RELIGION

Grade 5-6: Concordia’s Bible History, gives accounts of the Old and New Testament and connects the two with all of the material pointing to Jesus. Students gain a solid foundation of the Bible to prepare for upcoming confirmation and/or seventh and eighth-grade Religion. Grade 7-8: One in Christ is used three times a week, it breaks down the Bible in segments, we do a study of different parts of the Bible; using the Bible to supplement the stories in the workbook. Twice a week students meet with one of our pastors. Throughout the year, they might study: one to two books of the Bible, a world religion and how it compares to Christianity (they then take a field trip to a worship site of that religion), creation vs. evolution, the Reformation and its effects, and more. The focus in all this is to help them grow and mature in their faith, while preparing them to interact with the world around them in light of that faith. They also serve as acolytes and screen operators for our weekly chapel services as well as chapel family leaders.

READING

Grade 5-6: Uses a variety of novels, poems and short stories to teach the Nebraska standards and concepts, students practice reading comprehension and written responses throughout the novel studies. In addition, students create a notebook with concepts such as character traits, plot diagrams and figurative language to apply to their own novels, which they present quarterly. Students are also instructed in grade-appropriate vocabulary. Grade 7-8: Various novels, short stories and poems are used to teach the Nebraska standards and concepts. Students practice reading and writing responses after reading novels and short stories.

  

HISTORY

Grade 5-6: U.S. History: The United States by Scott Foresman is studied over the course of two years. The history of our nation from early American cultures to the start of the Civil War is studied in one year. The second year of the class begins at the Civil War to the present. Students take notes, do daily work, map activities and take tests. Supplemental learning material comes from Junior Scholastic and NewzBrain for current event study. Grade 7-8: World Geography and World History: The books My World Geography from Pearson Education and My World History from Scott-Foresman are used. The first year focuses on world locations, culture, history and geography. Students do map work, take notes, perform research, take tests and study current events. The second year focuses on the history of the world from the early civilizations, the World Wars and present history. Students do research, take notes and take tests. The class material is supplemented with Junior Scholastic and NewzBrain for current event study.

MATH

Grade 5 Math: Uses Reveal math as a guide through the fifth grade standards but is often substituted with a variety of material with resources from IXL and other practice material. Students gain a foundation in skills such as long division, fraction and decimal work and geometry concepts. Grade 6 Math: Math: Maneuvering the Middle, engages students in a variety of ways to solve equations. Students take notes while also practicing concepts and are given immediate feedback on their work before practicing independently. The curriculum also includes applications and critical thinking of the work in word problems. Grade 7-8 Math: Prentice Hall Mathematics.

SCIENCE

Science Duo and other supplemental material is used to teach students  material through notes, articles, videos and experiments.  Additionally, students are given practice in interpreting diagrams and data. Assessment is based on the application of concepts.  

GRAMMER

Shurley English and Institute for Excellence in Writing(IEW) Fix It! Grammar is used for students to understand patterns and questions to ask to identify parts of speech. Students also learn about sentence structure, punctuation, capitalization and word usages to become more effective writers.  

SPELLING

Spelling Connections from Zane-Bloser is used to prepare students for a spelling test at the end of the week. Power Spelling provides supplemental material and allows the students to hear the words, look at the words and write the words to reinforce correct spelling.

TECHNOLOGY

Uses a variety of teacher material that includes learning to use Google programs and Canva, coding, creating web pages and typing.  

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Students have class three times a week where they learn sportsmanship, cooperation, team building and individual skills in competitive games and individual skills practice. Leadership is also a focus skill of the physical education class.

MEMORY

Includes parts of Luther’s Small Catechism and corresponding Bible verses.  

WRITING

IEW:  Institute for Excellence in Writing is now used for first through eighth grades. Mrs. Meyer teaches first through fourth grade and Mrs. Cotter teaches fifth through eighth grades. It breaks the writing process down into summarizing a source text with a keyword outline. Then, it discusses various Dress-Ups for writing, like strong verbs, -ly adverbs, strong adjectives and a who/which clause. Students are graded on a rubric and become much more confident writers. This curriculum heavily emphasizes grammar with all the Dress-Ups! Cursive handwriting is practiced.