It is the goal of the PAideia Preschool Program to foster in young children a love of learning. We build a solid foundation for future academic learning. We seek to accomplish this by providing a balance of age-appropriate activities using Before Five in a Row, Five in a Row, and Christian Character and Bible Study Supplement by Jane Clare Lambert. It is our goal to develop the whole child from a biblical perspective as referred to in Luke 2:25: “And Jesus increased in wisdom (mental), in stature (physical), and in favor with God (spiritual), and man (social and emotional).” For those children ready for more preparatory academic learning we will also include the Phono-Graphix approach to sounds pictures (letters) which make words.

Elementary 1: (E1)
(Beginning readers)

This class is designed to aide students on their road to reading. The class consists of non-reading or newly reading students. A Phono-Graphix approach to reading and spelling is integrated into each subject taught throughout the day. Handwriting, Latin, History, Geography, Humanities, Bible, and Spelling are incorporated into the Elementary lessons each week. The students will improve their dexterity and hand eye coordination by going through stations with activities such as cutting and pasting, exercising, and role play. As we study history through art and verse it is our hope that the students will develop a zeal for learning, reading and seeking knowledge.

Elementary 2: (E2)
(Emergent readers)

In this class the students are recognized as emergent readers. These students will continue their Phono-Graphix reinforcement, but are prepared for introduction to grammar and writing. The students will learn the basic building blocks of grammar such as parts of speech and proper punctuation, as well as how to write an outline and paper. The students will be taught the steps of beginning writing that will incorporate the history and humanities being studied during the last six weeks of the school year.

 

Elementary 3: (E3)
(Fluent readers)

This class is a middle school preparatory class with fluent readers. In order to enter this level of elementary the student must be a developed reader, and be familiar with parts of speech, and proper sentence structure. Students in this class focus heavily on writing and grammar, and will be required to complete two writing projects in the school year. The students will be tested quarterly in each subject and will receive number grades for the assignments given in and out of the classroom.

PAideia's classical approach to home-schooling begins with students as young as Kindergarten. At the introductory level we focus heavily on reading and writing. Integrated into each subject are opportunities for comprehension, handwriting, and reading. We are using the Reading Reflex: The Foolproof Phono-Graphix Method for Teaching Your Child to Read to develop our precious readers. During Bible we will be learning memory verses, acting out scenes, and doing various art projects.

At all elementary levels we begin memorizing Latin words and their meanings, as well as the Latin prayers and hymns. Latin is a foundational language for all students. Our young scholars love Latin. For most, this is their favorite subject. The proper foundation is essential for the grammar school students.

During social studies we look at ancient civilizations (years one and two) and how even the most heinous civilizations brought glory to God. In years three and four of our cycle, we inspect the advancement of Western Civilization. The roots of Christianity are studied through historic fiction, original source documents and the Holy Scripture (years one and two). The emergence of the Christian church and the spread of the gospel throughout all of Europe and the known world are studied through exploration, art, music and architecture. Children are totally immersed in the study of history, which will be evident each week as our art projects coincide with the civilizations we are studying.

Each week we work on our physical bodies as well as our mental health. Science studies cover the general subjects such as volcanoes, plant and animal life, the human body, learning about famous Christian scientists and many more exciting topics. Physical Education is a time where the children learn different sports as well as exercises techniques such as sit-ups, push-ups, and jogging. The homework is posted on our website with a day-by-day schedule for each subject so each student can continue their classical education at home.