Lower School Course of Academic Study

The lower school curriculum is designed to promote a Biblically centered, age-appropriate course of study. Every subject is presented through the lense of the Bible and is intended to develop and nurture the whole child – spiritually, intellectually, emotionally and socially.

Curricula include the following:

BIBLE

Using the CSI Bible program (grades K4 – 3) and the ACSI Bible program (grades 4 – 5), alongside the Scriptures exposes students to the study of the most important book in the world--the Bible. Included in this course of study is a comprehensive memory program that instructs students in the memorization of key scriptures. A weekly chapel program is an added dimension to the Bible curriculum.

LANGUAGE ARTS

Language Arts consists of Reading, Language, Spelling, Vocabulary, Composition and Handwriting.  The Open Court Reading program places a strong emphasis on phonics as a foundation to reading.  Included at each grade level is a selected list of great stories, novels and poetry. In addition to Open Court, ACA uses other resources, such as Megawords Spelling, Wordly Wise for vocabulary, along with Houghton Mifflin and Shurley English in some language classes.  Younger classes use Handwriting Without Tears, while Zaner-Bloser is used beginning in second grade as cursive writing is introduced.

MATH

The Lower School uses Harcourt Math in K4 and Kindergarten to lay a strong foundation for numbers.  Grades 1 – 3 use Houghton Mifflin Math in Focus, which is similar in approach to Singapore Math.  Saxon Math is the curriculum in grades 4 and 5, as the students continue to build on the strong foundation that is laid in the lower grades.  Mad Minutes is a daily math facts program that rounds out the math program.

SCIENCE

The primary grades use teacher-made units, which allow for the introduction of science vocabulary and concepts as well as opportunities for experiential learning to reinforce the units. Grades 3-5 use science texts published by Concordia Press.

HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY

This course of study emphasizes the study of geography and history. In addition to the use of maps for geography, students are exposed to the history of great civilizations and other important historical events. Use of the Core Knowledge scope and sequence and other resources allow first graders to study Ancient Egypt, second graders to learn about Ancient Greece, and third graders to explore Ancient Rome along with other topics. Fourth graders become acquainted with North Carolina history and geography, while fifth graders focus on United States history.

In addition to the above courses, which form the core of the lower school curriculum, students have classes in physical education, art, music, computer and library.

Electives include:

MUSIC

Children have a natural love for music and therefore an innate excitement for it. Through song and instruments we seek to foster and grow this love into life-long musicianship. By exposing students to a variety of musical genres and cultures we are beginning the process of developing adults who understand, appreciate, and enjoy the making of music.

Weekly Music Schedule
K4 and Kindergarten: 1 class/30 minutes
1st Grade: 2 classes/30 minutes each
2nd-5th grades: 2 classes/40 minutes each

ART

The lower school art program is based on a child's God-given natural curiosity that leads them to explore and create. Our exploratory program emphasizes the art-making process while developing the student's artistic vocabulary and exposing them to art history and art in culture. The foundation provided by the lower school art program prepares students to take these skills further and apply their knowledge in middle school art.

Weekly Art Schedule
Kindergarten: 1 class/30 minutes
1st-5th grades: 1 class/60 minutes

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The Bible gives the framework for physical education: The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and should be challenged and matured physically and spiritually. Asheville Christian Academy's physical education program will develop in students a Biblical understanding of the importance of being exemplary stewards of the body God has given them and challenge them to develop physical discipline as well as spiritual.

Weekly P.E. Schedule
K4: 1 class/30 minutes
Kindergarten and 1st grade: 2 classes/30 minutes each
2nd-5th grades: 2 classes/40 minutes each

LIBRARY

The purpose of the library is to help each child discover the love of reading and to partner with parents in providing books that build up a child in his/her faith. It is our desire to extend the offer of collaboration and partnership to teachers in support of the curriculum in order to supplement and enrich a child's classroom studies.

Weekly Library Schedule
K4-5th grade: 1 class/30 minutes

COMPUTER

Computer literacy and application in the Lower School will raise the standard of learning and productivity by our students. They will be better prepared to problem solve, research, present their ideas and interact with the changing world of information that is accessed through technology.The students' understanding of the computer as a tool, with its basic operations, will pave the way for learning throughout a lifetime.

Weekly Computer Schedule
3rd-5th grades: 1 class/40 minutes