math
Students in kindergarten begin learning about numbers and math by mastering counting from 1 to 100 by ones, twos, fives, and tens. As they progress through their early years in elementary school at FCA, students continue to develop their math skills by learning math facts, number combinations, money recognition, time-telling, and other basic arithmetic and algebraic concepts.
phonics
The Abeka phonics approach is the foundation of our academic development. This proven method significantly boosts reading skills. Success in reading leads to success in all subjects. Students are evaluated in phonics throughout their early childhood education, from kindergarten to third grade. They also participate in reading groups during these years. While students learn to read at different paces, we’ve found that the Abeka phonics program effectively meets the educational needs of most of our students.
writing
The Abeka cursive writing program strengthens the phonics program and begins in the first grade. Research shows that teaching phonics, reading, and cursive writing together benefits learning. While public schools typically start cursive in the 3rd grade, your students will surprise you with their fine motor skills as they master this skill. The result is improved reading comprehension through this integrated approach to learning.
what does a day in the life of an elementary student look like?
A typical day in the life of an elementary student is filled with learning, play, and friendship. The day often begins with prayer requests, pledges, and any important announcements. Core subjects of reading, writing, and math take up a significant portion of the day. There are also special classes like art, music, and computer, where students can explore their creativity and learn safe ways to use technology. Recess and lunch times provide opportunities for socializing and playing with friends. Afternoons might include science, social studies lessons, or library time. The day concludes with packing up belongings and heading home, ready to share stories about their day with family!
what else is there to know?
Loving, consistent discipline guides the classroom. Repetition and project-based learning are key parts of daily activities. Students have age-appropriate homework to reinforce learning and involve parents in the process. Fourth grade students enter with more concrete thinking skills than younger students. At FCA, we focus on verbal comprehension, vocabulary development, mathematical problem-solving, and procedures in the upper elementary years. Academic challenges increase in the upper elementary years. Many educators consider the transition from 3rd to 4th grade the most difficult. Homework increases, and students must develop study skills for various assessments. Yearly achievement tests measure progress toward academic goals.