K-4 Curriculum is presently ABEKA based, but some of it will be changed to ACSI next year

Elementary Curriculum

The elementary grades at WCA enjoy a full array of extra curricular classes such as chapel, music (2 all school concerts a year) art, gym (President’s Physical fitness program included) and library. We take part in the Book-It incentive reading program, an elementary history fair, a celebration of reading week, two Healthy Kids days that include all day activities on our athletic field and in our full size gym. Many of our students participate in our once a week ski program during the month of January and February. Each class raises funds one month a year for a missionary family in Ecuador. Our students are tested in the spring with the national Stanford Achievement Test.

K-4: Curriculum is presently ABEKA based, but some of it will be changed to ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) next year. Each day a Bible story is taught with the help of puppets. Active movement combined with music and finger-plays brings smiles and laughter to the children. The alphabet, numbers, and basic phonics are presented in a variety of styles. Each month, a different area of the world is explored, character building traits are taught and different community helpers are presented. The students have Art work each day and have a weekly gym class. There is a special monthly activity in the form of a field trip, party or special speaker.

K-5: Students are taught using the ABEKA curriculum which places an emphasis on phonics, reading , and math. We hold an ABEKA bible class and worship time each day and memorize a bible verse each week. A semester of social studies (Children of the World) and a semester of science ( God’s World) is taught. K-5 students learn character development, health and safety. They enjoy weekly music, gym and art classes and a weekly visit to the library. We participate in the Book It reading program. A Spanish class is available, once a week, for those who wish to attend. We have 3-4 educational field trips per year and are required to participate in our Christmas and spring concerts. The children are loved and cared for as the unique individuals God created them to be. We occasionally enjoy activities such as sliding and hot chocolate during winter, movies and popcorn, holiday parties, story time, crafts, hearing children’s Christian music during snack time and reading poetry.

1^st Grade - The 1^st grade curriculum at WCA is presently ABEKA in all subjects. The curriculum is currently being evaluated for changes. There is a strong emphasis on phonics, reading and math. Cursive writing is taught. We strive to teach to all learning styles in age appropriate ways. We take educational / fun field trips during the year.

2^nd Grade – Language Arts include:

Spelling – taught as an individual subject for the first time.

Poetry selections are taught for a few minutes each day.

Reading Comprehension – students read individually and answer questions about what they have read. We also read from the History book, Science book or the Health and Manners book daily.

Creative Writing is introduced through the Language Text, Writing with Phonics text and in the Seatwork Curriculum.

Arithmetic Class includes oral and written review and the introduction and practice of new concepts.

For a monthly ministry, before and after ski season, our class visits Ledgewood Nursing Home in Windham. The students sing, recite scripture and share handshakes and hugs with the residents.

3^rd Grade - ACSI Bible, ABEKA is used in all other subjects. Students have science as a subject for the 1^st time and do a major science project this year. Reading comprehension is evaluated weekly and math skills are developed at a greatly increased level of difficulty and mastery of skills. Field trips, bake sales, and various activities enhance the curriculum beyond the classroom. Third grade is designed to take students beyond simply learning to read to “reading to learn.”

4^th Grade - ACSI is used for Bible, Bob Jones and ABEKA are used for history. ABEKA is used for all other subjects. We do a six week study of the state of Maine with field trips to the state capitol building and museum. We also take a field trip to Norland’s, a living history museum where the students can experience life in colonial times. We participated in the presidential physical fitness test. We begin using the internet to write research papers in language, as well as for their projects for the history fair. We keep a journal in fourth grade to improve penmanship, creative writing, and grammar skills. We also devote one quarter to health, focusing on personal hygiene, nutrition and exercise. In all, fourth grade is focused on developing well rounded students, who learn to excel in many different areas of study.

6^th Grade -The class uses ACSI Bible. Mr. Lagasse, being a minister, adds more information to the Biblical concepts that this excellent curriculum teaches. ABEKA math is taught along with the integration of basic algebra. ABEKA Old World History is taught with a continued emphasis on the interrelation between geography and history. Also Mr. Lagasse is willing to share different opinions than those presented in the curriculum to cause the students to think and evaluate all information according to a Biblical worldview. ABEKA Language is taught with a heavy emphasis on grammar. Proper understanding of grammar is key to becoming a better writer. ABEKA science gives a general overview of many areas in science including plant life, animal life, the universe and basic chemistry. During the last quarter of the school year basic health issues are taught using the ABEKA curriculum.