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Our Kindergarten uses a phonics/reading program that helps form the first steps of learning to read. To ensure reading success, we provide abundant reading practice that coincides with spelling lessons and use a variety of phonetic activities to progress the child quickly to beginner books. Our literature study includes classic chapter books for read-aloud and short stories that will motivate first-time readers. In mathematics, we build a foundation using hands-on learning tools to introduce many concepts that will challenge and prepare the student for success in the upper grades. Our afternoons are spent enjoying music, art, and PE classes.
In 1st & 2nd grades, our students begin soaring as the teacher provides a lot of practice in reading, writing, mathematics, and units of study and inquiry in science, history, and geography to enhance lessons. Key elements center on developing habits of mind and spirit, such as attentiveness, respect, and responsibility. Students participate in art, poetry, and nature studies, music, physical education and enjoy creative play and interaction with one another. In addition, teachers spend time reading aloud to help students begin their love of great literature.
Third grade is a study of the world at large. Students begin with local geography (Arizona) and then begin an exploration of the continents, oceans, landforms, climates, peoples, and cultures of the world. The year will be an overview of the emphasis on history in later grades. By this time, the student has gained some proficiency and independence in the core subjects of reading, language arts, writing, and mathematics. At this point, students enjoy literature that
integrates with geography studies (e.g., Heidi, Swiss Family Robinson). Students are introduced to basic research techniques and complete copybooks, revealing their growing understanding and assimilation of the world around them. Map-reading and map-making, weather and climate, and more bring science into the 3rd-grade curriculum. Art, music, poetry, nature studies, recitations, and Shakespeare sn1dies continue.
Students in 4th grade begin a chronological study of history, starting with Creation and culminating in the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece, and Rome. They also cover United States history during the 1700s. Students continue to keep copybooks in which they chronicle their discoveries category by category and begin understanding the flow of history. Students hone the art of oral and written narration and become more familiar with the writing process of searching and gathering resources, drafting, editing, proofing, and writing the final copy. Integrating Bible, science, literature, art, and music appreciation and recitations with history units make learning a rich banquet of ideas and enable students to make important connections.
The chronological study of history continues in 5th grade with the Middle Ages and an overview of the 1800s in the United States. An increased emphasis on research provides students with tools for “finding out” in an organized manner. In conjunction with living books and hands-on learning, the use of additional research methods in preparation for a final research report makes history come alive. Art, nature, poetry, music studies, and recitations follow along with the period covered.
WMCA partners with Christian families, churches, and faculty to provide the best Christian education possible for all students and to walk with them as they grow in Christ.