Grades 1-8

Elementary Grades 1-8

Our programs at each grade level meet or exceed the provincial curriculum expectations.

Note: C.S.I, represents Christian Schools International

O.A.C.S. represents Ontario Alliance of Christian Schools (change to Edvance in 2018)

Bible Studies

Our Bible program covers the central themes presented in Scripture following the curriculum developed by C. S. I., entitled The Story of God and His People. God’s faithfulness and love, His care, grace, and mercy extended toward sinful people, and His continued call to come to salvation through Christ, provide the framework for our Bible classes. Students are challenged to see our sinfulness and God’s forgiveness so that they may come to know and accept God’s gift of salvation and meaningfully apply the story to their own lives as passionate disciples. Then, as each opens his or her life to Christ, students are challenged to enroll in God’s story as if it were their own, and accept their role in His service and the stewardship of His world. The New International Version of the Bible is the standard translation used.

French

Since Canada is a bilingual country, French is taught as a second language in grades JK to 8. Through the study of French, the students are challenged to gain a better appreciation and understanding of the language itself, its structure and its role. The study of French helps our students grow in the awareness that each language follows a set of laws and that it is indeed a wonderfully created, orderly structure.

Science, History, and Geography

God has placed us in a wonderfully complex and exciting world, and social studies provides an avenue for the students to explore our world, its people, its places, its environments, its past, and its problems. Social studies and Science at the primary level are combined into Creation Studies. A variety of units published by the O. A. C. S. lead the students through a study of animals, plants, community, other cultures, water, land, and air.

During the junior grades, our program divides into Social Studies and Science. In Social Studies each year, the students study one region of Canada, one Peoples of the Past unit (Fur Trade Era, Ancient Egypt, early explorers, and/or New France and one unit that focuses on another culture (England, Nigeria, Mexico, and/or India). These units too are published by O. A. C. S.

In our geographical studies, students are encouraged to respond with awe and wonder at the vast variety of landforms, flora, fauna, and human cultures found in the world today. They are led to consider the appropriate and stewardly use of the natural resources provided for our use in the creation, as well as to begin to understand the need for environmental justice, so our natural world can be protected from misuse and irreparable damage.

Geography units for students in grades seven and eight are structured on the basis of biomes which are areas around the world where people and their interactions with the natural environment are somewhat similar. The units studied over a two year cycle include People in the Rainforest Biome, People in a Changing Biome, People in the Grasslands Biome, People in the Coniferous Biome, Living in the Tundra, This is My Father’s World, and Living in the Deciduous Biome, all published by O. A. C. S. Climate, topography, soils, drainage, flora and fauna, industry, urbanization, and the human culture of the people in the biome are all topics examined for each biome.

History is “His Story”, the story of God and His world. It is also a human story of how people have responded to God throughout time. It is the story of how humans have been busy in creation since the beginning of time, either responding in obedience to God’s command and living in fellowship with Him and each other or going their own way, building empires and civilizations that did not acknowledge Him as their Lord and were contrary to His laws. Despite these sinful motivations, God has used many different people over the world to unfold His plans. A knowledge of history, the past story, should be remembered for it often influences and determines the present and the future. History is taught to students in grades seven and eight on a two year cycle. Key resources for Canadian History include a number of units published by O. A. C. S. – The Story Begins – Canada up to 1763, The Story Unfolds – Canada 1763-1815, The Story Intensifies – Canada 1815-1838, The Story Crests – Canada 1839-1867 and The Story Continues – Canada 1868-1896.The Renaissance: Redefining Christendom, and The Reformation: Redefining Christendom, The Roman Empire: The Rise of Christendom, The Middle Ages: The Establishment of Christendom published by O. A. C. S. are the main sources for our Old World history.

The world and all that surrounds it belongs to God who created and upholds it. Through scientific inquiry we can learn much about God’s creation in the realms of physical things, plants, animals, and people. We see the complexity and orderliness of God’s world and stand amazed at the goodness and power of our Creator.

Hands on learning experiences are used whenever possible. Observing, classifying, measuring, experimenting, building, writing, reporting, and discussing lead the students to see the majesty of God’s creation and to praise Him for this beautiful gift. Students in Kindergarten to grade three make use of social science units published by the O. A. C. S. Grades four through six use CSI Science textbooks. Grades seven and eight make use of O. A. C. S. units and Methods of Science Today published by Clark, Irwin and Company.

Literacy

Reading, writing, speaking, and listening are the basic components of our Language Arts program. It is through the development of all of these areas, that a student grows in his/her ability to praise God, think, exchange ideas and feelings, read and create stories, and enjoy the sounds of words. The gift of language enriches every aspect of people’s lives as they commune with God and others.

Our teaching of language is interactive with all areas of language skills being included. This approach recognizes that the various areas are interdependent and they need to be taught that way in class. Students are taught phonics, word attack, grammar, vocabulary and spelling as part of language studies using short stories, novels, media studies, writing, drama, and poetry. Some of the novels that are important components of our program are The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, From Anna, Underground to Canada, I Am David, and The Bronze Bow. Small group novel studies – From Swords into Ploughshares, Family – the Tie that Binds, and Friendship Road – which are written by O. A. C. S. are also used. Independent reading for pleasure and for information is also an integral part of our program and Accelerated Reader by Advantage Learning Systems is a key component. The school’s library is a place where the love of reading is stimulated and encouraged. A wide variety of reading material, both Christian and secular and at various levels is available to our students for their reading enjoyment and pleasure, as well as reference.

Mathematics

Mathematics can and should be used to serve God and others. Students are taught to use numbers in a way that is both honest and responsible in whatever walk of life or situation they may find themselves. They are encouraged to use their mathematical knowledge and skills to help them find solutions to problems in their daily lives and to make appropriate decisions based on those solutions.

In recognition of the Ontario Ministry of Education guidelines, the mathematics curriculum at KCS is organized according to the following six strands:

1. problem solving and inquiry
2. number sense and numeration
3. geometry and spatial sense
4. measurement
5. patterning and algebra
6. data management and probability

Mathematics: Scope and Sequence and Recognizing Number and Space: A Celebration of Mathematics for each grade level published by O. A. C. S. are resources for our staff as well.

KCS partners with Nimbus Education to offer exceptional Math students the opportunity to pursue their Grade 9 Math credit in a blended instructional model.

Art

Students of all ages and developmental levels are given experiences in the various elements and principles of art. The elements that are part of any design are shape, form, colour, line, value, texture, and space. By experimenting with various art media, discussing, viewing, practicing skills, and critiquing both their own and the creations of others, students are encouraged to develop an awareness and appreciation of the way that God has enriched our lives through art.

Music

Music can help to deepen a person’s love of God and response to Him. Music also helps us to discover the aesthetic needs and potential that lies within each of us. We strive to encourage our students to discover and develop their God-given musical talents and abilities and to gain a basic understanding and appreciation for this gift. Music is not an area that can be contained – it reaches across the curriculum and is used in many subject areas. Rhythm, melody, harmony, form, expressive qualities and application are areas that are covered in our program. The program incorporates singing, a variety of instruments, music theory and history, as well as activities in rhythm, listening, composing, movement, and performance. Our students in grades four to eight are invited to join our senior choir, while students in grades six through eight have the opportunity to join our school band.

Physical Education, Health and Sexuality

The Physical Education program at KCS recognizes that our bodies belong to God and that each person is made in the image of God and is a unique creation. Physical Education challenges the students to grow in their understanding of the importance of their bodies, and to develop their gross motor skills. Through both individual and group physical activities, students are encouraged to develop their creativity, and strive for physical fitness in an atmosphere of co-operation and sportsmanship. Physical Education K-2, 3-5, and 6-8 are key resources for our staff. Physical skills and abilities are developed so they can be incorporated into the student’s lifestyle both at home and at school.

Our Health program aims at equipping the students to serve God in the world by developing habits for healthy living. Students will be challenged to be caretakers of their own bodies by making good choices about fitness, personal health, nutrition and safety, to understand how they are “fearfully and wonderfully made”, to prevent the spread of disease, to understand and appreciate God’s plan for marriage and families, and to develop Christian attitudes toward others.

Standardized Testing

Students in grades 3 to 8 participate in “Measures of Academic Progress” through NWEA.

 

Imagine your children…

growing their character

as well as their competence,

under the care of Godly teachers

who are free to express

authentic faith.

Imagine your children

prepared to excel,

discerning God’s plan,

and equipped to engage our

culture, and change the world.