Curriculum
"Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her." Proverbs 8:10-11
The term “curriculum” finds its etymology in the Latin word “currere,” which means to run. The idea contained in “currere” is a racecourse. A racecourse has an objective, and Robert Little John and Charles T. Evans in their book Wisdom and Eloquence aptly state that “…curriculum design begins with the ultimate or strategic objectives for each student in view” (p. 75). At Covenant Christian School we choose to follow the Apostle Paul’s example of intentionality: “But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (NASB, I Timothy 1:5). Just as Paul was intentional in specifying love as the ultimate goal of his instruction, so we have specified the ultimate outcomes that we envision of our students in the student profile.
Specifically, the Bible program is grounded in the Biblical history of redemption, the centrality of Christ in all of the Bible’s teachings, and the nature of our triune God. As Christians, the approach to history can only be understood as God’s providential actions in the course of human events. Using the Bible as the primary foundation of understanding, history is the record of man from creation, through the fall, redemption, and final restoration. Since God is the original communicator and we are made in His image, our language arts program provides a foundation for the study of all areas of discipline in training students to develop their listening, reading, writing, thinking, and speaking skills in order to accurately understand, articulate, and apply the truths of Scripture to all aspects of their lives. Further, students will be trained to measure all forms of communication, whether sacred or secular, by the truths given in Scripture.
The school’s science curriculum is designed to develop in our students a Biblical worldview with regard to the wonders of nature, the content and limitations of science, and scientific exploration. The study of math will enable students to better understand God in the areas of orderliness, precision, and His unchanging nature. Further, mathematical knowledge provides a tool to enable students to apply the analytical concepts and mathematical reasoning necessary to function in God’s world.
Believing that God addresses the holistic nature of man, Covenant Christian School offers enrichment content in art, music, and physical education. Since a divine esthetic and artistic expression is found in the beauty of the creation and mentioned in the Scriptures, art and music will be taught as a way to reflect God’s glory in this aspect. The believer’s body being the temple of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 6:19), students will be taught to properly care for the body through appropriate nutrition and exercise.
Being rooted in the classical tradition, the school will apply the various methods of the trivium—grammar, logic, and rhetoric—commensurate with the student’s development and achievement in the various disciplines. Believing that Latin is a good foundation for the acquisition of the Romance languages—French, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish—and English grammar, students will intensely study Latin in fifth through eighth grades with the goal of translating Western literary masterpieces written in Latin. In order to sharpen student’s reasoning and critical thinking, logic—fallacy detection, propositional, symbolic—are offered to middle school students.
K4
Bible: Old and New Testament Stories
Phonics/Reading: Abeka
Math: Abeka, Saxon K
Science: Abeka
Handwriting: Abeka
K5
Bible: Old and New Testament Stories
Phonics/Reading: Abeka
Math: Saxon K, Saxon 1
Science: Abeka
Handwriting: Abeka
Specials: Music, Art, PE
Grade 1
Bible: Old Testament: Creation – King Saul
Reading/Literature: Abeka Readers and Phonics, Selected works of children’s literature
Math: Saxon 1 and 2
History: Georgia Studies
Science: Abeka
Spelling: Christian Liberty Press Level 1
Grammar: Shurley English Level 1
Handwriting: Abeka
Music, Art, PE
Grade 2
Bible: Old Testament: King Saul-Malachi
Reading/Literature: Abeka Phonics; BJU; Selected works of children’s literature
Math: Saxon 2 and 3
History: Veritas Press: Old Testament/Ancient Egypt
Science: Abeka
Spelling: Christian Liberty Press Level 2
Grammar: Shurley English Level 2
Handwriting: Zaner-Bloser Cursive
Music, Art, PE
Grade 3
Bible: New Testament
Reading/Literature: BJU; CCS Literature Selections
Math: Saxon 3 and 4
History: Veritas Press: New Testament/ Ancient Greece and Rome
Science: Abeka
Spelling: Christian Liberty Press Level 3
Grammar: Shurley English Level 3
Handwriting: Zaner-Bloser Cursive
Music, Art, PE
Grade 4
Bible: Veritas Press: Genesis-Joshua
Reading/Literature: CCS Literature Selections
Math: Saxon 4 and 5
History: Veritas Press: Middle Ages, Renaissance and Reformation
Science: Abeka
Spelling/Vocabulary: Christian Liberty Press; Wordly Wise
Grammar/Composition: Shurley English Level 4; CCS Curriculum Objectives
Handwriting: Classically Cursive
Music, Art, PE
Grade 5
Bible: Judges-Kings
Reading/Literature: CCS Literature Selections
Math: Saxon 5 and 6
History: Veritas Press: Early Explorers/ US History through 1815
Science: Abeka; BJU
Spelling/Vocabulary: Wordly Wise
Grammar/Composition: Shurley English Level 5; CCS Curriculum Objectives
Latin: Memoria Press: Latina Christiana
Music, Art, PE
Grade 6
Bible: Veritas Press: The Gospels
Reading/Literature: CCS Literature Selections
Math: Saxon Middle Grades Course 2
History: Veritas Press: US History from 1815
Science: Earth Science
Spelling/Vocabulary: Wordly Wise
Grammar/Composition: Abeka, CCS Curriculum Objectives
Latin: Memoria Press - Latina Christiana
Music, Art, PE
Electives: World Geography, Study Skills
Grade 7
Bible: Positive Action for Christ
Literature: CCS Literature Selections
Math: Saxon Algebra 1/2
History: Ancient Civilizations
Science: Earth Science
Vocabulary: Wordly Wise
Grammar/Composition: Abeka, CCS Curriculum Objectives
Latin: Wheelock’s
Logic I
Music, Art, PE
Grade 8
Bible: Positive Action for Christ
Literature: CCS Literature Selections
Math: Algebra 1 - Jacob’s
History: Western Civilization through 1500’s, CCS Curriculum Objectives
Science: Physical Science
Vocabulary: Wordly Wise
Grammar/Composition: Abeka, CCS Curriculum Objectives
Latin: Wheelock’s
Logic II
Music, Art, PE
