Curriculum

The basic components of the MCA Grammar School curriculum are described below. The academic material presented is appropriate for each grade level.

Saxon Phonics (K-2)

Saxon offers an advanced, intensive phonics program which not only teaches the child to read, but also includes spelling, introduction to grammar, handwriting and introduction to writing.

Saxon Math (K-6)

Saxon presents a unique incremental approach to math which is very highly regarded and extremely well suited to the grammar stage of learning.

History (K-6)

MCA Grammar's history program gives the students an overview of history - from creation to modern day. Kindergarteners and first graders will explore basic geography, other cultures and general history. In second through sixth grades, the students will walk through history focusing on one major event per week. In second grade, students study Old Testament and Ancient Egypt. Third graders study New Testament, Greece and Rome. Fourth graders focus on the Renaissance and Reformation while fifth and sixth graders study American History from the early explorers to the present day. Each year in second through sixth grade, the students use the Veritas history cards to chronologically memorize 32 significant events from the relevant time period. Thus the students gain a framework for all of history.

Latin Primer (3-6)

The goals of this course, among others, include:

aquiring a vocabulary of approximately 350 words

recognizing Latin derivatives in English

developing facility in the use of a dictionary for etymology

growing an English vocabulary

increasing in understanding of Latin and English grammer

English Grammar (3-6)

We use the ABeka Grammar workbook with Daily Grams as a supplement.

Spelling (3-6)

With a variety of teaching techniques and a weekly spelling test, children are encouraged to improve their spelling proficiency.

Vocabulary (3-6)

From choosing words to create personal study lists to learning words from their literature books, students steadily increase the scope and breadth of their vocabulary.

Institute for Excellence in Writing (3-6)

This curriculum emphasizes modeling as a method for learning to write. Children begin by making outlines of previously written paragraphs and then rewriting them from these outlines. Various techniques for improving writing are required as the child gains skill. These include the use of stronger verbs, adjectives, the addition of adverbs and clauses and the variation of sentence structure, just to name a few. The program expands to paragraph structure, creative writing, and research papers.

Literature (K-2)

The school provides a suggested reading list of great children's literature. Each family will be asked to read aloud to their children a minimum of two books per semester. Further reading will be encouraged.

Literature (3-6)

Reading comprehension will be strengthened as the children read classic books and discuss in class. In addition, the children choose at least one book per semester from the school's reading list to read themselves. Family read-aloud will still be encouraged.

Art (K-2)

Exploring and Experimenting with the Elements of Art

Art (3-6)

Techniques and Experience with the Elements of Art

Science (K-6)

Interactively Exploring God's Creation

Music (K-2)

Appreciation of Music with Melody Lane and Making Music Workbooks

Music (3-6)

Appreication of Music with Melody, Harmony, and Rhythm

Spanish (1-6)

Learning Spanish through Story, Activity, and Song

Bible

The school intends to maintain a Christian atmosphere and to integrate prayer as well as Biblical passages and principles into daily activities.