Every class begins the day with devotions. Some devotions are teacher-led. In Grades 7 and 8, the students lead daily devotions.
Through His Word, the Holy Bible, God has revealed His love, plan and purpose for our lives. God’s Word is given importance over all areas of study. Students will be taught to understand that the Bible is God’s holy and inerrant word and to appreciate its beauty, truth, and wisdom. They will learn to use and study the Bible. Students will develop a Biblical worldview. “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16
The students in Grades K – 6 use the Enduring Faith curriculum created by Concordia Publishing House. This curriculum teaches key concepts of faith such as law, gospel, confession, repentance, forgiveness, and grace using Bible stories. This curriculum also teaches the Ten Commandments, the Apostles Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, Baptism, and Holy Communion.
Seventh grade students use the curriculum Route 66 which teaches on the 66 books of the Bible. Eighth grade students apply the wisdom of Proverbs to their everyday lives using the curriculum Wise Up.
Students in all grades have a weekly memory verse.
Language Arts for the Christian is the development and application of written and verbal skills necessary to stand as a witness for Christ and grow in the knowledge of His word. The ability to communicate clearly and easily with one another and with God is part of His plan for each of us. Using the Bible to evaluate the truth of all other communication, we are called to: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded.” Matthew 28:19-20
Much of the language arts curriculum for Grades K – 5 is incorporated in the Pearson Scott Foresman Reading Street series. This curriculum provides reading comprehension activities, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation. All students have weekly spelling words. In Grades 1 and 2, students practice reading fluency using Victory Drill books. Handwriting is taught and practiced in all grades. Students in Grades 1 and 2 learn printing, and starting in Grade 3 students learn cursive.
Students in grades 6, 7, and 8 read novels and study poetry and Shakespeare. The students also study and apply the writing process to written work. Grammar and vocabulary lessons are taught weekly.
All students are encouraged to improve their comprehension by taking part in the Accelerated Reader program. Students may read books from our school library, classroom libraries, public library, or ebooks.
Through mathematics, our Lord has blessed us with the ability to count our blessings, measure our society, and multiply our love. This is in and of His plan; it is a reflection of our Lord’s wisdom. As students grow in their understanding of numbers, the use of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, algebra, and geometry, they should grow in their love and awe of the beauty and order of our world, as seen through mathematics. “But it is the spirit of man, the breath of the Almighty that gives him understanding of His works. It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right.” Job 32:8-9
Students in Grades K – 5 use Purposeful Design Math. New math concepts are taught daily. Manipulatives are used in the primary grades to teach concepts. Students take math tests after each topic.
Grade 6 and some students in Grades 7 and 8 use All Things Algebra, a math curriculum which introduces and re-enforces pre-algebra and algebra concepts.
Also in Grades 7 and 8, some students are placed in the honors track based on a placement test and information from the previous math teacher. The honors track has students in Grade 7 taking Algebra 1, and in Grade 8 taking geometry. Both of these courses are taught using the Addison Wesley high school textbooks.
The Christian study of man and his interactions with the world begins with the acknowledgement of God’s awesome power and creation. “His” story deals with past, present, and future events in the light of God’s abundant grace. Students today need to know how to live with each other in accordance with God’s plan for their lives and His plan for the world at large. Students must also be prepared to live “His” word in this world. “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” John 1:1-5
At least twice a week students have social studies. The weekly newspaper Studies Weekly is used for Grades 1-5. Students in Grades K, 1, 2, and 3 also use the magazine Scholastic News. Social studies in Grade 4 focuses on California history.
In Middle School, the students have history daily. Grade 6 focuses on the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, China, Greece, and Rome. Grade 7 studies world history beginning with the Middle Ages and moves through the Renaissance, Reformation, and the Age of Exploration. Grade 8 focuses on American History. After a review of the American Revolution and the Constitution, they trace the growth of our country through the end of the 19th century.
Science is the study of the natural world, God’s creation. “The heavens declare the glory of God.” (Psalm 19:1) Therefore, the study of the natural world as seen through the eyes of a Christian should create a picture of divine order and a loving Creator. Students will continually be made aware that the basis of all science is God’s creation.
Mystery Science, a video-based curriculum is used for science in Grades K-5. Mystery Science engages the students in hands-on activities. Students have science at least twice a week.
The Middle School students daily use the textbook curriculum Focus on Science published by Glencoe. All of the students will have regular projects to complete. At least twice a month, students will have hands-on experiments in class. Grade 6 studies earth science, Grade 7 studies life science, and Grade 8 studies physical science.
Technology empowers students to function effectively in their future; to live, learn, and work successfully in an increasingly complex and information rich society. Computer coursework supports other curriculum areas and stays within the constraints of ethical practices. Technology is a means of communication. It is not only understanding hardware, software, and its applications, but it is also knowing how to use these skills to further God’s work. “Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed His word by the signs that accomplish it.” Mark 16:20
Students in Grades 1 and 2 have computer class once a week. They are learning the basics of the computer. Grades 3 – 8 have computers twice a week. Students work in the computer lab with our computer teacher.
Christian nurture and mission outreach are two primary objectives of St. Peter’s Lutheran School. At our school, emphasis on quality and excellence shall always be guided by the Christian command, “to do all things unto the Lord.” Based on this simple philosophy, multiple goals are set. First and foremost, we must ask ourselves why our kids want to be involved in co-curricular activities. Their typical answer is to “have fun.” They, as children, will not recognize the knowledge and personal life patterns that develop through co-curricular activities. So our goals then must be for our children, not ourselves, and they must be pleasing to God. Additionally, these goals must be consistent with the philosophy of St. Peter’s Lutheran School and must be maintained at all times. In co-curricular activities, we should do all things with the goal of developing a child’s: Christian attitude, confidence in their individual God-given abilities, understanding of respect for others and respect for the co-curricular activity, self-confidence, leadership skills, self-discipline, concept of teamwork and cooperation.
Students in Grades 1 – 8 have P.E. three days each week. Our physical education program includes kickball, indoor soccer, indoor hockey, basketball, volleyball, and aerobics.
The curriculum used is Arts Attack which teaches drawing, painting, and composition. In addition some famous artists and their work are introduced.
Students have classroom music and choir each week. Concert band is offered to grades 4 and up at 7:30 a.m. Grade 3 learns the recorder.