Elementary School
Curriculum & Program Overview
The elementary program at TCS seeks to foster a natural curiosity about the world and to give students a solid foundation in basic knowledge and skills across subject matters. Bible, Grammar, Literature and Reading, Writing, Math, Science, History, and Latin are all covered at a basic level in the elementary grades. Additional classes in fine art, music, chorus, and physical education round out the elementary curriculum.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
BIBLE
The elementary Bible program seeks to ground students in their knowledge of the narratives and teachings of Scripture, as well as helping them to understand basic Bible doctrine. Students will survey through the Bible twice before spending a year focused on doctrines taught in the Shorter Catechism. Students also gather for chapel once every week.
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Kindergarten: Basic Bible doctrine
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1st-2nd grades: OT overview
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3rd grade: NT overview
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4th grade: OT survey
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5th grade: NT survey
GRAMMAR & WRITING
TCS uses the Daily Grammar curriculum in grades 1-4 to teach students the principles of English grammar. Students in 5th grade then learn from the Our Mother Tongue curriculum, which helps them transition into everyday grammar usage. As a classical Christian school, writing is a crucial skill for students to learn. TCS uses the Classical Writing curriculum in grades 3-5 to progress writing from simple sentences to complete paragraphs, essays, and reports.
LITERATURE & READING
The elementary reading and literature program is undergoing a gradual reconstruction as we seek to adopt a more classical method for teaching these subjects. The new program has units that focus on character traits that we want to encourage our students to emulate. Within these units are works of literature that have stood the test of time and cover various genres.
MATH
Kindergarten through 5th grades use the ABeka math program as they prepare to enter more intense secondary math classes.
SCIENCE
Students are led through studies in life and earth science throughout their elementary years. Throughout their studies, God's glory and majesty are highlighted as they are introduced to all of the wonders of His creation.
HISTORY
By the time students finish 6th grade, they will have covered Ancient History, the Middle Ages, Early Modern History and Modern History, along with world geography. Particular emphasis is given in 5th and 6th grade to American history (from the colonial era to the present). TCS uses the BiblioPlan curriculum, which also incorporates Biblical and Church history.
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Kindergarten: Introduction to the United States, Holidays, and General Patriotic Knowledge
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1st grade: Ancient History Part 1 (from Creation to the fall of Rome)
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2nd grade: Ancient History Part 2 (from Creation to the Fall of Rome)
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3rd grade: Medieval History Part 1 (from the Fall of Rome to the Reformation)
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4th grade: Medieval History Part 2 (from the Fall of Rome to the Reformation)
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5th grade: Early Modern History (from the Reformation to the 1850s)
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6th grade: Modern History (from the 1850s to the Present)
LATIN
The Latin for Children series is used in 3rd through 5th grades. When entering the Secondary School in 6th grade, students begin a second cycle of Latin study using the The Latin Road to English Grammar.