Curriculum (Grades 4-6)

Bible History & Catechism

Students study Holy Scripture in depth, tracing the grand narrative of salvation history and learning how God has revealed Himself through His Word. Instruction emphasizes:

• Careful reading of biblical texts
• Memorization of key passages and hymns
• Understanding how Scripture is confessed in Luther's Small Catechism
• Recitation of the Catechism's primary and secondary texts

Student Outcomes: Students develop biblical literacy, theological vocabulary, and a clear understanding of Christian doctrine as confessed in the Lutheran tradition.

Cursive & Handwriting

Students refine cursive writing.

• Emphasis on neatness, form, and consistency
• Targeted practice for letters that need improvement
• Copywork assignments for fluency and accuracy

Student Outcomes: Students produce legible, elegant handwriting and develop habits of careful, disciplined written work.

Writing & Composition

Writing instruction follows a classical model of imitation, narration, and structured composition.

• Students transform spoken narration into clear written expression
• Practice writing summaries, descriptions, and narratives across subjects
• Instruction in organization and sentence structure
• One- and two-level outlining
• Chronological narratives, biographical sketches, and descriptive writing
• Introductory literary essays on fiction and poetry
• Research skills, source documentation, and cross-curricular writing

Assignments are frequently drawn from history, literature, and natural philosophy.

Student Outcomes: Students write with clarity, structure, and increasing sophistication, learning to express ideas logically and persuasively.

Grammar, Spelling, & Language Study

Students receive systematic instruction in:

• Parts of speech and sentence structure
• Diagramming and grammatical analysis
• Phonetic patterns, spelling rules, and vocabulary development

Student Outcomes: Students demonstrate command of written English, accurate spelling, and the ability to analyze and construct well-formed sentences.

Latin

Beginning in fourth grade, students enter Latin I and progress through Latin I-IV based on mastery rather than age.

• Vocabulary development
• Declensions and conjugations
• Translation of adapted texts
• Strengthening of grammatical understanding across languages

Student Outcomes: Students build a strong foundation in Latin vocabulary and grammar, sharpening linguistic reasoning, reading comprehension, and analytical thinking.

Poetry & Literature

Students encounter classic works of poetry and prose that reflect enduring truths about humanity, virtue, and the moral imagination. Poetry is memorized, recited, and discussed for meaning, beauty, and form.

Student Outcomes: Students develop attentiveness to language, appreciation for literary beauty, and the ability to interpret texts thoughtfully.

Mathematics

Math instruction follows a mastery-based approach using Saxon Math.

• Students are placed using the Saxon Math Placement Test
• Typical placement: Math 5/4 or Math 6/5
• Advanced students may progress into Math 7/6 or Math 8/7
• Daily practice builds computational fluency and conceptual understanding
• Homework typically consists of up to 15 problems per day

Student Outcomes: Students demonstrate strong number sense, computational accuracy, and confidence in problem-solving.

Science (Natural Philosophy)

Science is taught as Natural Philosophy. Instruction covers earth and physical science through reading, discussion, and hands-on activities, emphasizing observation and classification. Students spend time outside observing nature. They may garden, collect plants to press or other objects to bring back to class for further examination. They may also sketch their objects in their field notebook.

Student Outcomes: Students understand creation as God's work, demonstrate foundational scientific knowledge, observe and reason accurately, communicate clearly, and develop habits of curiosity and intellectual humility.