Academics
Our Curriculum Overview
Our academic program at St. Peter’s Lutheran School is taught using traditional textbooks as well as by using technology. The Bible is our defining truth for all of our curriculum. Students in Grades 3 – 8 are issued chromebooks to use at school. Teachers use the chromebooks for research, writing, and reinforcement. Homework is considered a part of the learning process.
Our elementary classes are Grades 1-5. Each grade is made of a single classroom. Class sizes range from 18 – 25 students. Students are with their homeroom teacher much of the day.
The Middle School is Grades 6-8. These students have a homeroom teacher for Bible. The students move between four teachers for math, science, language arts, history, P.E., and computer.
Devotions
Every class begins the day with devotions. Some devotions are teacher-led. In Grades 7 and 8, the students lead daily devotions.
Bible
The students in Grades K - 6 use the One in Christ 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
Much of the language arts curriculum for Grades K - 6 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. Students in Grades 1 and 2 learn printing, and starting in Grade 3 students learn cursive. Seventh and eighth grade students use the Holt-McDougal literature textbook. IIn addition to using this textbook, students read novels and study poetry. The students also study and apply the writing process to written work. 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 library, public library, or ebooks.
Mathematics
Students in Grades K - 6 use enVision Math by Pearson. New math concepts are taught daily. Manipulatives are used in the primary grades to teach concepts. Students take math tests after each topic. In Grades 7 and 8, students are placed into one of two math levels 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, they take geometry. Both of these courses are taught using the Addison Wesley high school textbooks. Students in the regular math track have pre-algebra in Grade 7 and Algebra 1 in Grade 8.
Social Studies
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 using a curriculum published by Pearson. 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
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.
Computer Science
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.
Physical Education
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.