LOWER SCHOOL
K-4th
At Coram Deo Classical School, K-4th grades build a foundation for spiritual and academic growth. Students develop a Christ-centered worldview and key skills in reading, writing, and arithmetic during the “Grammar Stage” of classical education. Small classes foster curiosity, individualized attention, and character development rooted in Christian virtues, with active family involvement. These years prepare students for academic success and spiritual maturity.
History
At this stage history emphasizes mental cataloging of the major people, events and dates through rhyme and recitation. The study of history gives us the unique opportunity to follow the examples or learn from the mistakes of past men, women, and even entire civilizations. It allows us to see God’s faithfulness, kindness, mercy, and justice throughout time. It becomes obvious that no matter when or where in time we are studying, people need Jesus Christ as their Savior. Using the text The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child, Volumes 1-4, we will study the major historical events in a four year cycle. Age appropriate family read-alouds will enrich our understanding of this each time period. Special projects and celebrations of historical milestones will be included to make learning more meaningful. Geography maps, timelines, notebooking and plenty of hands-on activities will enhance our study and help us experience this captivating time period in history.
Language Arts
PHONICS AND SPELLING
Grades 1-2
Saxon Phonics and Spelling is our success-oriented program that will enable students to develop a solid foundation in phonics and become confident readers. In keeping with Saxon philosophy, new learning will be presented in increments, and each step will be reviewed daily at home. Weekly tests in phonics and spelling will be given at Coram Deo.
GRAMMAR
Grades 1-2
First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind, by Jessie Wise, is our classical text for both grades. This complete grammar program uses memorization, copywork, narration, dictation, picture study, and other classical techniques to develop the young student’s language ability.
SPELLING
Grades 3-4
In the Rod and Staff program, spelling by sound is the simple phonetic skill of hearing sounds and writing the corresponding letters. Spelling by structure applies regular patterns of word building, such as doubling the consonant to add -ing. Though the English language has many irregularities and phonetic exceptions, a good grasp of phonics aids correct spelling. The majority of consonant sounds and some vowel sounds are consistently indicated by the same letter. Other sounds have consistent spelling patterns according to position in a word or syllable. About one-half of the words in our vocabulary are phonetic. Most of the remaining half employ spelling patterns. Spelling tests will be given each week in class.
GRAMMAR
Grades 3-4
Rod and Staff English is our text. We will study sentence structure, the parts of speech, and begin some simple diagramming. Daily assignments at home, learning new skills in class, reviewing previously taught skills in class, and tests after each unit will solidify the students’ understanding of the grammar concepts taught this year.
Handwriting & Vocabulary
WRITING
Writing with Ease, by Susan Wise Bauer, combines the best elements of classical writing instruction with innovative educational methods. Students will build a firm foundation in writing using passages from classic children’s literature as a model. Daily assignments will alternate between copy work, narration, and dictation. Institute for Excellence in Writing will be introduced and practiced in class starting in grade 3.
HANDWRITING
Printing with Pictures offered by Queen Homeschool is our instruction guide for penmanship in grades 1 and 2. When picture study and copywork are properly used to require a standard of perfection, they will greatly improve your child’s handwriting if you are attentive to hold them accountable to this standard.
Pictures in Cursive offered by Queen Homeschool is a cursive writing program based on picture study of classic works of art, using copywork as its base. We teach cursive in 3rd grade and 4th grades. Daily work in 4th grade should be turned in using cursive in all subjects.
VOCABULARY
Students will expand and enhance their vocabulary using Wordly Wise in 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades. Beginning in 4th, the students will use Classical Roots Curriculum. Daily assignments at home will reinforce understanding of new words and improve reading comprehension skills. Tests will be given. All 1st grade work will be done in class.
Literature
Reading is fundamental in a well-rounded Classical Education. During the Classical Grammar stage, we have two purposes in the area of reading: to get your child to read quickly, well, and habitually and to fill his mind with stories of every kind—myths, legends, classic tales, biographies, and great stories from history. We have an extensive reading list this coming year weaving around our history topics as well as classic pieces of literature that we believe every child should be exposed to. Some of these titles will be read-alouds for you and your child to enjoy together, but most will be geared for independent reading.
Math
Kindergarten
1st Grade
Using delightful themes and full-color illustrations, Arithmetic 1 presents concepts in an orderly manner, building on prior learning and including consistent year-long review. Concepts include counting, writing and reading numbers, place value, addition and subtraction, money, graphs, measurement, time, temperature, and fractions. Applications to real world situations stretch students’ thinking ability.
2nd Grade
Have your child begin applying mathematical concepts to everyday situations even in the second grade. Foundational concepts such as addition with carrying and subtraction with borrowing are greatly emphasized and reviewed in Grade 2. Counting money, telling time, reading graphs, and Roman numerals are just some more concepts that your child will learn and build upon throughout his arithmetic journey. Using age-appropriate themes such as transportation, the jungle, community helpers, and camping, your child will enjoy practicing adding and subtracting while learning simple geometry and problem solving.
3rd Grade
Master multiplication and division in Grade 3 with Arithmetic 3. Help your child apply arithmetic concepts to everyday situations through word problems and measurement conversions. Graduate into work with fractions as your child learns to reduce, add, and subtract these parts of a whole.
4th Grade
Help your child excel in arithmetic with the colorful, daily work-text Arithmetic 4. Practice multiplying and dividing 2-digit numbers, estimating, and writing decimals as fractions. Your child will solidify his understanding of square measures, simple geometry, proper and improper fractions. Daily word problems, supplemental problems, and a handbook for terms and definitions in the back of the book provide ample opportunity for application and review.
Science
SCIENCE
Grades 1-4 –> What about Kindergarten
The God’s Design series is the foundation for this class meets every per week. Students come to class after reading the textbook and answering assigned questions at home. They come with interest and the background knowledge needed to participate in class during the lecture dialogue. Students respond with exciting questions and eagerness to learn. Homework questions are emailed to parents with answers provided for grading, correcting and discussion at home. Unit tests are e-mailed every few weeks to be administered at home by parents. The textbook is designed for home school and includes a few simple labs, crafts, and research assignments to be done at home. More complex lab exercises are demonstrated in class when possible.
The God’s Design sign series is a highly regarded, complete science curriculum for grades 1 through 8. Covers life science, earth science, physical science, and chemistry & ecology. In the award-winning, full-color student curriculum the lessons are short, easy to teach, and take a hands-on approach using ordinary household items for experiments and activities. But easy does not mean lacking in substance; God’s Design textbooks and the all-new teacher supplements and CDs are comprehensive. Most important, God’s Design authors Debbie and Richard Lawrence approach science from a biblical worldview, emphasizing God’s handiwork in the world around us and showing how real science supports biblical authority and the Genesis account of creation
Latin
Using Song School Latin 1 or 2, third and fourth grade students will sing, chant, and play their way through an engaging and enjoyable introduction of the Latin language. Students will learn over 100 familiar words and phrases in Latin, having to do with such things as greetings, manners, food, pets, and school. They will begin to see the important connections between Latin and English during the Grow Your English activities each week. By acquainting young students with Latin in this fun and gentle method, Latin quickly becomes many students’ favorite subject!
Critical Thinking
In order to give students the tools they need to develop decision making skills, we will do a variety of weekly critical thinking assignments. These skills will be useful in developing the ability to effectively discern whether a particular thought or idea lines up with the Word of God. Mindbenders, Reading Detective, and Thinking Through Analogies are some of the texts we will use. Packets will be sent home each week to build strong thinking skills.
Music & Art
The world of art and music during each period of History will be introduced and explored as it coincides with our history topics throughout the year.
Bible
We will be learning about the character, names, promises and providence of God as seen evidenced through history and will memorize key passages to think big thoughts about God.