Frameworks Class Descriptions

GRADE 4

Missionary Geography - Grade 4
Text: Trailblazer Books by Dave & Neta Jackson

Using various living books, maps and the Trailblazer books published by YWAM, students will learn about the cultural and geographical aspects of our world along with the missionaries - past and present - who have served in the various countries studied. Missionary Geography will focus on map skills, latitude, longitude, continents and oceans. Although the focus will be on geography, the class will be incorporating other disciplines to remind students that all learning is connected to real life. With this in mind, instructors will strive to incorporate missionaries and their work around the globe to provide variety, activities and the impact of serving globally while students learn geographical facts. Hands-on activities, map-making exercises, special missionary guest speakers will help geography come alive in a new way for students in this program.

Science - Grade 4
Text: Apologia's Young Explorers - Flying Animals of the Fifth Day

In this exciting class students will enjoy learning about the habitats, behavior, and anatomy of birds, the praying mantis, beetles, grasshoppers, butterflies, bats and more! The students will be like paleontologists and study facts about the extinct Pterosaurs (winged lizards). Many hands on experiments including: dissection of grasshoppers and owl pellets; insect mounting/display; and microscopic examination of various wing types (feathers, butterflies, and other insects) will further the students' understanding of Zoology. The class will also compare and contrast the flight of birds with airplanes. Homework will consist of reading, studying, collecting, drawing, and labeling. A science notebook will be maintained throughout the course teaching the disciplines of science note-taking, journaling and lab reports. Quizzes will be given to assess each student's knowledge and to determine the teacher's need for reinforcement.

Literature and Writing - Grade 4
Text: IEW & Beautiful Feet Geography Based Writing Lessons
Paddle-to-the-Sea, Tree in the Trail, Seabird, and Minn of the Mississippi

The Institute for Excellence in Writing and Beautiful Feet Books have teamed up to provide a course of instruction that incorporates geography, science, history, and writing instruction all using the classic works of Holling Clancy Holling. While students learn history and geography from the Caldecott and Newbery award-winning works of Mr. Holling, they will also enjoy discovering the principles of writing with structure and style developed by Andrew Pudewa. Through the Holling books Paddle-to-the-Sea, Tree in the Trail, Seabird, and Minn of the Mississippi, students will discover and discuss the panorama of American wildlife, the opening of new frontiers, transportation systems and industry, heroic struggles with natural forces, and native American peoples and their ways. Students will learn to take notes, summarize references, write from pictures, compose a story and a personal letter, and put together a research report. Students will also color and label beautiful oversized maps specifically designed to accompany each book.

Mathematics - Grade 4
Text: Chalkdust Math Matters 4

Students will receive weekly instruction of math concepts, skills and drills, and reinforcement in the building blocks needed for mathematics. Math Matters elementary math courses offer a complete and comprehensive course of study at each grade level. The Math Matters courses focus on several fundamental themes: Content, Context, Comprehension and Reinforcement. Computer access and basic keyboarding skills are required for students to be successful in this course. Instructors will cover concepts as well as drills in class; parents must maintain the course schedule set forth by the Frameworks instructor.

GRADE 5

Missionary Geography - Grade 5
Text: Heroes Then and Now published by YWAM

Using various living books, maps and the Heroes Then & Now books published by YWAM, students will learn about the cultural and geographical aspects of our world along with the missionaries - past and present - who have served in the various countries studied. Missionary Geography will focus on map skills, latitude, longitude, continents and oceans. Although the focus will be on geography, the class will be incorporating other disciplines to remind students that all learning is connected to real life. With this in mind, instructors will strive to incorporate missionaries and their work around the globe to provide variety, activities and the impact of serving globally while students learn geographical facts. Hands-on activities, map-making exercises, special missionary guest speakers will help geography come alive in a new way for students in this program.

Science - Grade 5
Text: Apologia's Young Explorers - Exploring Creation with Astronomy

Students will be immersed this year in the study of Astronomy. The class begins with a lesson on the nature of astronomy, and then it will cover the major structures of our solar system. Starting with the sun and working towards Pluto, the student will learn details about all nine planets (or is it eight? - your student will have to decide) in the solar system. Along the way, the student will also learn about Earth's moon, the asteroid belt, and the Kuiper belt. After that, the student will move outside our solar system and learn about the stars and galaxies that make up God's incredible universe. Finally, the student will learn about space travel and what it takes to be an astronaut. An Astronomy notebook will be maintained throughout the course teaching the disciplines of science note-taking, journaling and lab reports. Quizzes will be given to assess each student's knowledge and to determine the teacher's need for reinforcement.

Literature and Writing - Grade 5
Text: IEW Student Writing All Things Fun and Fascinating

Humorous characters, cunning creatures, and meritorious men of history and more, students will enjoy writing with as they move the Institute for Excellence in Writing's All Things Fun & Fascinating. Students will take notes, summarize narrative stories, write from pictures, put together a mini-research report, and compose creative essays. This class is designed to teach writing structure but also keep the lessons fun & fascinating!

Mathematics - Grade 5
Text: Chalkdust Math Matters 5

Students will receive weekly instruction of math concepts, skills and drills, and reinforcement in the building blocks needed for mathematics. Math Matters elementary math courses offer a complete and comprehensive course of study at each grade level. The Math Matters courses focus on several fundamental themes: Content, Context, Comprehension and Reinforcement. Computer access and basic keyboarding skills are required for students to be successful in this course. Instructors will cover concepts as well as drills in class; parents must maintain the course schedule set forth by the Frameworks instructor.

GRADE 6

Missionary Geography - Grade 6
Text: Heroes Then and Now published by YWAM

Using various living books, maps and the Heroes Then & Now books published by YWAM, students will learn about the cultural and geographical aspects of our world along with the missionaries - past and present - who have served in the various countries studied. Missionary Geography will focus on map skills, latitude, longitude, continents and oceans. Although the focus will be on geography, the class will be incorporating other disciplines to remind students that all learning is connected to real life. With this in mind, instructors will strive to incorporate missionaries and their work around the globe to provide variety, activities and the impact of serving globally while students learn geographical facts. Hands-on activities, map-making exercises, special missionary guest speakers will help geography come alive in a new way for students in this program.

Science - Grade 6
Text: Apologia's Young Explorers - Exploring Creation with Botany

This class begins with a lesson on the nature of botany and the process of classifying plants. Students will then discuss the development of plants from seeds, the reproduction processes in plants, the way plants make their food, and how plants get their water and nutrients and distribute them throughout the body of the plant. As students study these topics, they also learn about many different kinds of plants in creation and where they belong in the plant classification system. A Botany notebook will be maintained throughout the course teaching the disciplines of science note-taking, journaling and lab reports. Quizzes will be given to assess each student's knowledge and to determine the teacher's need for reinforcement.

Literature and Writing - Grade 6
Text: IEW Student Writing Intensive with Character Based Writing Lessons

Progressing through the nine IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing) units, each of the 24 lessons covered in this class will provide a specific objective and an assignment. Character Based Writing Lessons explores the virtues of three characters of great substance-Mother Teresa, Saint Francis, and Abraham Lincoln. This course is highly recommended for our grade six students who are in their formative years of character development. Writing style and structure is covered as well as basic concepts found in the IEW format of writing.

Mathematics - Grade 6
Text: Chalkdust Basic Math

Students will receive weekly instruction of math concepts, skills and drills, and reinforcement in the building blocks needed for mathematics. Chalkdust's Basic Math course offers a complete and comprehensive course of basic math to prepare the student for middle school level math such as pre-algebra. The Basic Math course focuses on several fundamental themes: Content, Context, Comprehension and Reinforcement. Computer access and basic keyboarding skills are required for students to be successful in this course. Instructors will cover concepts as well as drills in class; parents must maintain the course schedule set forth by the Frameworks instructor.