Curriculum Roadmap
“For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rules or authorities–all things have been created through Him and for Him.” Colossians 1:16
Every subject we study begins with the centrality of Christ. God created a world of wonder and order and it is our joy to study the work of our Creator. We see His workmanship in the beauty of nature, the patterns of mathematics, the history of His sovereignty over nations, and in our ability to communicate through language.
Language Arts
1st–2nd:
From Phonics to Reading
Oral narration and copywork
3rd–4th:
Traditional Spelling
First Language Lessons (Grammar)
Oral narration with an introduction to written narration
Dictation
5th–6th:
Traditional Spelling
Steps to Good Grammar
Oral narration, written narration, essays
Dictation
7th–8th:
Written narration
Prepared dictation
Composition: Essays and creative writing
Science
1st–8th: Each year the entire school studies topics at age appropriate levels using the following four-year rotation:
• Earth Science / Land Animals
• Anatomy / Flying Creatures
• Physics & Chemistry / Ocean Animals
• Botany / Astronomy
As with all of our subjects, we place an emphasis on using living books and hands-on activities to make learning engaging.
Literature
We enjoy a feast of living books by incorporating them into every subject. We introduce students to delightful classics, regional stories, mythology, fairy tales, and fables.
Family read-aloud: Each semester we suggest a title for the entire family to read together. We celebrate the book with an all-school book club event coordinated by Cedars teachers and volunteers.
Secret Book Packs: PreK–2nd graders also receive Secret Book Packs each week, which include a variety of picture books and early readers carefully selected to be enjoyed together and build a love of reading.
Math
1st–3rd:
Miquon Math Lab Materials
Manipulatives
Math Games
4th-6th:
Singapore Primary Mathematics
7th:
Basic College Mathematics (Pre-Algebra)
8th:
Jacobs Algebra I
History
1st–8th: Each year the entire school studies the same historical time period using a four-year rotation that covers the following timeframes:
• Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome
• Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Reformation
• Early Modern (1500-1850)
• Modern (1850-Pres)
Geography, living books, and hands-on activities are incorporated into the study of the historical time period.
Christian Formation
1st–8th: Lauds
1st–2nd: Bible story books
3rd-4th: Teacher led devotions
5th–6th: Students are shepherded by a pastor during a one-hour class each week, focusing on this two-year rotation:
• Bible: OT
• Bible: NT
7th–8th: Students are shepherded by a pastor during a one-hour class each week, focusing on this two-year rotation:
• Worldviews
• Creation, Sin, and Redemption