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Elementary teachers at Ann Arbor Christian School have developed
innovative ways for children to learn through an integrated approach to
the curriculum. While benchmarks set by the state of Michigan generally
determine science and social studies units, teachers develop those
units in a way that integrates Biblical truth, math, reading, and
writing. Our kindergarten is a half-day program (with an optional aftercare program in the afternoon). In grades K-2, teachers help students build a solid academic
foundation, learn to love Jesus, and learn to care for others. In
grades 3-5, kids continue to grow in their academic skills and their
discipleship, and are expected to assume more responsibility for
learning.
Math
Mathematics is one tool by which we better understand the way that God designed the universe. Students come to value God's sense of order and precision as they learn to think mathematically. They are encouraged to be mathematical problem solvers while developing skills in number and operation, patterning, geometry, measurement, probability, and analysis. Although our balanced math curriculum provides ample opportunities for hands on experimentation and problem solving, teachers also ensure that students develop strong skills in basic mathematical operations.
At AACS, students begin to develop a passionate interest in and sense of wonder about God's creation from the day they walk in the door. Teachers use hands-on activities and technology in new and innovative ways, and integrate reading and writing projects to reinforce the scientific concepts being presented. For example, when the third graders study Light & Sound, they read a book together about Helen Keller, do a creative writing project about a person who is deaf, talk about what it means that Jesus is the Light of the World, and observe the contrast of light and dark in a piece of art. Within this framework, children are encouraged to compare and contrast and explore the relationships between subjects. Science units include animals, plants and trees, insects, the human body, space, simple machines, and electricity. All students are invited to participate in the school's annual Science Fair. "The balanced approach to teaching reading produces successful readers. By linking literature to other parts of the curriculum, our children are inspired to read, read, read! Our older children's success in middle school and high school is certainly directly related to the AACS vision for loving to learn." Michelle Machiele, ParentLanguage is a gift from God and should glorify and serve Him. Our language arts program balances both phonics- and literature-based approaches, which creates life-long readers, confident researchers, and writers who demonstrate clarity, logic, persuasiveness, creativity, and accuracy. By combining phonics and whole language, the curriculum addresses the needs of the new reader and the advanced reader and various learning styles. It provides opportunities for both kids who are still learning to decode as well as kids who are reading proficiently or above grade level. Students learn to use Scripture as a basis for analyzing what they read, write, think, and say. This approach helps students appreciate the diversity of human experience, culture, and values, and to evaluate spoken and written messages. Book Character Day has become an important way that the school celebrates literature and authors. Students develop an understanding of how God's hand works in history, and how Christians can make a difference in their communities and the world. Language arts is integrated into social studies units, so that students are often reading a book or writing an essay or story that relates to the subject area. The curriculum is designed to start with the familiar and expand beyond that each year. Therefore, students learn how a community functions, then about Ann Arbor, then Michigan, and are introduced to U.S. history by studying Pilgrims, the American Revolution, and Westward Expansion.
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