Curriculum
1st - 5th Grade
Social Studies
Heritage Studies by BJU Press
Heritage Studies provides students with the opportunity to learn about historical events and be introduced to world cultures from a Biblical worldview. Children will develop social studies skills and a foundational understanding of geography, economics, history, government, civics, and culture. We hope that they will become lifelong learners who value freedom, equality, and individual responsibility.
Math
Bridges in Mathematics
Your child’s classroom will use Bridges in Mathematics second edition, a comprehensive curriculum for grades K–5. Bridges is a rigorous program designed to address the new math standards in a way that’s enjoyable and accessible to all learners. The curriculum focuses on developing in students a deep understanding of math concepts, proficiency with key skills, and the ability to solve new and complex problems. Learning activities tap into the intelligence and strengths all students have by presenting mathematically powerful material alive with language, pictures, and movement.
Bible
Purposeful Designs Publications
A strong Bible program requires that students not only acquire skills and knowledge but also grow in faith and demonstrate that faith by their behavior. For this reason, each Purposeful Design lesson has a unique set of expected student outcomes in the areas of knowledge, skills, and life application – and each outcome area is strengthened by studying the lesson. Because growth in faith is an individual matter, students will come to apply Scripture over the course of time as they grow in their relationship with God.
There will be weekly scripture memorization. Each grade has a special theme for that year. They are listed below:
Kindergarten: Familiar Bible lessons presented from both the Old Testament and New Testament, emphasizing God's care.
1st Grade: Familiar Bible characters and events that illustrate God’s gifts, such as family, leaders, helpers, His Word, His Son, and His Church.
2nd Grade: Bible heroes with a focus on character traits.
3rd Grade: The life of Christ and the early Church
Physical Education
P.E. builds a foundation for healthy activity. Students develop confidence and skills in collaboration, communication, and critical thinking while moving through physical games and challenges. We strive to create a nurturing environment of positive values and attitudes that students can apply both inside and outside the classroom.
Art
Art is another exciting way for students to express themselves. We have an art teacher is ready expose our students to a variety of materials to develop their fine motor skills while learning about great artists and emulating their unique techniques. Art lessons are a time of creativity, self-expression and joy!
Music
Music is a joyful form of self-expression. At Ridge Christian Academy, students come together to sing worship songs daily in Assembly. We also have a music teacher on staff to provide weekly in-class experiences in music, rhythm, and age-appropriate instruments, ensuring every child receives the exceptional developmental benefits of regular musical instruction.
Science
Science has never been more exciting! At Ridge Christian Academy, we have a dedicated STEM instructor who will encourage children to ask questions and apply the scientific method to experiment, investigate, make observations, and draw conclusions about the world God has created.
Project Lead the Way
Students, at an early age, have a remarkable capacity to learn and a natural curiosity to make sense of the world around them. Their innate drive to observe, explore, and discover makes the elementary grades a critical time to engage students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education.
PLTW taps into elementary students’ exploratory nature and turns their curiosity into confidence. Through PLTW's activity-, project-, problem-based (APB) instructional approach - which supports the three dimensions of science learning - students become creative, collaborative problem solvers ready to take on any challenge.
English
Abeka
Because thought and language form the foundation of learning and communication, teaching grammar, spelling, vocabulary, composition, and literature is vitally important. Abeka presents language in a structure in which students develop orderliness, reasoning, and logic. Students are provided with examples of the very best literature of the ages, opportunities for the continual improvement of speaking and writing ability based on a strong grammatical foundation, and the development of individual discernment based on a biblical worldview.
Handwriting
A Reason for Handwriting
A Reason for Handwriting provides a fun, meaningful approach to developing effective handwriting skills. Kindergarten children will learn how letters are part of words. Each lesson includes guidelines for writing the letter, as well as an illustration and accompanying word that includes that lesson's letter.
In first and second grade the focus shifts to proper sizing and spacing of letters with daily writing practice. In third grade, cursive writing is introduced. When all letters have been taught, these are followed by lessons that review both upper and lower-case cursive letters and provide opportunities to practice individual words and sentences during the rest of the year. Correct alignment, slant, size, shape and spacing are emphasized.
In all grades, we introduce the element of Scripture. After the introductory review lessons are complete each week, students begin a schedule of lessons that include daily writing practice of selected words in the "Scripture of the week," providing children with additional practice to recite/write their weekly Bible Memory Verse.