5th-7th
LOWER SCHOOL
5th-7th
At Coram Deo Classical School, the 5th-7th grade years mark a transition into deeper learning and critical thinking, known as the “Logic Stage” in classical education. During this phase, students begin to question and analyze the world around them, building on the foundational knowledge acquired in earlier years. They are encouraged to engage in logical reasoning, debate, and problem-solving as they explore subjects more deeply, particularly in areas like history, literature, and science. Biblical teachings remain central, helping students to strengthen their faith while learning to defend and articulate their beliefs. The small class sizes continue to foster individualized learning, while character development remains a priority, with a focus on teaching students to think ethically and responsibly. These years help students bridge the gap between foundational learning and the more advanced, independent study that will come in later stages, preparing them for the challenges of high school and beyond.
History & Geography
At the Logic level, history reviews the cataloged facts and aids the students in recognizing the connectivity of historical events, people and locations. Principles of logic and rhetoric are integrated to enhance student learning, discussion, debate and presentation.
The study of history becomes the backbone of a classical education during the logic stage which is 5th-8th grades. We will learn how to evaluate and organize information through a Christian worldview lens. Your student will receive an assignment in both Mystery of History each week. Students will complete assignments from Mystery of History. Students will also create a meaningful timeline and organize gathered information in a notebook . Tests will be given about every 6 weeks in history. Tests will also be given over geography that has been covered.
English
ENGLISH
5th & 6th GRAMMAR
Rod and Staff English is used to help students master formal grammar to build the language skills necessary for successful writing. Assignments will include written work and worksheets each week that cover elements of a sentence, parts of speech, punctuation, clauses, and diagramming. Class time will be spent each week on new concepts and how to diagram them. Most of the Rod & Staff tests will be completed at home and a few in class.
7th GRAMMAR
Analytical Grammar teaches English grammar, punctuation, and usage. It is designed to be taught in three grammar “seasons” over two-year schedule. Analytical Grammar is an easy-to-follow, step-by-step approach that will prepare your student for high school and college-level work.
WRITING
Dictation, narration, writing of summaries, keyword outlines, and writing of narratives will work together to build the student’s writing ability. Students will rewrite paragraphs from selections in history weekly. Students will be taught in the model from the Institute in Excellence in Writing and will follow this model through the year in specific, simple assignments.
LITERATURE
Reading is key to the historical period. Literature will be biographies, classic works of imagination, and historical fiction. Students will receive a novel every two to four weeks. Some novels will have study guides that go with them, some quizzes, and others will be used in a writing assignment.
VOCABULARY
Ideal for students mastering a growing content-area vocabulary in social studies, science, literature, and mathematics – predominantly multisyllabic Greek – and Latin-based words. Strategic instruction helps students learn to unlock the meanings of thousands of words. As students transition from learning to read to reading to learn, they will develop a useful, transferable technique to make sense out of unfamiliar words.
Math
At the Logic level, students develop in symbolic mathematics. Algebra requires the student to work with the unknown, to analyze each problem, to discover its central point and to apply knowledge already acquired to its solution.
Saxon Math Intermediate 5 and Course I, II and III are used to give students time to learn and practice skills throughout the year. Developing higher-order thinking, Saxon Math helps students to become more confident problem solvers. Focusing directly on math to eliminate distraction. Our teachers introduce and teach the skills for the lessons that will be covered during the week. Assignments will be given each week and assignments will be given including a midterm and final exam.
Science
SCIENCE
Grades 5-6
This class meets each 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. The textbook is designed for home education 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 class-hour is focused by using a 24-inch monitor with custom-made
PowerPoint slides that demonstrate many things for dialog and lab questions which enhance the learning of the lecture concepts. The slides develop and expand the textbook material by showing detailed pictures most efficiently. 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. These are returned with the graded, weekly homework to the teacher for evaluating and recording. The textbook, God’s Design, 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 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.
GENERAL SCIENCE APOLOGIA
Grade 7
This course is designed to be a student’s first systematic introduction to the sciences. The course covers such topics as the scientific method, designing experiments, simple machines, archaeology, geology, paleontology, biology, and human anatomy and physiology. Its scope, therefore, is quite wide. There are many hands-on experiments to do, and they all use household items.
Latin
Critical Thinking