Christian Education must develop not only cognitive knowledge and the accumulation of facts, but must involve and internalization of God’s truth. It is our aim in every subject area to teach truth and to teach students to evaluate facts in the light of truth. This is accomplished through the following steps:

Once a week, the faculty and student body in grades one through five gather together in the Worship Center to express devotion to our Lord through praise and worship. Biblical truths and principles of like are taught by our staff, pastors and guest speakers. We welcome parents to attend with their children and worship with us.

Bible study is an integral part of the school curriculum at Willamette Christian School. The Scriptures are studied in such a way that a child will discover and be able to apply the relevance of the Bible and its principles to everyday situations and experiences. Each week students study in the classroom environment where a variety of approaches and techniques are used discover Biblical meanings and principles. Interwoven into the curriculum is a Godly character application designed to stimulate character development within each student.

Three strands of instruction occur in fifth grade: a survey or overview of the Old Testament; an in-depth study of the lives of various Bible characters presented in chronological order; and choices (whether good or bad) made by these characters which serve as examples for students as they make their own choices. These materials are magnificently woven together as they challenge students to examine their own decision making. Students memorize the books of the Bible.

To help each student cultivate a love for reading, several novels selected from a variety of genre and are studied in detail. Students learn to identify elements such as plot, character development, theme and setting. In addition, the Bob Jones University Press reading curriculum for fifth grade is utilized providing an innovative developmental reading program accenting teaching, practice, application and assessment of essential reading skills in a unique way. Each student receives a reading text as well as workbook to provide further practice, application, and assessment skills. As the student advances through the Bob Jones University Press curriculum, reading becomes an enjoyable skill, cultivation a solid foundation for a lifetime love of literature.

Reading for Christian Schools 5 includes classics, a feature section on Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan and selections written specifically for the series by Christian writers. Challenging and interesting selections in A Beka’s speed and comprehension work text, Adventures in Nature, are used weekly. A Beka’s Read and Think 5 skill sheets challenge students to develop reading speed and increase their power of comprehension.

The ability to communicate with one another and with God is part of His plan for our lives. The written form of our language requires accurate spelling. It is an important part of the communication process. Writing allows the transfer of information over space and time. This is unique to humans and is a clear reflection of the nature of God.

Willamette Christian School works to create lifelong spellers. Students need to have a grasp of spelling rules as well as a knowledge of how to spell basic to advanced words, jot just for Friday tests, but in everyday work. We use a variety of methods to accomplish this. The main resource being Rebecca Sitton’s Sourcebook Method. This method is based on the top 1,200 most frequently used words in the English language. The program uses a wide variety of interesting games and lessons to practice synonyms, homonyms, and other word groups. Words are graded in context taken form everyday writing and sentence dictation tests. We also use the ACSI Spelling Bee lists.

During Language time, Daily Gramms are used. The worksheets contain errors in punctuation, capitalization and usage. Through class discussion, previously learned skills are reviewed and new applications are taught.

In addition, students will be taught curriculum and will receive handouts to keep in their notebooks. A daily language lesson will include a drill on previously learned material, teaching of new material, and practice work in the workbook. There will be various teaching methods utilized on a rotating basis within the classroom. Listed below are a few of the skills your child will be learning in fifth grade:

        * Writing Process Grammar

        * Paragraph Organization * Recognizing and diagramming all

        * Sentences and sentence parts eight parts of speech

        * Punctuation, capitalization and

        * Recognizing and diagramming facts complements

        * Synonyms, antonyms, homonyms

        * Word usage

        * Dictionary, thesaurus skills

        * Making an outline

        * Letters - business, friendly, post cards, thank you notes

        * Writing a library research paper and book reports

        * Clustering

        * Style Techniques

        * Creative Writing

Students solve verbal or representational analogies frequently. This enables students to understand the connecting relationships between words. In the process, students develop skills in critical and creative thinking, vocabulary and test taking skills.

On a weekly basis, students receive mini-mental exercises where they need it the most: number sense, patterns, estimation, mental mathematics and geometry. Critical thinking skills are incorporated into daily problem solving, helping students see the connections among a variety of math topics. Problems emphasize real-world situations, reinforcing the importance of mathematic in students’ daily lives. Students are taught that there are different methods for solving all problems, including drawing a picture, guess and check, making a table or chart, looking for a pattern, working backwards, writing equations, etc.

Students may qualify for Honors math based on the WRAT Arithmetic level I and II test scores, SAT math scores, previous math grades and previous teacher recommendation. Students in the honors Math program are advanced to the next grade level, thus ensuring a more challenging program that motivates them to work at their ability level.

The A Beka math curriculum is used as the core textbook. This is a complete math program that provides daily activities including oral drill, the teachings and practice of new material and review of basic facts. Games are used to reinforce skills learned during lessons. Besides training students in the basic skills that are needed in life, the mathematics curriculum teaches students to believe in absolutes, to work diligently to get right answers, and to see the facts of mathematics as part of the truth and order that God has build into the real universe.

Fifth grade math will include:

        * Place value of whole numbers and decimals

        * Factoring

        * Story problems

        * Divisibility rules

        * Mastery of fundamental operations

        * English/Metric measures

        * Addition/subtraction/multiplication and Division involving fractions

        * Roman numerals

        * Averaging

        * Converting measures within the same system and solving measurement equations

        * Rounding off

        * Equation solving

        * Reading a thermometer

        * Graphs and scale

        * Converting from a Celsius scale to a

        * Basic geometric shapes

        *Fahrenheit scale and from a drawings

        * Perimeter/Area

        *Fahrenheit scale to a Celsius scale

Fifth grade Honors Math will include:

        * Place value of whole numbers and decimals

        * Percent

        * Maintaining skills in fundamental operations

        * Graphs and scale

        * Converting measures within the same system

        * Basic geometric shapes drawings and solving measurement equations

        * Bisecting angles

        * Adding, subtracting and multiplying measures

        * Reading Thermometers

        * Fundamental operations involving fractions

        * Equation solving and decimals

        * Ratios and proportions

        * Converting Celsius to Fahrenheit and Fahrenheit to Celsius

        * Story problems

        * Roman numerals

        * Perimeter, area and circumference

        * Prime factoring

        * Banking, finding interest, and installment buying

        * Rounding off

        * Latitude, longitude and time zones

        * English/Metric measures

Science is the study of God’s order, provision, and general revelation as discovered in His physical creation. The science program at Willamette Christian School offers a comprehensive basis which gives the students understanding of the content and processes of life, physical and earth sciences.

A Beka’s Investigating God’s World leads students continually from the known to the unknown by teaching important science concepts within the context of things they can see and know. The aim is to help them really understand basic principles rather than to teach them science vocabulary. Topics from the core text and supplemental materials include studies from the following:

        *The Sea

        *The Solar System

        *Water Cycle

        *The Sun

        *Tides The Stars

        *Fish The Planets

        *Mammals

        *Birds

        *The Weather

        *The Seasons

        *The Wind

        *Clouds

Willamette Christian School’s history program is presented with the firm conviction that "the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof." History, therefore, is a revelation of God in His dealings with man and the universe. The students develop good reading and study skills. These include note taking, identifying cause and effects, critical thinking and test taking.

The Bob Jones’ Heritage Studies text, For the Sake of Freedom: Struggles of a New Century, provides a narrative of American history form early 1900 to the present. History, geography, economics, culture and government skills as well as a knowledge of God and Christian character will be taught.

Topics include:

        * Geography

        * Roaring Twenties

        * Cold War

        * Inventions

        * Depression

        * Vietnam

        * World War I

        * World War II

        * Gulf War

Government leaders and changing boundaries of nations are discussed.

While this series includes many history concepts and geography skills, it also emphasizes Christian philosophy, character and attitudes promoting a balanced approach to social studies instruction.

WCS students participate in a multimedia Spanish curriculum. Viva el Español is a complete language development program designed for teaching Spanish in elementary and middle schools. The main objectives in our Spanish program guide students through the development of listening, speaking, reading and practical uses of the language. While learning Spanish, students also explore the cultures of the Hispanic world. Viva el Español makes learning Spanish fun and creates a positive attitude toward learning languages ans experiencing a different culture.

God created music as a gift for us. In turn, we must use it for Him. Music is a skill that must be trained and developed, and in doing so, students will learn music as an avenue to praise and worship God. Fifth grade students will participate in a music elective block selecting one of the following areas of study:

        *Vocal Music

        *Instrumental Strings

        *Instrumental Band

A general introduction to computer terms and basics begins the class. An overview of mouse movement and entering and closing programs is reviewed. A typing program, Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing 5, is the primary teaching tool by which students are taught correct finger placement and usage for the keyboard. During special seasons, holidays, etc., they learn to make posters and cards form the Print Artist 3.0 program. Corel Word Perfect Suite 7 is also utilized to create word art, slide shows and to learn word processing. A detailed use of the word processing tools, saving work on a diskette and the use of the computer encyclopedia will be taught. Loading and deleting programs will be introduced. Once a month students will be given an opportunity to type that month’s memory verse. Students will be encouraged to use word processing for book reports and other school projects. On occasion, students will be rewarded with a game day.

Fitness and skill development are the primary goals of the program. Students participate in exercises to promote cardiovascular endurance, muscle strength, and flexibility. Basic motor and manipulative skills are sequenced or combined for greater movement challenges. Games, relays and drills are designed to enhance skill related fitness or specific sport skills. Partner and group activities are used to meet growing social needs while emphasizing individual development.

Throughout the year there are opportunities for students to participate in various ASCI sponsored academic competitions with students from other Christian schools. Competitions at the classroom level select student representatives from WCS for the ACSI Spelling Bee, Speech Meet, Science Fair and Math Olympics.

Our athletic program is designed for those students who have an interest and ability for advanced levels of sports competition. Students will receive training in sports skills, strategy, etiquette and character development with an opportunity to represent Willamette Christian School in a variety of sports fifth grade students may participate in.

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