CURRICULUM

Religion is a K-8 continuum of classes and concepts. In the lower grades, the emphasis is on Bible stories and how God expects people to relate to Him and His creation. In the upper grades, the students study the individual Gospels and Epistles and how we are to apply them to our lives today. Church history and Doctrine are discussed at the middle school level. Our curriculum is designed to give the students, during their years at St. Paul's, a complete survey of the Old and New Testaments. In addition to their classes in Religion, students worship together daily in their classrooms, and the entire school worships together weekly in our church.

Reading is a skill, which is best learned like riding a bicycle -you practice, practice, practice! In Kindergarten, students do a wide variety of activities which prepare the children to get ready to unlock the mysteries of the written word. Many children learn to read during Kindergarten, while others wait until later in their school career. In subsequent levels, continued reading in a variety of ways and at a variety of times further hones reading skills. While our reading series is based on phonics, it includes a wide variety of activities. Throughout the program, children are exposed to a wide variety of books in different genres that are universally recognized as quality children's literature. Language Arts is taught so that each student will become proficient in writing, listening, and speaking. The conventions of grammar are taught utilizing a variety of methods which are appropriate to the teaching style of the teacher and the learning styles of the students. Writing and spelling are important components of the Language Arts curriculum.

Mathematics is taught in a K-8 sequential progression. Kindergarteners are taught to recognize and to do basic work with numbers. They use numbers in a variety of ways so that they become comfortable with them. All students are expected to master addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers, fractions, and decimals, along with various skills in geometry and measurement. We offer Pre-Algebra and Algebra 1 to appropriately prepared and proficient students in grades 7 and 8. Physical Education is a curriculum of skills and proficiency development in various physical activities. Skills taught include team sports, individual life-long sports, gross and fine motor skills development,

sportsmanship, and physical fitness. Proper nutrition and care of the body are also emphasized. Most classes also participate in the Presidential Physical Fitness program each year.

Fine Arts including music, art, and drama are taught by individual classroom teachers as well as in extra-currculular classes. Music opportunities include singing in the Kids of the Kingdom choir, ringing in the handbell choir, and joining the band program. A music teacher visits classrooms once a week and Middle school studentstake a one-semester course in Music Appreciation .

Social Studies is taught in all grades as we study people and the effects that they have on our world. Field trips are used to enhance this learning. This program reaches its peak in grades 5-8 as students travel off campus for Environmental Education experiences at camps and other facilities.

Science is taught in all grades as we study the world that God has given us. All areas of science are covered throughout a student's time at St. Pauls.

Computer Literacy is a developing curriculum which teaches students in all grades to use the computer as a tool in their life. Our Media Center contains individual computer workstations equipped with software and headphones. Emphasis is on word processing, data base management, and, in the upper grades, spreadsheet and presentation skills.