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Class & Curriculum Information
Pre-K and Kindergarten Crossroads Pre-K and Kindergarten program is based on the belief that learning at its best is collaborative and interactive. Children learn through play by exploring, building, and creating. Teachers work to create an environment that extends children's understanding of conceptual knowledge and develops both social and physical skills. Ms. Beers and Ms. Peterson carefully design the daily curriculum to nurture each child's spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional growth. Students in the program attend Chapel, go on field trips, attend music classes, and participate in physical education and computer classes. The classrooms provide a caring atmosphere where children from ages four to six are able to develop to the full potential of their imagination and creativity
Grades 1 - 6 Freedom balanced with responsibility radiates through the elementary classes. Early on at Crossroads, children are taught that with freedom comes the ability to take risks and to be responsible for themselves and their own learning. Children are given choices, and are expected to behave in a responsible way toward others and their environment. Informal and respectful relationships among students and teachers foster an atmosphere of care, open communication, and trust.
Junior High Grades 7th and 8th
Note: All grades participate in music, PE and computer classes.
Curriculum
Pre-kindergarten
KindergartenReading We use the A Beka reading curriculum, a phonics-based program, to teach the students long and short vowel sounds, consonant sounds, blends and special sounds. Many of the students are reading independently by the end of the year.
Math The objective of Singapore Math is to teach students to understand how and why math works, not just how to do it. The learning begins with concrete, tactile examples of a concept, moves to working on the concept through pictures, then uses the abstract formula to solve the problem. Key concepts in kindergarten include learning numbers to 100 and counting by 2’s, 5’s, and 10’s; addition and subtraction; and shapes, money and time.
History Kindergarten begins learning history using History for Little Pilgrims. Students learn that history began with creation, and the focus is on the beginning of our nation.
Science Kindergarten uses McRuffy Science. This scientific inquiry, life science, earth science and physical science are all experienced, and there is plenty of hands-on activity involved.
Bible The focus of kindergarten Bible time is to help the students develop an appreciation and enjoyment of the Bible and God. Each day the class spends time praying, singing and reading God’s word, focusing on important stories of the Bible. Memorization of the Lord’s Prayer and the Ten Commandments, along with other verses, is included. 1st GradeReading Reading is a process, a skill, and a vital tool for learning. It continues to be taught primarily through phonics using the A Beka curriculum.
Math The objective of Singapore Math is to teach students to understand how and why math works, not just how to do it. The learning begins with concrete, tactile examples of a concept, moves to working on the concept through pictures, then uses the abstract formula to solve the problem. Key concepts in 1st grade include identifying and counting whole numbers, addition and subtraction, and time and money.
History / Geography The first grade history curriculum (A Beka) is based on a general knowledge of the United States. The students focus on Pilgrims, famous presidents and symbols of America. In geography, they learn the concepts of small communities (neighborhood) to large (country).
Science Using the A Beka curriculum, the 1st grade class studies plants, animals and insects in science; and the five senses, food groups and safety in health.
Bible The Building on the Rock curriculum was written to help students understand a Christian worldview by studying the four relationships of creation: our relationship with God, with ourselves, with others, and with the earth. A portion of the year is devoted to learning these principles of a Christian worldview – the theme of 1st grade is wisdom; and a portion of the year is devoted to a survey of the Bible – in 1st grade from creation through Abraham. 2nd GradeReading The students continue to use the reading skills they have learned to help them become better, more fluent readers. They review and use the phonics rules and also begin to focus on strategies that good readers use.
Math The objective of Singapore Math is to teach students to understand how and why math works, not just how to do it. The learning begins with concrete, tactile examples of a concept, moves to working on the concept through pictures, then uses the abstract formula to solve the problem. Key concepts in 2nd grade include addition and subtraction, beginning multiplication and fractions, measurements and simple equations.
History / Geography Second grade continues to learn about America including important people in American history, American symbols and geography (A Beka).
Science The units of study are planets and stars, energy, plants, and a unit of health. (A Beka is the publisher.)
Bible The Building on the Rock curriculum was written to help students understand a Christian worldview by studying the four relationships of creation: our relationship with God, with ourselves, with others, and with the earth. A portion of the year is devoted to learning these principles of a Christian worldview – the theme of 2nd grade is fellowship; and a portion of the year is devoted to a survey of the Bible – in 2nd grade from the Egyptian captivity through Ruth. 3rd GradeSpelling The Sitton Spelling Program is focused on teaching the students to be spellers in the real world with words that they use on a daily basis (the program's authors have identified a list of core words that are the most frequently used words in writing). It also teaches the students to spell words correctly in context so they know correct usage along with the spelling. The students learn spelling rules and common spelling patterns as well as a variety of other language skills.
Language We use Grammar Workshop by Sadlier, which provides a user-friendly approach to grammar, usage and mechanics skills and includes an emphasis on the application of these skills to student writing.
Math The objective of Singapore Math is to teach students to understand how and why math works, not just how to do it. The learning begins with concrete, tactile examples of a concept, moves to working on the concept through pictures, then uses the abstract formula to solve the problem. Key concepts in 3rd grade include place value, multiplication and division, fractions, measurements and geometry, and equations.
History Third grade history (A Beka) is a study of many notable American historical figures.
Science The units of study are animals, habitats and body systems. (A Beka is the publisher.) Field trips play an important role in the learning.
Bible The Building on the Rock curriculum was written to help students understand a Christian worldview by studying the four relationships of creation: our relationship with God, with ourselves, with others, and with the earth. A portion of the year is devoted to learning these principles of a Christian worldview – the theme of 3rd grade is image-bearing; and a portion of the year is devoted to a survey of the Bible – in 3rd grade the kings of Israel and Judah. 4th GradeReading The 4th grade reading program is based on novels. Students read novels selected for their reading level and complete daily assignments geared to strengthen their comprehension as well as to work on various literary elements.
Spelling The Sitton Spelling Program is focused on teaching the students to be spellers in the real world with words that they use on a daily basis (the program's authors have identified a list of core words that are the most frequently used words in writing). It also teaches the students to spell words correctly in context so they know correct usage along with the spelling. The students learn spelling rules and common spelling patterns as well as a variety of other language skills.
Language We use Grammar Workshop by Sadlier, which provides a user-friendly approach to grammar, usage and mechanics skills and includes an emphasis on the application of these skills to student writing.
Math The objective of Singapore Math is to teach students to understand how and why math works, not just how to do it. The learning begins with concrete, tactile examples of a concept, moves to working on the concept through pictures, then uses the abstract formula to solve the problem. Key concepts in 4th grade include whole numbers operations, measurement, fractions, decimals, geometry and equations.
History Fourth grade studies U.S. history beginning with discovery and continuing through the Civil War (A Beka is the publisher). The last quarter of the year is devoted to Oregon state history, with a focus on the Oregon Trail.
Science The units of study are plants, insects, birds, geology, the ocean and sound. A unit of health covers physical fitness and hygiene. (A Beka is the publisher.)
Bible The Building on the Rock curriculum was written to help students understand a Christian worldview by studying the four relationships of creation: our relationship with God, with ourselves, with others, and with the earth. A portion of the year is devoted to learning these principles of a Christian worldview – the theme of 4th grade is servanthood; and a portion of the year is devoted to a survey of the Bible – in 4th grade the prophets, the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities, and the return from exile. 5th GradeReading The 5th grade reading program is based on novels. Students read novels selected for their reading level and complete daily assignments geared to strengthen their comprehension as well as to work on various literary elements.
Spelling The Sitton Spelling Program is focused on teaching the students to be spellers in the real world with words that they use on a daily basis (the program's authors have identified a list of core words that are the most frequently used words in writing). It also teaches the students to spell words correctly in context so they know correct usage along with the spelling. The students learn spelling rules and common spelling patterns as well as a variety of other language skills.
Language We use Grammar Workshop by Sadlier, which provides a user-friendly approach to grammar, usage and mechanics skills and includes an emphasis on the application of these skills to student writing.
Math The objective of Singapore Math is to teach students to understand how and why math works, not just how to do it. The learning begins with concrete, tactile examples of a concept, moves to working on the concept through pictures, then uses the abstract formula to solve the problem. Key concepts in 5th grade include multiple digit multiplication and division, multiplication and division of fractions, decimals and percents, and geometry.
History History in 5th grade is primarily a study of world history including ancient cultures. (A Beka)
Science The units of study are vertebrates, mammals, energy, the ocean and weather. A unit of health is also included, addressing some of the body’s systems, nutrition and fitness, and relationships. (A Beka is the publisher.)
Bible The Building on the Rock curriculum was written to help students understand a Christian worldview by studying the four relationships of creation: our relationship with God, with ourselves, with others, and with the earth. A portion of the year is devoted to learning these principles of a Christian worldview – the theme of 5th grade is stewardship; and a portion of the year is devoted to a survey of the Bible – in 5th grade the life and ministry of Jesus. 6th GradeReading The 6th grade reading program is based on novels. Students read novels selected for their reading level and complete daily assignments geared to strengthen their comprehension as well as to work on various literary elements.
Spelling The Sitton Spelling Program is focused on teaching the students to be spellers in the real world with words that they use on a daily basis (the program's authors have identified a list of core words that are the most frequently used words in writing). It also teaches the students to spell words correctly in context so they know correct usage along with the spelling. The students learn spelling rules and common spelling patterns as well as a variety of other language skills.
Language We use Grammar Workshop by Sadlier, which provides a user-friendly approach to grammar, usage and mechanics skills and includes an emphasis on the application of these skills to student writing.
Math The objective of Singapore Math is to teach students to understand how and why math works, not just how to do it. The learning begins with concrete, tactile examples of a concept, moves to working on the concept through pictures, then uses the abstract formula to solve the problem. Key concepts in 6th grade include fractions (dividing), geometry (formulas), ratios, and concepts of algebra.
History History in sixth grade surveys the history of the Americas. A significant part of the year focuses on U.S. history from the colonies to recent history.
Science The units of study are invertebrates, space and geology. A unit of health covers safety and personal health, and the body’s systems. (A Beka is the publisher.)
Bible The Building on the Rock curriculum was written to help students understand a Christian worldview by studying the four relationships of creation: our relationship with God, with ourselves, with others, and with the earth. For a portion of the year, the 6th grade begins to actually delve into the concept of what a worldview is, going deeper into ideas addressed in earlier grades. The other portion of the year is devoted to studying the early church and writings of the New Testament. 7th GradeEnglish Junior high English at Crossroads includes grammar, spelling, reading
and writing.
For reading, junior high has a literature book containing short stories and poems, much like the "basal readers" used in primary grades. We do not go through the whole book, but read selections. Activities and lessons to accompany the selection may include the following: discussion, comprehension questions, springboard to a writing assignment, focus on a literary element (i.e. setting; plot; descriptions), or practice of a reading skill, such as comprehension. Additionally, students read 2 books of their choosing each quarter, and then complete a simple book report.
Most of our writing is in conjunction with a reading assignment. At the end of the year, they learn how to write a research paper.
Math Math for 7th grade is pre-algebra. The textbook is Pre-Algebra by Holt-Rinehart.
History In an effort to align our junior high history program with the Washington, D.C., trip, 7th and 8th grades study U.S. history during the year of the trip. In U.S. history, there is an emphasis on the colonies, the War for Independence, and the Civil War. The students also learn about our government and the electoral process. The alternating year is an overview of world history during which the students learn the significance of the fall of man and how it pertains to all events that follow. Units of study include ancient civilizations, the Middle Ages, the Protestant Reformation and the following Modern Age.
Science The units of study are weather, classification and plants. (A Beka is the publisher.) A unit of health (Total Health, River’s Edge Publishing) covers personal hygiene and lifestyle, (relationships with friends and family; drugs; personal choices).
Bible Seventh grade does a Bible survey with a unit on the Old Testament, one on the New Testament, and some basic history of the Bible. This is a good course for bringing together the many pieces that most have learned over the last several years. 8th GradeEnglish Junior high English at Crossroads includes grammar, spelling, reading
and writing.
For reading, junior high has a literature book containing short stories and poems, much like the "basal readers" used in primary grades. We do not go through the whole book, but read selections. Activities and lessons to accompany the selection may include the following: discussion, comprehension questions, springboard to a writing assignment, focus on a literary element (i.e. setting; plot; descriptions), or practice of a reading skill, such as comprehension. Additionally, students read 2 books of their choosing each quarter, and then complete a simple book report.
Most of our writing is in conjunction with a reading assignment. At the end of the year, they learn how to write a research paper.
Math Math for 8th grade is algebra in preparation for high school algebra or geometry. The textbook is Algebra 1 by Holt-Rinehart.
History In an effort to align our junior high history program with the Washington, D.C., trip, 7th and 8th grades study U.S. history during the year of the trip. In U.S. history, there is an emphasis on the colonies, the War for Independence, and the Civil War. The students also learn about our government and the electoral process. The alternating year is an overview of world history during which the students learn the significance of the fall of man and how it pertains to all events that follow. Units of study include ancient civilizations, the Middle Ages, the Protestant Reformation and the following Modern Age.
Science The units of study are energy and matter, chemistry, electricity and birds. (A Beka is the publisher.) A unit of health (Total Health, River’s Edge Publishing) covers the systems of the body and diseases.
Bible The 8th graders study core components of a Christian worldview. This is a challenging class that lays a good foundation for them as they go on to high school |