Elementary Curriculum
Lamb of God Lutheran School is a member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS). We believe a Christ-centered education creates a firm foundation for life, promotes respect for self and other, and fosters personal responsibility. We work together to create an environment that is safe, nurturing, and fun, a place where children want to learn. We encourage each child to discover his or her unique, God-given talents while learning to participate in and contribute to the community. When you send your child to Lamb of God Lutheran, don't let go of your child, grow with your child. Our teachers work closely with parents in a Christian family environment to encourage total growth -- spiritual, academic, emotional, physical and social.
Religion
Lamb of God's religion classes offer daily Christian lessons, weekly memorization of a scripture verse or selections from Luther's Small Catechism, and a weekly chapel service in the church's sanctuary. In addition, once per year, each class presents a chapel service based on scripture. Parents are invited to all chapel services. The Voyages Series provides a consistent scope and sequence from grade to grade; however our teachers are passionate about incorporating God's word into all that they teach. At Lamb of God we strive to lead with faith, learn with joy and live with purpose daily.
New Curriculum for 2010-11
Lamb of God's curriculum, the Core Knowledge Sequence, is a research-based program that is utilized in hundreds of schools across the country and is founded on the premise that a grade-by-grade core of common learning is necessary to ensure a sound and complete elementary education. The Core Knowledge curriculum was developed by Dr. E. D. Hirsch, Jr. and is based on a large body of research in cognitive psychology, as well as a careful examination of several of the world's fairest and most effective school systems. Dr. Hirsch has argued that, for the sake of academic excellence, greater fairness and higher literacy, early schooling should provide a solid, specific and shared core curriculum in order to help children establish strong foundations of knowledge.
As students proceeds from month to month and year to year, Lamb of God will present a broad range of historical, scientific, and cultural topics that build one on another, preparing your child for later educational success. This exposure to a wide array of subject matter is intended not only to develop cultural literacy, but also to build a strong vocabulary, now recognized, along with decoding skills, to be absolutely necessary for true reading comprehension. Cultural literacy, or familiarity with the traditions and knowledge commonly shared by educated citizens in a society, is sometimes acquired in informal ways as well as by formal study. Core Knowledge develops cultural literacy in a way that is systematic but leaves lots of room for creativity. This curriculum eliminates some of the gaps and repetitions that frequently characterize a curriculum in which textbooks and programs are selected more or less at random.
The Core Knowledge Curriculum encompasses language arts, mathematics, science, history, geography, and fine arts. The curriculum is characterized by knowledge that is:
- Solid - lasting, unchanging knowledge such as important events of world history;
- Sequenced - a planned progression building on students' previous knowledge and eliminating excessive repetition and gaps;
- Specific - clearly defined knowledge at each grade level ensuring fairness for all students;
- Shared - providing all students, regardless of background, with the shared knowledge they need to be included in our national literate culture.
More than just the facts!
It is not enough to acquire knowledge. The ability to see patterns and analyze facts is necessary to be able to influence and improve the world around us. At Lamb of God, progressive thinking skills, unique to each discipline, are used to guide young people in applying discernment to knowledge.
The 3R's and then some!
The skills of learning - reading, writing, calculating and speaking - are learned through a combination of curriculum content, modeling, coaching, and sensible practice. Lamb of God teachers help students develop skills using specific programs including Shurley Grammar, Houghton Mifflin Reading, and Saxon Math and Phonics.
An effective Language Arts program is the cornerstone of every student's education. Without the basic skills of reading, writing and communicating, students cannot fully participate in the educational process. Therefore, at Lamb of God, we focus intensely on early literacy to ensure that every child has an opportunity to learn and grow.
Classic Books, Substantial Content
Classic literature appropriate to the age and ability of each student is read extensively. Students are exposed to high quality reading materials to stimulate their interests and engage their minds.
History
The Core Knowledge Curriculum thoroughly covers History, World Civilizations and Geography. As the students progress through these subjects, they are able to understand the shared values of a civilized society, follow the threads throughout world history that provide a context for the founding of the United States of America, and trace the emergence of the principles on which our nation was founded. Additionally, these studies provide a historical basis for the establishment of the modern world.
Saxon Math
The Saxon Math program is implemented for mathematics at Lamb of God. The scope and sequence of Saxon math is a perfect complement to Core Knowledge. Instead of relying on rote memorization, Saxon Math is taught incrementally, such that each lesson builds on previous lessons, resulting in a deep and lasting understanding. Studies have shown the effectiveness of cumulative learning through distributed instruction. Lamb of God implements flexible grouping based on mastery of skills in conjunction with the Saxon Math program.
This incremental approach to math differs from most traditional programs, which are "chapter-based." In these traditional texts, students are presented with and expected to learn an entire mathematical concept in one day. The homework for that day consists of twenty or thirty problems, all of which deal with that concept. The topic is then only reviewed prior to a test, if at all. Saxon textbooks, however, divide concepts into smaller, more easily grasped pieces called increments. A new increment is presented each day and students work only a few problems involving the new material. The remaining homework consists of practice problems involving concepts previously introduced. Thus, every assignment (and every test) is a cumulative review of all material covered up to that point.
Science and Technology
The Core Knowledge curriculum covers scientific concepts that build from grade to grade. Children at Lamb of God learn to study and apply the processes used by scientists through this core curriculum. They experience science and are exposed to the applications and implications of scientific concepts learned in the Core Knowledge curriculum.
Promethean ActivBoards will be used in second through fifth grade. These electronic white boards are used as a learning enabling tool, an output tool and an assessment tool. Two computer labs on campus provide students with the opportunity to learn various computer programs, to enhance and reinforce classroom learning, and to use the computer as a tool to further their learning. We use computers to help students develop their understanding of Core Knowledge topics while they gain experience with computer techniques. Students are taught to become very familiar with computers, through explicit instruction on keyboarding, basic navigation and important applications such as word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software. Being able to use a computer as a tool to communicate and articulate is an essential skill in today's society. These skills are aligned and integrated with the Core Knowledge curriculum.
Fine Arts
The Core Knowledge curriculum provides students with a solid background in art and music history, theory, and appreciation.
Music
Music is taught twice a week to all class levels, utilizing the Core Knowledge Sequence as a base for our curriculum. This curriculum is designed for all aspects of the student's education and includes basic guidelines for music. The Core Knowledge Sequence aligns with the National Standards of Music.
Music students are exposed to the classics as well as modern composers. All the senses are used to help familiarize the student with music basics. Starting with the younger classes, students are engaged with movement, rhythm instruments and pitched instruments. Students at Lamb of God learn music through a combination of methods. They move with music, play instruments and sing as well. Not only is this fun and rewarding for the students, but also it is an effective way to develop an understanding of musical concepts.
Further, Lamb of God students and teachers collaborate on two major musical performances during the year. All students are involved in both the Christmas musical and a spring concert showcasing what they have learned throughout the year. Lamb of God also offers a beginning band program where students in the 4th and 5th grade can learn their favorite band instrument.
Visual Arts
Lessons on Visual arts illustrate important elements of making appreciating art, and emphasize important artists, works of art, and artistic concepts. When appropriate, topics in the visual arts are linked to topics in other disciplines. Children are exposed to a wide range of art and artists. Students review, develop, and apply concepts introduced in previous grades, such as line, shape, form, space, texture, color, light, design, and symmetry.
Spanish
At Lamb of God, we believe that learning a new language should be challenging and fun. The goal of our Spanish program is simple: to expose children to the Spanish language and culture in order to foster a love for foreign language. Children in grades kindergarten through fifth receive Spanish instruction through a DVD presentation that teaches basic vocabulary and conversational Spanish.
Physical Education
The physical education program provides students with opportunities to learn motor skills, develop fitness, and gain understanding of the benefits of physical activity. Research has demonstrated that children engaged in daily physical education show superior motor fitness, academic performance, and attitude towards school (NASPE). To that end, Lamb of God offers P.E. twice a week as well as supervised recess time that involves physical activity.
How to Help Your Child Master Core Knowledge Subjects
Research has proven it and common sense revealed it time and time again; parental involvement can make the difference between success and failure in school.
You'll be pleased to see how enthusiastic your child will be about learning as the curriculum unfolds. No matter at what level of ability students start, they will experience a sense of achievement as knowledge and skills are mastered. The Core Knowledge Curriculum covers language arts, history and geography, mathematics, science, art, and music and is complemented by other subjects. To learn more about Core Knowledge, read the series What Your Kindergartner through 6th Grader Needs to Know. One book is available for each of the first seven years of schooling to enable you to both share and reinforce what your child is learning in the classroom.
