K-5 Curriculum (Trinity Classical School

K-5 Curriculum

The following "Scope and Sequence" grid reflects our Classical and University-Model approach.

The TCS curriculum is designed to be vertically integrated, with consistency and linkages between course topics in each grade level.

At the same time, the TCS curriculum is horizontally integrated, allowing for a smooth and logical progression between grade levels. The resources listed are subject to change.

	Kindergarten	First Grade	Second Grade	Third Grade	Fourth Grade	Fifth Grade
Math	Saxon Math 1	Saxon Math 2	Saxon Math 3	Saxon Math 5/4	Saxon Math 6/5	Saxon Math 7/6
Science	Selected Topics	Life Science: Animals, the Human Body, and Plants	Earth Science, Geology, Weather, and Astronomy	Real Science 4 Kids: Chemistry	Real Science 4 Kids: Physics	Life Science
History and Bible	History for Little Pilgrims (Christian Liberty Press), Bible Overview (Veritas Press), Child's Story Bible, Big Picture Bible timeline	Ancient Civilizations (Story of the World)	Medieval History, the Renaissance, and the Reformation (Story of the World)	America and the World, 1600-1850 (Story of the World, A History of US)	America and the World, 1850-2000 (Story of the World, A History of US)	Ancient Civilizations (Story of the World)
Language Arts	Spell To Write and Read, D'Nealian Handwriting, Shurley English, Write Source	Spell To Write and Read, D'Nealian Handwriting, Shurley English, Write Source	Spell To Write and Read, D'Nealian Handwriting,Write Source, Wordly Wise 3000, Shurley English, Classic Literature	Spell To Write and Read, D'Nealian Handwriting, Write Source, Wordly Wise 3000, Shurley English, Classic Literature	Spell To Write and Read, D'Nealian Handwriting, Write Source, Wordly Wise 3000, Shurley English, Classic Literature	Spell To Write and Read, D'Nealian Cursive, Vocabulary from Classical Roots, Shurley English, Classic Literature
Electives	Fine Arts	Song School for Latin	Song School for Latin	Latin for Children	Latin for Children	Latin for Children

Math

TCS uses the Saxon pedagogy of incremental development: teaching in small pieces, continual review of those increments, and ongoing cumulative review.

This approach was pioneered by John Saxon and Dr. Frank Wang (Ph.D in Mathematics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology). We agree with John Saxon's assessment that "creativity comes from a well-prepared mind. What we want to give every child in America is the ability to work to develop a well-prepared mind."

Representative resources:

Saxon Math 2: Saxon Publishers

Science

TCS encouages students to explore God's creation through the study of the natural sciences. We believe that students must learn to think as scientists when studying science. Observation, data gathering, evaluation, and presentation are all part of the educational experience.

Mastery of fundamental concepts in the lower grades then progresses to more in-depth analysis and experimentation in the upper grades.

TCS students in the lower grades study zoology, earth science, life science, chemistry, and physics. In the upper grades, this will progress into a more advanced study of physics, chemistry, and biology.

Representative resources:

Real Science 4 Kids: Gravitas Publications

Language Arts

TCS instills a love of reading and clear expression through writing. We use classic literature and help students master the fundamentals of English grammar, pronunciation, spelling, handwriting, and vocabulary. Students also participate in an Individualized Reading Program, in which each student's reading assignments are customized to his or her individual level.

Representative resources:

Spell to Write and Read by Wanda Sanseri

Wordly Wise 3000 by by Kenneth Hodkinson and Sandra Adams

History & Bible

We believe that knowing a chronological sequence or timeline is a crucial part of history education for the lower grades. Students will develop an understanding of world, European, and U.S. history with an emphasis on mastering names, dates, places, and events that will lay the foundation for more in-depth analysis and rhetorical expression in the upper grades. Topics covered in the lower grades include the Old Testament and Ancient Egypt, the New Testament, Greece and Rome, the Middle Ages, the Renassiance, the Reformation, Early Explorers, and modern history.

Representative resources:

Story of the World by Susan Wise Bauer