Academic Courses

Bible

Memory work and application is an integral part of the curriculum at each grade level.

K     - Familiar children’s stories and heroes from the Bible

1st    - Familiar Bible truths that emphasize God's relationship to people

2nd   - Bible characters and positive character traits exhibited throughout the Bible

3rd   - The life of Christ and missions (spreading the message of the gospel)

4th    - Biblical doctrines and Bible study tools

5th    - Overview of the Old Testament with a focus on biblical character traits

 

Language Arts

The Language Arts program in grades K-5 combines the skills of reading, comprehension, writing, grammar, speaking and listening, vocabulary, study skills and spelling within the context of an entertaining piece of fiction, non-fiction, or poetry.  This program is designed to integrate across the curriculum.  Activities in social studies, math, science, and health and safety are incorporated. 

 

Math

The elementary math program concentrates five basic areas of math.   These areas are addressed at each grade level with appropriately increasing difficulty and meet the state standards of California. 

Number Sense

 K-2nd - addition and subtraction (and associated properties), with counting numbers and whole numbers

3rd-5th - whole numbers, integers, positive fractions and decimals, multiplication and division

Algebra and Functions

K-2 - basic foundations of algebra

3rd-5th - Algebraic notation is expanded from simple to more complex number sentences

Measurement and Geometry

 K-2 - the study of geometry focuses on the identification of attributes such as corners (vertices), sides, thickness and geometric vocabulary

3rd-5th - geometric attributes and their relationships within and between figures providing a foundation for later skills

Statistics, Data Analysis, and Probability

 Students in grades K-5 focus on 4 major aspects of working with data: collection, representation, description, and analysis

Mathematical Reasoning

Students in grades K-5 work on the development of concise, accurate, and understandable proofs that form the foundation for this form of mathematical reasoning

 

Science

The science program is designed so that students have sufficient time to develop a deeper understanding of essential ideas rather than a superficial acquaintance with many isolated facts.  This program is aligned to state standards. At each grade level, units are divided among Life Science, Physical Science, and Earth Science, with many hands-on activities.

In addition, each spring the entire school participates in Ocean Week.  During this unit, each grade level studies a different habitat of the ocean culminating in an all-school “habitat parade”.

 

Social Studies

The social studies program in Kindergarten focuses on the various holidays, discussed from a Christian perspective and celebrating our cultural diversity.

For students in grades 1-5, historical events are presented within a chronological and geographical context. They learn about the significant people, places and events that have shaped California and the entire United States. It is written to align with the state standards.

The curriculum is enriched with various field trips, programs and special days that help to make the subject come alive and memorable.

 

Music Education

All elementary students participate in the music education program at MCS, taught by a qualified music instructor.  The selected curriculum presents music theory and cultural lessons. Third grade students learn to play the recorder for 10 weeks culminating in a spring concert.

 

Physical Education

The objective of our physical education program is to help develop a heart for God, a heart for classmates, and a strong, healthy heart. Students will participate in a number of age appropriate activities stressing skills development, teamwork, cooperation, and fitness. The selected curriculum emphasizes learning in the physical, intellectual and decisional domains. Students in grades 1-5 participate in the President’s Physical Fitness program.

 

Spanish

Students in grades 4-8 are assigned an individual account through the school’s subscription to Rosetta Stone.  Students begin with Spanish and may choose another language upon successful completion of the first program of Spanish.  Rosetta Stone is a self-paced program for students and is graded with a “Satisfactory” scale.

 

Technology Education

The technology curriculum is integrative in design as the technology teacher and the classroom teacher work together to design lessons and projects using technology to enhance learning in the classroom.  Classroom subject content is partnered with the basic technology skills students will need to succeed in the competitive work world they will face as adults. Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher) are emphasized in the lower grades while Google Apps, Turnitin, email and other Internet based applications form the basis for a curriculum in grades 3-8 in which students grow as responsible and capable users of technology. 

 

Outdoor Education

4th Grade – Students participate in an overnight trip to California’s gold country in conjunction with the social studies curriculum.  Activities are historically based with hands-on experiences with various gold mining techniques.  Accommodations include cabin type lodging (bunk beds), indoor plumbing and meals are served cafeteria style.

5th Grade – Students participate in a 4-day, 3-night trip in the redwood forests near the city of Sebastopol, CA in conjunction with the science curriculum.  Hands-on activities address basic survival skills and life science topics.  Accommodations include cabin type lodging (bunk beds), indoor plumbing and cafeteria-style meals.

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