Heart of the Valley Christian School: Academics

Academics

* CLASSES *

Preschool:

Welcome! We have been very busy in the preschool and it doesn't look like we'll be slowing up any time soon. We are continuing our work on our fine and gross motor skills, phonics, math, science, social skills, and spiritual development. Wow! There is a lot of fun going on in our preschool classrooms.

A great big "Thank You!" to our many parents who have given of their time and support. Whether it is helping during our class parties, chaperoning for our field trips, or making our campus shine, it has been a joy for us to have the opportunity of getting to know you.

Miss Karleen

Kindergarten:

The word Kindergarten literally means "children's garden". The founder of Kindergarten, Frobel, envisioned a setting where children could thrive, develop, and be nurtured.

Here at Heart of the Valley Christian School, we believe that each child should be able to thrive, develop and be nurtured. In Kindergarten, as in other grades, we strive to develop the "whole child". That is, to partner with each family in the total education of each child, including their spiritual, intellectual, social, and physical growth. To achieve this, we provide the following curriculum opportunities that meet or exceed California State Standards:

* Language Arts: In Kindergarten, we use Scott Foresman's "Reading Street" curriculum. Through this 6 unit literary based program, children explore their letters and sounds, learn to recognize 75 basic sight words, decode words, and, come Springtime or earlier, are reading from primer readers.

* Mathematics: We use the California Edition by Houghton Mifflin, which allows the children the opportunity to explore the following concepts: Sorting/Classifying, Patterns, Geometry/Fractions, Numbers, Calendars/Clocks, Measurements/Money, Addition, Subraction and Number clubs 25, 50 ,75, 100. All math concepts are presented with a hand-on approach, then reinforced with worksheets.

* Bible: Our Positive Action Bible curriculm makes the Word of God more meaningful to the students. Throughout the year children learn about God's love through the lives of major characters in the Bible. During the Christmas and Easter seasons, the children explore Advent and the Passion Story.

* Science and Social Studies: In Kindergarten, we use a thematic approach to learning Science and Social Studies. Some of these themes are: All About Me, Community Helpers, Animals, Seasons, Pilgrims/Indians, Thanksgiving, Holiday Customs, Famous Americans, Transportation, Nutrition, and Plants.

* Field Trips: One of the favorite activities is a field trip. All of the trips that are scheduled in Kindergarten are related to the educational concepts being learned at the time. Trips include: Lombardi Ranch, Kidspace Museum, Noah's Ark at the Skirball, and the Long Beach Aquarium.

Thank you for showing an interest in my Kindergarten class. Should you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them for you.

Ms. Jeffries

First Grade:

In the first grade, our days are spent learning about Language Arts, Math, Bible, Social Studies, History, Geography, and Science.

The following lists the curriculum we use in class:

* Language Arts (by Reading Street/Scott Foresman): Phonics (word reading), Fluency, Vocabulary, Comprehension, Writing (sentences with nouns, verbs, and adjectives, lists, journal entry, poems, and letters), and Phonemic Awareness (blending and segmenting.

* Math (by Houghton Mifflin): Number Sense, Algebra and Functions, Measurement and Geometry, Statistics, Data Analysis, Probability, and Mathematical Reasoning.

* Bible (by Positive Action): Studying and defining important character traits, analyzing the character trait through a Bible character, teaching students to have knowledge, comprehension, discernment, application, analyzing, evaluation, Bible verse memorization, singing, and prayer.

* Social Studies/History/Geography (by A Beka): Community Helpers, Communities, Cities around the World, America's Freedoms, Leaders, Symbols.

* Science (by A Beka): Enjoying God's Word Science Reader.

Mrs. Vassil

Second Grade:

The following lists the curriculum set up by the teachers and the board to meet or exceed the California standards and to produce academic and well rounded Christian citizens. This does not list the extra supplemental materials used in my classroom.

Mrs. Allwardt

Third Grade:

Curriculum Summary:

In the third grade we have an exciting day of learning about Math, Social Studies, Language Arts, and Bible each and every day! We use Houghton Mifflin for Math; Reading Street/Scott Foresman for Language Arts; Our American Heritage for Social Studies; A Beka for Science & Health; and Growing with God for Bible.

Each curriculum book serves as the overall structure of the nature of the lessons taught. Each lesson is specially planned to address the learning needs of the students in the class and is supplemented with age-appropriate learning activities, projects, and games to make the content accessible, relevant, and fun for all learners.

Mrs. Chavez

Fourth Grade:

In the fourth grade, our days are spent learning about Reading, Spelling/Writing/Grammar, Math, Science/Health, Bible, and Social Studies.

* Reading: Reading good literature is an important part of our curriculum. We will be reading the novels: Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Island of the Blue Dolphin, James and the Giant Peach, Shiloh, and Stone Fox.

* Spelling, Writing and Grammar: Students will be writing creative stories, narratives, persuasive speeches, poems, and research reports. Students will learn the mechanics of writing and grammar as they go through the writing process. The curriculum we will be using is Scott Foresman, Reading Street.

*Math: We will be working on mastering our multiplication facts. Basic facts are the cornerstone in fourth grade as we learn to multiply large numbers and move into higher level reasoning. We also will be working on division up to two digit quotients, making change, measurements, graphing, fractions, decimals, probability, word problems, algebra, and geometry. Our curriculum is Houghton Mifflin.

* Science/Health: Our focus this year will be on Sound, Weather, Astronomy, States of Matter, Rocks and the Earth. In Health, we will study the skeletal system, muscular system and nutrition. The curriculum we use is A Beka.

* Bible: We will study the life of Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the life and writings of Paul. The curriculum we use is Positive Action Curriculum.

* Social Studies: In fourth grade we study California history. This will be broken up into the following areas: Geography of California, California Indians, Explorers to California, Missions/Ranchos/Presidios, Westward Pioneer Movement, the Gold Rush, Building of the Railroad, Immigrants to California, and California Government. Our curriculum is Houghton Mifflin.

We also go on some fun and cool field trips.

Mrs. Chavez

Fifth Grade:

Fifth grade is an important year at Heart of the Valley, with special privileges, responsibilities, and opportunities to provide student leadership in academics, chapel, sports, and drama. It is a year to grow spiritually, to mature, and to prepare for the very different academic challenges of junior and senior high school.

The following lists the curriculum we use in class:

* Bible: We study the Old Testament of the Bible and relate those stories to our own lives. We are teaching the children to have their own personal relationship with God. The curriculum we use is 5th Grade Possessing the Lord. (Publisher: Positive Action for Christ)

* Handwriting: We write our weekly Bible verses for handwriting, breaking each word apart and learning the proper way to write in cursive. The curriculum we use is A Reason for Handwriting: Cursive E. (Publisher: The Concerned Group, Inc.)

* Spelling: We have a weekly spelling test from a list of words in our book. We learn the meaning of each word and how to use it in a sentence. The curriculum we use is Word Study and Spelling Practice Book. (Publisher: Scott Foresman)

* Language: We learn all the main parts of speech for the English language. We learn how to read, write, and speak the proper American English language. The curriculum we use is Grammar and Writing Practice Book. (Publisher: Scott Foresman)

* Math: We review the basic math procedures and learn new upper math skills like Algebra and Geometry. The curriculum we use is Mathematics: California Edition. (Publisher: Houghton Mifflin)

* Social Studies: We learn of early explorers and the Native people that occupied this "New World". We then learn how our country was formed and the way we grew to become 50 states. We study American history from the Revolutionary War to the end of the Civil War. The curriculum we use is America Will Be. (Publisher: Houghton Mifflin)

* Science: We study the many different sciences from life science and biology to chemistry. The students learn about the world around them and the universe that God created. The curriculum we use is Discovery Works: California Edition.(Publisher: Houghton Mifflin)

Mr. Kruse

Sixth Grade:

Sixth grade is an important year at Heart of the Valley, with special privileges, responsibilities, and opportunities to provide student leadership in academics, chapel, sports, and drama. It is a year to grow spiritually, to mature, and to prepare for the very different academic challenges of junior and senior high school.

Our in-depth study of creation and of man’s earliest history, in Genesis, provides a solid foundation not only for our course in Ancient History, but for understanding every area of academic study and of daily life.

The Bible curriculum “Winning the Race” allows sixth graders the opportunity to think through the living-out of their faith. We also keep a Psalm Log and memorize verses to be Scripture Scholars each quarter.

Language Arts includes reading and written responses to literature, class novels, biography and poetry, with book reports and projects, literary circles, and class interaction. Comprehension is tied to reading in all the subject areas and includes learning to write essays and research reports, as well as creative responses.

Our math curriculum, a foundation for pre-algebra, is based on Houghton-Mifflin Sixth Grade Math, California Edition. After-school math lab in our room supplements the daily hour of math instruction.

Our science curriculum is built around understanding and using the scientific method, with question, hypothesis, research, experimentation, the careful observation and measurement of data kept in a log, graphing results, reaching conclusions, and identifying questions for further research. This prolonged process is showcased in our highly anticipated Science Fair at the end of February. We also study earth science and spend four days of nature science and camp life at the El Camino Pines Outdoor School.

Mrs. Weitzel

* ENRICHMENT *

Art:

Computers:

Our goal is to foster and develop an enjoyment of computers in Preschool thru 6th grades. The students will learn all about the computer from what makes a computer work to designing their own Power Point page. Here are some activities the students will learn: hand positions, the four major parts of the computer, different kinds of software, and how to use the internet the right way and safely.

Mrs. Beulke and Mr. Wells

Music:

Our goal is to foster an enjoyment of music in Kindergarten thru 6th grades. Activities this year include piano, rhythm, directing, singing, and listening to and learning about classical music from the baroque through the contemporary period.

Ms. Walden

Physical Education:

As we get closer to the end of the school year, PE classes will be rotating activities to encompass everything that has been learned by students this year.

This includes:

Sports: soccer, basketball and kickball

Athletic Drills: warm up agilities and relay races

Field Games: capture the flag, rain drop and "fire in the jungle"

Playground: four square, handball and dodge-ball

Mr. Herringshaw

Grades 5-6 have started a new sport in P.E.. Welcome to the sport of Volleyball! We are learning skills and will mix learning fundamentals with games centered around this great sport.

Mr. Sheehy

Video/Theatre:

This month in Video/Theatre, the older classes will continue learning about the origins of theatre and the beginnings of Hollywood. They will study the early years of film making and learn about the inner workings of a theatrical performance. The younger classes will practice being in front of an audience. They will use hand gestures, facial expressions, and, of course, their voices to express their emotions. We will also take some time to watch clips from past movie greats such as Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, and Buster Keaton.

Mr. McCurdy

Resource Center:

The Resource Center has a safe, nurturing environment where each student can rise to their fullest potential. Each student will use their individual strengths to build up and improve upon their weaknesses. The small group setting encourages and stimulates ALL students to achieve their immediate and long-term goals.

Mrs. Antos

* EXTRACURRICULAR *

After School Club:

Students continue to enjoy their time in After School Club each week, playing fun playground games, spending time learning in the computer lab, creating fun projects in art class and investing time working on the week's homework in study hall. Friday's are a special day within ASC, as we play a big game of Capture the Flag on our grass field and then come inside for games and a movie. Have your child come join us today.

Sports:

At Heart of the Valley, each athlete is expected to show God's love to their teammates and other competing teams. Using their God-given talents, students can participate in a variety of sports throughout the school year. In the fall, Football and Softball are offered. In the winter, students can participate in Basketball. We end our school sports seasons in the spring with Volleyball. Cheerleading is offered in both the fall and winter seasons.

Hip Hop Dance:

The students are introduced to many different styles within hip hop dance, including breaking, locking, popping, and freestyle dance. We aim to make the class fun, educational, physical, and funky! We work with the students on finding the beat and the rhythm of the music and finding their own style. All the music that we choose will be clean and free from any questionable lyrics or subject matter.

Heart of the Valley Christian School

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