Elementary
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS K–5TH GRADE
KINDERGARTEN
Answers Bible Curriculum Part 1 (AiG) teaches young students the contents of the Bible in an apologetic and chronological way so that they know they can trust God's Word. This helps them grow in their faith and be enhanced in a biblical worldview. This is done through interactive teaching, songs, themed games, and crafts. Part 1 covers from Genesis to Joshua.
Focus on Fives (BJU) starts children on a path for developing learning skills they will need for first grade. Students receive basic age-appropriate introductions to science, social studies, handwriting, phonics, and reading. Fun and exciting learning activities help young students build a foundation in phonemic awareness, reading strategies, listening, and speaking. Worldview shaping begins early with the four key themes addressed throughout the course: God is great, and God is good; God created me and all things; the Bible is God’s Word, and it is true; and I learn in order to serve God and others.
Math K5 (BJU) uses an interactive approach with manipulatives to build a foundation of math concepts. Lessons on number, sense, addition and subtraction, time, money, and other skills are introduced.
Handwriting K (A Reason For) focuses on proper lowercase and uppercase letter formation.
FIRST GRADE
Answers Bible Curriculum Part 2 (AiG) teaches young students the contents of the Bible in an apologetic and chronological way so that they know they can trust God's Word. This helps them grow in their faith and be enhanced in a biblical worldview. This is done through interactive teaching, songs, themed games, and crafts. Part 2 covers from Judges to early New Testament.
Heritage Studies 1 (BJU) introduces students to social studies skills with a grade-appropriate yet academically rigorous program. Each of the six units introduces a different field of social studies, giving students a broad foundation for future grades. While the materials encourage academic growth, each lesson relies on hands-on activities, colorful visuals, and age-appropriate text. As students look at their roles as family and community members, they are encouraged to see themselves from God's perspective.
Phonics and English 1 (BJU) uses exciting theme lessons to combine phonics, reading, listening, comprehension, creative writing, and grammar. The six units cover short and long vowels, single consonant blends, and diagraphs, r-influenced vowels, special vowel sounds, silent consonants, suffixes, and syllable division. Phonics patterns are also taught using word families. Phonics characters make phonics generalizations fun and memorable.
Reading 1 (BJU) introduces your young reader to a variety of colorfully illustrated fiction, poems, plays, articles, and Bible stories. Reading selections are developed to incorporate phonics, English skills, service words, and word families. New vocabulary words for each story are introduced in sample sentences to provide context clues. Discussion questions and teaching strategies give opportunities to develop critical thinking skills and comprehension. Both oral and silent reading habits are developed.
Math 1 (BJU) uses manipulatives and real-life experiences to teach place value, addition, subtraction, geometry, time, money, measurement, and fractions—all with engaging themes and characters. Writing equations, reading graphs, and other concepts are introduced as part of problem-solving skills.
Science 1 (BJU) introduces the student to what science is and what scientists do. The student learns to defend the truth that God created all things and sustains their existence; to explain how the design of living things meets their needs for growth and survival; to analyze the patterns of the earth, sun, moon, and stars; and to explain the properties of light and sound and communication using both. Through inquiry-based activities the student has the opportunity to apply foundational science process skills to develop orderly approaches to problem solving.
Spelling 1 (BJU) studies generalizations to develop principles of application. Children will learn to see spelling as a tool for communication while enjoyable guided activities help them to learn word structures and dictionary skills.
Handwriting A (A Reason For) contains a manuscript review as well as a lot of daily practice including a weekly Scripture verse.
SECOND GRADE
Answers Bible Curriculum Part 3 (AiG) teaches young students the contents of the Bible in an apologetic and chronological way so that they know they can trust God's Word. This helps them grow in their faith and be enhanced in a biblical worldview. This is done through interactive teaching, songs, themed games, and crafts. Part 3 covers the New Testament.
Heritage Studies 2 (BJU) equips students to live wisely in their world. Students learn to evaluate society and their role in it through the lens of God’s Word. They develop an understanding and appreciation of both the past and present through real-world activities, personal stories of individuals, and development of the tools needed to sustain lifelong learning.
Math 2 (BJU) develops understanding of place value, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Manipulatives are used to help students visualize the math concepts they learn. Basic word problems are introduced to exercise students’ problem-solving skills.
Science 2 (BJU) teaches the student how to use science process or inquiry skills to learn and tell about God’s creation. The program focuses on what scientists do, living things, plants, habitats, fossils and dinosaurs, the layers and features of the earth, how the earth moves, natural resources, forces and motion, and how the body works. The student develops his process or inquiry skills as he participates in hands-on activities and projects.
English 2 (BJU) emphasizes traditional grammar, such as parts of speech, sentence structure, and mechanics, and provides practice with essential reference skills. The English educational materials explains the step-by-step use of the Writing Process for six different types of writing assignments, such as a friendly letter, instructions, opinion paragraph, and more.
Reading 2 (BJU) encourages higher-level thinking, emphasizes character traits and Biblical principles and truths, and helps students grow in reading comprehension with compelling stories. The two-volume reading educational materials includes familiar favorite stories as well as exciting new reading selections.
Spelling 2 (BJU) reinforces the most reliable spelling patterns and introduces the most common structural generalizations. Writing weekly journal entries allows your student to apply the spelling and composition skills that he is learning. The student also practices dictionary skills and Bible word studies.
Handwriting B (A Reason For) contains a lot of daily practice including a weekly Scripture verse.
THIRD GRADE
The Pathway of Promise (BJU) is filled with engaging exercises designed to increase students' understanding and their desire to love and serve God. Students learn many details about the Old Testament, but the text constantly emphasizes the overall simplicity and unity of the Bible to help the students see how the Bible tells one continuous narrative and why we need a Savior.
Heritage Studies 3 (BJU) World Regions introduces students to the cultures of the world with an active, visually engaging study of the major world regions. In studying new cultures, students will explore the governments, geography, climates, economics, cultures, and religions of each region. Special features highlighting folktale, foreign languages, and missionary stories bring other cultures and locations to life. Teaching materials include a variety of teaching strategies for developing social studies skills and introducing students to primary and secondary sources.
Math 3 (BJU) teaches place value, multiplication, division, and fractions. Students will be challenged to think more deeply about their calculations and the implications of math on their worldview. Throughout the course, students will focus on four basic themes: math is a tool to help people work; math shows the world is designed; math helps people help people; and math has limits. Special characters in the worktext work together with the reviews, manipulatives, and visuals to constantly drive students to both enjoy the subject and apply what they are learning.
Science 3 (BJU) helps students develop a biblical worldview as it relates to various science concepts. Students learn where our world came from and how it has changed. They learn to defend the truth that God created all things and how to answer why people are important. Units cover physical, earth-space, and life sciences. Through STEM, experimentation, inquiry, and additional project- and problem-based learning activities, students have the opportunity to apply the skills they learn to understand the purpose of science and to develop orderly approaches to problem solving.
Language 3 (Abeka) is filled with a variety of exercises for application and review emphasizing correct use of grammar and mechanics, so you can help your child know the parts of speech. Further your 3rd grader’s knowledge of capitalization and punctuation as he improves his sentence writing. Introduce your child to nouns, verbs, and adjectives in his quest of learning all 8 parts of speech. Forming the plurals of words, using contractions, and correctly using words like sit/set/sat and can/may will help your child speak and write correctly. The new graphic organizers will guide your students from the very beginning as they write compositions. With over 100 creative writing exercises presented in fun themes such as outer space, zoos of the world, nocturnal animals, and many more, your child will learn to be a more effective communicator.
Reading 3 (BJU) deepens reading skills and comprehension by providing a collection of engaging reading material for the 3rd grade level. The reading text guides students as they build reading comprehension, grow in phonics skills, and absorb character-building stories that demonstrate biblical truth and timeless virtues
Spelling and Poetry 3 (Abeka) gives your child 34 spelling lists with words that would reinforce the learning of different spelling rules. Each of the lists is complete with age-appropriate definitions and implementation exercises that help students connect spelling with reading, Bible, and other subjects. Eight poems are also included in this textbook to help your child appreciate the beauty of language and the literary value of poetry.
Handwriting 3 (A Reason For) introduces basic cursive letter formation and incorporates regular, daily practice. Every weekly lesson is built around one carefully selected Scripture verse.
FOURTH GRADE
Answers for Kids Bible Curriculum (AiG) is a course designed to deepen the student's faith while adding apologetics into the lessons to give a strong biblical foundation. This curriculum goes through the 7 C's of history chronologically while answering questions such as, "How do we know that God Exists?, Where did humans come from? How did we get the Bible, Was there an Ice Age? Are there really aliens?". Colorful handout and worksheets, fun songs by Buddy Davis, and exciting PowerPoint illustrations engage the students and enhances the lessons while learning how to counter the issues within our culture today.
The 10 Minute Bible Journey (AiG) is a great devotional overview of the Bible with an apologetics emphasis. This beautifully illustrated book goes through the Bible chronologically hitting the most strategic events to help the students understand the big picture of the why Christ came to earth to die for our sins.
Heritage Studies 4 (BJU) brings to life our history from the founding of America to World War II from a biblical perspective. The lessons include a study of the regions of the United States.
Math 4 (BJU) encourages accurate computation as students apply their knowledge of place value to multiplication and division; also encourages students to use reasoning skills to estimate answers; introduces students to STEAM activities; develops a better understanding of fractions, geometry, measurements, and pre-algebra skills.
Science 4 (BJU) teaches concepts such as the characteristics of living things, insects and spiders, plants, forces and machines, electricity and magnetism, and the digestive and skeletal systems. Students are encouraged to think critically about science and to approach science from a biblical worldview.
Language 4 (Abeka) Develops students into effective communicators through the personal application of grammar, mechanics, word usage, and writing projects. The activities pace students through concepts, building in complexity, and often include previously reviewed material. The practice exercises and writing pages will continue to establish your students’ foundation of proper grammar and exceptional writing.
Reading 4 (BJU) supports teachers as they guide students toward lifelong reading success. This engaging, comprehension-based program teaches biblical discernment through teacher-guided instruction; provides silent and oral reading opportunities; builds vocabulary and literary skills; and it develops comprehension through strategies, questions, and activities before, during, and after reading.
Spelling, Vocabulary, and Poetry 4 (Abeka) provides 34 spelling lists each arranged by Spelling Rule, Phonics Focus, Challenge Words, and Vocabulary Words. Additionally, this book includes write-in activities that provide a review of learned concepts from each list and 8 poems. Opportunities to develop a biblical worldview are thoroughly integrated throughout this book. Each list begins with a Bible verse and a corresponding character trait from that week’s list. Lists also provide opportunities to highlight the attributes of God as well as encourage spiritual growth in your students.
Handwriting 4 (A Reason For) provides continued support and practice for cursive with daily practice.
FIFTH GRADE
Answers Bible Curriculum Part 1 (AiG) teaches students at their level the contents of the Bible in an apologetic and chronological way so that they know they can trust God's Word. This helps them grow in their faith and be enhanced in a biblical worldview. This is done through interactive teaching, songs, themed games, and crafts. Part one covers Genesis through Joshua.
Heritage Studies 5 (BJU) continues the narrative of American history from the development of the automobile in the late 1800s through the inauguration of President Obama in 2009. Topics are presented from a biblical perspective and include the invention and influence of the automobile and airplane, World War I, the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, World War II, the Vietnam War, struggles over civil rights, the war on terror, Afghanistan and Iraq wars, and immigration decisions.
Math 5 (BJU) challenges students to apply their knowledge of operations of whole numbers to decimals and fractions. Students will continue to develop pre-algebra skills and deepen their understanding of geometry, measurement, and data. Activities will give them opportunities to practice and apply STEM skills.
Science 5 (BJU) helps the student develop a biblical worldview as it relates to science concepts. The course focuses on minerals and rocks, fossils, matter and heat, sound and light, weather, biomes, ecosystems, and the respiratory and circulatory systems.
Language 5 (Abeka) trains the students to be fantastic communicators through writing with an emphasis on grammar and mechanics. Recognizing complements, identifying adverb and adjective phrases, preparing topical and sentence outlines, diagraming, and perfecting capitalization and punctuation rules are just a few concepts that will propel your child into proper writing.
Reading 5 (BJU) provides engaging reading material for the fifth grade level. Presented in a colorful, richly illustrated format, the literature and informational selections help students build reading comprehension, exercise biblical discernment and critical thinking skills, and cultivate an appreciation of literature.
Spelling, Vocabulary, and Poetry 5 (Abeka) promotes academic excellence as each student broadens their vocabulary and appreciation of poetry. With 34 word lists, your child will learn to spell words correctly and use vocabulary words in the proper context. Exercises in each lesson boost proofreading skills and correct word usage. Six poems by famous authors are also included to show your child how beautiful language can be.
Penmanship Mastery II (Abeka) incorporates daily writing practice to review basic letter formation and graduate the student into creative writing entries and penmanship exercises that include poetry and word puzzles. These exercises draw information from Language B and Spelling, Vocabulary, Poetry 5 to help your child implement other subjects while practicing his penmanship. Daily exercises and weekly tests will help your child master his hand-writing ability.
*BJU curriculum descriptions given at https://www.bjupress.com. Abeka curriculum descriptions given at
https://www.abeka.com/.