The primary grades are at the foundational level of the Forest Hills program.  Most classes are taught by the classroom teacher in a self-contained classroom.  Specialists handle PE, Music, Library and Technology. We also offer a Multiage class; a combination of students in grades K-2. The students stay with this teacher for all three grades. The same skills are taught but in a self paced environment.

• Bible Time
• Language Arts
• Mathematics
• Science & Social Studies
• Fine Arts
• Library & Technology
• Physical Education

 

Bible Time

Voyages is the title of the curricular materials published for Lutheran schools by Concordia Publishing House.

Kindergarten	1st Grade	2nd Grade
• Basic Bible stories from the Old and New Testament, showing that God is our best friend, is always with us, and be- lieving that Jesus died for our sins is the only way to heaven. • Bible memory verses	• Two Bible stories each week in chronological order from the beginning of the world through Jesus death and resurrection. Nine units of stories and lesson applications. • Weekly “words to remember”	• Nine units of study with four Bible stores in each unit cover the story of God’s love for His people in the Old and New Testaments. • Bible memory verses reinforce the Bible truth.

Language Arts

We use a variety of materials including classrooms sets of books in our pro- gram. The Wright Group is a primary source. Includes reading, writing, spelling and handwriting.

Kindergarten	1st Grade	2nd Grade
• Alphabet - recognition, sounds and writing • Phonemic awareness - hearing sounds in words • Sight words • Blending sounds into words	• Balanced literacy program with op- portunities for shared, guided, and in- dependent reading. Small and large group instruction. • Introductory steps of the writing process including journaling, poem, story and letter writing.	• Balanced reading program including shared, guided, and independent read- ing. • Multi-step writing process includes generating ideas, drafting, revising, ed iting and publishing • Begin handwriting in cursive.

 

Mathematics

Everyday Math is a research-based program developed by the University of Chicago. It has been extensively field-tested and has proven to be challenging and exciting for children.

Kindergarten	1st Grade	2nd Grade
• Free exploration • Number recognition and formation • Counting • Patterning • Sorting and classifying • Graphing • Simple operations • Time, money, measuring, problems • Basic shapes	Building on work in kindergarten, 1st and 2nd graders spiral upward through units of study in these areas: • Number, operations and quantitative reasoning (number sense) • Patterns, relationships and algebraic thinking • Geometry and spatial reasoning • Measurement • Probability and statistics (data analysis) • Underlying mathematical processes (”How do you know this?”)

 

Science & Social Studies

Thematic units from various sources help students understand and appreciate the wonders of their expanding worlds. Units alternate between science and social studies emphases throughout the school year.

Fine Arts

• Music classes are taught by trained teachers with emphasis on the major elements of music. Singing is integrated into other classes as appropriate.
• Art activities are also a part of daily activities in various subject areas. School-wide art activities are scheduled throughout the year in the Art Space. Art literacy units, artists in residence and art projects are some of these activities.
• Art, music and drama are combined in seasonal productions at Christmas and in the Spring of the year.

Library & Technology

Weekly trips to the school library and to the computer lab give opportunities for extended literacy activity. Students learn fundamentals of keyboarding with application to other areas of the curriculum. Technology is also utilized as a vital tool in classroom instruction by both teacher and students.

Physical Education

Classes meet twice weekly in the school’s gym with organized instruction in four parts:
• warm-up activities
• strength and fitness development
• physical skills
• games and activities