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, through God's grace, encourage the students to develop into godly adults.
Trinity places an emphasis on precise and accurate:
- Penmanship and composition
- Reading - oral and silent
- Speaking - diction, poise, and projection
- Mathematical computation
- Character training
Each school day begins with the entire student body gathering for a half-hour morning Chapel service. This gives the students the proper focus to prepare them for the rigors of the academic day. Please feel free to join us any day for chapel from 8:00 to 8:30 A.M.
Pre-first: This grade is an academic half day that prepares the student for first grade by providing instruction in:
- Phonetic reading and spelling (Spalding phonics)
- Manuscript Writing - (Spalding)
- Arithmetic - number recognition, counting, addition facts
- Music - singing, music theory, rhythm instruments
- Bible* - teacher-read Bible stories, scripture and Bible time line memorization
- Poetry memorization
- Introductory French vocabulary
- Teacher-read young children's classics
- Art
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 70 phonograms, which allows them to sound out most words with minimal 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 in 2nd grade
- Grammar and composition introduced
- Literary classics, read daily by students and/or teacher
- Science - Nature Readers, texts, and hands on activities
- Geography - land masses, rivers and oceans
- History - Introduction to early American Calvert's World History
- Mathematics - Crawford math fact drills, measurement, and Abeka Math
- Music - choir, sight reading, music theory, and chimes
- Bible* - Rod and Staff curriculum, memorization, and catechism
- 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 solid memorization of arithmatic 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 and composition - Warriner's Grammar and Grammar Works
- Poetry - reading, memorization and composition
- Science - Abeka Science
- Old World and New World History and Geography - Abeka
- Arithmetic - Saxon Math and Crawford math fact drills
- Latin - Latina Cristiana or Latin Primer 1
- Bible* - CSI curriculum and Westminster Shorter Catechism - by the end of 6th grade they will have studied all 120 questions
- Art - exploration of various art mediums. Student art work is entered in the Arizona State Fair and the annual Arabian Horse Show art competition.
- Music - choir, sight reading, music theory, 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.