Grades 1-3 Curriculum

Bible:

At Plaza Heights Christian Academy, the children are taught from the ACSI Elementary Bible series. We believe that God?s Word is a very important part of teaching and training children. "Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6. The ACSI Elementary Bible series weaves seven themes into the lessons, both directly and indirectly:
  • God loves and cares for us.
  • We must experience salvation to be in right relationship with God.
  • God's desire for us is that we be conformed to the character of Jesus Christ.
  • A personal relationship with Jesus Christ is dynamic and life changing when a Christian is faithful to grow in knowledge and obedience to Him.
  • While the inner person is the primary focus of faith, outward behavior is its ultimate test.
  • The truth of God is revealed in His Word, the Bible, and only a knowledge of God and His works can establish a solid foundation for life.
  • God has a heart for all people of the world, and His will is that Christians learn to serve others and to share the good news of salvation in their homes, their neighborhoods, and the whole world.
Language Arts:

Phonics and Reading:
  • Review of vowels, consonants, blends, one- and two-vowel words, consonant blends
  • Recognition and use of all phonics special sounds in reading
  • Spelling rules: doubling consonants, dropping silent e, changing y to i
  • Oral reading
Cursive Writing: Review of letter formation and progressive usage from grades 1 through 3 by using writing journals and engaging in creative writing.

Language: Proper use of capitalization, punctuation and recognition of complete sentences. Alphabetizing of words, writing complete sentences and short stories, and creative writing. Word usage rules and writing of letters and thank-you notes. Third grade will introduce students to grammar and the proper usage of simple nouns, subjects, verbs, and adjectives.

Spelling and Poetry: Weekly phonics based word list, weekly test, reinforcement activities, and several poems committed to memory.

History and Geography:

1st Grade
  • This is My America: America's flag, freedoms, symbols, and people
  • This is My World: Mexico, Peru, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, England, the Netherlands, Norway, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Israel, Egypt, India, China, Australia, Guam, American Samoa
2nd Grade
  • America our Home: America's flag, holidays, and songs
  • The People Who Built America: The Separatists, America's Indians, The Colonists, America's Pioneers, America's Cowboys, The New Americans, Tomorrow's America
3rd Grade
  • Continents and Oceans of the World
  • States of the United States
  • American Heritage through the lives of great people
Science:
  • Energy
  • Matter
  • Seasons
  • Plants
  • Animals
  • Health and Human Biology
  • Earth and Space
  • Conservation
Mathematics:

Children are taught from the ACSI Elementary Mathematics series. The consumable work texts for grades 1, 2, and 3 and the hardcover textbooks for grades 4, 5, and 6 contain 176 colorful and carefully designed lessons that will capture your students' imagination. The pages are not filled with problems. Rather the lessons are designed to lead students to an understanding of each concept before challenging them to apply what they have learned to real-life problems.

Health:
  • Nutrition
  • Exercise
  • Safety
  • Manners
Computers:

3rd Grade

Children spend 30 minutes each week in our computer lab learning basic computer skills and terminology.