Curriculum

(Kindergarten through Fourth Grade)

One of the important distinctives of Wesleyan Christian Academy is the strong commitment to integrate the Person and the Word of God into each curricular area. The Christian teacher as the "living curriculum" is the key to accomplishing this end. The information below generally reflects the textbook adoptions of Wesleyan's elementary program. It should be noted, however, that the teacher has the liberty of using the resources and pedagogy that in his/her professional judgment best teach the discipline or skill. Through these exposures, we ultimately desire for students to gain strong literacy skills and grasp the relevance and importance of God in all areas of life and learning.

Bible

Bible is generally taught five days per week. In developing our own Bible Curriculum guide, we chose to provide a strong exposure in four specific areas: (1) Old Testament chronology; (2) foundational Christian doctrine; (3) general biblical geography; and (4) Christian character traits. In addition to the classroom exposure, our chapel services are held each Tuesday and Thursday. (Tues. for 1st Year Kindergarten-1st; Thur. for 2-4)

Language Arts

During the 1997-1998 school years, a comprehensive language arts curriculum guide was completed, which included reading, language, spelling, and penmanship. This curriculum guide was reviewed and revised during the 2006-2007 school year. During the 2005-2006 texbook review of the language arts block, kindergarten through second grade requested the implementation of the ABeka series, while the third and fourth grades chose to maintain an eclectic curriculum that they had adopted previously.

• Reading The kindergarten through second grades use the ABeka series which offers a strong phonetic approach to reading. Grades three and four implemented the 1993 D.C. Heath reading program in 1993-1994, and during the 1999-2000 year's textbook review, decided to maintain this series until its next scheduled review.
• Language In the 2000-2001 review of language textbooks, our first and second grade faculty chose to implement the ABeka series but augment it to meet the requirements of our scope and sequence. Third and fourth grade teachers chose to continue the use of the 1990 Houghton Mifflin English text that was first implemented in 1993.
• Spelling A textbook review of spelling was completed in 1996-1997. The faculty consensus led to the decision to implement an ABeka spelling in kindergarten through third grades and use teacher-created lists in fourth grade. During the 2003-2004 textbook review, the faculty chose to retain this approach, and fourth grade, too, uses the ABeka spelling program.
• Penmanship The ABeka series was implemented in our kindergarten through first grade program. Our second, third, and fourth grades use A Reason For Writing published by Concerned Communications. All penmanship in kindergarten through second grade is manuscript. Third graders are introduced to cursive, and students are generally expected to use cursive during the last two quarters of the third grade and in all of fourth grade. A 2003-2004 penmanship review retained this approach.

Math

The elementary faculty reviewed math during the 1994-1995 school year and implemented the following adoptions in the 1995-1996 school year: D.C. Heath (1996) math series in kindergarten and first grade and the ABeka (1994) math series in grades two through four. Additionally, a comprehensive math curriculum guide has been fully implemented. These same math textbooks were retained during a 2001-2002 textbook review. A curriculum guide revison was completed in 2005-2006.

Science

A curriculum guide was developed in 1996-1997 and was thoroughly reviewed and revised in 2003-2004. The 2005 Harcourt Science was implemented in 2005-2006. Also, an extensive resource of Christian science textbooks was developed and made available for teacher use at each grade level. Each year our first through fourth grade students are encouraged to participate in our local science fair.

Social Studies

In 1997-1998, a comprehensive curriculum guide was implemented, and a review of social studies texts was completed. The faculty consensus was to adopt the Bob Jones Heritage Series in first through third grades and the North Carolina History text published by North Carolina State in fourth grade. These texts were implemented in 1998-1999. A 2005-2006 review of social studies texts has led to the joint adoption that includes the retention of the Bob Jones Heritage Series and the addition of the 2004 Harcourt Social Studies Series.

Creative Writing

In 2000-2001, elementary instruction began to focus upon developing students' creative writing skills. While there is some emphasis given to this process in kindergarten and first grade, second through fourth grade students receive the primary focus. With the aid of staff development and annual assessments, we are observing some strong improvements in our students' creative writing skills. In 2005-2006, a rubric was developed and approved for creative writing.

Special Offerings

• Computer Lab  - The elementary school's primary focus in the computer lab is reading and math. Since the addition of a lab dedicated to elementary students in 2006-2007, the exposures to the computer lab have increased substantially. Presently, First Year Kindergarten through second grade students enjoy the lab two days per week; third and fourth graders have lab three days per week. A computer curriculum guide was completed in 1998-1999 and revised in 2004-2005. Mrs. Lori Puckett is the manager of the lab.
• Music -  First Year Kindergaden through fourth grade students have music two days per week under the very skilled Mrs. Flack. The GAMEPLAN series was implemented during the 2008-2009 school year for grades one through four. In January 2009, First Steps in Music was implemented for K1 and K2 classes. A music curriculum guide was completed in 1998-1999. A curriculum guide revision was completed in 2008-2009.
• Art  - An elementary art exposure is provided for kindergarten through fourth grade students. An art curriculum guide was completed in 1998-1999 and was reviewed and revised during the 2004-2005 school year. Mrs. Wilkins is the instructor for this special.
• Physical Education - A twice-per-week P.E. exposure is available to our kindergarten through fourth grade elementary students. This exposure includes instructional swimming units for students in first through fourth grades. The students have a minimum of 10 swimming classes per year. A curriculum guide was developed in 2004-2005. The students would be with one or more of the following PE staff members: Mrs. Bradford, Ms. Cook, Mr. Blakney, or Mr. Pavlack.
• Foreign Language - Latin -  Elementary students in second through fourth grades (2014-2015 will include Latin in first grade) have a two-day per week exposure to Latin with our Latin teacher, Ms. Gregg. Because Latin is the foundational language for all the romantic languages (including English, French, and Spanish), it serves our students well in better understanding English and the other foreign languages that our students will have in Middle School and High School.  It is amazing to see how young minds begin to understand the structure of language as they are taught Latin.
• STEM - There are plans for the 2014-2015 school year to have an addition to the other elementary specials that will include a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) classroom.  This teacher will not only provide this good exposure, but will be working with after school elementary and middle school LEGO robotics and other enhancements.  
• Library - Elementary students have a once a week library special scheduled with our media specialist, Mrs. Boles. This includes not only a time for choosing books each week, but good instruction related to becoming familiar with researching within the library and using computer aided searches.

Resource

• Students who have a mild to moderate learning disability in areas of reading and/or math can qualify for this program. Services are provided during the day through a pullout program. Individual education plans are developed for each student served. There is a user's fee for this service.
• We offer speech and language services at a substantially reduced fee to that offered in private practices outside Wesleyan. Mrs. Eanes, our speech pathologist, works with students having receptive or expressive language processing issues.  

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