Trinity Christian School Curriculum
Trinity Christian School's curriculum has been carefully and deliberately developed, so that everything done in the classroom, from standing in respect for adults entering the room to the recitation of math facts, will grow them, through God's grace, into thoughtful young people equipped to make a difference in whatever they choose to do.
Trinity places an emphasis on the five "C's":
- CAREFUL writing and penmanship
- CAREFUL reading through oral and silent reading
- CAREFUL speaking - diction, poise, & projection
- CAREFUL mathematical computation
- CAREFUL conduct through manners & character training, respect, & responsibility
Each school day begins with the entire student body gathering for a half hour morning chapel service. This helps to focus the student's mind and prepare them for the rigors of the academic day. Please feel free to join us any day for chapel from 8AM to 8:30AM.
Pre-first: This grade is a very academic half day that fully prepares the student for first grade by providing instruction in:
- Phonetic reading and spelling (Spalding phonics)
- Writing (Spalding)
- Arithmetic - counting, skip counting, addition math facts
- Music - choir, sight reading, rhythm instruments
- Bible* teacher-read Bible stories, verse and Bible time line memorization
- Poetry memorization
- Introduction to conversational French
- Teacher-read young children's classics
Parents will be pleased to know that the average Pre-first student is reading 3 - 4 word sentences by Christmas and reading simple readers by the end of the year. They finish the year with a knowledge of all of the phonograms that allows them to sound out most words with little help.
Grades 1st, 2nd and 3rd: In these grades the students perfect the tools of learning. Since a thorough knowledge of reading is basic to all learning, a strong reading program is emphasized. Reading and spelling continue to be built upon the phonetic method introduced in the previous grade.
- Penmanship refined, cursive learned
- Grammar and composition are introduced
- Literary classics, student reading and daily teacher read-alouds
- Science - Nature Readers
- Geography - Climates of the World
- History - Calvert's History of the World
- Mathematics - Crawford math fact drills and Abeka
- Music - choir, sight reading, chimes
- Bible* - Westminster Shorter Catechism and Rod and Staff curriculum
- Art - instruction in color, form, line, contour drawing and art appreciation
- P.E. - 3 days a week with an emphasis on physical fitness and sportsmanship through team play
- Conversational French - Fun With French, Muzzy
Instruction in arithmetic includes counting, addition, multiplication, subtraction and division. The emphasis on memorization of math facts is required for a growing understanding of numerical operations. Practical arithmetic and algebraic thinking are included.
Grades 4th, 5th & 6th: The study of grammar and composition is intensified with a wider reading of classical literature.
- Grammar & composition - Warriner's Grammar and Grammar Works
- Poetry reading, memorization and composition
- Science - Abeka
- American History and Geography - Abeka
- Arithmetic - Saxon Math & Crawford math fact drills
- Latin grammar - Latina Cristiana or Latin Primer 1
- Bible* - CSI curriculum & Westminster Shorter Catechism - by the end of 6th grade they will have studied all 120 questions
- Art - building on previous understanding of color, line and form, the students begin to explore various art mediums. All student art work is entered in the Arizona State Fair and the annual Arabian Horse Show's student art division.
- Music - choir, sight reading, hand bells and chimes
- P.E. - Team play and physical fitness
* The Holy Bible is used as the basis for all religious instruction. The emphasis is Christian in its traditional and Biblical expression and is not denominationally orientated.