K-3rd – General Information

Parents will receive lesson plans suggesting what to work on at home and outlining what was covered during each class period on campus.  On the at home days, parents will encourage their students to play, read good literature, and spend time on the basics.  Parents work on reading at home using the All About Reading program utilized at Liberty (or a program of choice) and select from provided reading lists for their child to read daily.  Likewise, parents choose a math program that best suits the needs of their child.  We are happy to make suggestions for appropriate programs.  Art projects and music are incorporated into many of the classes.

Reading, writing, spelling, math, and motor skill development are given the highest priority for our primary aged students, since these provide a strong foundation for a life-time of learning.  These primary activities will be integrated throughout classes in order to provide as many opportunities for practice as possible.  Students will be grouped according to common ability levels within our Primary program.

Elementary A (Beginning Readers)

Language Arts – Phonics and Reading

Reading, as well as beginning spelling skills, are taught in small groups of 2 – 4 children.  Children learn the 43 sounds of the English language and the letters that represent those sounds.  They learn to blend “sound pictures” (letters or groups of letters which represent one sound) into words. Games and a variety of activities are utilized. Lessons are based on All About Reading and The Ordinary Parent’s Guide to Teaching Reading, and students will be placed into the appropriate level of the program.  The provision of a language rich environment both at home and in class creates the best environment to foster reading success.

Language Arts – Literature, Grammar, Writing

In class children listen to outstanding children’s literature (both poetry and prose) each day.  New vocabulary is introduced in stories and discussed to build comprehension.  Children learn to identify elements of literature in the stories they hear.  Our students develop reading comprehension via tutor monitored daily oral reading of developmentally appropriate classic children’s books.  Grammar memorization is taught through song and activity and First Language Lessons.  Draw, Write, Now is used to teach drawing.  Penmanship skills are taught through copy work.  When children are competent with manuscript, they are taught cursive writing.  At home, children should be regularly listening to good literature as well as working on their writing skills.

History/Geography/Bible

Children learn American history through engaging stories in carefully selected historical picture books and novels.Hands on activities accompany the lessons.  Children memorize a portion of a history time-line with hand motions and history and geography facts through song and movement.  Students work with maps to learn basic skills and geography.  Students listen to Bible stories read from quality children’s Bible story books and memorize Scripture verses and other pertinent Bible information, such as the ten commandments and books of the Bible.

 Science

Engaging hands-on science forms our foundation for instruction in primary.  Lessons are presented in an entertaining, story-like format and are followed with hands-on activities.  Children memorize appropriate science facts with songs, chants and movement.

 Math

Math lessons cover the concepts taught in most math programs including Horizons and Saxon.   Covered skills include number formation, counting, time, calendar, measurement, money skills, addition, subtraction, and skip counting through a variety of methods such as games and drills.  Memory work is a strong component in order that students achieve immediate recall of math facts.  Children work at home using an appropriate math curriculum chosen by parents.

 Physical Education

Children will have a period each day to expend their energy, learn games and other physical skills.  P.E. provides opportunities to play childhood games, to play as a team, to develop sportsmanship, and to develop of basic motor and motion skills, such as running, skipping, and flexibility.

Elementary B (Emerging Readers)

Language Arts – Phonics and Reading

Reading as well as beginning spelling skills are taught in small groups of 2 – 4 children.  Children learn the 43 sounds of the English language and the letters that represent those sounds.  They learn to blend “sound pictures” (letters or groups of letters which represent one sound) into words. Games and a variety of activities are utilized. Lessons are based on All About Reading, and students will be placed into the appropriate level of the program.  As students progress, their reading group time is spent reading captivating and motivating whole books.  The provision of a language rich environment both at home and in class creates the best environment to foster reading success.

Language Arts – Literature, Grammar, Writing

In class children listen to outstanding children’s literature both poetry and prose each day.  New vocabulary is introduced in stories and discussed to build comprehension.  Children learn to identify elements of literature in the stories they hear.  Our students develop reading comprehension via tutor monitored daily oral reading of developmentally appropriate classic children’s books.  Grammar memorization is taught through song and activity and First Language Lessons.  Draw, Write, Now is used to teach drawing.  Penmanship skills are taught through copy work.  When children are competent with manuscript, they are taught cursive writing.  At home, children should be regularly listening to good literature as well as working on their writing skills.

History/Geography/Bible

Children learn American history through engaging stories in carefully selected historical picture books and novels.Hands on activities accompany the lessons.  Children memorize a portion of a history time-line with hand motions and history and geography facts through song and movement.  Students work with maps to learn basic skills and United States geography.  Students listen to Bible stories read from quality children’s Bible story books and memorize Scripture verses and other pertinent Bible information, such as the ten commandments and books of the Bible.

Science

Engaging hands-on science forms our foundation for instruction in primary.  Lessons are presented in an entertaining, story-like format and are followed with hands-on activities.  Children memorize appropriate science facts with songs, chants and movement.

Math

Math lessons cover the concepts taught in most math programs including Horizons and Saxon.   Covered skills include number formation, counting, time, calendar, measurement, money skills, addition, subtraction, and skip counting through a variety of methods such as games and drills.  Memory work is a strong component in order that students achieve immediate recall of math facts.  Children work at home using an appropriate math curriculum chosen by parents.

Latin

Students will gain an introductory knowledge of the language through stories, songs, and basic vocabulary memory.

Physical Education

Children will have a period each day to expend their energy, learn games and other physical skills.  P.E. provides opportunities to play childhood games, to play as a team, to develop sportsmanship, and to develop of basic motor and motion skills, such as running, skipping, and flexibility.

Elementary C/D (Intermediate Reading Skills and Beginning Writing Skills)

Language Arts

Focus includes literature, poetry memorization, handwriting, spelling, vocabulary, dictation, and the mechanics of grammar and writing.  A love of language is encouraged in students through a variety of experiences and projects. Students will begin to learn literary terms and devices in the context of enjoying excellent literature.

• IEW:  Institute for Excellence in Writing, PAL Unit III
• Spelling
• First Language Lessons Level 2-3
• Cursive Instruction Workbooks
• Selected novels & poems
• Reading instruction/groups

Science

Engaging hands-on science forms our foundation for instruction in primary.  Lessons are presented in an entertaining, story-like format and are followed with hands-on activities.  Children memorize appropriate science facts with songs, chants and movement.

Most work will be completed during Liberty school days.  There may be minimal homework to be done at home in the event that class work is not completed. All labs will be completed during class on Liberty school days.

History/Geography /Bible

History and geography studies will focus upon a rotating schedule of 4 different time periods.  Texts employing a strong narrative method are used in each grade, as well as biography and historical fiction novels to engage students in a meaningful way with our rich and eventful past.  Students will present research projects, memorize geography, and compile projects on various topics. Students will also learn Bible stories from hearing stories read aloud from quality children’s Bible storybooks and commit Scripture to memory through song. We employ a variety of well-known programs such as Veritas Press, Story of the World, Mystery of History, and The Story of US.

PE

Our curriculum provides a comprehensive continuity program from kindergarten through grade 6, with a strong emphasis on the fitness component. It is based on sound education principles, research in motor learning, exercise physiology and teaching methodology.  Each P.E. class will last 30 minutes and will consist of an opening warm up or stretching activity, a main activity that teaches a sport, fitness or game skill and a closing activity.

Latin

Students will gain an introductory knowledge of the language through stories, songs, and basic vocabulary memory.

Art

Our curriculum utilizes creative instruction to help every student develop a love for art and a healthy self-image in a way that emphasizes the value and talent of each child. Students will move through units that explore the main elements of art: texture, form, space, shape, color, value and line.

 Math

Math lessons cover the concepts taught in most math programs including Horizons and Saxon.   Skills are presented through a variety of methods such as games, drills, songs, and chants.  Memory work is a strong component in order that students achieve immediate recall of math facts.  Children work at home using an appropriate math curriculum chosen by parents.