples will be given so that students can relate and see that the faith that they hold will help guide them in their everyday life.
  • Pre-K2
    The PreK2 program focuses on learning good habits such as: good manners, potty-training, washing hands, following directions, being polite, taking turns, helping others, and developing independence. We use the Abeka curriculum where students learn letters, sounds, colors, shapes, numbers, musical instruments, how to sort, sharing, and making new friends. Students learn about God through daily readings from the Bible.
  • Pre-K3
    The PreK3 program uses the Abeka curriculum and a tremendous amount of a hands-on learning. As the school year begins, we review shapes and colors in fun ways, by going on color hunts to locate items of that week’s color and having a daily snack of that color, too. Once letters and shapes are mastered, we begin discussing one letter a week, as well as a number, and practice that letter and number with chalk on the chalkboard easel, on Magna-Doodles, with Playdoh or in shaving cream. Fine Motor skills are honed daily through sensory tables and other pre-writing activities. Each morning begins with a Bible story from The Beginners Bible. The class enjoys singing “Jesus Loves Me” and each day wouldn’t be complete without music and movement and a dance party.
  • Pre-K4
    The PreK4 program begins each day with Bible time. We read Bible stories from the Old and New Testament, sing songs, and pray. We use the Abeka phonics curriculum in which we recognize the vowels with their sounds and consonants with their sounds. We then blend them with our “blend ladders.” The children learn to write the lowercase letters and then the uppercase letters of the alphabet. The children learn to recognize and understand the concepts of numbers. By the end of the year, they will be able to count 1-100, recognize 1-20, and predict before and after numbers.
  • English
    The Kindergarten Shurley English curriculum gives students a strong foundation in sentence structure. We learn the basic parts of speech and how to recognize them with fun jingles to reinforce classification of sentences. We end the year becoming authors and illustrators by writing our own books
  • Math
    In Kindergarten Abeka math, students master counting to 100 (and beyond) by 1s, 2s, 5s, and 10s. They learn math facts through 10, as well as beginning to tell time and identifying and counting coins.
  • Science
    For Kindergarten Science, we will learn about God’s World with Abeka. We will cover God’s plan for our body, weather, seasons, plants, animals, and the sea.
  • Choir
    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.
  • Learning Skills
    Kindergarteners also learn skills development through Abeka’s Think and Learn. We attempt to tie our shoes and hopefully master it! We play games, work mazes, learn fun drawing skills, among many others.
  • Phonics
    Kindergarten Spalding Phonics curriculum introduces 70 phonograms to the children, the most learned in any other year. They learn the correct way to write manuscript letters which segways right into learning cursive in first grade. We use phonograms and spelling rules to crack the code to reading.
  • English
    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
  • Religion
    Students will read aloud the stories contained in the Old and New Testaments. They will study the selected chapel reading for the day and learn that context is of the upmost importance when reading the Bible. Bible verses along with portions of Luther’s Small Catechism will be memorized weekly.
  • Choir
    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.
  • Science
    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.
  • Math
    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.
  • Latin
    In Prima Latina students will learn to recite the Lord's Prayer in Latin. They will learn how to decline nouns and memorize present tense endings. Students will memorize common Latin words, phrases, and derivatives that will help them recognize many English words that originate from Latin.
  • Handwriting
    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.
  • Reading
    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.
  • History
    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.
  • Science
    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.
  • History
    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.
  • Math
    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.
  • Religion
    Students will read aloud the stories contained in the Old and New Testaments. They will study the selected chapel reading for the day and learn that context is of the upmost importance when reading the Bible. Bible verses along with portions of Luther’s Small Catechism will be memorized weekly.
  • Handwriting
    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.
  • Literature
    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.
  • Latin
    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.
  • Choir
    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.
  • English
    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.
  • Math
    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.
  • Literature
    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
  • Choir
    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.
  • Latin
    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.
  • English
    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.
  • History
    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.
  • Music
    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.
  • Religion
    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.
  • Science
    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.
  • Latin
    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.
  • English
    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.
  • Religion
    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.
  • Math
    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.
  • Science
    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.
  • Choir
    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.
  • Literature
    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
  • History
    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.
  • Music
    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.
  • Literature
    The students will read classics from the Great Books list, integrating literature and history. We also discuss poetry and short stories as part of the literature curriculum. The students are encouraged and expected to participate in level-appropriate leisure reading.
  • Math
    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).
  • Science
    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.
  • Latin
    In Second Form Latin students will learn i-stem declensions, first and second pronouns, future passive and much more. Portions of Lingva Latina by Hans H. Orberg will be translated from Latin into English. Derivates will teach the students that many of our English words come from Latin.
  • English
    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.
  • Music
    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.
  • Religion
    Details of biblical stories will be explored to get an even richer understanding of biblical stories. Denominational differences will be explored to show why church bodies have come to the conclusions they have. Portions of the Lutheran Confessions will be explored.
  • Spelling
    Students will use Spalding’s Writing Road to Reading as the foundation for teaching spelling for grades three through six. Students review the 70 phonograms and use their knowledge of the 29 spelling rules, as well as phonograms to spell unfamiliar words.
  • History
    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.
  • Latin
    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.
  • Science
    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.
  • History
    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.
  • Religion
    Details of biblical stories will be explored to get an even richer understanding of biblical stories. Denominational differences will be explored to show why church bodies have come to the conclusions they have. Portions of the Lutheran Confessions will be explored.
  • Music
    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.
  • Math
    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.
  • Spelling
    Spalding’s Writing Road to Reading is used as the foundation for teaching spelling for grades three through six. Students review the 70 phonograms and use their knowledge of the 29 spelling rules, as well as phonograms to spell unfamiliar words.
  • Literature
    The students will read classics from the Great Books list, integrating literature and history. We also discuss poetry and short stories as part of the literature curriculum. The students are encouraged and expected to participate in level-appropriate leisure reading.
  • English
    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
  • Logic
    Airing an opinion is different from forming a coherent argument. Logic I teaches students the components of argumentation in order for them to think in an orderly, logical manner. Students learn the difference in a major and minor premise, universal and particular terms, and the relationship between statements in arguments that make it either valid, true, or sound.
  • Religion
    In-depth instruction will be given in the six chief parts of Luther’s Small Catechism. Many practical examples will be given so that students can relate and see that the faith that they hold will help guide them in their everyday life.
  • History and Literature
    History and literature are integrated and taught using two kinds of books, Omnibus Primary and Secondary. The Primary Books can be categorized as “Great Books” and introduce the students to many classic authors. The Secondary Books bring balance to the reading while still offering great works of literature. Utilizing the Great Books brings about discussion, which leads the students to “Great Ideas”. With each book, students are lead in discussions, which take them through the worlds of student, text, culture, and scriptures. The seventh and eighth grade students continue to develop their writing skills through various writing assignments, which include short answer responses, essays, and argument writing. As they progress through the Omnibus curriculum, they will also compose some fiction and poetry.
  • Latin
    In this course we continue learning new grammar forms and rules while reinforcing the old. Throughout our study of all noun declensions and verb forms with principal parts will be a course through Biblical Latin. The goal is reading Latin for comprehension. This language still speaks with plenty to say if we’re able to listen.
  • Pre-Algebra
    Pre-Algebra: Students will review their knowledge and understanding of arithmetic to help them apply the concepts to their daily lives. Concepts learned in pre-algebra are geometry, algebra, probability, statistics, radicals, systems of equations, and trigonometry. These concepts will prepare the students for Algebra 1.
  • Music
    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.
  • Science
    The students spend two years in their life science studies. In their life science studies the students defend the claim that a biblical worldview makes sense of reality and compare physical life and spiritual life. The students also identify and recognize the characteristics and classification of life, including being able to refute the supposed evolutionary significance to the modern classification system.
  • Public Speaking/Rhetoric
    This course will teach students public speaking through secrets learned from the classical tradition. Students will learn how to win an argument from the great Cicero. They will learn inventio (framing the argument), elocutio (style of argument), and actio (delivery of argument) to improve their public speaking skills.
  • Omnibus II – Literature, History, and Theology
    Omnibus II is an integrative course that takes the student back to the Middle Ages to learn the early history of the Christian Church and how the church dealt with the many heresies that arose from the earliest days. They will be brought through time to the spread of the church into the most remote realms of the known world and get to see how the Word of God replaced the dominant pagan worldview throughout Western Europe. They will learn that it took time, faith and dedicated effort on the part of believers to change the way people saw themselves and their relationship to their Creator through the salvific work of their Savior. They will get exposed to the lives of monks, kings, knights and others as the church grew to become the center of medieval life.
  • Home Economics
    In Home Economics, students learn the art and science of home management. Students will learn about different textiles and how to sew basic garments. They will be taught food safety and food preparation skills and nutrition.
  • Algebra 2
    Students build on concepts learned in Algebra 1 and continue solving polynomial functions, exponential functions, logarithmic functions, and trigonometric functions. The students solve problems with irrational, imaginary, and complex numbers. They will also learn math concepts such as factoring, exponents, probability, and statistics.
  • Woodshop
    Woodworking combines multiple skills. One needs math, patience, and measuring skills to make good projects. Woodshop at Grace teaches the fundamentals of wood working, how to use various tools, and shop safety. By the end of the year, students will have a project they’ll be proud to display.
  • Music
    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.
  • Chemistry
    In High School Chemistry, the students learn atomic properties and structure, bonding, chemical reactions, kinetic theory, gas laws, acids and bases. The students will be taught from a faith-informed perspective as disciples of Christ studying God’s created order.
  • Physics
    In High School Physics, students utilize graphs and equations to solve speed and velocity problems. The students learn to describe Newton’s first, second and third laws of motion. The students solve problems using Kepler’s laws. They then calculate kinetic energy, mass or velocity given the other two quantities.
  • Algebra 1
    Students will use their knowledge and understanding they developed in Pre- Algebra to advance in Algebra 1. In Algebra 1 the concepts that they will learn are polynomials, factoring, systems of equations, quadratic equations, inequalities, graphing, statistics, rational expressions, radicals, and functions. These concepts will prepare the students for the next course.
  • Physical Education
    The physical education curricula for all grades teaches students habits that will lead to lifelong fitness and continue the cultivation of the body, mind, and soul. Students will learn good Christian sportsmanship through games in which students win or lose. Through cultivating the student’s health, we maximize what the mind can do throughout the rest of the day and life.
  • Latin
    High School Latin continues Latin grammar while diving deeper into larger passages of Biblical Latin and including segments from Wheelock’s Latin. Comprehension is critical while also learning new grammatical forms given in the text. Recitation and memory shall be exercised in our pursuit to understand not only the components of this ancient language but be better students of the Holy Scriptures and the wisdom of the past so helpful for today.
  • Logic
    Most of us know how to speak our opinions and stick to our emotions. This isn’t, however, the same as preparing and articulating a sound argument. Traditional formal logic at GLS teaches students the basic structure of the argument, the function of terms, differences between “contrary” and “contradictory” statements and detecting those arguments that are valid but untrue. Classical students do not fall victim to “mob mentality” because of their ability to think and process critically what they hear rather than just following the masses. Formal logic assists in this task and is an indispensable skill of the liberal arts for the formation of wise, faithful students ready for the world.
  • Composition
    This class gives students experience in various genres and topics of composition, from personal narratives to persuasive essays and creative writing. Students complete classical exercises to teach analysis and critical thinking skills that will help them to benefit from and appreciate good writing in college and in life. Students will learn to craft well-written essays that include preparation for college entrance exams. The class also covers the basics of research, including using and citing different types of sources.
  • Biology
    The study of science should always begin with wonder. The Biology 1 class is an integrative course. The habit of compartmentalizing disciplines of learning must be eliminated, and to that end, we employ frequent use of math problems and have opportunities to develop good written expression through labs, exams, and papers. Finally, we expose key historical connections.
  • Geometry
    Students taking Geometry at Grace Lutheran High School will be guided through a mathematical journey of angles, lines, postulates, and theorems. Daily drills of computations and proofs will reinforce concepts as students gain understanding of this upper-level math. In addition to daily skills-building exercises, students will take their knowledge and relate it to real-world applications of Geometry.
  • Anatomy
    Anatomy is a course based on the study of human anatomy, associated experiments, and use of laboratory equipment. There are sixteen modules ranging from anatomy and physiology, tissues, nervous system etc. “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:16.

Text Books

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2nd Grade Curriculum

  • Science
    Science: The students spend two years in their life science studies. In their life science studies, the students defend the claim that a biblical worldview makes sense of reality and compare physical life and spiritual life. The students also identify and recognize the characteristics and classification of life, including being able to refute the theory of evolution.
  • Music
    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.
  • Latin
    In this course we continue learning new grammar forms and rules while reinforcing the old. Throughout our study of all noun declensions and verb forms with principal parts will be a course through Biblical Latin. The goal is reading Latin for comprehension. This language still speaks with plenty to say if we’re able to listen.
  • Pre-Algebra & Algebra 1
    Pre-Algebra: Students will review their knowledge and understanding of arithmetic to help them apply the concepts to their daily lives. Concepts learned in pre-algebra are geometry, algebra, probability, statistics, radicals, systems of equations, and trigonometry. These concepts will prepare the students for Algebra 1. Algebra 1: Students will use their knowledge and understanding they developed in Pre- Algebra to advance in Algebra 1. In Algebra 1 the concepts that they will learn are polynomials, factoring, systems of equations, quadratic equations, inequalities, graphing, statistics, rational expressions, radicals, and functions. These concepts will prepare the students for the next course.
  • History and Literature
    History and literature are integrated and taught using two kinds of books, Omnibus Primary and Secondary. The Primary Books can be categorized as “Great Books” and introduce the students to many classic authors. The Secondary Books bring balance to the reading while still offering great works of literature. Utilizing the Great Books brings about discussion, which leads the students to “Great Ideas”. With each book, students are lead in discussions, which take them through the worlds of student, text, culture, and scriptures. The seventh and eighth grade students continue to develop their writing skills through various writing assignments, which include short answer responses, essays, and argument writing. As they progress through the Omnibus curriculum, they will also compose some fiction and poetry.
  • Logic
    Airing an opinion is different from forming a coherent argument. Logic I teaches students the components of argumentation in order for them to think in an orderly, logical manner. Students learn the difference in a major and minor premise, universal and particular terms, and the relationship between statements in arguments that make it either valid, true, or sound.
  • Religion
    In-depth instruction will be given in the six chief parts of Luther’s Small Catechism. Many practical examples will be given so that students can relate and see that the faith that they hold will help guide them in their everyday life.
  • Pre-K2
    The PreK2 program focuses on learning good habits such as: good manners, potty-training, washing hands, following directions, being polite, taking turns, helping others, and developing independence. We use the Abeka curriculum where students learn letters, sounds, colors, shapes, numbers, musical instruments, how to sort, sharing, and making new friends. Students learn about God through daily readings from the Bible.
  • Pre-K3
    The PreK3 program uses the Abeka curriculum and a tremendous amount of a hands-on learning. As the school year begins, we review shapes and colors in fun ways, by going on color hunts to locate items of that week’s color and having a daily snack of that color, too. Once letters and shapes are mastered, we begin discussing one letter a week, as well as a number, and practice that letter and number with chalk on the chalkboard easel, on Magna-Doodles, with Playdoh or in shaving cream. Fine Motor skills are honed daily through sensory tables and other pre-writing activities. Each morning begins with a Bible story from The Beginners Bible. The class enjoys singing “Jesus Loves Me” and each day wouldn’t be complete without music and movement and a dance party.
  • Pre-K4
    The PreK4 program begins each day with Bible time. We read Bible stories from the Old and New Testament, sing songs, and pray. We use the Abeka phonics curriculum in which we recognize the vowels with their sounds and consonants with their sounds. We then blend them with our “blend ladders.” The children learn to write the lowercase letters and then the uppercase letters of the alphabet. The children learn to recognize and understand the concepts of numbers. By the end of the year, they will be able to count 1-100, recognize 1-20, and predict before and after numbers.
  • English
    The Kindergarten Shurley English curriculum gives students a strong foundation in sentence structure. We learn the basic parts of speech and how to recognize them with fun jingles to reinforce classification of sentences. We end the year becoming authors and illustrators by writing our own books
  • Math
    In Kindergarten Abeka math, students master counting to 100 (and beyond) by 1s, 2s, 5s, and 10s. They learn math facts through 10, as well as beginning to tell time and identifying and counting coins.
  • Science
    For Kindergarten Science, we will learn about God’s World with Abeka. We will cover God’s plan for our body, weather, seasons, plants, animals, and the sea.
  • Choir
    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.
  • Learning Skills
    Kindergarteners also learn skills development through Abeka’s Think and Learn. We attempt to tie our shoes and hopefully master it! We play games, work mazes, learn fun drawing skills, among many others.
  • Phonics
    Kindergarten Spalding Phonics curriculum introduces 70 phonograms to the children, the most learned in any other year. They learn the correct way to write manuscript letters which segways right into learning cursive in first grade. We use phonograms and spelling rules to crack the code to reading.
  • English
    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
  • Religion
    Students will read aloud the stories contained in the Old and New Testaments. They will study the selected chapel reading for the day and learn that context is of the upmost importance when reading the Bible. Bible verses along with portions of Luther’s Small Catechism will be memorized weekly.
  • Choir
    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.
  • Science
    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.
  • Math
    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.
  • Latin
    In Prima Latina students will learn to recite the Lord's Prayer in Latin. They will learn how to decline nouns and memorize present tense endings. Students will memorize common Latin words, phrases, and derivatives that will help them recognize many English words that originate from Latin.
  • Handwriting
    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.
  • Reading
    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.
  • History
    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.
  • Science
    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.
  • History
    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.
  • Math
    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.
  • Religion
    Students will read aloud the stories contained in the Old and New Testaments. They will study the selected chapel reading for the day and learn that context is of the upmost importance when reading the Bible. Bible verses along with portions of Luther’s Small Catechism will be memorized weekly.
  • Handwriting
    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.
  • Literature
    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.
  • Latin
    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.
  • Choir
    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.
  • English
    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.
  • Math
    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.
  • Literature
    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
  • Choir
    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.
  • Latin
    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.
  • English
    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.
  • History
    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.
  • Music
    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.
  • Religion
    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.
  • Science
    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.
  • Latin
    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.
  • English
    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.
  • Religion
    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.
  • Math
    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.
  • Science
    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.
  • Choir
    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.
  • Literature
    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
  • History
    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.
  • Music
    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.
  • Literature
    The students will read classics from the Great Books list, integrating literature and history. We also discuss poetry and short stories as part of the literature curriculum. The students are encouraged and expected to participate in level-appropriate leisure reading.
  • Math
    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).
  • Science
    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.
  • Latin
    In Second Form Latin students will learn i-stem declensions, first and second pronouns, future passive and much more. Portions of Lingva Latina by Hans H. Orberg will be translated from Latin into English. Derivates will teach the students that many of our English words come from Latin.
  • English
    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.
  • Music
    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.
  • Religion
    Details of biblical stories will be explored to get an even richer understanding of biblical stories. Denominational differences will be explored to show why church bodies have come to the conclusions they have. Portions of the Lutheran Confessions will be explored.
  • Spelling
    Students will use Spalding’s Writing Road to Reading as the foundation for teaching spelling for grades three through six. Students review the 70 phonograms and use their knowledge of the 29 spelling rules, as well as phonograms to spell unfamiliar words.
  • History
    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.
  • Latin
    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.
  • Science
    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.
  • History
    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.
  • Religion
    Details of biblical stories will be explored to get an even richer understanding of biblical stories. Denominational differences will be explored to show why church bodies have come to the conclusions they have. Portions of the Lutheran Confessions will be explored.
  • Music
    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.
  • Math
    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.
  • Spelling
    Spalding’s Writing Road to Reading is used as the foundation for teaching spelling for grades three through six. Students review the 70 phonograms and use their knowledge of the 29 spelling rules, as well as phonograms to spell unfamiliar words.
  • Literature
    The students will read classics from the Great Books list, integrating literature and history. We also discuss poetry and short stories as part of the literature curriculum. The students are encouraged and expected to participate in level-appropriate leisure reading.
  • English
    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
  • Logic
    Airing an opinion is different from forming a coherent argument. Logic I teaches students the components of argumentation in order for them to think in an orderly, logical manner. Students learn the difference in a major and minor premise, universal and particular terms, and the relationship between statements in arguments that make it either valid, true, or sound.
  • Religion
    In-depth instruction will be given in the six chief parts of Luther’s Small Catechism. Many practical examples will be given so that students can relate and see that the faith that they hold will help guide them in their everyday life.
  • History and Literature
    History and literature are integrated and taught using two kinds of books, Omnibus Primary and Secondary. The Primary Books can be categorized as “Great Books” and introduce the students to many classic authors. The Secondary Books bring balance to the reading while still offering great works of literature. Utilizing the Great Books brings about discussion, which leads the students to “Great Ideas”. With each book, students are lead in discussions, which take them through the worlds of student, text, culture, and scriptures. The seventh and eighth grade students continue to develop their writing skills through various writing assignments, which include short answer responses, essays, and argument writing. As they progress through the Omnibus curriculum, they will also compose some fiction and poetry.
  • Latin
    In this course we continue learning new grammar forms and rules while reinforcing the old. Throughout our study of all noun declensions and verb forms with principal parts will be a course through Biblical Latin. The goal is reading Latin for comprehension. This language still speaks with plenty to say if we’re able to listen.
  • Pre-Algebra
    Pre-Algebra: Students will review their knowledge and understanding of arithmetic to help them apply the concepts to their daily lives. Concepts learned in pre-algebra are geometry, algebra, probability, statistics, radicals, systems of equations, and trigonometry. These concepts will prepare the students for Algebra 1.
  • Music
    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.
  • Science
    The students spend two years in their life science studies. In their life science studies the students defend the claim that a biblical worldview makes sense of reality and compare physical life and spiritual life. The students also identify and recognize the characteristics and classification of life, including being able to refute the supposed evolutionary significance to the modern classification system.
  • Public Speaking/Rhetoric
    This course will teach students public speaking through secrets learned from the classical tradition. Students will learn how to win an argument from the great Cicero. They will learn inventio (framing the argument), elocutio (style of argument), and actio (delivery of argument) to improve their public speaking skills.
  • Omnibus II – Literature, History, and Theology
    Omnibus II is an integrative course that takes the student back to the Middle Ages to learn the early history of the Christian Church and how the church dealt with the many heresies that arose from the earliest days. They will be brought through time to the spread of the church into the most remote realms of the known world and get to see how the Word of God replaced the dominant pagan worldview throughout Western Europe. They will learn that it took time, faith and dedicated effort on the part of believers to change the way people saw themselves and their relationship to their Creator through the salvific work of their Savior. They will get exposed to the lives of monks, kings, knights and others as the church grew to become the center of medieval life.
  • Home Economics
    In Home Economics, students learn the art and science of home management. Students will learn about different textiles and how to sew basic garments. They will be taught food safety and food preparation skills and nutrition.
  • Algebra 2
    Students build on concepts learned in Algebra 1 and continue solving polynomial functions, exponential functions, logarithmic functions, and trigonometric functions. The students solve problems with irrational, imaginary, and complex numbers. They will also learn math concepts such as factoring, exponents, probability, and statistics.
  • Woodshop
    Woodworking combines multiple skills. One needs math, patience, and measuring skills to make good projects. Woodshop at Grace teaches the fundamentals of wood working, how to use various tools, and shop safety. By the end of the year, students will have a project they’ll be proud to display.
  • Music
    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.
  • Chemistry
    In High School Chemistry, the students learn atomic properties and structure, bonding, chemical reactions, kinetic theory, gas laws, acids and bases. The students will be taught from a faith-informed perspective as disciples of Christ studying God’s created order.
  • Physics
    In High School Physics, students utilize graphs and equations to solve speed and velocity problems. The students learn to describe Newton’s first, second and third laws of motion. The students solve problems using Kepler’s laws. They then calculate kinetic energy, mass or velocity given the other two quantities.
  • Algebra 1
    Students will use their knowledge and understanding they developed in Pre- Algebra to advance in Algebra 1. In Algebra 1 the concepts that they will learn are polynomials, factoring, systems of equations, quadratic equations, inequalities, graphing, statistics, rational expressions, radicals, and functions. These concepts will prepare the students for the next course.
  • Physical Education
    The physical education curricula for all grades teaches students habits that will lead to lifelong fitness and continue the cultivation of the body, mind, and soul. Students will learn good Christian sportsmanship through games in which students win or lose. Through cultivating the student’s health, we maximize what the mind can do throughout the rest of the day and life.
  • Latin
    High School Latin continues Latin grammar while diving deeper into larger passages of Biblical Latin and including segments from Wheelock’s Latin. Comprehension is critical while also learning new grammatical forms given in the text. Recitation and memory shall be exercised in our pursuit to understand not only the components of this ancient language but be better students of the Holy Scriptures and the wisdom of the past so helpful for today.
  • Logic
    Most of us know how to speak our opinions and stick to our emotions. This isn’t, however, the same as preparing and articulating a sound argument. Traditional formal logic at GLS teaches students the basic structure of the argument, the function of terms, differences between “contrary” and “contradictory” statements and detecting those arguments that are valid but untrue. Classical students do not fall victim to “mob mentality” because of their ability to think and process critically what they hear rather than just following the masses. Formal logic assists in this task and is an indispensable skill of the liberal arts for the formation of wise, faithful students ready for the world.
  • Composition
    This class gives students experience in various genres and topics of composition, from personal narratives to persuasive essays and creative writing. Students complete classical exercises to teach analysis and critical thinking skills that will help them to benefit from and appreciate good writing in college and in life. Students will learn to craft well-written essays that include preparation for college entrance exams. The class also covers the basics of research, including using and citing different types of sources.
  • Biology
    The study of science should always begin with wonder. The Biology 1 class is an integrative course. The habit of compartmentalizing disciplines of learning must be eliminated, and to that end, we employ frequent use of math problems and have opportunities to develop good written expression through labs, exams, and papers. Finally, we expose key historical connections.
  • Geometry
    Students taking Geometry at Grace Lutheran High School will be guided through a mathematical journey of angles, lines, postulates, and theorems. Daily drills of computations and proofs will reinforce concepts as students gain understanding of this upper-level math. In addition to daily skills-building exercises, students will take their knowledge and relate it to real-world applications of Geometry.
  • Anatomy
    Anatomy is a course based on the study of human anatomy, associated experiments, and use of laboratory equipment. There are sixteen modules ranging from anatomy and physiology, tissues, nervous system etc. “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:16.

Text Books

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3rd Grade Curriculum

  • Science
    Science: The students spend two years in their life science studies. In their life science studies, the students defend the claim that a biblical worldview makes sense of reality and compare physical life and spiritual life. The students also identify and recognize the characteristics and classification of life, including being able to refute the theory of evolution.
  • Music
    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.
  • Latin
    In this course we continue learning new grammar forms and rules while reinforcing the old. Throughout our study of all noun declensions and verb forms with principal parts will be a course through Biblical Latin. The goal is reading Latin for comprehension. This language still speaks with plenty to say if we’re able to listen.
  • Pre-Algebra & Algebra 1
    Pre-Algebra: Students will review their knowledge and understanding of arithmetic to help them apply the concepts to their daily lives. Concepts learned in pre-algebra are geometry, algebra, probability, statistics, radicals, systems of equations, and trigonometry. These concepts will prepare the students for Algebra 1. Algebra 1: Students will use their knowledge and understanding they developed in Pre- Algebra to advance in Algebra 1. In Algebra 1 the concepts that they will learn are polynomials, factoring, systems of equations, quadratic equations, inequalities, graphing, statistics, rational expressions, radicals, and functions. These concepts will prepare the students for the next course.
  • History and Literature
    History and literature are integrated and taught using two kinds of books, Omnibus Primary and Secondary. The Primary Books can be categorized as “Great Books” and introduce the students to many classic authors. The Secondary Books bring balance to the reading while still offering great works of literature. Utilizing the Great Books brings about discussion, which leads the students to “Great Ideas”. With each book, students are lead in discussions, which take them through the worlds of student, text, culture, and scriptures. The seventh and eighth grade students continue to develop their writing skills through various writing assignments, which include short answer responses, essays, and argument writing. As they progress through the Omnibus curriculum, they will also compose some fiction and poetry.
  • Logic
    Airing an opinion is different from forming a coherent argument. Logic I teaches students the components of argumentation in order for them to think in an orderly, logical manner. Students learn the difference in a major and minor premise, universal and particular terms, and the relationship between statements in arguments that make it either valid, true, or sound.
  • Religion
    In-depth instruction will be given in the six chief parts of Luther’s Small Catechism. Many practical examples will be given so that students can relate and see that the faith that they hold will help guide them in their everyday life.
  • Pre-K2
    The PreK2 program focuses on learning good habits such as: good manners, potty-training, washing hands, following directions, being polite, taking turns, helping others, and developing independence. We use the Abeka curriculum where students learn letters, sounds, colors, shapes, numbers, musical instruments, how to sort, sharing, and making new friends. Students learn about God through daily readings from the Bible.
  • Pre-K3
    The PreK3 program uses the Abeka curriculum and a tremendous amount of a hands-on learning. As the school year begins, we review shapes and colors in fun ways, by going on color hunts to locate items of that week’s color and having a daily snack of that color, too. Once letters and shapes are mastered, we begin discussing one letter a week, as well as a number, and practice that letter and number with chalk on the chalkboard easel, on Magna-Doodles, with Playdoh or in shaving cream. Fine Motor skills are honed daily through sensory tables and other pre-writing activities. Each morning begins with a Bible story from The Beginners Bible. The class enjoys singing “Jesus Loves Me” and each day wouldn’t be complete without music and movement and a dance party.
  • Pre-K4
    The PreK4 program begins each day with Bible time. We read Bible stories from the Old and New Testament, sing songs, and pray. We use the Abeka phonics curriculum in which we recognize the vowels with their sounds and consonants with their sounds. We then blend them with our “blend ladders.” The children learn to write the lowercase letters and then the uppercase letters of the alphabet. The children learn to recognize and understand the concepts of numbers. By the end of the year, they will be able to count 1-100, recognize 1-20, and predict before and after numbers.
  • English
    The Kindergarten Shurley English curriculum gives students a strong foundation in sentence structure. We learn the basic parts of speech and how to recognize them with fun jingles to reinforce classification of sentences. We end the year becoming authors and illustrators by writing our own books
  • Math
    In Kindergarten Abeka math, students master counting to 100 (and beyond) by 1s, 2s, 5s, and 10s. They learn math facts through 10, as well as beginning to tell time and identifying and counting coins.
  • Science
    For Kindergarten Science, we will learn about God’s World with Abeka. We will cover God’s plan for our body, weather, seasons, plants, animals, and the sea.
  • Choir
    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.
  • Learning Skills
    Kindergarteners also learn skills development through Abeka’s Think and Learn. We attempt to tie our shoes and hopefully master it! We play games, work mazes, learn fun drawing skills, among many others.
  • Phonics
    Kindergarten Spalding Phonics curriculum introduces 70 phonograms to the children, the most learned in any other year. They learn the correct way to write manuscript letters which segways right into learning cursive in first grade. We use phonograms and spelling rules to crack the code to reading.
  • English
    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
  • Religion
    Students will read aloud the stories contained in the Old and New Testaments. They will study the selected chapel reading for the day and learn that context is of the upmost importance when reading the Bible. Bible verses along with portions of Luther’s Small Catechism will be memorized weekly.
  • Choir
    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.
  • Science
    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.
  • Math
    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.
  • Latin
    In Prima Latina students will learn to recite the Lord's Prayer in Latin. They will learn how to decline nouns and memorize present tense endings. Students will memorize common Latin words, phrases, and derivatives that will help them recognize many English words that originate from Latin.
  • Handwriting
    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.
  • Reading
    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.
  • History
    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.
  • Science
    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.
  • History
    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.
  • Math
    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.
  • Religion
    Students will read aloud the stories contained in the Old and New Testaments. They will study the selected chapel reading for the day and learn that context is of the upmost importance when reading the Bible. Bible verses along with portions of Luther’s Small Catechism will be memorized weekly.
  • Handwriting
    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.
  • Literature
    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.
  • Latin
    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.
  • Choir
    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.
  • English
    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.
  • Math
    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.
  • Literature
    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
  • Choir
    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.
  • Latin
    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.
  • English
    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.
  • History
    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.
  • Music
    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.
  • Religion
    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.
  • Science
    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.
  • Latin
    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.
  • English
    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.
  • Religion
    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.
  • Math
    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.
  • Science
    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.
  • Choir
    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.
  • Literature
    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
  • History
    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.
  • Music
    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.
  • Literature
    The students will read classics from the Great Books list, integrating literature and history. We also discuss poetry and short stories as part of the literature curriculum. The students are encouraged and expected to participate in level-appropriate leisure reading.
  • Math
    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).
  • Science
    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.
  • Latin
    In Second Form Latin students will learn i-stem declensions, first and second pronouns, future passive and much more. Portions of Lingva Latina by Hans H. Orberg will be translated from Latin into English. Derivates will teach the students that many of our English words come from Latin.
  • English
    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.
  • Music
    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.
  • Religion
    Details of biblical stories will be explored to get an even richer understanding of biblical stories. Denominational differences will be explored to show why church bodies have come to the conclusions they have. Portions of the Lutheran Confessions will be explored.
  • Spelling
    Students will use Spalding’s Writing Road to Reading as the foundation for teaching spelling for grades three through six. Students review the 70 phonograms and use their knowledge of the 29 spelling rules, as well as phonograms to spell unfamiliar words.
  • History
    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.
  • Latin
    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.
  • Science
    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.
  • History
    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.
  • Religion
    Details of biblical stories will be explored to get an even richer understanding of biblical stories. Denominational differences will be explored to show why church bodies have come to the conclusions they have. Portions of the Lutheran Confessions will be explored.
  • Music
    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.
  • Math
    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.
  • Spelling
    Spalding’s Writing Road to Reading is used as the foundation for teaching spelling for grades three through six. Students review the 70 phonograms and use their knowledge of the 29 spelling rules, as well as phonograms to spell unfamiliar words.
  • Literature
    The students will read classics from the Great Books list, integrating literature and history. We also discuss poetry and short stories as part of the literature curriculum. The students are encouraged and expected to participate in level-appropriate leisure reading.
  • English
    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
  • Logic
    Airing an opinion is different from forming a coherent argument. Logic I teaches students the components of argumentation in order for them to think in an orderly, logical manner. Students learn the difference in a major and minor premise, universal and particular terms, and the relationship between statements in arguments that make it either valid, true, or sound.
  • Religion
    In-depth instruction will be given in the six chief parts of Luther’s Small Catechism. Many practical examples will be given so that students can relate and see that the faith that they hold will help guide them in their everyday life.
  • History and Literature
    History and literature are integrated and taught using two kinds of books, Omnibus Primary and Secondary. The Primary Books can be categorized as “Great Books” and introduce the students to many classic authors. The Secondary Books bring balance to the reading while still offering great works of literature. Utilizing the Great Books brings about discussion, which leads the students to “Great Ideas”. With each book, students are lead in discussions, which take them through the worlds of student, text, culture, and scriptures. The seventh and eighth grade students continue to develop their writing skills through various writing assignments, which include short answer responses, essays, and argument writing. As they progress through the Omnibus curriculum, they will also compose some fiction and poetry.
  • Latin
    In this course we continue learning new grammar forms and rules while reinforcing the old. Throughout our study of all noun declensions and verb forms with principal parts will be a course through Biblical Latin. The goal is reading Latin for comprehension. This language still speaks with plenty to say if we’re able to listen.
  • Pre-Algebra
    Pre-Algebra: Students will review their knowledge and understanding of arithmetic to help them apply the concepts to their daily lives. Concepts learned in pre-algebra are geometry, algebra, probability, statistics, radicals, systems of equations, and trigonometry. These concepts will prepare the students for Algebra 1.
  • Music
    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.
  • Science
    The students spend two years in their life science studies. In their life science studies the students defend the claim that a biblical worldview makes sense of reality and compare physical life and spiritual life. The students also identify and recognize the characteristics and classification of life, including being able to refute the supposed evolutionary significance to the modern classification system.
  • Public Speaking/Rhetoric
    This course will teach students public speaking through secrets learned from the classical tradition. Students will learn how to win an argument from the great Cicero. They will learn inventio (framing the argument), elocutio (style of argument), and actio (delivery of argument) to improve their public speaking skills.
  • Omnibus II – Literature, History, and Theology
    Omnibus II is an integrative course that takes the student back to the Middle Ages to learn the early history of the Christian Church and how the church dealt with the many heresies that arose from the earliest days. They will be brought through time to the spread of the church into the most remote realms of the known world and get to see how the Word of God replaced the dominant pagan worldview throughout Western Europe. They will learn that it took time, faith and dedicated effort on the part of believers to change the way people saw themselves and their relationship to their Creator through the salvific work of their Savior. They will get exposed to the lives of monks, kings, knights and others as the church grew to become the center of medieval life.
  • Home Economics
    In Home Economics, students learn the art and science of home management. Students will learn about different textiles and how to sew basic garments. They will be taught food safety and food preparation skills and nutrition.
  • Algebra 2
    Students build on concepts learned in Algebra 1 and continue solving polynomial functions, exponential functions, logarithmic functions, and trigonometric functions. The students solve problems with irrational, imaginary, and complex numbers. They will also learn math concepts such as factoring, exponents, probability, and statistics.
  • Woodshop
    Woodworking combines multiple skills. One needs math, patience, and measuring skills to make good projects. Woodshop at Grace teaches the fundamentals of wood working, how to use various tools, and shop safety. By the end of the year, students will have a project they’ll be proud to display.
  • Music
    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.
  • Chemistry
    In High School Chemistry, the students learn atomic properties and structure, bonding, chemical reactions, kinetic theory, gas laws, acids and bases. The students will be taught from a faith-informed perspective as disciples of Christ studying God’s created order.
  • Physics
    In High School Physics, students utilize graphs and equations to solve speed and velocity problems. The students learn to describe Newton’s first, second and third laws of motion. The students solve problems using Kepler’s laws. They then calculate kinetic energy, mass or velocity given the other two quantities.
  • Algebra 1
    Students will use their knowledge and understanding they developed in Pre- Algebra to advance in Algebra 1. In Algebra 1 the concepts that they will learn are polynomials, factoring, systems of equations, quadratic equations, inequalities, graphing, statistics, rational expressions, radicals, and functions. These concepts will prepare the students for the next course.
  • Physical Education
    The physical education curricula for all grades teaches students habits that will lead to lifelong fitness and continue the cultivation of the body, mind, and soul. Students will learn good Christian sportsmanship through games in which students win or lose. Through cultivating the student’s health, we maximize what the mind can do throughout the rest of the day and life.
  • Latin
    High School Latin continues Latin grammar while diving deeper into larger passages of Biblical Latin and including segments from Wheelock’s Latin. Comprehension is critical while also learning new grammatical forms given in the text. Recitation and memory shall be exercised in our pursuit to understand not only the components of this ancient language but be better students of the Holy Scriptures and the wisdom of the past so helpful for today.
  • Logic
    Most of us know how to speak our opinions and stick to our emotions. This isn’t, however, the same as preparing and articulating a sound argument. Traditional formal logic at GLS teaches students the basic structure of the argument, the function of terms, differences between “contrary” and “contradictory” statements and detecting those arguments that are valid but untrue. Classical students do not fall victim to “mob mentality” because of their ability to think and process critically what they hear rather than just following the masses. Formal logic assists in this task and is an indispensable skill of the liberal arts for the formation of wise, faithful students ready for the world.
  • Composition
    This class gives students experience in various genres and topics of composition, from personal narratives to persuasive essays and creative writing. Students complete classical exercises to teach analysis and critical thinking skills that will help them to benefit from and appreciate good writing in college and in life. Students will learn to craft well-written essays that include preparation for college entrance exams. The class also covers the basics of research, including using and citing different types of sources.
  • Biology
    The study of science should always begin with wonder. The Biology 1 class is an integrative course. The habit of compartmentalizing disciplines of learning must be eliminated, and to that end, we employ frequent use of math problems and have opportunities to develop good written expression through labs, exams, and papers. Finally, we expose key historical connections.
  • Geometry
    Students taking Geometry at Grace Lutheran High School will be guided through a mathematical journey of angles, lines, postulates, and theorems. Daily drills of computations and proofs will reinforce concepts as students gain understanding of this upper-level math. In addition to daily skills-building exercises, students will take their knowledge and relate it to real-world applications of Geometry.
  • Anatomy
    Anatomy is a course based on the study of human anatomy, associated experiments, and use of laboratory equipment. There are sixteen modules ranging from anatomy and physiology, tissues, nervous system etc. “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:16.

Text Books

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Religion

4th Grade Curriculum

  • Science
    Science: The students spend two years in their life science studies. In their life science studies, the students defend the claim that a biblical worldview makes sense of reality and compare physical life and spiritual life. The students also identify and recognize the characteristics and classification of life, including being able to refute the theory of evolution.
  • Music
    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.
  • Latin
    In this course we continue learning new grammar forms and rules while reinforcing the old. Throughout our study of all noun declensions and verb forms with principal parts will be a course through Biblical Latin. The goal is reading Latin for comprehension. This language still speaks with plenty to say if we’re able to listen.
  • Pre-Algebra & Algebra 1
    Pre-Algebra: Students will review their knowledge and understanding of arithmetic to help them apply the concepts to their daily lives. Concepts learned in pre-algebra are geometry, algebra, probability, statistics, radicals, systems of equations, and trigonometry. These concepts will prepare the students for Algebra 1. Algebra 1: Students will use their knowledge and understanding they developed in Pre- Algebra to advance in Algebra 1. In Algebra 1 the concepts that they will learn are polynomials, factoring, systems of equations, quadratic equations, inequalities, graphing, statistics, rational expressions, radicals, and functions. These concepts will prepare the students for the next course.
  • History and Literature
    History and literature are integrated and taught using two kinds of books, Omnibus Primary and Secondary. The Primary Books can be categorized as “Great Books” and introduce the students to many classic authors. The Secondary Books bring balance to the reading while still offering great works of literature. Utilizing the Great Books brings about discussion, which leads the students to “Great Ideas”. With each book, students are lead in discussions, which take them through the worlds of student, text, culture, and scriptures. The seventh and eighth grade students continue to develop their writing skills through various writing assignments, which include short answer responses, essays, and argument writing. As they progress through the Omnibus curriculum, they will also compose some fiction and poetry.
  • Logic
    Airing an opinion is different from forming a coherent argument. Logic I teaches students the components of argumentation in order for them to think in an orderly, logical manner. Students learn the difference in a major and minor premise, universal and particular terms, and the relationship between statements in arguments that make it either valid, true, or sound.
  • Religion
    In-depth instruction will be given in the six chief parts of Luther’s Small Catechism. Many practical examples will be given so that students can relate and see that the faith that they hold will help guide them in their everyday life.
  • Pre-K2
    The PreK2 program focuses on learning good habits such as: good manners, potty-training, washing hands, following directions, being polite, taking turns, helping others, and developing independence. We use the Abeka curriculum where students learn letters, sounds, colors, shapes, numbers, musical instruments, how to sort, sharing, and making new friends. Students learn about God through daily readings from the Bible.
  • Pre-K3
    The PreK3 program uses the Abeka curriculum and a tremendous amount of a hands-on learning. As the school year begins, we review shapes and colors in fun ways, by going on color hunts to locate items of that week’s color and having a daily snack of that color, too. Once letters and shapes are mastered, we begin discussing one letter a week, as well as a number, and practice that letter and number with chalk on the chalkboard easel, on Magna-Doodles, with Playdoh or in shaving cream. Fine Motor skills are honed daily through sensory tables and other pre-writing activities. Each morning begins with a Bible story from The Beginners Bible. The class enjoys singing “Jesus Loves Me” and each day wouldn’t be complete without music and movement and a dance party.
  • Pre-K4
    The PreK4 program begins each day with Bible time. We read Bible stories from the Old and New Testament, sing songs, and pray. We use the Abeka phonics curriculum in which we recognize the vowels with their sounds and consonants with their sounds. We then blend them with our “blend ladders.” The children learn to write the lowercase letters and then the uppercase letters of the alphabet. The children learn to recognize and understand the concepts of numbers. By the end of the year, they will be able to count 1-100, recognize 1-20, and predict before and after numbers.
  • English
    The Kindergarten Shurley English curriculum gives students a strong foundation in sentence structure. We learn the basic parts of speech and how to recognize them with fun jingles to reinforce classification of sentences. We end the year becoming authors and illustrators by writing our own books
  • Math
    In Kindergarten Abeka math, students master counting to 100 (and beyond) by 1s, 2s, 5s, and 10s. They learn math facts through 10, as well as beginning to tell time and identifying and counting coins.
  • Science
    For Kindergarten Science, we will learn about God’s World with Abeka. We will cover God’s plan for our body, weather, seasons, plants, animals, and the sea.
  • Choir
    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.
  • Learning Skills
    Kindergarteners also learn skills development through Abeka’s Think and Learn. We attempt to tie our shoes and hopefully master it! We play games, work mazes, learn fun drawing skills, among many others.
  • Phonics
    Kindergarten Spalding Phonics curriculum introduces 70 phonograms to the children, the most learned in any other year. They learn the correct way to write manuscript letters which segways right into learning cursive in first grade. We use phonograms and spelling rules to crack the code to reading.
  • English
    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
  • Religion
    Students will read aloud the stories contained in the Old and New Testaments. They will study the selected chapel reading for the day and learn that context is of the upmost importance when reading the Bible. Bible verses along with portions of Luther’s Small Catechism will be memorized weekly.
  • Choir
    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.
  • Science
    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.
  • Math
    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.
  • Latin
    In Prima Latina students will learn to recite the Lord's Prayer in Latin. They will learn how to decline nouns and memorize present tense endings. Students will memorize common Latin words, phrases, and derivatives that will help them recognize many English words that originate from Latin.
  • Handwriting
    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.
  • Reading
    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.
  • History
    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.
  • Science
    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.
  • History
    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.
  • Math
    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.
  • Religion
    Students will read aloud the stories contained in the Old and New Testaments. They will study the selected chapel reading for the day and learn that context is of the upmost importance when reading the Bible. Bible verses along with portions of Luther’s Small Catechism will be memorized weekly.
  • Handwriting
    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.
  • Literature
    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.
  • Latin
    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.
  • Choir
    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.
  • English
    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.
  • Math
    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.
  • Literature
    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
  • Choir
    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.
  • Latin
    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.
  • English
    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.
  • History
    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.
  • Music
    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.
  • Religion
    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.
  • Science
    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.
  • Latin
    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.
  • English
    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.
  • Religion
    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.
  • Math
    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.
  • Science
    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.
  • Choir
    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.
  • Literature
    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
  • History
    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.
  • Music
    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.
  • Literature
    The students will read classics from the Great Books list, integrating literature and history. We also discuss poetry and short stories as part of the literature curriculum. The students are encouraged and expected to participate in level-appropriate leisure reading.
  • Math
    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).
  • Science
    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.
  • Latin
    In Second Form Latin students will learn i-stem declensions, first and second pronouns, future passive and much more. Portions of Lingva Latina by Hans H. Orberg will be translated from Latin into English. Derivates will teach the students that many of our English words come from Latin.
  • English
    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.
  • Music
    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.
  • Religion
    Details of biblical stories will be explored to get an even richer understanding of biblical stories. Denominational differences will be explored to show why church bodies have come to the conclusions they have. Portions of the Lutheran Confessions will be explored.
  • Spelling
    Students will use Spalding’s Writing Road to Reading as the foundation for teaching spelling for grades three through six. Students review the 70 phonograms and use their knowledge of the 29 spelling rules, as well as phonograms to spell unfamiliar words.
  • History
    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.
  • Latin
    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.
  • Science
    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.
  • History
    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.
  • Religion
    Details of biblical stories will be explored to get an even richer understanding of biblical stories. Denominational differences will be explored to show why church bodies have come to the conclusions they have. Portions of the Lutheran Confessions will be explored.
  • Music
    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.
  • Math
    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.
  • Spelling
    Spalding’s Writing Road to Reading is used as the foundation for teaching spelling for grades three through six. Students review the 70 phonograms and use their knowledge of the 29 spelling rules, as well as phonograms to spell unfamiliar words.
  • Literature
    The students will read classics from the Great Books list, integrating literature and history. We also discuss poetry and short stories as part of the literature curriculum. The students are encouraged and expected to participate in level-appropriate leisure reading.
  • English
    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
  • Logic
    Airing an opinion is different from forming a coherent argument. Logic I teaches students the components of argumentation in order for them to think in an orderly, logical manner. Students learn the difference in a major and minor premise, universal and particular terms, and the relationship between statements in arguments that make it either valid, true, or sound.
  • Religion
    In-depth instruction will be given in the six chief parts of Luther’s Small Catechism. Many practical examples will be given so that students can relate and see that the faith that they hold will help guide them in their everyday life.
  • History and Literature
    History and literature are integrated and taught using two kinds of books, Omnibus Primary and Secondary. The Primary Books can be categorized as “Great Books” and introduce the students to many classic authors. The Secondary Books bring balance to the reading while still offering great works of literature. Utilizing the Great Books brings about discussion, which leads the students to “Great Ideas”. With each book, students are lead in discussions, which take them through the worlds of student, text, culture, and scriptures. The seventh and eighth grade students continue to develop their writing skills through various writing assignments, which include short answer responses, essays, and argument writing. As they progress through the Omnibus curriculum, they will also compose some fiction and poetry.
  • Latin
    In this course we continue learning new grammar forms and rules while reinforcing the old. Throughout our study of all noun declensions and verb forms with principal parts will be a course through Biblical Latin. The goal is reading Latin for comprehension. This language still speaks with plenty to say if we’re able to listen.
  • Pre-Algebra
    Pre-Algebra: Students will review their knowledge and understanding of arithmetic to help them apply the concepts to their daily lives. Concepts learned in pre-algebra are geometry, algebra, probability, statistics, radicals, systems of equations, and trigonometry. These concepts will prepare the students for Algebra 1.
  • Music
    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.
  • Science
    The students spend two years in their life science studies. In their life science studies the students defend the claim that a biblical worldview makes sense of reality and compare physical life and spiritual life. The students also identify and recognize the characteristics and classification of life, including being able to refute the supposed evolutionary significance to the modern classification system.
  • Public Speaking/Rhetoric
    This course will teach students public speaking through secrets learned from the classical tradition. Students will learn how to win an argument from the great Cicero. They will learn inventio (framing the argument), elocutio (style of argument), and actio (delivery of argument) to improve their public speaking skills.
  • Omnibus II – Literature, History, and Theology
    Omnibus II is an integrative course that takes the student back to the Middle Ages to learn the early history of the Christian Church and how the church dealt with the many heresies that arose from the earliest days. They will be brought through time to the spread of the church into the most remote realms of the known world and get to see how the Word of God replaced the dominant pagan worldview throughout Western Europe. They will learn that it took time, faith and dedicated effort on the part of believers to change the way people saw themselves and their relationship to their Creator through the salvific work of their Savior. They will get exposed to the lives of monks, kings, knights and others as the church grew to become the center of medieval life.
  • Home Economics
    In Home Economics, students learn the art and science of home management. Students will learn about different textiles and how to sew basic garments. They will be taught food safety and food preparation skills and nutrition.
  • Algebra 2
    Students build on concepts learned in Algebra 1 and continue solving polynomial functions, exponential functions, logarithmic functions, and trigonometric functions. The students solve problems with irrational, imaginary, and complex numbers. They will also learn math concepts such as factoring, exponents, probability, and statistics.
  • Woodshop
    Woodworking combines multiple skills. One needs math, patience, and measuring skills to make good projects. Woodshop at Grace teaches the fundamentals of wood working, how to use various tools, and shop safety. By the end of the year, students will have a project they’ll be proud to display.
  • Music
    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.
  • Chemistry
    In High School Chemistry, the students learn atomic properties and structure, bonding, chemical reactions, kinetic theory, gas laws, acids and bases. The students will be taught from a faith-informed perspective as disciples of Christ studying God’s created order.
  • Physics
    In High School Physics, students utilize graphs and equations to solve speed and velocity problems. The students learn to describe Newton’s first, second and third laws of motion. The students solve problems using Kepler’s laws. They then calculate kinetic energy, mass or velocity given the other two quantities.
  • Algebra 1
    Students will use their knowledge and understanding they developed in Pre- Algebra to advance in Algebra 1. In Algebra 1 the concepts that they will learn are polynomials, factoring, systems of equations, quadratic equations, inequalities, graphing, statistics, rational expressions, radicals, and functions. These concepts will prepare the students for the next course.
  • Physical Education
    The physical education curricula for all grades teaches students habits that will lead to lifelong fitness and continue the cultivation of the body, mind, and soul. Students will learn good Christian sportsmanship through games in which students win or lose. Through cultivating the student’s health, we maximize what the mind can do throughout the rest of the day and life.
  • Latin
    High School Latin continues Latin grammar while diving deeper into larger passages of Biblical Latin and including segments from Wheelock’s Latin. Comprehension is critical while also learning new grammatical forms given in the text. Recitation and memory shall be exercised in our pursuit to understand not only the components of this ancient language but be better students of the Holy Scriptures and the wisdom of the past so helpful for today.
  • Logic
    Most of us know how to speak our opinions and stick to our emotions. This isn’t, however, the same as preparing and articulating a sound argument. Traditional formal logic at GLS teaches students the basic structure of the argument, the function of terms, differences between “contrary” and “contradictory” statements and detecting those arguments that are valid but untrue. Classical students do not fall victim to “mob mentality” because of their ability to think and process critically what they hear rather than just following the masses. Formal logic assists in this task and is an indispensable skill of the liberal arts for the formation of wise, faithful students ready for the world.
  • Composition
    This class gives students experience in various genres and topics of composition, from personal narratives to persuasive essays and creative writing. Students complete classical exercises to teach analysis and critical thinking skills that will help them to benefit from and appreciate good writing in college and in life. Students will learn to craft well-written essays that include preparation for college entrance exams. The class also covers the basics of research, including using and citing different types of sources.
  • Biology
    The study of science should always begin with wonder. The Biology 1 class is an integrative course. The habit of compartmentalizing disciplines of learning must be eliminated, and to that end, we employ frequent use of math problems and have opportunities to develop good written expression through labs, exams, and papers. Finally, we expose key historical connections.
  • Geometry
    Students taking Geometry at Grace Lutheran High School will be guided through a mathematical journey of angles, lines, postulates, and theorems. Daily drills of computations and proofs will reinforce concepts as students gain understanding of this upper-level math. In addition to daily skills-building exercises, students will take their knowledge and relate it to real-world applications of Geometry.
  • Anatomy
    Anatomy is a course based on the study of human anatomy, associated experiments, and use of laboratory equipment. There are sixteen modules ranging from anatomy and physiology, tissues, nervous system etc. “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:16.

Text Books

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Religion

5th Grade Curriculum

  • Science
    Science: The students spend two years in their life science studies. In their life science studies, the students defend the claim that a biblical worldview makes sense of reality and compare physical life and spiritual life. The students also identify and recognize the characteristics and classification of life, including being able to refute the theory of evolution.
  • Music
    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.
  • Latin
    In this course we continue learning new grammar forms and rules while reinforcing the old. Throughout our study of all noun declensions and verb forms with principal parts will be a course through Biblical Latin. The goal is reading Latin for comprehension. This language still speaks with plenty to say if we’re able to listen.
  • Pre-Algebra & Algebra 1
    Pre-Algebra: Students will review their knowledge and understanding of arithmetic to help them apply the concepts to their daily lives. Concepts learned in pre-algebra are geometry, algebra, probability, statistics, radicals, systems of equations, and trigonometry. These concepts will prepare the students for Algebra 1. Algebra 1: Students will use their knowledge and understanding they developed in Pre- Algebra to advance in Algebra 1. In Algebra 1 the concepts that they will learn are polynomials, factoring, systems of equations, quadratic equations, inequalities, graphing, statistics, rational expressions, radicals, and functions. These concepts will prepare the students for the next course.
  • History and Literature
    History and literature are integrated and taught using two kinds of books, Omnibus Primary and Secondary. The Primary Books can be categorized as “Great Books” and introduce the students to many classic authors. The Secondary Books bring balance to the reading while still offering great works of literature. Utilizing the Great Books brings about discussion, which leads the students to “Great Ideas”. With each book, students are lead in discussions, which take them through the worlds of student, text, culture, and scriptures. The seventh and eighth grade students continue to develop their writing skills through various writing assignments, which include short answer responses, essays, and argument writing. As they progress through the Omnibus curriculum, they will also compose some fiction and poetry.
  • Logic
    Airing an opinion is different from forming a coherent argument. Logic I teaches students the components of argumentation in order for them to think in an orderly, logical manner. Students learn the difference in a major and minor premise, universal and particular terms, and the relationship between statements in arguments that make it either valid, true, or sound.
  • Religion
    In-depth instruction will be given in the six chief parts of Luther’s Small Catechism. Many practical examples will be given so that students can relate and see that the faith that they hold will help guide them in their everyday life.
  • Pre-K2
    The PreK2 program focuses on learning good habits such as: good manners, potty-training, washing hands, following directions, being polite, taking turns, helping others, and developing independence. We use the Abeka curriculum where students learn letters, sounds, colors, shapes, numbers, musical instruments, how to sort, sharing, and making new friends. Students learn about God through daily readings from the Bible.
  • Pre-K3
    The PreK3 program uses the Abeka curriculum and a tremendous amount of a hands-on learning. As the school year begins, we review shapes and colors in fun ways, by going on color hunts to locate items of that week’s color and having a daily snack of that color, too. Once letters and shapes are mastered, we begin discussing one letter a week, as well as a number, and practice that letter and number with chalk on the chalkboard easel, on Magna-Doodles, with Playdoh or in shaving cream. Fine Motor skills are honed daily through sensory tables and other pre-writing activities. Each morning begins with a Bible story from The Beginners Bible. The class enjoys singing “Jesus Loves Me” and each day wouldn’t be complete without music and movement and a dance party.
  • Pre-K4
    The PreK4 program begins each day with Bible time. We read Bible stories from the Old and New Testament, sing songs, and pray. We use the Abeka phonics curriculum in which we recognize the vowels with their sounds and consonants with their sounds. We then blend them with our “blend ladders.” The children learn to write the lowercase letters and then the uppercase letters of the alphabet. The children learn to recognize and understand the concepts of numbers. By the end of the year, they will be able to count 1-100, recognize 1-20, and predict before and after numbers.
  • English
    The Kindergarten Shurley English curriculum gives students a strong foundation in sentence structure. We learn the basic parts of speech and how to recognize them with fun jingles to reinforce classification of sentences. We end the year becoming authors and illustrators by writing our own books
  • Math
    In Kindergarten Abeka math, students master counting to 100 (and beyond) by 1s, 2s, 5s, and 10s. They learn math facts through 10, as well as beginning to tell time and identifying and counting coins.
  • Science
    For Kindergarten Science, we will learn about God’s World with Abeka. We will cover God’s plan for our body, weather, seasons, plants, animals, and the sea.
  • Choir
    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.
  • Learning Skills
    Kindergarteners also learn skills development through Abeka’s Think and Learn. We attempt to tie our shoes and hopefully master it! We play games, work mazes, learn fun drawing skills, among many others.
  • Phonics
    Kindergarten Spalding Phonics curriculum introduces 70 phonograms to the children, the most learned in any other year. They learn the correct way to write manuscript letters which segways right into learning cursive in first grade. We use phonograms and spelling rules to crack the code to reading.
  • English
    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
  • Religion
    Students will read aloud the stories contained in the Old and New Testaments. They will study the selected chapel reading for the day and learn that context is of the upmost importance when reading the Bible. Bible verses along with portions of Luther’s Small Catechism will be memorized weekly.
  • Choir
    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.
  • Science
    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.
  • Math
    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.
  • Latin
    In Prima Latina students will learn to recite the Lord's Prayer in Latin. They will learn how to decline nouns and memorize present tense endings. Students will memorize common Latin words, phrases, and derivatives that will help them recognize many English words that originate from Latin.
  • Handwriting
    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.
  • Reading
    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.
  • History
    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.
  • Science
    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.
  • History
    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.
  • Math
    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.
  • Religion
    Students will read aloud the stories contained in the Old and New Testaments. They will study the selected chapel reading for the day and learn that context is of the upmost importance when reading the Bible. Bible verses along with portions of Luther’s Small Catechism will be memorized weekly.
  • Handwriting
    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.
  • Literature
    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.
  • Latin
    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.
  • Choir
    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.
  • English
    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.
  • Math
    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.
  • Literature
    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
  • Choir
    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.
  • Latin
    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.
  • English
    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.
  • History
    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.
  • Music
    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.
  • Religion
    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.
  • Science
    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.
  • Latin
    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.
  • English
    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.
  • Religion
    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.
  • Math
    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.
  • Science
    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.
  • Choir
    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.
  • Literature
    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
  • History
    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.
  • Music
    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.
  • Literature
    The students will read classics from the Great Books list, integrating literature and history. We also discuss poetry and short stories as part of the literature curriculum. The students are encouraged and expected to participate in level-appropriate leisure reading.
  • Math
    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).
  • Science
    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.
  • Latin
    In Second Form Latin students will learn i-stem declensions, first and second pronouns, future passive and much more. Portions of Lingva Latina by Hans H. Orberg will be translated from Latin into English. Derivates will teach the students that many of our English words come from Latin.
  • English
    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.
  • Music
    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.
  • Religion
    Details of biblical stories will be explored to get an even richer understanding of biblical stories. Denominational differences will be explored to show why church bodies have come to the conclusions they have. Portions of the Lutheran Confessions will be explored.
  • Spelling
    Students will use Spalding’s Writing Road to Reading as the foundation for teaching spelling for grades three through six. Students review the 70 phonograms and use their knowledge of the 29 spelling rules, as well as phonograms to spell unfamiliar words.
  • History
    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.
  • Latin
    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.
  • Science
    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.
  • History
    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.
  • Religion
    Details of biblical stories will be explored to get an even richer understanding of biblical stories. Denominational differences will be explored to show why church bodies have come to the conclusions they have. Portions of the Lutheran Confessions will be explored.
  • Music
    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.
  • Math
    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.
  • Spelling
    Spalding’s Writing Road to Reading is used as the foundation for teaching spelling for grades three through six. Students review the 70 phonograms and use their knowledge of the 29 spelling rules, as well as phonograms to spell unfamiliar words.
  • Literature
    The students will read classics from the Great Books list, integrating literature and history. We also discuss poetry and short stories as part of the literature curriculum. The students are encouraged and expected to participate in level-appropriate leisure reading.
  • English
    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
  • Logic
    Airing an opinion is different from forming a coherent argument. Logic I teaches students the components of argumentation in order for them to think in an orderly, logical manner. Students learn the difference in a major and minor premise, universal and particular terms, and the relationship between statements in arguments that make it either valid, true, or sound.
  • Religion
    In-depth instruction will be given in the six chief parts of Luther’s Small Catechism. Many practical examples will be given so that students can relate and see that the faith that they hold will help guide them in their everyday life.
  • History and Literature
    History and literature are integrated and taught using two kinds of books, Omnibus Primary and Secondary. The Primary Books can be categorized as “Great Books” and introduce the students to many classic authors. The Secondary Books bring balance to the reading while still offering great works of literature. Utilizing the Great Books brings about discussion, which leads the students to “Great Ideas”. With each book, students are lead in discussions, which take them through the worlds of student, text, culture, and scriptures. The seventh and eighth grade students continue to develop their writing skills through various writing assignments, which include short answer responses, essays, and argument writing. As they progress through the Omnibus curriculum, they will also compose some fiction and poetry.
  • Latin
    In this course we continue learning new grammar forms and rules while reinforcing the old. Throughout our study of all noun declensions and verb forms with principal parts will be a course through Biblical Latin. The goal is reading Latin for comprehension. This language still speaks with plenty to say if we’re able to listen.
  • Pre-Algebra
    Pre-Algebra: Students will review their knowledge and understanding of arithmetic to help them apply the concepts to their daily lives. Concepts learned in pre-algebra are geometry, algebra, probability, statistics, radicals, systems of equations, and trigonometry. These concepts will prepare the students for Algebra 1.
  • Music
    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.
  • Science
    The students spend two years in their life science studies. In their life science studies the students defend the claim that a biblical worldview makes sense of reality and compare physical life and spiritual life. The students also identify and recognize the characteristics and classification of life, including being able to refute the supposed evolutionary significance to the modern classification system.
  • Public Speaking/Rhetoric
    This course will teach students public speaking through secrets learned from the classical tradition. Students will learn how to win an argument from the great Cicero. They will learn inventio (framing the argument), elocutio (style of argument), and actio (delivery of argument) to improve their public speaking skills.
  • Omnibus II – Literature, History, and Theology
    Omnibus II is an integrative course that takes the student back to the Middle Ages to learn the early history of the Christian Church and how the church dealt with the many heresies that arose from the earliest days. They will be brought through time to the spread of the church into the most remote realms of the known world and get to see how the Word of God replaced the dominant pagan worldview throughout Western Europe. They will learn that it took time, faith and dedicated effort on the part of believers to change the way people saw themselves and their relationship to their Creator through the salvific work of their Savior. They will get exposed to the lives of monks, kings, knights and others as the church grew to become the center of medieval life.
  • Home Economics
    In Home Economics, students learn the art and science of home management. Students will learn about different textiles and how to sew basic garments. They will be taught food safety and food preparation skills and nutrition.
  • Algebra 2
    Students build on concepts learned in Algebra 1 and continue solving polynomial functions, exponential functions, logarithmic functions, and trigonometric functions. The students solve problems with irrational, imaginary, and complex numbers. They will also learn math concepts such as factoring, exponents, probability, and statistics.
  • Woodshop
    Woodworking combines multiple skills. One needs math, patience, and measuring skills to make good projects. Woodshop at Grace teaches the fundamentals of wood working, how to use various tools, and shop safety. By the end of the year, students will have a project they’ll be proud to display.
  • Music
    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.
  • Chemistry
    In High School Chemistry, the students learn atomic properties and structure, bonding, chemical reactions, kinetic theory, gas laws, acids and bases. The students will be taught from a faith-informed perspective as disciples of Christ studying God’s created order.
  • Physics
    In High School Physics, students utilize graphs and equations to solve speed and velocity problems. The students learn to describe Newton’s first, second and third laws of motion. The students solve problems using Kepler’s laws. They then calculate kinetic energy, mass or velocity given the other two quantities.
  • Algebra 1
    Students will use their knowledge and understanding they developed in Pre- Algebra to advance in Algebra 1. In Algebra 1 the concepts that they will learn are polynomials, factoring, systems of equations, quadratic equations, inequalities, graphing, statistics, rational expressions, radicals, and functions. These concepts will prepare the students for the next course.
  • Physical Education
    The physical education curricula for all grades teaches students habits that will lead to lifelong fitness and continue the cultivation of the body, mind, and soul. Students will learn good Christian sportsmanship through games in which students win or lose. Through cultivating the student’s health, we maximize what the mind can do throughout the rest of the day and life.
  • Latin
    High School Latin continues Latin grammar while diving deeper into larger passages of Biblical Latin and including segments from Wheelock’s Latin. Comprehension is critical while also learning new grammatical forms given in the text. Recitation and memory shall be exercised in our pursuit to understand not only the components of this ancient language but be better students of the Holy Scriptures and the wisdom of the past so helpful for today.
  • Logic
    Most of us know how to speak our opinions and stick to our emotions. This isn’t, however, the same as preparing and articulating a sound argument. Traditional formal logic at GLS teaches students the basic structure of the argument, the function of terms, differences between “contrary” and “contradictory” statements and detecting those arguments that are valid but untrue. Classical students do not fall victim to “mob mentality” because of their ability to think and process critically what they hear rather than just following the masses. Formal logic assists in this task and is an indispensable skill of the liberal arts for the formation of wise, faithful students ready for the world.
  • Composition
    This class gives students experience in various genres and topics of composition, from personal narratives to persuasive essays and creative writing. Students complete classical exercises to teach analysis and critical thinking skills that will help them to benefit from and appreciate good writing in college and in life. Students will learn to craft well-written essays that include preparation for college entrance exams. The class also covers the basics of research, including using and citing different types of sources.
  • Biology
    The study of science should always begin with wonder. The Biology 1 class is an integrative course. The habit of compartmentalizing disciplines of learning must be eliminated, and to that end, we employ frequent use of math problems and have opportunities to develop good written expression through labs, exams, and papers. Finally, we expose key historical connections.
  • Geometry
    Students taking Geometry at Grace Lutheran High School will be guided through a mathematical journey of angles, lines, postulates, and theorems. Daily drills of computations and proofs will reinforce concepts as students gain understanding of this upper-level math. In addition to daily skills-building exercises, students will take their knowledge and relate it to real-world applications of Geometry.
  • Anatomy
    Anatomy is a course based on the study of human anatomy, associated experiments, and use of laboratory equipment. There are sixteen modules ranging from anatomy and physiology, tissues, nervous system etc. “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:16.

Text Books

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Religion

6th Grade Curriculum

  • Science
    Science: The students spend two years in their life science studies. In their life science studies, the students defend the claim that a biblical worldview makes sense of reality and compare physical life and spiritual life. The students also identify and recognize the characteristics and classification of life, including being able to refute the theory of evolution.
  • Music
    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.
  • Latin
    In this course we continue learning new grammar forms and rules while reinforcing the old. Throughout our study of all noun declensions and verb forms with principal parts will be a course through Biblical Latin. The goal is reading Latin for comprehension. This language still speaks with plenty to say if we’re able to listen.
  • Pre-Algebra & Algebra 1
    Pre-Algebra: Students will review their knowledge and understanding of arithmetic to help them apply the concepts to their daily lives. Concepts learned in pre-algebra are geometry, algebra, probability, statistics, radicals, systems of equations, and trigonometry. These concepts will prepare the students for Algebra 1. Algebra 1: Students will use their knowledge and understanding they developed in Pre- Algebra to advance in Algebra 1. In Algebra 1 the concepts that they will learn are polynomials, factoring, systems of equations, quadratic equations, inequalities, graphing, statistics, rational expressions, radicals, and functions. These concepts will prepare the students for the next course.
  • History and Literature
    History and literature are integrated and taught using two kinds of books, Omnibus Primary and Secondary. The Primary Books can be categorized as “Great Books” and introduce the students to many classic authors. The Secondary Books bring balance to the reading while still offering great works of literature. Utilizing the Great Books brings about discussion, which leads the students to “Great Ideas”. With each book, students are lead in discussions, which take them through the worlds of student, text, culture, and scriptures. The seventh and eighth grade students continue to develop their writing skills through various writing assignments, which include short answer responses, essays, and argument writing. As they progress through the Omnibus curriculum, they will also compose some fiction and poetry.
  • Logic
    Airing an opinion is different from forming a coherent argument. Logic I teaches students the components of argumentation in order for them to think in an orderly, logical manner. Students learn the difference in a major and minor premise, universal and particular terms, and the relationship between statements in arguments that make it either valid, true, or sound.
  • Religion
    In-depth instruction will be given in the six chief parts of Luther’s Small Catechism. Many practical examples will be given so that students can relate and see that the faith that they hold will help guide them in their everyday life.
  • Pre-K2
    The PreK2 program focuses on learning good habits such as: good manners, potty-training, washing hands, following directions, being polite, taking turns, helping others, and developing independence. We use the Abeka curriculum where students learn letters, sounds, colors, shapes, numbers, musical instruments, how to sort, sharing, and making new friends. Students learn about God through daily readings from the Bible.
  • Pre-K3
    The PreK3 program uses the Abeka curriculum and a tremendous amount of a hands-on learning. As the school year begins, we review shapes and colors in fun ways, by going on color hunts to locate items of that week’s color and having a daily snack of that color, too. Once letters and shapes are mastered, we begin discussing one letter a week, as well as a number, and practice that letter and number with chalk on the chalkboard easel, on Magna-Doodles, with Playdoh or in shaving cream. Fine Motor skills are honed daily through sensory tables and other pre-writing activities. Each morning begins with a Bible story from The Beginners Bible. The class enjoys singing “Jesus Loves Me” and each day wouldn’t be complete without music and movement and a dance party.
  • Pre-K4
    The PreK4 program begins each day with Bible time. We read Bible stories from the Old and New Testament, sing songs, and pray. We use the Abeka phonics curriculum in which we recognize the vowels with their sounds and consonants with their sounds. We then blend them with our “blend ladders.” The children learn to write the lowercase letters and then the uppercase letters of the alphabet. The children learn to recognize and understand the concepts of numbers. By the end of the year, they will be able to count 1-100, recognize 1-20, and predict before and after numbers.
  • English
    The Kindergarten Shurley English curriculum gives students a strong foundation in sentence structure. We learn the basic parts of speech and how to recognize them with fun jingles to reinforce classification of sentences. We end the year becoming authors and illustrators by writing our own books
  • Math
    In Kindergarten Abeka math, students master counting to 100 (and beyond) by 1s, 2s, 5s, and 10s. They learn math facts through 10, as well as beginning to tell time and identifying and counting coins.
  • Science
    For Kindergarten Science, we will learn about God’s World with Abeka. We will cover God’s plan for our body, weather, seasons, plants, animals, and the sea.
  • Choir
    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.
  • Learning Skills
    Kindergarteners also learn skills development through Abeka’s Think and Learn. We attempt to tie our shoes and hopefully master it! We play games, work mazes, learn fun drawing skills, among many others.
  • Phonics
    Kindergarten Spalding Phonics curriculum introduces 70 phonograms to the children, the most learned in any other year. They learn the correct way to write manuscript letters which segways right into learning cursive in first grade. We use phonograms and spelling rules to crack the code to reading.
  • English
    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
  • Religion
    Students will read aloud the stories contained in the Old and New Testaments. They will study the selected chapel reading for the day and learn that context is of the upmost importance when reading the Bible. Bible verses along with portions of Luther’s Small Catechism will be memorized weekly.
  • Choir
    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.
  • Science
    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.
  • Math
    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.
  • Latin
    In Prima Latina students will learn to recite the Lord's Prayer in Latin. They will learn how to decline nouns and memorize present tense endings. Students will memorize common Latin words, phrases, and derivatives that will help them recognize many English words that originate from Latin.
  • Handwriting
    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.
  • Reading
    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.
  • History
    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.
  • Science
    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.
  • History
    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.
  • Math
    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.
  • Religion
    Students will read aloud the stories contained in the Old and New Testaments. They will study the selected chapel reading for the day and learn that context is of the upmost importance when reading the Bible. Bible verses along with portions of Luther’s Small Catechism will be memorized weekly.
  • Handwriting
    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.
  • Literature
    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.
  • Latin
    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.
  • Choir
    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.
  • English
    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.
  • Math
    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.
  • Literature
    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
  • Choir
    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.
  • Latin
    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.
  • English
    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.
  • History
    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.
  • Music
    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.
  • Religion
    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.
  • Science
    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.
  • Latin
    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.
  • English
    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.
  • Religion
    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.
  • Math
    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.
  • Science
    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.
  • Choir
    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.
  • Literature
    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
  • History
    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.
  • Music
    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.
  • Literature
    The students will read classics from the Great Books list, integrating literature and history. We also discuss poetry and short stories as part of the literature curriculum. The students are encouraged and expected to participate in level-appropriate leisure reading.
  • Math
    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).
  • Science
    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.
  • Latin
    In Second Form Latin students will learn i-stem declensions, first and second pronouns, future passive and much more. Portions of Lingva Latina by Hans H. Orberg will be translated from Latin into English. Derivates will teach the students that many of our English words come from Latin.
  • English
    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.
  • Music
    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.
  • Religion
    Details of biblical stories will be explored to get an even richer understanding of biblical stories. Denominational differences will be explored to show why church bodies have come to the conclusions they have. Portions of the Lutheran Confessions will be explored.
  • Spelling
    Students will use Spalding’s Writing Road to Reading as the foundation for teaching spelling for grades three through six. Students review the 70 phonograms and use their knowledge of the 29 spelling rules, as well as phonograms to spell unfamiliar words.
  • History
    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.
  • Latin
    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.
  • Science
    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.
  • History
    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.
  • Religion
    Details of biblical stories will be explored to get an even richer understanding of biblical stories. Denominational differences will be explored to show why church bodies have come to the conclusions they have. Portions of the Lutheran Confessions will be explored.
  • Music
    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.
  • Math
    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.
  • Spelling
    Spalding’s Writing Road to Reading is used as the foundation for teaching spelling for grades three through six. Students review the 70 phonograms and use their knowledge of the 29 spelling rules, as well as phonograms to spell unfamiliar words.
  • Literature
    The students will read classics from the Great Books list, integrating literature and history. We also discuss poetry and short stories as part of the literature curriculum. The students are encouraged and expected to participate in level-appropriate leisure reading.
  • English
    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
  • Logic
    Airing an opinion is different from forming a coherent argument. Logic I teaches students the components of argumentation in order for them to think in an orderly, logical manner. Students learn the difference in a major and minor premise, universal and particular terms, and the relationship between statements in arguments that make it either valid, true, or sound.
  • Religion
    In-depth instruction will be given in the six chief parts of Luther’s Small Catechism. Many practical examples will be given so that students can relate and see that the faith that they hold will help guide them in their everyday life.
  • History and Literature
    History and literature are integrated and taught using two kinds of books, Omnibus Primary and Secondary. The Primary Books can be categorized as “Great Books” and introduce the students to many classic authors. The Secondary Books bring balance to the reading while still offering great works of literature. Utilizing the Great Books brings about discussion, which leads the students to “Great Ideas”. With each book, students are lead in discussions, which take them through the worlds of student, text, culture, and scriptures. The seventh and eighth grade students continue to develop their writing skills through various writing assignments, which include short answer responses, essays, and argument writing. As they progress through the Omnibus curriculum, they will also compose some fiction and poetry.
  • Latin
    In this course we continue learning new grammar forms and rules while reinforcing the old. Throughout our study of all noun declensions and verb forms with principal parts will be a course through Biblical Latin. The goal is reading Latin for comprehension. This language still speaks with plenty to say if we’re able to listen.
  • Pre-Algebra
    Pre-Algebra: Students will review their knowledge and understanding of arithmetic to help them apply the concepts to their daily lives. Concepts learned in pre-algebra are geometry, algebra, probability, statistics, radicals, systems of equations, and trigonometry. These concepts will prepare the students for Algebra 1.
  • Music
    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.
  • Science
    The students spend two years in their life science studies. In their life science studies the students defend the claim that a biblical worldview makes sense of reality and compare physical life and spiritual life. The students also identify and recognize the characteristics and classification of life, including being able to refute the supposed evolutionary significance to the modern classification system.
  • Public Speaking/Rhetoric
    This course will teach students public speaking through secrets learned from the classical tradition. Students will learn how to win an argument from the great Cicero. They will learn inventio (framing the argument), elocutio (style of argument), and actio (delivery of argument) to improve their public speaking skills.
  • Omnibus II – Literature, History, and Theology
    Omnibus II is an integrative course that takes the student back to the Middle Ages to learn the early history of the Christian Church and how the church dealt with the many heresies that arose from the earliest days. They will be brought through time to the spread of the church into the most remote realms of the known world and get to see how the Word of God replaced the dominant pagan worldview throughout Western Europe. They will learn that it took time, faith and dedicated effort on the part of believers to change the way people saw themselves and their relationship to their Creator through the salvific work of their Savior. They will get exposed to the lives of monks, kings, knights and others as the church grew to become the center of medieval life.
  • Home Economics
    In Home Economics, students learn the art and science of home management. Students will learn about different textiles and how to sew basic garments. They will be taught food safety and food preparation skills and nutrition.
  • Algebra 2
    Students build on concepts learned in Algebra 1 and continue solving polynomial functions, exponential functions, logarithmic functions, and trigonometric functions. The students solve problems with irrational, imaginary, and complex numbers. They will also learn math concepts such as factoring, exponents, probability, and statistics.
  • Woodshop
    Woodworking combines multiple skills. One needs math, patience, and measuring skills to make good projects. Woodshop at Grace teaches the fundamentals of wood working, how to use various tools, and shop safety. By the end of the year, students will have a project they’ll be proud to display.
  • Music
    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.
  • Chemistry
    In High School Chemistry, the students learn atomic properties and structure, bonding, chemical reactions, kinetic theory, gas laws, acids and bases. The students will be taught from a faith-informed perspective as disciples of Christ studying God’s created order.
  • Physics
    In High School Physics, students utilize graphs and equations to solve speed and velocity problems. The students learn to describe Newton’s first, second and third laws of motion. The students solve problems using Kepler’s laws. They then calculate kinetic energy, mass or velocity given the other two quantities.
  • Algebra 1
    Students will use their knowledge and understanding they developed in Pre- Algebra to advance in Algebra 1. In Algebra 1 the concepts that they will learn are polynomials, factoring, systems of equations, quadratic equations, inequalities, graphing, statistics, rational expressions, radicals, and functions. These concepts will prepare the students for the next course.
  • Physical Education
    The physical education curricula for all grades teaches students habits that will lead to lifelong fitness and continue the cultivation of the body, mind, and soul. Students will learn good Christian sportsmanship through games in which students win or lose. Through cultivating the student’s health, we maximize what the mind can do throughout the rest of the day and life.
  • Latin
    High School Latin continues Latin grammar while diving deeper into larger passages of Biblical Latin and including segments from Wheelock’s Latin. Comprehension is critical while also learning new grammatical forms given in the text. Recitation and memory shall be exercised in our pursuit to understand not only the components of this ancient language but be better students of the Holy Scriptures and the wisdom of the past so helpful for today.
  • Logic
    Most of us know how to speak our opinions and stick to our emotions. This isn’t, however, the same as preparing and articulating a sound argument. Traditional formal logic at GLS teaches students the basic structure of the argument, the function of terms, differences between “contrary” and “contradictory” statements and detecting those arguments that are valid but untrue. Classical students do not fall victim to “mob mentality” because of their ability to think and process critically what they hear rather than just following the masses. Formal logic assists in this task and is an indispensable skill of the liberal arts for the formation of wise, faithful students ready for the world.
  • Composition
    This class gives students experience in various genres and topics of composition, from personal narratives to persuasive essays and creative writing. Students complete classical exercises to teach analysis and critical thinking skills that will help them to benefit from and appreciate good writing in college and in life. Students will learn to craft well-written essays that include preparation for college entrance exams. The class also covers the basics of research, including using and citing different types of sources.
  • Biology
    The study of science should always begin with wonder. The Biology 1 class is an integrative course. The habit of compartmentalizing disciplines of learning must be eliminated, and to that end, we employ frequent use of math problems and have opportunities to develop good written expression through labs, exams, and papers. Finally, we expose key historical connections.
  • Geometry
    Students taking Geometry at Grace Lutheran High School will be guided through a mathematical journey of angles, lines, postulates, and theorems. Daily drills of computations and proofs will reinforce concepts as students gain understanding of this upper-level math. In addition to daily skills-building exercises, students will take their knowledge and relate it to real-world applications of Geometry.
  • Anatomy
    Anatomy is a course based on the study of human anatomy, associated experiments, and use of laboratory equipment. There are sixteen modules ranging from anatomy and physiology, tissues, nervous system etc. “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:16.

Text Books

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Religion
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