Academics

Academics / Curriculum / Special Programs

An Abundant Feast

At Arborbrook Christian Academy, we set before the child an "abundant feast" of ideas allowing the child to engage in authentic educational experiences, which capture the joy of becoming a lifelong learner.

We gather as a family of learners Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM until 2:05 PM. Our schedule attempts to alternate disciplinary subjects with inspirational subjects as much as we are able. We reserve Fridays for field trips, outings, holiday celebrations, cultural events, service opportunities and home study days.

Additional learning opportunities are provided in our after school Elective Program and Challenge Program.

Academic Program

The subject areas for learning and growth include, but are not limited to:

Assembly

We start each day and end each day with Jesus, as He is our Alpha and Omega. Assembly is our Alpha time. Each morning we gather as a school to commit the day to our Lord and to learn more of His goodness and grace. Each week a different class plans, prepares and leads Assembly. Academy teachers present an inspirational devotion. Students lead and participate in worship, skits that emphasize the character trait of the week, prayer, Scripture reading, etc. We also use this time to give announcements and offer special recognition to students who have displayed exceptional Christian character.

Language Arts

The Language Arts are comprised of literature study, phonics, spelling, reading, teacher read-aloud, grammar, composition, poetry, speaking, listening, vocabulary, narration, recitation, Latin / Greek root studies, prose and poetry. Our students are trained in both written and verbal communication.

Drill (Physical Exercise) Exercising the muscles of the body is just as important as exercising the mind and will. At Arborbook, each morning affords children an opportunity to get outside and stretch, run, jump, hop and twist. Drill is strategically placed at a time in the morning when students need a break from using their minds.

Mathematics

The paradigms of order and structure in God's world are explored through the framework of math. We endeavor to follow developmental patterns of learning in the child as we begin with concrete representations before moving on to the pictorial and then the abstract. We seek to lay a firm foundation of mathematical knowledge, reasoning and logic. The Saxon curriculum is utilized at all grade levels K-8. This program is supplemented with drills, games and real life math learning experiences.

History

Since much of the current writing about history promotes a revisionist point of view, we return to original sources, biographies, diaries, letters, artwork and architecture to seek a clear picture of the pageant of history-"His story". Our purpose is to acquaint the student with the knowledge of the past, which should be to him an inexhaustible storehouse of ideas as well as form in him principles whereby he will hereafter judge the behavior of nations and rule his own conduct. Teachers lead children in ways of thinking which promote connections, bringing into focus the ways in which artists, musicians, politicians, and other history makers were related to one another, placing them on the timeline of history - literally and figuratively. Literature, geography, art, music, drama and handcrafts are interwoven into our study.

Beginning with our Intermediate I class, we study History on a 5-year chronological cycle.
Year One: Ancient History (5000 B.C.-A.D. 400)
Year Two: Medieval - Early Renaissance (400-1400)
Year Three: Renaissance / Reformation / Age of Exploration (1400-1600)
Year Four: World History / Early American History (1600-1850)
Year Five: Modern World & American History (1850 Ð Present)

Science

The purpose of our Science instruction is to arouse in the student a spirit of awe and wonder concerning the created world, as well as to foster knowledge covering the general truths and laws of operation in a specific study through laboratory as well as field work. Each trimester of the school year affords the student opportunity to delve deeply into specific studies from a different realm of the scientific world

Nature Study

God has made Himself known to all nations through His creation. To not study His beautiful handiwork is to refuse to open a wonderful gift. Each student in grades K-8 spends time weekly in the study of the natural world around us. This may take the form of nature walks using field guides and then sketching in a personal nature journal or of gardening. Students are taught the technique of dry brush watercolor. Trees, flowers, leaves, insects, constellations, animals, rocks, minerals and shells are all topics of close observation, attention, concentration, discrimination, and patient pursuit

Picture Study

"The purpose of this study is to cultivate the student's artistic powers through the study of reproductions of the works of well-known artists. This power of appreciating and producing to some degree an interpretation of what one sees begins with a reverent knowledge of what has already been produced; that is, the student learns pictures, line by line, group by group, by reading not the books, but the pictures themselves." Charlotte Mason

Beginning in Kindergarten, each student participates in artist studies of the great masters through the avenue of picture study.

Music Appreciation

ÒMany great men have put their beautiful thoughts, not into books, or pictures, or architecture, but into musical score.Ó Charlotte Mason

At Arborbrook, we take every opportunity to expose children to the masters of music. In addition, we set aside a few minutes each week to dedicate to ear training, and learning about the lives and work of master musicians and composers.

Bible

Our students belong to families who are growing in the knowledge and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. As such, they participate in worship and Bible training at home and at church. We provide a context in which students delve deeper into the foundations of their faith. We do so through study of the Scriptures themselves, and do not have a Bible curriculum, per se. We do not take doctrinal stances on the minor teachings of Scripture. Bible is scheduled at the end of each regular school day. This is our Omega time.

Elective Program

Based on instructor and coach availability, the following opportunities may be offered as part of our After School Elective Program: Sports (Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball, Cheerleading, etc.) Fine Arts (Art, Musical Theater, Praise Dance, Photography, etc.) Handcrafts (Sewing, Knitting, Nature Crafts, Pottery, Scrapbooking, etc.) Foreign Languages (Latin, Spanish, French, Sign Language) Electives will be held in the afternoon after our regular school day. Electives are optional. Elective courses require an additional fee. This sample list of electives is not exhaustive.

Challenge Program

Meeting children where they are, challenging them to stretch and grow, and giving them opportunity to use their gifts and talents is very important to Arborbrook and a central tenet of our philosophy of education. To this end, each year, an assortment of Challenge Level programs and projects are designed and implemented for our students. This list of challenge level opportunities will be added to, as we are able to implement more programs and have the volunteers to oversee them. Here is a list of the Challenge Program classes and Clubs that we offer: News Crew Ð ÒUnder the ArborÓ is a monthly student newsletter. Students in grades 4-8 are chosen for the News Crew by their language arts teachers. These students are strong writers and need an additional challenge in this area.

Book Buddies

This is a mentoring program that promotes literacy and positive relationships between older and younger students. Students in grades 6-8 are paired with students in grades K-2. They meet once per week to read to each other.

Motivational Reading Program

This is an all school extracurricular program that encourages and motivates students to read excellent literature from our ÒGreat Books ListÓ. There are three main events per year related to this program. The main events are related to a common high interest theme.

Jr. Naturalist Club

This club for students in grades 2-5 is a time to get down and dirty, up close and personal with GodÕs creation. Students meet with their nature guides once per month to explore a different aspect of creation. Nature crafts, gardening, critter care are all elements of our Jr. Naturalist Club.

Student Ambassadors

This is a small group of students selected by the school director to represent Arborbrook during Open Houses and other community events. These students are chosen for their good character, consistent respectful behavior, positive attitude about Arborbrook, and public speaking skills. This is both an honor and a challenge to grow in these areas that God has gifted them.

World Culture Night

As part of our chronological history program, each year we hold a World Culture Night. For the 2007/2008 school year, a Renaissance Festival will be held during the second trimester. All students will participate in this school wide event. Parents and guests are invited to this exciting evening of history, music, crafts, food and culture. Students dress in period costumes and present projects related to the time of the Renaissance. Our World Culture Nights prove to be a fun and educational event for guests as well as students.