What is Christian Education?
Christian education is distinctive in that it presents all subject areas in the context of God’s view of the world. When a student is taught from a Biblical worldview, by a teacher with a personal relationship with Jesus, the result is Christian Education. The student develops higher level thinking skills, character qualities, and a work/study ethic based on an understanding of what the Bible has to say about life. All of his life choices are made based on his understanding of the Bible and the plan God has for his life. Students are encouraged to develop their intellect to its fullest potential through cultivating the habits of mind that enable them to become lifelong learners. It is our desire that students who leave CCS will encounter and impact today’s culture with the ability to think Biblically, defend their faith and manage their personal and professional lives in a way that will bring honor to God.
What are the characteristics of a typical first grader?
The average first grader is all about being first and best. They are very egocentric and have difficulty being flexible. They can be very energetic and somewhat oppositional. It is often difficult for them to separate reality and fantasy. First graders develop a strong bond with the teacher. The first grade year is one of dramatic developmental changes.
During this year, you can expect your first grader to:
· develop a mostly positive view of himself
· gain a new awareness of his feelings
· learn to express his feelings
· learn how to work in a group
· become aware of his own uniqueness
· show signs of learning how to learn from his mistakes
Overall, first graders are all about the business of changing!
SPIRITUAL FORMATION |
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At CCS, our spiritual formation program is the most important thing we do. Through daily chapel and classroom Bible instruction, we want to teach our students to know His Word, praise His name and grow daily as young believers. |
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CHAPEL |
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Students in grades 1-4 participate in Chapel every morning. This is an innovative Bible memory program using word studies, pictures and American Sign Language. Students delight in learning to sing contemporary Christian music. Students also memorize passages of Scripture each month and sections of the Shorter Catechism. |
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BIBLE |
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Familiar Bible stories are expanded into a theme of “God’s Gifts to Me” as first graders study how God gives gifts. Bible lessons include the following gifts God gives: a place to live, a family, leaders, helpers, His Son, His Word and the church. |
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SERVICE PROJECTS |
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First grade students participate in class-specific and school-wide service projects designed to help them follow Biblical principles to serve others and benefit the community. Some examples of previous service projects include making encouragement cards to send to a missionary family serving abroad and making Christmas shoeboxes for needy children. |
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MATH |
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Through the study of our number system with its exact, precise, reliable and logical nature, children are provided a glimpse of our Creator. The Saxon First Grade Math program provides a system of daily instruction, practice, and assessments to actively engage students in the learning process. Concepts are developed through hands-on math experiences and concrete examples that help the children develop abstract and higher-order thinking skills. The core of the first grade mathematics curriculum focuses on the mastery of these concepts and skills: |
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· Counting, reading & writing numbers 1-100 · Place value concepts to 100 · Mastery of basic addition and subtraction facts to 18 · Adding two multi-digit numbers without regrouping · Patterns, fractions, geometric shapes, graphs, calendar · Telling time to hour and ½ hour · Identifying and counting all coins · Measuring to nearest inch and centimeter |
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Resources and Textbooks |
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· Open Court Reading & Writing · ABEKA Phonics & Spelling · Science Discovery Works, Concordia Edition |
LANGUAGE ARTS |
The purpose of the Language Arts program in the elementary program at CCS is to teach students to understand and communicate effectively in oral and written formats. The ultimate goal is for students to be able to effectively articulate and communicate the gospel message. The students will understand that they are created in the image of a God who communicates clearly with His people. |
Highlights of the First Grade Language Arts program are: |
· Systematic instruction in phonics to develop phonemic awareness, oral fluency and strong decoding skills |
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SOCIAL STUDIES |
Analyzing past and present events in history and identifying God’s purposes through them provides a perspective that will enable students to better affect their community and world as the Lord directs them through life. |
Some of the units of study in first grade are: |
· Patriotism · Native Americans · Explorers · Pilgrims/Thanksgiving · Mexico |
SCIENCE |
The teaching of science at CCS is designed to reveal the glory of the Creator. Students are taught that God is in all of science and all that takes place in nature is under the control of a sovereign God. |
| The first grade curriculum includes some of these areas of science: |
· Kinds of Living Things · Weather & Seasons · Magnets · Earth’s Land and Water |
Field Trips and Special Events |
· Labor Day Parade · Trip Around the World · Native American Festival |