Curriculum Summaries

INTEGRATED UNIT STUDY – 2 Per Year
Integrated Unit Studies involve a cross curricular approach that focuses on integral parts of the curriculum and are an expression of our blended educational philosophy. These unique and engaging learning opportunities allow students to apply and demonstrate their understanding through projects, presentations, and field experiences. Each grade level participates in several integrated unit studies throughout the year.

READING/LANGUAGE ARTS/Phonics – TIME ALLOTMENT: 90 mins / 5 days per week
Biblical Philosophy
God’s clearest and most complete revelation to mankind was communicated and recorded in human language. The proper use of language is necessary for attaining knowledge of God, his creation, his moral law, and his divine purposes. Likewise, living in relationship with other people requires effective use of language. Therefore, reading, writing, speaking and listening skills are essential to God’s redemptive plan and our part in it.
Course Description and Goals
The kindergarten language arts and reading program places an emphasis on the enjoyment of communicating in our world in both written and expressive forms. The classroom environment is ‘literature-rich’ and leveled, take-home readers are sent from the first of the school year to build reading fluency. A focus on letter identification, letter sounds and correct letter formation is highlighted in the beginning of the school year utilizing a multi-sensory approach. The oral retelling of stories naming characters, setting and events, further boosts reading achievement. Our language arts program developed by Purposeful Design aids in the natural progression to the written word using techniques such as beginning, medial and final sound recognition as well as high frequency word recognition and the use of correct blends and digraphs. Students are encouraged to use invented spelling along with five special ‘word project’ groups which build on their phonemic awareness. Students progress into writing complete sentences with subjects, actions and descriptive words, expanding their oral and written vocabulary.

MATH – TIME ALLOTMENT: 45 mins / 5 days per week
Biblical Philosophy
God has revealed his existence, glory, and divine attributes through creation (Ps. 19, Rom. 1:20). Math is a “language” through which that revelation is communicated and understood, and it reflects God’s infinite and unchanging nature. Through mastery of mathematics, we can solve problems in a variety of fields as we work to see his kingdom come and his will done on earth as it is in heaven.
Course Description and Goals
The math curriculum for kindergarten uses a variety of manipulatives and supplemental materials in conjunction with Purposeful Design Mathematics: Kindergarten to create a balanced curriculum. Students acquire a foundation of number concepts including writing and counting numbers to thirty-one, and ordinals first through tenth. Students use manipulatives and visual learning to facilitate their learning of concepts such as sorting and classifying, patterns, graphing, telling time, identifying coins, estimating, addition and subtraction. Geometry is introduced through the exploration and identification of geometric solids. Each concept is enhanced with the Math Start reading series. 

SOCIAL STUDIES – Alternates with Science: approx. 30 mins/4-5 days per week
Biblical Philosophy
History is understood within God’s providential framework of creation, fall, and redemption. God brought into existence a good creation which fell into disrepair because of the sin of man. Since the fall, God has been working out a plan to redeem all of creation. That redemption was secured through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ; continues to be worked out in the affairs of men; and will be brought to completion upon the return of Christ when all things are made good again. In the intervening period, God sovereignly works through history to bring about his good purposes, working even through the evil deeds of evil men.
Course Description and Goals
The kindergarten social studies program is intended to guide students to think intentionally about themselves, their family, their school, their community, their country and finally our great big world. Emphasis is placed on famous Americans and holidays. Core Knowledge History and Geography Program: Level K introduces the students to the journeys of Christopher Columbus and the Pilgrims, the importance and historical significance of the Mount Rushmore Presidents, a glimpse into the lives of our early Native Americans and a trip around the world with a study of continents and maps.

SCIENCE – Alternate with Social Studies: approx. 30 mins/4-5 days per week
Biblical Philosophy
God has revealed his existence, glory, and divine attributes through creation (Ps.19, Rom.1:20), and the study of science provides a deeper understanding of that revelation. Through science we see that an orderly and intelligent God created an ordered and intelligible universe. Our understanding of creation provides us with tools with which we can obey his commandment to subdue and have dominion over the earth (Gen. 1:28).
Course Description and Goals
Students are encouraged to wonder and marvel at God’s creation with all of their five senses! Literature selections, personal experiences and hands-on activities make science real to each child. Bob Jones University Press- Kindergarten units cover topics about the scientific process, plants and animals, and the human body as we explore our five senses. Our Outdoor Learning Environment (OLE) provides opportunities to explore these topics more deeply through field based labs and experiential learning.

BIBLE –  TIME ALLOTMENT: 30 mins / 5 days per week
Course Description and Goals
Through our Bible course, the children will learn the specific events of the seven days of creation. They will gain insight into the effects of the choices they make on themselves and others, as well as on their relationships with God. They will see Jesus as the Son of God, and as our example in life. Using the Purposeful Design Bible: Kindergarten program they will understand that following Christ’s example will guide them to the right choices. Our goal is to lead children to apply Biblical truths to daily living. Through weekly memory verses students learn to hide God’s Word in their hearts and apply the biblical principles to their daily lives. “I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.” Psalm 119:30 

COMPUTER TIME ALLOTMENT: 45 mins / 1 day per week
Biblical Philosophy
In the developed world, technology is available for use in almost every area of life. The Christian student should learn to view technology as a tool that can be used to fulfill God’s purposes in any and every sphere. While it has many good uses, technology can also be used for evil, and students must learn to recognize that and take measures to guard against its improper or destructive use. In a similar way, the Christian must learn to remain the master of technology and not be mastered by it.
Course Description and Goals
In kindergarten through second grade, students learn age-appropriate computer skills, beginning with proper use of computer equipment, mouse manipulation, starting and closing programs, introducing letter location on the keyboard, and using a word processing program to add text and graphics to a document. Students are also introduced to a graphics program to complete simple drawing projects. As students progress through the course, they learn the names and functions of important components of a computer system, internet safety, begin learning home row keys and reaches for proper keyboarding. Word processing skills such as copy, cut and paste, and formatting documents are introduced, as well as basic spreadsheets and presentations. Programs such as Microsoft Office, Kidpix, Jumpstart, TypingPal Online as well as many other online sources are used to enhance the computer curriculum.

FINE ARTS TIME ALLOTMENT: 45 mins / 1 day per week
Biblical Philosophy
Human creativity is a reflection of the Creator’s image; therefore God is honored when we use our creative abilities. Fine arts can be used to express a full range of human thought and emotion and to awaken the same in the viewer. Since “the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof (Ps. 24:1),” the Christian artist is encouraged to use any and all of God’s creation to reflect its beauty, truth and order. Any art, when done as unto the Lord, is an expression of worship. Among the fine arts, music is given an especially prominent place throughout the Bible and is used in a range of ways, including worshiping God, engaging in warfare, lifting the human spirit, and communicating with others.
ART Course Description and Goals
The kindergarten through fifth grade art program at Myrtle Grove Christian School focuses on building a foundation of artistic knowledge and skills to equip students as they develop and create artistic works of their own. Through the biblical framework of discovering the beauty that God has displayed in His creation, students learn the fundamentals of art in a variety of ways. Beginning in kindergarten, students are introduced to concepts such as lines, color recognition and familiarity with the color wheel, using the five senses, use of various forms of media to create art, and a basic understanding of an art history timeline. As students progress through elementary school, they will increase their understanding of artistic terminology, develop their sense of perspective and symmetry, gain knowledge of the principles of design, learn about art in other cultures, and express their feelings through creations of their own.
MUSIC Course Description and Goals
This course is designed to introduce children to a variety of musical styles. In order to achieve this goal they will be exposed to basic music theory, music history, listening skills and other tools to help them learn how to enjoy music throughout their lifetime. They will discover that music helps them grow in many areas, such as, enhanced memorization, math skills and communication just to name a few. As they begin to use these skills it will lead them to desire to study more specific areas of music and other arts. As they increase in their musical abilities from one grade level to the next, they will begin to see that God has created us with gifts, talents and interests that delight Him as we use them to glorify His name. They will also see that music brings joy to yourself and influences the soul.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION  – TIME ALLOTMENT: 45 mins / 2 days per week
Biblical Philosophy
As with all of the natural world, the human body reveals both the goodness and the fallenness of God’s creation. Christian students should develop a sense of stewardship of the bodies that they have been given based on an understanding of their own physical potential as well as their own limitations. It is stressed that the body is the “temple of the Holy Spirit” and that the Lord expects us to honor His creation. He built the temple, but we are responsible to take care of it. We do this by developing good body control (safety) and staying physically active through fitness.

Course Description and Goals Students will be introduced to/review a structured presentation of fundamental locomotor and non-locomotor activities; being able to model the indicated movements with visual and auditory cues from the instructor. They will learn object manipulation skills, including throwing (overhand and underhand), catching, kicking, and batting. Students will be assessed in four fitness areas (flexibility, upper body strength, muscular endurance, and aerobic endurance) in the fall and in the spring. The goal is for students to build fundamental skills of basic sports and develop habits of healthy physical activity.

INTEGRATED UNIT STUDY – 2 Per Year
Integrated Unit Studies involve a cross curricular approach that focuses on integral parts of the curriculum and are an expression of our blended educational philosophy. These unique and engaging learning opportunities allow students to apply and demonstrate their understanding through projects, presentations, and field experiences. Each grade level participates in 2-4 integrated unit studies throughout the year.

READING & LANGUAGE ARTS –  TIME ALLOTMENT: 90 mins / 5 days per week
Biblical Philosophy
God’s clearest and most complete revelation to mankind was communicated and recorded in human language. The proper use of language is necessary for attaining knowledge of God, his creation, his moral law, and his divine purposes. Likewise, living in relationship with other people requires effective use of language. Therefore, reading, writing, speaking and listening skills are essential to God’s redemptive plan and our part in it.
Course Description and Goals
In the first grade language arts program, reading and spelling instruction, is based on Purposeful Design: First Grade. The students become independent readers and spellers equipped with spelling rules and tools to help them decode, read and spell words. For reading practice and comprehension, first graders read in phonetic readers and anthologies both at school and at home. At school students read in varied groups during instructional time in order to build fluency. All students are given opportunities to write for different purposes in order to learn basic grammar and punctuation rules using the Purposeful Design language arts program. Students learn the parts of speech and classify sentences to demonstrate mastery. At the end of the year, students are able to write sentences and a short paragraph using correct punctuation and capitalization.

MATH – TIME ALLOTMENT: 45 mins / 5 days per week
Biblical Philosophy
God has revealed his existence, glory, and divine attributes through creation (Ps. 19, Rom. 1:20). Math is a “language” through which that revelation is communicated and understood, and it reflects God’s infinite and unchanging nature. Through mastery of mathematics, we can solve problems in a variety of fields as we work to see his kingdom come and his will done on earth as it is in heaven.
Course Description and Goals 
Purposeful Design Mathematics: Grade 1 is the foundation of the first grade mathematics curriculum. Students use manipulative and visual learning to facilitate their learning of concepts such as rote counting, skip counting, addition and subtraction, geometry, patterns, time/money, place value, measurement, fractions, graphs and tables, and calendar activities. In each of these areas students learn and use problem solving strategies to enable them to be real-life problem solvers.

SOCIAL STUDIES – Alternate with Science: approx. 30 mins / 4-5 days per week
Biblical Philosophy
History is understood within God’s providential framework of creation, fall, and redemption. God brought into existence a good creation which fell into disrepair because of the sin of man. Since the fall, God has been working out a plan to redeem all of creation. That redemption was secured through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ; continues to be worked out in the affairs of men; and will be brought to completion upon the return of Christ when all things are made good again. In the intervening period, God sovereignly works through history to bring about his good purposes, working even through the evil deeds of evil men.
Course Description and Goals
The focus of the first grade social studies curriculum is history and geography. The primary textbook is Core Knowledge History and Geography Program. The first grade units include: Early Civilizations of the Americas, Early Explorers and Settlers of North America, From Colonies to Independence, and Exploring the West. An emphasis is placed on map skills in each of these units.

SCIENCE – Alternate with Social Studies: 30 mins / 4-5 days per week
Biblical Philosophy
God has revealed his existence, glory, and divine attributes through creation (Ps.19, Rom.1:20), and the study of science provides a deeper understanding of that revelation. Through science we see that an orderly and intelligent God created an ordered and intelligible universe. Our understanding of creation provides us with tools with which we can obey his commandment to subdue and have dominion over the earth (Gen. 1:28).
Course Description and Goals
First grade science includes observation, classification, prediction and practical application. Our curriculum, Bob Jones University Press: First Grade, covers units on the scientific process, earth, seasons and weather, and energy, light, and sound. Our Outdoor Learning Environment provides opportunities to explore these topics more deeply through field based labs and experiential learning.

BIBLE – TIME ALLOTMENT: 30 mins / 4-5 days per week
Course Description and Goals In the first grade Bible course, the students are introduced to stories and characters in the Old Testament such as Creation, Adam and Eve, original sin, Noah, the Tower of Babel, Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, Jacob, Moses, the Judges, Ruth and Solomon. Using Purposeful Design Bible: Grade 1 the students study lessons that teach about historical events written in the New Testament concerning the life of Jesus, focusing on His birth, early life, ministry and teachings on prayer and forgiveness. Salvation and grace are taught throughout the year and emphasized during the Easter season. Through weekly memory verses students learn to hide God’s Word in their hearts and apply the biblical principles to their daily lives.

COMPUTER – TIME ALLOTMENT: 45 mins / 1 day per week
Biblical Philosophy In the developed world, technology is available for use in almost every area of life. The Christian student should learn to view technology as a tool that can be used to fulfill God’s purposes in any and every sphere. While it has many good uses, technology can also be used for evil, and students must learn to recognize that and take measures to guard against its improper or destructive use. In a similar way, the Christian must learn to remain the master of technology and not be mastered by it.
Course Description and Goals
In kindergarten through second grade, students learn age-appropriate computer skills, beginning with proper use of computer equipment, mouse manipulation, starting and closing programs, introducing letter location on the keyboard, and using a word processing program to add text and graphics to a document. Students are also introduced to a graphics program to complete simple drawing projects. As students progress through the course, they learn the names and functions of important components of a computer system, internet safety, begin learning home row keys and reaches for proper keyboarding. Word processing skills such as copy, cut and paste, and formatting documents are introduced, as well as basic spreadsheets and presentations. Programs such as Microsoft Office, Kidpix, Jumpstart, TypingPal Online as well as many other online sources are used to enhance the computer curriculum.

FINE ARTS – TIME ALLOTMENT: 45 mins / 1 day per week
Biblical Philosophy
Human creativity is a reflection of the Creator’s image; therefore God is honored when we use our creative abilities. Fine arts can be used to express a full range of human thought and emotion and to awaken the same in the viewer. Since “the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof (Ps. 24:1),” the Christian artist is encouraged to use any and all of God’s creation to reflect its beauty, truth and order. Any art, when done as unto the Lord, is an expression of worship. Among the fine arts, music is given an especially prominent place throughout the Bible and is used in a range of ways, including worshiping God, engaging in warfare, lifting the human spirit, and communicating with others.
ART Course Description and Goals
The kindergarten through fifth grade art program at Myrtle Grove Christian School focuses on building a foundation of artistic knowledge and skills to equip students as they develop and create artistic works of their own. Through the biblical framework of discovering the beauty that God has displayed in His creation, students learn the fundamentals of art in a variety of ways. Beginning in kindergarten, students are introduced to concepts such as lines, color recognition and familiarity with the color wheel, using the five senses, use of various forms of media to create art, and a basic understanding of an art history timeline. As students progress through elementary school, they will increase their understanding of artistic terminology, develop their sense of perspective and symmetry, gain knowledge of the principles of design, learn about art in other cultures, and express their feelings through creations of their own.
MUSIC Course Description and Goals
This course is designed to introduce children to a variety of musical styles. In order to achieve this goal they will be exposed to basic music theory, music history, listening skills and other tools to help them learn how to enjoy music throughout their lifetime. They will discover that music helps them grow in many areas, such as, enhanced memorization, math skills and communication just to name a few. As they begin to use these skills it will lead them to desire to study more specific areas of music and other arts. As they increase in their musical abilities from one grade level to the next, they will begin to see that God has created us with gifts, talents and interests that delight Him as we use them to glorify His name. They will also see that music brings joy to yourself and influences the soul.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION – TIME ALLOTMENT: 45 mins / 1 day per week
Biblical Philosophy
As with all of the natural world, the human body reveals both the goodness and the fallenness of God’s creation. Christian students should develop a sense of stewardship of the bodies that they have been given based on an understanding of their own physical potential as well as their own limitations. It is stressed that the body is the “temple of the Holy Spirit” and that the Lord expects us to honor His creation. He built the temple, but we are responsible to take care of it. We do this by developing good body control (safety) and staying physically active through fitness.
Course Description and Goals
Students will be introduced to/review a structured presentation of fundamental locomotor and non-locomotor activities; being able to model the indicated movements with visual and auditory cues from the instructor. They will learn object manipulation skills, including throwing (overhand and underhand), catching, kicking, and batting. Students will be assessed in four fitness areas (flexibility, upper body strength, muscular endurance, and aerobic endurance) in the fall and in the spring. The goal is for students to build fundamental skills of basic sports and develop habits of healthy physical activity. 

INTEGRATED UNIT STUDY – 2  Per Year
Integrated Unit Studies involve a cross curricular approach that focuses on integral parts of the curriculum and are an expression of our blended educational philosophy. These unique and engaging learning opportunities allow students to apply and demonstrate their understanding through projects, presentations, and field experiences. Each grade level participates in 2-4 integrated unit studies throughout the year.

READING / LANGUAGE ARTS/ PHONICS – TIME ALLOTMENT: 
90mins / 5 days per week   
Biblical Philosophy
God’s clearest and most complete revelation to mankind was communicated and recorded in human language. The proper use of language is necessary for attaining knowledge of God, his creation, his moral law, and his divine purposes. Likewise, living in a relationship with other people requires effective use of language. Therefore, reading, writing, speaking and listening skills are essential to God’s redemptive plan and our part in it. 

Course Description and Goals
In the second grade reading curriculum, the core of reading instruction is Purposeful Design Reading and phonics with leveled readers and supplemental novel studies. The reading curriculum is differentiated through the use of such leveled readers to meet each student’s needs and current level of performance. Differentiation is also accomplished through the use of weekly reading stations in which students work on assigned skills in small groups. Each week students focus on a set of reading strategies and skills. Students explore a variety of genres of literature including fiction, fairy tale, fable, fantasy, biography, nonfiction, and expository text. The instructional intent is to engage students in the kinds of activities that will prepare them for reading, thinking, and problem-solving in real-world situations. The Purposeful Design Language Arts curriculum is the primary source for grammar and writing instruction. Students  identify complete sentences, subjects and predicates, nouns, verbs, pronouns, adverbs, and adjectives.  Students are taught skills of  grammar usage, and composition needed for clear written expression. Students learn the steps of the writing process as they learn how to write paragraphs, letters, research reports, and personal stories. In second grade spelling instruction comes from a multi-sensory approach to develop decoding and encoding skills. Students are given spelling words and practice in stations using spelling games and activities. Students learn spelling patterns such as digraphs, blends, and letter/sound combinations.

MATH – TIME ALLOTMENT: 45 mins / 5 days per week
Biblical Philosophy
God has revealed his existence, glory, and divine attributes through creation (Ps. 19, Rom. 1:20). Math is a “language” through which that revelation is communicated and understood, and it reflects God’s infinite and unchanging nature. Through mastery of mathematics, we can solve problems in a variety of fields as we work to see his kingdom come and his will done on earth as it is in heaven.
Course Description and Goals
Purposeful Design Mathematics: Grade 2 is the program used as the foundation for the second grade math. Each lesson is taught to meet all learning styles through use of hands on manipulatives. Each unit is supported with technology through mini lessons, BrainPOP Jr. lessons, and math IXL that reinforce the topics taught. In the fall students begin with reinforcement of basic addition, subtraction, patterns, and place value to 100. Students are then introduced to double digit addition and subtraction with regrouping. A large emphasis in second grade is also placed on memorizing basic addition and subtraction facts. In the spring students learn how to count and add money to a dollar. Students use higher order thinking skills to solve word problems. Students also learn place value to 1,000, fractions as part of a whole, and measurement. Students expand on telling time in first grade as they are taught to tell time to five-minute intervals. Before leaving for third grade students are also introduced to solving three-digit addition and subtraction problems and concepts of multiplication and division.

SOCIAL STUDIES – TIME ALLOTMENT: Alternate with Science: approx. 30 mins / 4-5 days per week
Biblical Philosophy
History is understood within God’s providential framework of creation, fall, and redemption. God brought into existence a good creation which fell into disrepair because of the sin of man. Since the fall, God has been working out a plan to redeem all of creation. That redemption was secured through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ; continues to be worked out in the affairs of men; and will be brought to completion upon the return of Christ when all things are made good again. In the intervening period, God sovereignly works through history to bring about his good purposes, working even through the sinful deeds of evil men.
Course Description and Goals
The core social studies curriculum in second grade is taught through Core Knowledge History and Geography Program. Students are taught history and geography in small groups through the use of leveled readers and supplemental materials. Additional units include study of Making the Constitution, Civil Rights Leaders, Immigration and Citizenship, and Geography. The social studies program in second grade is supplemented with a study of national monuments and symbols. Students also complete a biography project as an extension of their unit on Civil Rights Leaders. Each social studies unit is also supplemented with technology integration and STEM. 

SCIENCE – TIME ALLOTMENT: Alternate with Social Studies: approx. 30 mins / 4-5 days per week
Biblical Philosophy
God has revealed his existence, glory, and divine attributes through creation (Ps.19, Rom.1:20), and the study of science provides a deeper understanding of that revelation. Through science we see that an orderly and intelligent God created an ordered and intelligible universe. Our understanding of creation provides us with tools with which we can obey his commandment to subdue and have dominion over the earth (Gen. 1:28).
Course Description and Goals
The second grade science curriculum is taught from a Christian viewpoint through Bob Jones Science: Grade 2. As students explore units of life and physical science, they gain knowledge of God as our creator. Students study units on matter and motion, geology, natural resources, how animals grow and change and habitats, and fossils. Students learn about teamwork and making observations. Each unit is supplemented with technology integration and hands-on projects, including STEM.

BIBLE  – TIME ALLOTMENT: 30 mins / 4-5 days per week
Course Description and Goals
In second grade students are presented with Bible instruction through a curriculum called Purposeful Design Bible: Grade 2. Students are presented with the Bible as stories of God’s acts, promises, and character. It is our hope that as they are exposed to God’s Word they will come to an understanding of His great love for them, and accept His gift of salvation for their lives. In the fall students reinforce Bible stories learned in first grade beginning with stories of Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Ruth, David, Elijah, and Jesus’ birth. Although these characters are reviewed from first grade, each is expanded upon and taken to a greater depth. In the spring students are introduced to new stories focusing on Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Daniel, Martha, Peter, and Paul. Students also spend a great deal of the spring learning about Jesus as a merciful, compassionate Savior. Through each Bible story in second grade students are taught life applicable lessons including traits of being humble, patient, thankful, unselfish, faithful, bold, diligent, loyal, obedient, and confident. Weekly Bible verse memorization is an important part of their learning and applying God’s Word.

COMPUTER –  TIME ALLOTMENT: 45 mins / 1 day per week
Biblical Philosophy
In the developed world, technology is available for use in almost every area of life. The Christian student should learn to view technology as a tool that can be used to fulfill God’s purposes in any and every sphere. While it has many good uses, technology can also be used for evil, and students must learn to recognize that and take measures to guard against its improper or destructive use. In a similar way, the Christian must learn to remain the master of technology and not be mastered by it.
Course Description and Goals
In kindergarten through second grade, students learn age-appropriate computer skills, beginning with proper use of computer equipment, mouse manipulation, starting and closing programs, introducing letter location on the keyboard, and using a word processing program to add text and graphics to a document. Students are also introduced to a graphics program to complete simple drawing projects. As students progress through the course, they learn the names and functions of important components of a computer system, internet safety, begin learning home row keys and reaches for proper keyboarding. Word processing skills such as copy, cut and paste, and formatting documents are introduced, as well as basic spreadsheets and presentations. Programs such as Microsoft Office, Kidpix, Jumpstart, TypingPal Online as well as many other online sources are used to enhance the computer curriculum. 

FINE ARTS – TIME ALLOTMENT: 45 mins / 1 day per week
Biblical Philosophy
Human creativity is a reflection of the Creator’s image; therefore God is honored when we use our creative abilities. Fine arts can be used to express a full range of human thought and emotion and to awaken the same in the viewer. Since “the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof (Ps. 24:1),” the Christian artist is encouraged to use any and all of God’s creation to reflect its beauty, truth and order. Any art, when done as unto the Lord, is an expression of worship. Among the fine arts, music is given an especially prominent place throughout the Bible and is used in a range of ways, including worshiping God, engaging in warfare, lifting the human spirit, and communicating with others.
ART Course Description and Goals
The kindergarten through fifth grade art program at Myrtle Grove Christian School focuses on building a foundation of artistic knowledge and skills to equip students as they develop and create artistic works of their own. Through the biblical framework of discovering the beauty that God has displayed in His creation, students learn the fundamentals of art in a variety of ways. Beginning in kindergarten, students are introduced to concepts such as lines, color recognition and familiarity with the color wheel, using the five senses, use of various forms of media to create art, and a basic understanding of an art history timeline. As students progress through elementary school, they will increase their understanding of artistic terminology, develop their sense of perspective and symmetry, gain knowledge of the principles of design, learn about art in other cultures, and express their feelings through creations of their own.
MUSIC Course Description and Goals
This course is designed to introduce children to a variety of musical styles. In order to achieve this goal they will be exposed to basic music theory, music history, listening skills and other tools to help them learn how to enjoy music throughout their lifetime. They will discover that music helps them grow in many areas, such as, enhanced memorization, math skills and communication just to name a few. As they begin to use these skills it will lead them to desire to study more specific areas of music and other arts. As they increase in their musical abilities from one grade level to the next, they will begin to see that God has created us with gifts, talents and interests that delight Him as we use them to glorify His name. They will also see that music brings joy to yourself and influences the soul.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION – TIME ALLOTMENT: 45 mins / 1 day per week
Biblical Philosophy As with all of the natural world, the human body reveals both the goodness and the fallenness of God’s creation. Christian students should develop a sense of stewardship of the bodies that they have been given based on an understanding of their own physical potential as well as their own limitations. It is stressed that the body is the “temple of the Holy Spirit” and that the Lord expects us to honor His creation. He built the temple, but we are responsible to take care of it. We do this by developing good body control (safety) and staying physically active through fitness.
Course Description and Goals
Students will be introduced to/review a structured presentation of fundamental locomotor and non-locomotor activities; being able to model the indicated movements with visual and auditory cues from the instructor. They will learn object manipulation skills, including throwing (overhand and underhand), catching, kicking, and batting. Students will be assessed in four fitness areas (flexibility, upper body strength, muscular endurance, and aerobic endurance) in the fall and in the spring. The goal is for students to build fundamental skills of basic sports and develop habits of healthy physical activity.

INTEGRATED UNIT STUDY – 2 Per Year
Integrated Unit Studies involve a cross curricular approach that focuses on integral parts of the curriculum and are an expression of our blended educational philosophy. These unique and engaging learning opportunities allow students to apply and demonstrate their understanding through projects, presentations, and field experiences. Each grade level participates in 2-4 integrated unit studies throughout the year.

READING & LANGUAGE ARTS –  TIME ALLOTMENT: 90 mins / 5 days per week
Biblical Philosophy
God’s clearest and most complete revelation to mankind was communicated and recorded in human language. The proper use of language is necessary for attaining knowledge of God, his creation, his moral law, and his divine purposes. Likewise, living in relationship with other people requires effective use of language. Therefore, reading, writing, speaking and listening skills are essential to God’s redemptive plan and our part in it.
Course Description and Goals
In third grade, students are able to read, analyze, and understand different genres, as well as practice various strategies to increase comprehension. Each week students focus on a set of reading strategies and skills including recalling facts and details, using context clues, and drawing inferences. To best facilitate learning, resources from Open Court reading curriculum are corresponded with science and social studies units and supplemented with novel studies. Students explore a variety of genres of literature including fiction, fairy tale, fable, fantasy, biography, nonfiction, and expository test. The instructional intent to to engage students with quality literature in the kids of activities that will prepare them for reading, thinking, and problem-solving in real-world situations. Third grade Language Arts includes a variety of practical application practices that include labeling sentences with parts of speech through BJU Press. Throughout the year students review nouns and action verbs, while adding other parts of speech such as adjectives, adverbs, be verbs, and pronouns. Third graders are able to write five sentence paragraphs with a topic sentence, three supporting detail sentences, and a closing sentence and expand their writing to include multiple paragraphs. Throughout the year, students practice using dialogue with quotation marks, and learn to use references such as the dictionary and a thesaurus.

MATH –  TIME ALLOTMENT: 45 mins / 5 days per week
Biblical Philosophy
God has revealed his existence, glory, and divine attributes through creation (Ps. 19, Rom. 1:20). Math is a “language” through which that revelation is communicated and understood, and it reflects God’s infinite and unchanging nature. Through mastery of mathematics, we can solve problems in a variety of fields as we work to see his kingdom come and his will done on earth as it is in heaven.
Course Description and Goals
Third grade mathematics uses Purposeful Design Mathematics: Grade 3. Emphasis is placed on problem solving with all four operations, subtraction with regrouping across zeros, and memorization of multiplication facts through 10’s. Throughout the year students will review place value concepts, addition and subtraction through the thousands, geometry, customary and metric measurement, and graphing. Third graders will expand on second grade concepts of  multiplication and will extend their learning in division and fractions. Students regularly solve word problems, use manipulatives to explore concepts, and play games to reinforce ideas.

SOCIAL STUDIES – TIME ALLOTMENT: Alternate with Science: approx. 30 mins / 4-5 days per week
Biblical Philosophy
History is understood within God’s providential framework of creation, fall, and redemption. God brought into existence a good creation which fell into disrepair because of the sin of man. Since the fall, God has been working out a plan to redeem all of creation. That redemption was secured through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ; continues to be worked out in the affairs of men; and will be brought to completion upon the return of Christ when all things are made good again. In the intervening period, God sovereignly works through history to bring about his good purposes, working even through the evil deeds of evil men.
Course Description and Goals
For third grade social studies we use Core Knowledge History and Geography Program. Fall semester topics of study include map skills,  the Vikings, and the Earliest & Native Americans. Spring semester topics of study include the exploration of North America by Europeans and the founding of the 13 colonies. Throughout our studies, we compare how people of the past lived with how we live today, and we also search for biblical principles as carried out in History. Units are supplemented with hands-on projects that include designing a Viking ship and making a Native American home, as well as other STEM activities.

SCIENCE – TIME ALLOTMENT: Alternate with Social Studies: approx. 30 mins / 4-5 days per week
Biblical Philosophy
God has revealed his existence, glory, and divine attributes through creation (Ps.19, Rom.1:20), and the study of science provides a deeper understanding of that revelation. Through science we see that an orderly and intelligent God created an ordered and intelligible universe. Our understanding of creation provides us with tools with which we can obey his commandment to subdue and have dominion over the earth (Gen. 1:28).
Course Description and Goals
Bob Jones University Press Grade 3 is our third grade textbook. God’s purpose for all of creation is our theme for the year. Third grade science units include the solar system, body systems (cells, tissues, and skin), weather, and cold-blooded and warm-blooded animals. To engage and excite students in learning about our world, many hands-on activities and demonstrations are used in the classroom and the STEM lab, as well as field trips and outdoor learning opportunities that allow students to learn where they live.

BIBLE- TIME ALLOTMENT: 30 mins / 3 days per week

Course Description and Goals

Third grade uses Purposeful Design Bible: Grade Level 3 to teach children characteristics of Christ and how we can imitate Him in our daily lives. In the fall semester, the students are introduced to Jesus’ life, ministry, and teachings and then are encouraged to find ways to carry out the lessons learned. Jesus’ ministry fulfilled God’s plan and students are taught the importance of seeking God’s will for their lives, especially through prayer and study of the Bible. Weekly memory verses are an important part of our lessons as students learn to hide God’s Word in their hearts and make wise choices for Him. In the spring semester we focus on the miracles of Jesus and how they show His power, as well as the apostles and the early church, including Paul. The work of the Holy Spirit is manifested through God’s people on Earth and continues today when we heed the words of the Great Commission. Special lessons for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter are also included.

COMPUTER – TIME ALLOTMENT: 45 mins / 1 day per week
Biblical Philosophy
In the developed world, technology is available for use in almost every area of life. The Christian student should learn to view technology as a tool that can be used to fulfill God’s purposes in any and every sphere. While it has many good uses, technology can also be used for evil, and students must learn to recognize that and take measures to guard against its improper or destructive use. In a similar way, the Christian must learn to remain the master of technology and not be mastered by it.
Course Description and Goals
Third through fifth grade computer skills are taught by the computer teacher who helps expand the students’ technology and keyboarding skills. These skills include a basic overall understanding of word processing, desktop publishing, spreadsheets, multimedia presentations, Internet safety, and computer hardware. In addition, students are given an individual plan for improving keyboarding skills that ensures the correct finger positions and increases their typing speed and accuracy. Students also create projects that connect to what is being taught in the classroom. The instructional goal is to prepare the students with basic application and keyboarding skills that will be necessary to complete assignments in middle school. Programs used to teach and enrich student learning are Microsoft Office, Typing Pal Online, Glogster, Woordle, Scholastic as well as other online sources.

FINE ARTS –  TIME ALLOTMENT: 45 mins / 1 day per week
Biblical Philosophy
Human creativity is a reflection of the Creator’s image; therefore God is honored when we use our creative abilities. Fine arts can be used to express a full range of human thought and emotion and to awaken the same in the viewer. Since “the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof (Ps. 24:1),” the Christian artist is encouraged to use any and all of God’s creation to reflect its beauty, truth and order. Any art, when done as unto the Lord, is an expression of worship. Among the fine arts, music is given an especially prominent place throughout the Bible and is used in a range of ways, including worshiping God, engaging in warfare, lifting the human spirit, and communicating with others.
ART Course Description and Goals
The kindergarten through fifth grade art program at Myrtle Grove Christian School focuses on building a foundation of artistic knowledge and skills to equip students as they develop and create artistic works of their own. Through the biblical framework of discovering the beauty that God has displayed in His creation, students learn the fundamentals of art in a variety of ways. Beginning in kindergarten, students are introduced to concepts such as lines, color recognition and familiarity with the color wheel, using the five senses, use of various forms of media to create art, and a basic understanding of an art history timeline. As students progress through elementary school, they will increase their understanding of artistic terminology, develop their sense of perspective and symmetry, gain knowledge of the principles of design, learn about art in other cultures, and express their feelings through creations of their own.
MUSIC Course Description and Goals
This course is designed to introduce children to a variety of musical styles. In order to achieve this goal they will be exposed to basic music theory, music history, listening skills and other tools to help them learn how to enjoy music throughout their lifetime. They will discover that music helps them grow in many areas, such as, enhanced memorization, math skills and communication just to name a few. As they begin to use these skills it will lead them to desire to study more specific areas of music and other arts. As they increase in their musical abilities from one grade level to the next, they will begin to see that God has created us with gifts, talents and interests that delight Him as we use them to glorify His name. They will also see that music brings joy to yourself and influences the soul.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION  – TIME ALLOTMENT: 45 mins / 1 day per week
Biblical Philosophy
As with all of the natural world, the human body reveals both the goodness and the fallenness of God’s creation. Christian students should develop a sense of stewardship of the bodies that they have been given based on an understanding of their own physical potential as well as their own limitations. It is stressed that the body is the “temple of the Holy Spirit” and that the Lord expects us to honor His creation. He built the temple, but we are responsible to take care of it. We do this by developing good body control (safety) and staying physically active through fitness.
Course Description and Goals
Students will be introduced to/review a structured presentation of fundamental locomotor and non-locomotor activities; being able to model the indicated movements with visual and auditory cues from the instructor. They will learn object manipulation skills, including throwing (overhand and underhand), catching, kicking, and batting. Students will be assessed in four fitness areas (flexibility, upper body strength, muscular endurance, and aerobic endurance) in the fall and in the spring. The goal is for students to build fundamental skills of basic sports and develop habits of healthy physical activity.

INTEGRATED UNIT STUDY – 2 Per Year
Integrated Unit Studies involve a cross curricular approach that focuses on integral parts of the curriculum and are an expression of our blended educational philosophy. These unique and engaging learning opportunities allow students to apply and demonstrate their understanding through projects, presentations, and field experiences. Each grade level participates in 2-4 integrated unit studies throughout the year.

READING & LANGUAGE ARTS –  TIME ALLOTMENT: 90 mins / 5 days per week
Biblical Philosophy
God’s clearest and most complete revelation to mankind was communicated and recorded in human language. The proper use of language is necessary for attaining knowledge of God, his creation, his moral law, and his divine purposes. Likewise, living in relationship with other people requires effective use of language. Therefore, reading, writing, speaking and listening skills are essential to God’s redemptive plan and our part in it.
Course Description and Goals
The Open Court curriculum along with a variety of novel studies are used to help fourth grade students develop their skills and a lifelong love of reading. This curriculum implements various comprehension strategies such as predicting, summarizing, recognizing main ideas and details, making connections, using context clues, comparing and contrasting, and making inferences to improve vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency. Students also engage in classroom discussions to increase their understanding of the text, as well as the Biblical worldview pertaining to that text, and how it relates to them and the world in which they live. The major focus of fourth grade language is on grammar, spelling, and writing using the Purposeful Design spelling curriculum and grammar by BJU Press. The Purposeful Design curriculum is focused on teaching spelling patterns rather than memorizing word lists. Students will use their knowledge of grammar and spelling to become proficient in writing. Fourth grade writing begins with an understanding of correct sentence structure, expands to paragraphs, and results in the enjoyment and satisfaction of well written compositions. Students will learn to write essays, reports, and letters that communicate effectively.

MATH  – TIME ALLOTMENT: 45 mins / 5 days per week
Biblical Philosophy
God has revealed his existence, glory, and divine attributes through creation (Ps. 19, Rom. 1:20). Math is a “language” through which that revelation is communicated and understood, and it reflects God’s infinite and unchanging nature. Through mastery of mathematics, we can solve problems in a variety of fields as we work to see his kingdom come and his will done on earth as it is in heaven.
Course Description and Goals
Fourth grade uses Purposeful Design Publications Mathematics Grade 4 to develop learners who are critical thinkers and problem solvers. Direct instruction, collaborative work, and technology are integrated into the lessons to maximize the learning style of each student. Over the course of the year, students will extend their understanding of place value to the millions, organize, display and interpret data, give an accurate description of algebraic patterns, refine their skills in rounding and estimation, multiply by four digit numbers and solve long division problems. Students will also identify and describe angles, rays, segments, and vertices. Students will recognize images of figures resulting from geometric transformations, such as reflection, translation, and rotation. Other highlights include fractional concepts, decimals, probability, and measurement.

SOCIAL STUDIES –  TIME ALLOTMENT: Alternate with Science: approx. 30 mins / 4-5 days per week
Biblical Philosophy
History is understood within God’s providential framework of creation, fall, and redemption. God brought into existence a good creation which fell into disrepair because of the sin of man. Since the fall, God has been working out a plan to redeem all of creation. That redemption was secured through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ; continues to be worked out in the affairs of men; and will be brought to completion upon the return of Christ when all things are made good again. In the intervening period, God sovereignly works through history to bring about his good purposes, working even through the evil deeds of evil men.
Course Description and Goals 
The fourth grade social studies curriculum uses Core Knowledge History and Geography Program to increase skills in geography, and mapping using technology in the classroom. Students develop a deeper understanding of historical information and its cause and effect relationships. The social studies curriculum focuses on cultivating a strong knowledge base of the American cultural heritage with units in the American Revolution, the United States Constitution, American Reformers, and the Early Presidents: Washington through Jackson. 

SCIENCE – TIME ALLOTMENT: Alternate with Social Studies: approx. 30 mins / 4-5 days per week
Biblical Philosophy
God has revealed his existence, glory, and divine attributes through creation (Ps.19, Rom.1:20), and the study of science provides a deeper understanding of that revelation. Through science we see that an orderly and intelligent God created an ordered and intelligible universe. Our understanding of creation provides us with tools with which we can obey his commandment to subdue and have dominion over the earth (Gen. 1:28).
Course Description and Goals
Fourth grade science involves hands-on learning experiences from a biblical worldview using the Bob Jones University Press Grade 4 program. Fourth grade science units include machines, forces, energy and light, and the moon and oceans. Each unit is supplemented with hands-on activities and STEM projects.

BIBLE  – TIME ALLOTMENT: 30 mins / 5 days per week
Course Description and Goals
Purposeful Design Bible: Grade 4 is the main resource for teaching fourth grade Bible. The main emphasis is on the basic doctrines of the Church. We begin the year with a study of how the Bible is truth, is inspired, and endures. Throughout the year, students are introduced to Bible study tools to aid them in the understanding of God’s Word. We also study the characteristics of God’s omnipresence, His omniscience, and His omnipotence. Students will learn that man was created in God’s image and enjoyed a perfect relationship with Him until The Fall, but also that God had a plan of redemption for us through salvation in Jesus Christ. The second semester students will understand that as they receive Christ, they are empowered by the Holy Spirit to be ambassadors for Him. Students will be encouraged to develop personal time with God including prayer and Bible study. The year ends with a study of eternity, Christ’s return, and the final judgment. Weekly memory verses are also a key component of the fourth grade Bible curriculum.

COMPUTER – TIME ALLOTMENT: 45 mins / 1 day per week
Biblical Philosophy
In the developed world, technology is available for use in almost every area of life. The Christian student should learn to view technology as a tool that can be used to fulfill God’s purposes in any and every sphere. While it has many good uses, technology can also be used for evil, and students must learn to recognize that and take measures to guard against its improper or destructive use. In a similar way, the Christian must learn to remain the master of technology and not be mastered by it. 
Course Description and Goals Students in the third through fifth grade computer class continue to expand their technology skills. These skills include a basic overall understanding of word processing, desktop publishing, spreadsheets, multimedia presentations, Internet safety, and computer hardware. In addition, students are given an individual plan for improving keyboarding skills that ensures the correct finger positions and increases their typing speed and accuracy. Students also create projects that connect to what is being taught in the classroom. The instructional goal is to prepare the students with basic application and keyboarding skills that will be necessary to complete assignments in middle school. Programs used to teach and enrich student learning are Microsoft Office, Typing Pal Online, Glogster, Woordle, Scholastic as well as other online sources.

FINE ARTS TIME ALLOTMENT: 45 mins / 1 day per week
Biblical Philosophy
Human creativity is a reflection of the Creator’s image; therefore God is honored when we use our creative abilities. Fine arts can be used to express a full range of human thought and emotion and to awaken the same in the viewer. Since “the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof (Ps. 24:1),” the Christian artist is encouraged to use any and all of God’s creation to reflect its beauty, truth and order. Any art, when done as unto the Lord, is an expression of worship. Among the fine arts, music is given an especially prominent place throughout the Bible and is used in a range of ways, including worshiping God, engaging in warfare, lifting the human spirit, and communicating with others.
ART Course Description and Goals
The kindergarten through fifth grade art program at Myrtle Grove Christian School focuses on building a foundation of artistic knowledge and skills to equip students as they develop and create artistic works of their own. Through the biblical framework of discovering the beauty that God has displayed in His creation, students learn the fundamentals of art in a variety of ways. Beginning in kindergarten, students are introduced to concepts such as lines, color recognition and familiarity with the color wheel, using the five senses, use of various forms of media to create art, and a basic understanding of an art history timeline. As students progress through elementary school, they will increase their understanding of artistic terminology, develop their sense of perspective and symmetry, gain knowledge of the principles of design, learn about art in other cultures, and express their feelings through creations of their own.
MUSIC Course Description and Goals
This course is designed to introduce children to a variety of musical styles. In order to achieve this goal they will be exposed to basic music theory, music history, listening skills and other tools to help them learn how to enjoy music throughout their lifetime. They will discover that music helps them grow in many areas, such as, enhanced memorization, math skills and communication just to name a few. As they begin to use these skills it will lead them to desire to study more specific areas of music and other arts. As they increase in their musical abilities from one grade level to the next, they will begin to see that God has created us with gifts, talents and interests that delight Him as we use them to glorify His name. They will also see that music brings joy to yourself and influences the soul.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION TIME ALLOTMENT: 45 mins / 1 day per week
Biblical Philosophy
As with all of the natural world, the human body reveals both the goodness and the fallenness of God’s creation. Christian students should develop a sense of stewardship of the bodies that they have been given based on an understanding of their own physical potential as well as their own limitations. It is stressed that the body is the “temple of the Holy Spirit” and that the Lord expects us to honor His creation. He built the temple, but we are responsible to take care of it. We do this by developing good body control (safety) and staying physically active through fitness.
Course Description and Goals
Students will be introduced to/review a structured presentation of fundamental locomotor and non-locomotor activities; being able to model the indicated movements with visual and auditory cues from the instructor. They will learn object manipulation skills, including throwing (overhand and underhand), catching, kicking, and batting. Students will be assessed in four fitness areas (flexibility, upper body strength, muscular endurance, and aerobic endurance) in the fall and in the spring. The goal is for students to build fundamental skills of basic sports and develop habits of healthy physical activity.

INTEGRATED UNIT STUDY – 2 Per Year
Integrated Unit Studies involve a cross curricular approach that focuses on integral parts of the curriculum and are an expression of our blended educational philosophy. These unique and engaging learning opportunities allow students to apply and demonstrate their understanding through projects, presentations, and field experiences. Each grade level participates in 2-4 integrated unit studies throughout the year.

READING & LANGUAGE ARTS  – TIME ALLOTMENT: 90 mins / 5 days per week
Biblical Philosophy
God’s clearest and most complete revelation to mankind was communicated and recorded in human language. The proper use of language is necessary for attaining knowledge of God, his creation, his moral law, and his divine purposes. Likewise, living in relationship with other people requires effective use of language. Therefore, reading, writing, speaking and listening skills are essential to God’s redemptive plan and our part in it.
Course Description and Goals
Fifth grade students study various genres of literature using Open Court Reading Curriculum and various novel studies. Students will practice concepts such as comprehension, visualizing, summarizing, clarifying, asking questions, predicting, sequencing, making inferences, drawing conclusions, comparing and contrasting, main idea, supporting details, author’s purpose and author’s point of view, classifying, categorizing, vocabulary, and character studies. In addition to reading instruction, students participate in discussions pertaining to the biblical worldview concepts portrayed in every piece of literature they study. Fifth grade language arts uses Language by BJU Press and encompasses parts of speech, punctuation and capitalization rules, sentence kinds, synonyms, antonyms, homonyms, analogies, subject and predicate, prepositions, and possessive nouns and pronouns. The students also write three- to five-paragraph essays. Spelling covers plurals, prefixes, suffixes, roots, topical words, and spelling rules using the Purposeful Design spelling curriculum. 

MATH TIME ALLOTMENT: 45 mins / 5 days per week
Biblical Philosophy
God has revealed his existence, glory, and divine attributes through creation (Ps. 19, Rom. 1:20). Math is a “language” through which that revelation is communicated and understood, and it reflects God’s infinite and unchanging nature. Through mastery of mathematics, we can solve problems in a variety of fields as we work to see his kingdom come and his will done on earth as it is in heaven.
Course Description and Goals
The fifth grade math curriculum focuses heavily on concepts and operations dealing with whole numbers, decimals, and fractions. Students learn that we live in an intelligently designed and ordered world, created by God. The text is Mathematics Grade 5 by Purposeful Design Publications. Students begin the year identifying whole number place value to billions, and investigate decimal place value to thousandths. Students add, subtract, multiply, and divide multi-digit whole numbers and decimals. Students learn to convert improper fractions and mixed numbers, create equivalent and simplest form fractions, add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions. Coordinate geometry, elapsed time, and mathematical properties are also explored. Problem solving and data interpretation is embedded throughout each unit.

SOCIAL STUDIES TIME ALLOTMENT: Alternate with Science: approx. 30 mins / 4-5 days per week
Biblical Philosophy
History is understood within God’s providential framework of creation, fall, and redemption. God brought into existence a good creation which fell into disrepair because of the sin of man. Since the fall, God has been working out a plan to redeem all of creation. That redemption was secured through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ; continues to be worked out in the affairs of men; and will be brought to completion upon the return of Christ when all things are made good again. In the intervening period, God sovereignly works through history to bring about his good purposes, working even through the sinful deeds of evil men.
Course Description and Goals
The fifth grade social studies curriculum includes a map study of the geography and regions of the United States. The text is Core Knowledge History and Geography Program. Students learn the state abbreviations and capitals, and locate all fifty states on a map. A study of early exploration leads to an understanding of the beginning of the story of America and the foundations of our faith. Students learn of westward expansion and the rising conflict over slavery resulted in the Civil War. Students participate in a local Civil War field trip, making visits to Ft. Anderson, Southport, and Ft. Fisher to learn of the important role the Cape Fear region played in the war. Finally, the year ends with an overnight field trip to Carteret County to learn more of North Carolina’s coastal area and its importance in the Civil War.

SCIENCE – TIME ALLOTMENT: Alternate with Social Studies: approx. 30 mins / 4-5 days per week
Biblical Philosophy
God has revealed his existence, glory, and divine attributes through creation (Ps.19, Rom.1:20), and the study of science provides a deeper understanding of that revelation. Through science we see that an orderly and intelligent God created an ordered and intelligible universe. Our understanding of creation provides us with tools with which we can obey his commandment to subdue and have dominion over the earth (Gen. 1:28).
Course Description and Goals
The fifth grade science curriculum uses the Bob Jones University Press Grade 5 resources and includes units on geology, matter and energy, and a special unit on forestry. Students conduct various experiments and hands-on learning activities both in the classroom and in the STEM lab. Fifth grade science has a strong emphasis on biblical stewardship of our world. The year ends with a study of the physical and emotional changes that occur in pre-adolescents.

BIBLE TIME ALLOTMENT: 45 mins / 4 days per week
Course Description and Goals
In fifth grade we use Purposeful Design Bible: Grade 5 as our curriculum which takes the students on a journey through the Old Testament. We begin with discussions regarding how we know the Word of God is true, followed by the study of Cain and Abel, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and Joshua. We then study the fulfillment of God’s promises to Abraham through the Israelite’s move into the Land of Canaan. We see the rise of Judges to help rule the new nation of Israel and end with King Saul and King David. The focus for the year is, not only about how the Bible is real, true, and applies to our lives today but also about the results and consequences of sin intertwined with God’s merciful forgiveness which is demonstrated throughout Old Testament history. We also end the year leading a lower school chapel where the students get to use their talents and gifts for God’s glory.

COMPUTER TIME ALLOTMENT: 45 mins / 1 day per week
Biblical Philosophy
In the developed world, technology is available for use in almost every area of life. The Christian student should learn to view technology as a tool that can be used to fulfill God’s purposes in any and every sphere. While it has many good uses, technology can also be used for evil, and students must learn to recognize that and take measures to guard against its improper or destructive use. In a similar way, the Christian must learn to remain the master of technology and not be mastered by it.
Course Description and Goals
Students in the third through fifth grade computer class continue to expand their technology skills. These skills include a basic overall understanding of word processing, desktop publishing, spreadsheets, multimedia presentations, Internet safety, and computer hardware. In addition, students are given an individual plan for improving keyboarding skills that ensures the correct finger positions and increases their typing speed and accuracy. Students also create projects that connect to what is being taught in the classroom. The instructional goal is to prepare the students with basic application and keyboarding skills that will be necessary to complete assignments in middle school. Programs used to teach and enrich student learning are Microsoft Office, Typing Pal Online, Glogster, Woordle, Scholastic as well as other online sources.

FINE ARTS TIME ALLOTMENT: 45 mins / 1 day per week
Biblical Philosophy
Human creativity is a reflection of the Creator’s image; therefore God is honored when we use our creative abilities. Fine arts can be used to express a full range of human thought and emotion and to awaken the same in the viewer. Since “the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof (Ps. 24:1),” the Christian artist is encouraged to use any and all of God’s creation to reflect its beauty, truth and order. Any art, when done as unto the Lord, is an expression of worship. Among the fine arts, music is given an especially prominent place throughout the Bible and is used in a range of ways, including worshiping God, engaging in warfare, lifting the human spirit, and communicating with others.
ART Course Description and Goals
The kindergarten through fifth grade art program at Myrtle Grove Christian School focuses on building a foundation of artistic knowledge and skills to equip students as they develop and create artistic works of their own. Through the biblical framework of discovering the beauty that God has displayed in His creation, students learn the fundamentals of art in a variety of ways. Beginning in kindergarten, students are introduced to concepts such as lines, color recognition and familiarity with the color wheel, using the five senses, use of various forms of media to create art, and a basic understanding of an art history timeline. As students progress through elementary school, they will increase their understanding of artistic terminology, develop their sense of perspective and symmetry, gain knowledge of the principles of design, learn about art in other cultures, and express their feelings through creations of their own.
MUSIC Course Description and Goals
This course is designed to introduce children to a variety of musical styles. In order to achieve this goal they will be exposed to basic music theory, music history, listening skills and other tools to help them learn how to enjoy music throughout their lifetime. They will discover that music helps them grow in many areas, such as, enhanced memorization, math skills and communication just to name a few. As they begin to use these skills it will lead them to desire to study more specific areas of music and other arts. As they increase in their musical abilities from one grade level to the next, they will begin to see that God has created us with gifts, talents and interests that delight Him as we use them to glorify His name. They will also see that music brings joy to yourself and influences the soul.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION –  TIME ALLOTMENT: 45 mins / 1 day per week
Biblical Philosophy
As with all of the natural world, the human body reveals both the goodness and the fallenness of God’s creation. Christian students should develop a sense of stewardship of the bodies that they have been given based on an understanding of their own physical potential as well as their own limitations. It is stressed that the body is the “temple of the Holy Spirit” and that the Lord expects us to honor His creation. He built the temple, but we are responsible to take care of it. We do this by developing good body control (safety) and staying physically active through fitness.
Course Description and Goals
Students will be introduced to/review a structured presentation of fundamental locomotor and non-locomotor activities; being able to model the indicated movements with visual and auditory cues from the instructor. They will learn object manipulation skills, including throwing (overhand and underhand), catching, kicking, and batting. Students will be assessed in four fitness areas (flexibility, upper body strength, muscular endurance, and aerobic endurance) in the fall and in the spring. The goal is for students to build fundamental skills of basic sports and develop habits of healthy physical activity.