THEMATIC UNITS

By organizing our instruction around three to four week themes, students learn that all of God’s world is inter-connected.  Students also master a subject area better when they are able to approach it from many directions and spend ample time to take field trips and interact hands-on with the subject. The following units provide an example of the themes around which all the classroom subjects revolve. Within each thematic unit the students will study language arts, math, art, science, Bible, history, music, physical education, etc. Some units naturally lend themselves to more in-depth study in one area (e.g., “Oceans” provide extra science information and “Thanksgiving” a history emphasis). These emphases are taken into consideration in the placement of units and educational scope and sequence (which competencies need to be learned and when).  Other examples are:
• Bones and simple machines  
• Weather
• Colonization
• Continents and land formations
• Communication
• Immigration
• Ancient Egypt
• Ohio history and geography
 
All-School Units

One unit each year is an all-school unit where every class explores the theme allowing for extra interaction among classes. This unit differs from year to year.

All-school units will vary according to need, interest and timeliness of subject matter. These units may include topics such as Medieval Times, Paul’s Missionary Journeys, Australia and others.

God-Centered

Although the integration of academic areas is essential in communicating the interconnectedness of God's creation, the story is incomplete unless we also teach about the God who continues to order and sustain the theme subject.  While prayer, devotions and study of the Scriptures are vitally important, we recognize that God is sovereign over all areas of life and we present him to students throughout the school day.

Individual Learning Styles

Our curriculum takes into account the varied learning styles which God has given each of us and that give our students opportunities learn in a variety of ways.  We know that some students learn best through use of their eyes, some through what they hear, and others through manipulation of materials.  Each of us has a preferred learning style, but that style is complemented as more avenues of acquiring informtion are used.  Research teaches us that the best mastery comes from use of as many styles as possible.  Activities create a personal experience for the students and then discussions provide opportunity for them to reflect on the experience.  Students make connections between their experiences and the material to be presented--facts and the accumulated knowledge of others.  Finally students have the opportunity to teach the learning to others within a small group, their entire class or to the entire student body through a variety of presentation methods.  This understanding of education enables students to enjoy the learning process immensely and to internalize what they have learned.