Academics www.abeka.com
Precious Lamb uses the ABEKA curriculum in all subject areas and will integrate many optional activities suggested in the curriculum.
Bible class is the first and most important class of the day. Students will be taught simple Bible stories and verses and how they relate to their lives. Students will sing new Bible songs, as well as familiar ones, using actions and visualized posters.
Students will learn to read in kindergarten using an intensive phonics and language program in which students are taught with a systematic, step-by-step reading plan based upon the sounds of the vowels and consonants that are then put together to form blends and words. First and second graders will build upon that foundation by learning special sounds when reading longer storybooks. They will use their spelling skills to creatively write sentences, paragraphs, and stories. There will be a daily storytime together on the floor during which students will hear well-written classic and contemporary books. Students will be engaged in the reading with actions, questions, and activities.
Basic math concepts such as counting, number recognition, and number concepts, as well as, money value, addition, subtraction, and telling time will be taught using actions, poetry, and manipulatives. Students will apply their learning in real life situations.
During Language Development time, students will be exposed to many subject areas including historical figures, community helpers, science concepts, countries, animals, and everyday vocabulary. Students will have hands on experiences using as many senses as possible, including re-enactments and outdoor activities.
Students will be taught basic manuscript (K4) and cursive (K5 – 2nd) writing that reinforces phonics by experiencing letters through various media and textures. Students will learn to trace, form letters and numbers on their own, and write their name, while being encouraged to do their best.
Activity time is a fun time of drama, music, and art. In drama, students will act out stories or poems using puppets, masks, costumes, and simple props. In music, students will sing various fun contemporary and classic songs using actions, instruments, and singing along with CD’s and DVD’s to increase their confidence. Art experiences will include painting, coloring, tracing, drawing, cutting, pasting, and working with various textures in creating original and simple teacher-directed projects.
During Skills Development, students participate in simple activities that enhance their listening, physical, emotional, spiritual, and social skills. Students will learn Biblical character traits, will present during Show and Tell, and will practice following oral directions.
All subject areas will be applied in a variety of practical ways using flashcards, puppets, felt board, charts, toys, manipulatives, stuffed animals, games with reusable pieces, and dramatization.
There will be numerous segments of free time including snack time, recess, lunchtime, and choice time. During the two recess times, students will have the opportunity to climb on playground equipment, run around on a grassy area, use equipment such as parachutes and obstacle courses, develop skills such as jump roping, hopscotch, and swinging, and be exposed to sports such as basketball, football, baseball, and soccer. Students are supervised to help them develop the social skills of taking turns, being a leader, and cooperating. During indoor free time, students will have a choice of many activities: building blocks, puzzles, storytelling, dramatic play, math skills, paper designs, and the science table.
Some of the extra activities will include field trips to places related to specific topics, DVD’s to enhance visualization of various subjects, singing with piano, computer time once a week per child for basic computer skills playing educational games, and special visits from people or animals to enhance their understanding of subject areas. Finishing off the year for the five-year-old kindergarteners will be a graduation ceremony that will show the accomplishments of the students in academics, Bible, poetry, music, and drama.