Grammar School

 

Where children are awakened to the joy of learning

“Fairy tales do not tell children dragons exist. Children already know the dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed.”
– G.K. Chesterton
In the Grammar school, we seek to nourish the mind and cultivate the heart.  We provide children with a rich curriculum that gives them the facts they need in areas like math, science, phonics and grammar while inspiring them with works of  the best authors, poets, composers and artists.  Our classical content includes a chronological study of history, Latin grammar, quality literature, and a strong basis for composition.   We are also inspired by the ideas of the late 19th century British educator, Charlotte Mason, who believed in giving students a broad education that included art appreciation, music appreciation, nature study and poetry.  Our goal is to inspire students to ask questions, to think great ideas and to prepare for a meaningful life that honors the Lord.

Preschool

Our preschool program teaches little ones how to “do school” – listen well, follow directions, interact kindly with peers, and build foundational skills and knowledge to unlock doors to a lifetime of learning. Click here to learn more about our Preschool program.

Kindergarten

In Kindergarten, students begin the process of reading and learning to love it, also enjoying beautiful literature read out loud to them. Through oral narration, they are learning to share their thoughts with clarity and expression. We memorize and recite poetry, scripture, and lots of jingles to help recall information. Kindergartners journey to each continent – learning about the rain forest when they study South America and “taking a backpacking trip” through Europe to learn about different countries and their historical landmarks. We also take nature walks to experience the outside world and the way it reflects God’s design and majesty.

Also a very important component of building character at this age, we practice relating to classmates with kindness and growing friendships, all day long keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus.

NCA offers a full day Kindergarten option which extends the day until 3:15. Afternoons supplement our core curriculum with enrichment activities for the student, such as additional reading and writing, hands-on geography, art projects and scientific discovery. The half day program contains all of our core curriculum and ends at noon.

Click here for the Kindergarten literature list.

1st Grade

First grade is an exciting time of developing reading skills which opens up a world of knowledge in living books. Students learn how to code words using phonics and transfer that skill to fluency in reading.  The first graders study Ancient Egypt in history, and the first few books of the Bible so they have an integrated knowledge of the ancient world.  First graders conquer the building blocks of math working on addition and subtraction, and spend the year learning all about aminals in science.

It is a joy to watch the first-graders grow in confidence and ability. Visit our class sometime to see learning in action!

Click here for the 1st Grade literature list.

2nd Grade

As you walk into the second grade classroom, you might see the students learning a Bones of the Body song and dance, practicing their math facts or reading about the Greek hero, Odysseus. This year is important for continuing to build reading fluency. We discover an exciting time period in history, learning about Ancient Greece and Rome.  Second graders are inspired by the works of great poets and musicians as we memorize poems by Christina Rosetti and study the powerful lyrics of Handel’s Messiah. Our prayer is that students will grow in their knowledge of the Lord this year using the tools of learning that God has given them. Please feel welcome to visit and encounter the joy of learning with us!

Click here for the 2nd Grade literature list.

3rd Grade

Third grade at NCA is a year of tremendous growth.  Students become more independent workers and are given more responsibility.  Third graders begin writing in cursive and learning Latin.  The third grade curriculum is a beautiful example of how we integrate subjects to deepen understanding.  By studying the history of the Middle Ages alongside the geography of Europe, Astronomy, and Medieval literature, art and music, students develop profound knowledge of this era. We even construct our own authentic replica castles!  We are proud to see students learn to work hard and begin to enjoy the fruits of diligence, structure, and striving for excellence.

Click here for the 3rd Grade literature list.

4th Grade

Fourth grade at NCA centers around the history of the Renaissance and the Reformation, including the works of the great artists (DaVinci, Michelangelo, etc.) and the life of Martin Luther, as well as the geography of the American continents and the explorers who discovered them for the western world.  We study Earth science, which challenges us to learn about the age of the Earth, its different layers, and how the Biblical account of creation reconciles with science.  We use Peacemakers as our Bible curriculum, learning about kind treatment of our neighbors and Christian conflict resolution.  Our language program progresses in grammar from the basic parts of speech to applying them in all written work and using more expression in oral presentations. And, as always, we welcome questions and discovery!

Click here for the 4th Grade literature list.

5th Grade

NCA fifth graders are leaders and examples to the younger students in the Grammar School. Their growing maturity is evident as, having made good progress in reading comprehension, they begin developing skills in literary analysis and discussion of ideas rather than facts. Other highlights include completing their study of the countries of the world with Africa, learning about the U.S. and French Revolutions, and translating more complex sentences in Latin. It is an exciting year as we send these students on to the Logic School for the next stage of the Trivium.

Click here for the 5th Grade literature list.

Grammar School Curriculum Overview

Subjects Kindergarten 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade
Math Developing Roots / Saxon 1 Saxon 2 / Think! Mathematics 1 Think! Mathematics 2 / Classical Math 2 Think! Mathematics 3 Think! Mathematics 4 Think! Mathematics 5
Science Senses, Seasons, Nutrition Animals Plants, Human Body Universe Earth Science and Weather Physics
History Family, Community, Holidays Ancient Egypt Ancient Greece and Rome Middle Ages Renaissance and Reformation Age of Enlightenment and Revolution
Grammar N/A N/A Shurley English 2 Shurley English 3 Shurley English 4 and Warriner’s Intro Course Warriner’s First Course
Latin N/A N/A N/A Latin for Children A (Part 1) Latin for Children A (Part 2) Latin for Children B
Phonics Saxon K Saxon 1 Phonics Review N/A N/A N/A
Spelling with phonics with phonics The Grammar of Spelling 2 The Grammar of Spelling 3 The Grammar of Spelling 4 The Grammar of Spelling 5
Geography Continents and Oceans United States Holy Lands and Asia Europe The Americas and Islands Africa
Composition Oral Narration & Copywork Writing with Ease Level 1 Writing with Ease Level 2 Institute for Excellence in Writing Institute for Excellence in Writing Institute for Excellence in Writing
Handwriting Zaner-Bloser Manuscript K Zaner-Bloser Manuscript 1 Zaner-Bloser Cursive 2C Zaner-Bloser Cursive 3 Cursive in assignments Cursive in assignments
Bible Bible Heroes Genesis – Ruth I Samuel – Malachi The Gospels Peacemakers and Acts – Ephesians Philippians – Revelation
Artist Study Various Artists Renoir, Van Gogh, Cassatt Monet, Millet, Vermeer Rembrandt, Cezanne, Degas Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Seurat Velasquez, Homer, Lois-David
Composer Study Vivaldi and various other composers Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Copland Handel, Chopin, Debussy Bach, Schubert, Holst Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Stravinsky Brahms, Gershwin, Haydn
Poetry Nursery Rhymes and other poems Robert Louis Stevenson, A.A. Milne, Aileen Fisher Walter de la Mare, Eugene Field and James Whitcomb Riley, Christina Rosetti William Blake, Sara Teasdale and Hilda Conkling, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Alfred Lord Tennyson, Emily Dickinson, William Wordsworth Robert Frost, John Greenleaf Whittier, Rudyard Kipling
Literature List includes historically-based literature, read alouds, grade appropriate literature and biographies
Art Two times a week including elements of art, art history and history-related art projects
Music Two times a week including elements of music, music history and music theory
Physical Education Three times a week including building large motor skills, game structure, and physical fitness
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