Two Denominations: One Discipleship Curriculum

Classical music is uniquely part of our Western civilization. Research suggests that both listening to and playing classical music aids brain development. Even rudimentary exposure increases one’s level of enjoyment and understanding. This course provides a close-up look at famous composers, their music, and their times, with special attention to character traits and Christian testimony (or lack thereof). Even the musically challenged will enjoy this course! It’s perfect for grades 4-8 but is easily adaptable for younger and older students. Minimal teacher prep will return maximum enjoyment!

AMERICAN HISTORY YEAR 1
This is a comprehensive study of American history from pre-Columbus through the start of the Civil War. Content of each chapter is based on the 15 major components of culture: families, agriculture, media, military, government, religion, education, discoveries, industry, communication, leaders, light/energy, art, sports, and transportation. Each lesson incorporates a narrative carefully designed to engage the students emotionally and academically. Theme art, time lines, maps and charts illustrate each lesson to “pull the student’s mind” into the text and clarify content. This course has been called “real history” because it ties the fifteen major cultural components to real people, places and principles which distinguish America. It is not revisionist history. The vocabulary level is applicable for students from eighth through twelfth grade. The content is designed to raise students’ aspirations for noble and honorable lifestyles of the American Dream. Essential academic elements are aligned with standards normally expected for grades eight through high school, either for essential elements or for state exit exams. Some states require graduating students to know about the Founding Fathers and important national documents; this course covers these topics in chapters 3-6. *(Teachers who omit some sections in order to accommodate state or local school circumstances will need to avoid assigning applicable portions of chapter quizzes and tests.) *America’s Founding Fathers, Events and Documents is a stand-alone unit study of 15 pertinent topics extrapolated from chapters. 1-6 of the People, Places and Principles of America, and is suitable as an adjunct to other history, government or civics courses and more.

AMERICAN HISTORY YEAR 2
This is a comprehensive study of American history from the Civil War to 2012. Content of each chapter is based on the 15 major components of culture: families, agriculture, media, military, government, religion, education, discoveries, industry, communication, leaders, light/energy, art, sports, and transportation. Each lesson incorporates a narrative carefully designed to engage the students emotionally and academically. Theme art, time lines, maps and charts illustrate each lesson to “pull the student’s mind” into the text and clarify content. This course has been called “real history” because it ties the fifteen major cultural components to real people, places and principles which distinguish America. It is not revisionist history. The vocabulary level is applicable for students from eighth through twelfth grade. The content is designed to raise students’ aspirations for noble and honorable lifestyles of the American Dream. Essential academic elements are aligned with standards normally expected for high school. This course is designed for one high school transcript credit. Suggested for grades 8-9.

New American Cursive is an easy-to-follow resource for teaching beginning cursive. It presents simplified letter forms, using multi-sensory methods to aid in the learning of motor skills necessary to write well. Developed by Iris Hatfield, with over 35 years of experience in the handwriting field, the book improves the process of teaching handwriting and allows students to start at a younger age.

The character Mr. Meerkat is the book’s guide, making learning tasks fun; step-by-step, he shows the way to draw each letter and encourages creativity. There are clear arrow directions for letter creation, and plenty of shaded letters to trace for practice. The book is bound at the top for equal access for left- and right-handers.

NAC’s simplified strokes and letter forms allow first grade students to truly master beautiful cursive. We have used NAC in our Highlands Latin School, with dramatic results. Every child can master cursive in the first grade, and many of our first graders write better than typical third graders. Learning cursive early ensures that students are not slowed down or frustrated in the upper grades when they are focusing on other subjects, such as grammar and composition.

Four levels available:

Paths of Exploration – Follow the steps of famous explorers and pioneers across America and let geography be your guide to science, history, language skills, and the arts. The paths of the explorers are seen through multidisciplinary eyes, but always with the same goals: to make learning enjoyable, memorable, and motivating.  Full year course for grades 3-5.

Paths of Settlement –  Key events studied include the Colonial Period, the Revolutionary War, the war of 1812, the Civil War, and Westward Expansion. Learn about the accomplishments of great Americans such as George Washington and Patrick Henry who built upon the trial blazed by brave explorers. Their actions teach us the principles of freedom and citizenship – founding and expanding our country, strengthening us in times of war and binding us together in times of struggle. Full year course for grades 3-5, but adaptable up to grade 7.

Paths of Progress – The lives of these devoted individuals and their contributions will be examined throughout our history, into the Industrial Revolution and the beginning of the 20th century. Some key figures studied include Ben Franklin, Samuel Morse, George Washington Carver, the Wright Brothers, and Thomas Edison. Full year course for grades 5-7, but adaptable for grades 4-8.

Journeys Through the Ancient World – Journeys through the Ancient World will transport your students into four important early civilizations—Egypt, Israel, Greece, and Rome. The Bible is an essential part of this study, as both an historical and a literary text.  For grades 6-8.

The Natural Science Mysteries course from Paradigm Accelerated Curriculum (PAC) will introduce students to earth science and life science. This course can accommodate students who struggled through other science courses due to reading levels; the high-interest adventure vignettes help young people solve mysteries through the scientific method and by applying positive character traits. This course would work as a slow introduction to the topic, or for struggling students who require additional help. Recommended for 8th grade remedial.

Set includes 5 Chapters plus 5 Activity Books and 1 Teacher’s Resource Kit; non-reproducible pages, paper covers with magazine-style stapled bindings. Suggested for Grade 8 remedial. Designed to cover one year.

Classical Phonics is a deceptively simple little book our teachers and families use constantly in both kindergarten and first grade. It consists of phonetically arranged word lists for students to practice their growing phonics skills. In a word list there are no context clues, so the learner must rely on his mastery of letter sounds. For instance, if your child can pronounce each word in this list correctly – pot, pat, pit, put, pet – he knows his short vowel sounds, and you can move on to long vowels! If not, he needs more practice, and Classical Phonics is the most effective tool we know of to address the repetition that young ones need when learning to read. Classical Phonics can be used as a supplement to any phonics program, and covers nearly all English phonograms and sounds taught through second grade. Classical Phonics is your handy tool for phonics practice and for building confident readers.