Ben Lippen Elementary School
Second Grade Curriculum Description

Bible
Biblical and age appropriate in-depth study, active involvement, life application and creative response are all approaches used in the Christian School International curriculum. Topics covered include the attributes of God, knowing Jesus, praise/worship, service, love for God’s Word, and dependence on God as expressed in prayer, trust and obedience. Emphasis is placed upon scripture memorization and songs. The application of spiritual truth is emphasized throughout each day. Our second grade students enjoy memorizing Luke 2 throughout the first semester.

Language Arts
Reading/Phonics
The Open Court program includes a review of phonics, continued practice in decoding, analyzing words to determine meanings, emphasizing comprehension and critical thinking skills, developing writing, and utilizing the writing process. Spelling words parallel phonics skills being reviewed. Penmanship (D’Nealian) continues to be emphasized on all assignments in all disciplines, as well as being taught in lesson format. Cursive in introduced.

Grammar/Writing
The Shurley Language System, written by Gloria Shurley, is incorporated into our second and third grade language arts program. Through songs and jingles, our students are introduced to grammar rules and to the different parts of speech. Creative writing is encouraged as students are given the opportunity to use the writing process in note-taking and report writing.

Spelling
Penmanship
Handwriting is an important skill for our second graders. The first semester is a review of the manuscript letters including correct formation and spacing of letters. Cursive handwriting is introduced to second grade students just before Christmas.

Mathematics
Concepts are emphasized in the Addison Wesley curriculum. Math facts are studied and memorized. Other topics of study include the following: addition and subtraction through sums of 18, place value, geometry, graphing, money, 2-digit addition and subtraction, time, measurement, fractions, 3-digit addition and subtraction, and an introduction to multiplication and division. Students are expected to have mastery of the basic addition and subtraction facts through 18.

Social Studies
Scott Foresman curriculum centers on communities – what they are, how people live and work together, communities of long ago, and communities around the world. Time will also be devoted to a brief state study, and our country’s symbols as well as holidays. Map skills and citizenship will be emphasized. The role of a Christian in his or her community will be a foundational theme throughout.

Science
Utilizing the Scott Foresman curriculum, instruction will be given in these main areas – animals, matter, water cycle, and the solar system. All of these topics will be integrated with God’s Word and will challenge the students with their responsibilities in our world. Hands-on activities are essential to this program and utilized through the teaching of the scientific method.

Ben Lippen Elementary School
Third Grade Curriculum Description

Bible
Christian Schools International’s “Calling of God’s Tribe” is the third grade Bible textbook. This course provides a detailed study of Genesis through Ruth. Weekly Bible memorization, daily prayer times, and our annual service projects provide our third graders with the foundation to be not only hearers of the word but also to be active “doers of the Word”.

Language Arts
Reading
The third grade uses the Open Court Reading and Writing curriculum. It consists of two readers and a reading skills workbook. The foundation of this curriculum is to teach the students the skills and strategies that lead to early independence in decoding, comprehension, writing and thinking. Open Court is also used for the spelling program with an emphasis on spelling patterns. Quarterly book reports and Accelerated Reader are used to encourage independent reading.

Grammar/Composition
The Shurley Language System, written by Gloria Shurley, is incorporated into our second, third, and fourth grade language arts program. Through songs and jingles, our students are introduced to grammar rules and to the different parts of speech. Creative narrative, expository, and descriptive writing is encouraged as students are given the opportunity to use the writing process in a variety of content areas.

Spelling
Open Court provides the basic spelling curriculum. Lessons based on a variety of spelling patterns is included in this curriculum.

Penmanship
D’Nealian cursive handwriting is reviewed during the first semester. Beginning the second semester of third grade through the remainder of elementary school, students are expected to do all written work in cursive.

Mathematics
The curriculum used is Scott Foresman Addison-Wesley Mathematics. We practice using various strategies to solve problems. We will learn place value—to the hundred thousands. We learn to round two and three digit numbers. Instruction is given in telling time to the minutes, reading a calendar, counting money, adding and subtracting two, three and four digit numbers, analyzing data and graphs, probability, customary and metric units of measurement, geometry and multiplication and division concepts and facts. Speed drills are used several times a week to reinforce speed and accuracy on basic operational facts. Third graders are expected to have mastery of the addition and subtraction facts through 18 and the multiplication facts through 12. Emphasis is also placed on maintenance of skills learned, as well as developing a mathematics vocabulary.

Social Studies
The third grade students are required to study South Carolina history, geography, and culture. The curriculum used is “At Home in South Carolina,” by East Educational Services. A State House and State Museum trip are also planned.

Science
Scott Foresman is the curriculum for the third grade. It is a hands-on program that encourages students to become actively involved in scientific discovery. Through this discovery the students come to see the greatness of God and the amazing wonders of His creation.

Ben Lippen Elementary School
Fourth Grade Curriculum Description

Bible
Fourth grade uses the Christian School International curriculum “Record of God’s Nation.” This course includes a review of Genesis through Ruth and a detailed study from Samuel through the return to Jerusalem, with emphasis on the judges, kings, and prophets of the Old Testament. Each student workbook has skits and review sheets which are supplemented with weekly memory verses, character traits, chapels, music, and daily sharing and prayer. Each class plans and presents a chapel and a service project.

Language Arts
Reading
The reading program uses Open Court as its curriculum basis. Each unit is comprised of stories, articles, and poetry pertaining to six specific themes. Strategies to improve comprehension include the skills of setting goals, clarifying what is read, summarizing, making predictions, and asking questions. Exercises are used to reinforce decoding word meanings, developing vocabulary, structural analysis, and study and research skills. A novel and a State newspaper unit are supplemental resources. A book report is required each grading period and Accelerated Reader is used to encourage reading for pleasure as well as developing comprehension.

Grammar/Composition
The Shurley Language System is incorporated into second through fourth grades as a supplement to Open Court. Students practice grammar through text exercises, covering parts of speech, sentences, and the mechanics of punctuation, capitalization, abbreviations, and word usage. Written composition includes personal narratives or autobiographies, comparing and contrasting, letters, stories, descriptions, persuasive paragraphs, and research skills. Opportunities for oral and written expression supplement all curriculum subjects.

Spelling
Open Court also includes our basic spelling curriculum. The fourth grade workbook contains a weekly list of twenty words for students. Supplemental spelling works relating to other disciplines are added each week. A variety of lessons based on principles such as vowel/consonant sounds, root words, and prefixes/suffixes incorporate spelling with vocabulary development, grammar, and dictionary skills.

Penmanship
D’Nealian cursive handwriting is reviewed and students are expected to write neatly and with the correct D’Nealian letter formation.

Mathematics
The textbook used for our fourth graders is Scott Foresman Addison-Wesley Mathematics. Skills taught include place value (reading, writing, rounding, and estimating), addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers, analyzing data, graphs, and probability, customary and metric measurement, geometry, fractions, decimals, time, and money. Emphasis is placed on the mastery of basic facts through the twelves with a goal of being able to do thirty facts per minute in each operation by the end of fourth grade. Speed drills are used weekly to check for mastery and accuracy. Emphasis in mathematics is placed on developing problem solving strategies and comprehending a mathematics vocabulary, as well as maintaining learned skills.


Social Studies
The Scott Foresman “Regions” is used in our fourth grade curriculum. The text includes study on map and globe skills, appreciation of how geography and history go together, and learning about various regions of our country, including the land, water, and resources of each region and the people and events from that region. Students master the fifty states, their locations, and their capitals. God’s World, a current events magazine, is used to discuss social studies as it relates to our local, national, and world concerns.

Science
The Scott Foresman Science covers a variety of topics, including ecosystems, weather, mater, solar system, human body, and energy. Various experiments give opportunity for hands-on exploring as well as understanding the scientific method. Worksheets and extension activities provide reinforcement and tests, quizzes, and projects are used for assessment. Field trips to Fort Discovery in Augusta, Georgia and Wood Magic Forest Fair in Harbision State Forest supplement our science curriculum.

Ben Lippen Elementary School
Fifth Grade Curriculum Description

Bible
The Bible curriculum is published by Christian Schools International. It covers the life and ministry of Jesus as the incarnate God. It also covers the time of the early church including the ministries of Peter and Paul. Paul’s missionary journeys and letters are explored and discussed. Memory work includes longer passages from Psalms and the New Testament.

Language Arts
Reading
The reading program is based on the Open Court Reading and Writing curriculum. Strategies to improve comprehension include the skills of setting goals, clarifying what is read, summarizing, making predictions, and asking questions. Study and research strategies include identifying and assimilating new information as well as taking notes. The text has writing activities that complement the reading literature. Emphasis is placed on vocabulary development and word study as key to reading comprehension. A student workbook is used to further skills practice and development. Book reports are required for 3 grading periods.

Grammar/Composition
Our English instruction is incorporated into our Open Court series. The text centers on these two broad areas: the identification and correct usage of each of the eight parts of speech and instruction on different types of writing; i.e., personal narratives, instructions, letter writing, descriptive writing, persuasive paragraphs, stories, and basic research reports. Opportunities for creative oral and written expression supplement the text.

Spelling
The spelling textbook is the Open Court Series. Words are listed in student workbooks along with a variety of word study activities. These activities include work searches, dictionary skills, work meanings, root words, and word shapes. Each word list contains twenty words and five supplemental words. Lessons are based on principles of phonics, prefixes/suffixes, and homographs/homophones.

Penmanship
Students are expected to write neatly and with the correct D’Nealian letter formation. Weekly grades are given for penmanship.

Mathematics
The textbook used is Scott Foresman Addison Wesley Mathematics. There is a review of numbers and operations including simple usage of variables. Other topics of study include the following: place value (rounding and estimation), addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division (whole numbers and decimals), use of data and graphs (including the reading and interpreting of graphs), understanding and using fractions and mixed numbers, customary and metric measurement, geometry, ratio, percent, probability, perimeter, area, and volume. Speed Drills are given weekly to reinforce speed and accuracy of the basic Math facts. Emphasis is placed on maintaining skills learned as well as developing a mathematics vocabulary.

Social Studies
The textbook used is Scott Foresman. Map skills are interspersed throughout the text. The text includes study on the first Americans, the early explorations, settlements, and the start of the New England, Southern and Middle Colonies. The text includes the forming of a new nation, understanding our democracy, and a discussion of citizenship and American values. It also includes history from 1850 to the present, including the Civil War, opening of the last frontier, the industrialization of our nation, the Great Depression, World War 11 and the Cold War.

Science
The Science curriculum uses the text published by Scott Foresman. The teacher emphasizes that the world in which we live belongs to God, who created and upholds it. Scientific inquiry is used to explore the amazing complexity and orderliness of God’s world. The following areas are studied: cells, heredity, body systems, seed plants, insects, environmental factors, geology, structures, light, and matter. Hands on activities and critical thinking skills are an integral part of the learning process.