Curriculum Overview
Sylvan Way Christian School believes one of the major goals of an elementary school is to teach children how to learn. In addition, we believe that learning, even though hard work, can be fun!
Sylvan Way offers single-graded classrooms in kindergarten through fifth grade. Middle School, grades six through eight, are multi-age multi-ability, with the exact configuration dependent upon enrollment. In each class, the teacher is sensitive to the needs of each child and tries to develop lessons that will challenge each child to achieve his or her potential.
The most important aspect of our school is the children. We enjoy watching them grow and develop as they continue through the years with us. We strive to get to know each child and his or her family personally. We limit each classroom to 25 students; every class with more than 17 students will have TA (Teacher Assistant) time each day, increasing with the number of students.
All subjects required by the State of Washington are taught at Sylvan Way. In addition, one-half hour of Bible class is taught daily. On Friday mornings we celebrate a chapel service together.
We are involved in achievement testing with the Stanford Achievement Tests (SATs) in grades K-8 each year to help determine the growth of the children in our program and how well we are teaching them. We score above average in all areas.
Program Components
Bible.
Sylvan Way Christian School teaches the Christian faith, which emphasizes that Christianity is a way of life, not a set of laws dictating behavior. Our faith focuses on Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of all. Students learn of God’s love for them.
Reading.
Children are taught several strategies, including phonics (letter sounds), linguistics (groups of letters), and the use of context to learn to read. Aspects of the whole language approach and literature are integrated with each strategy.
Writing.
Students are given many opportunities throughout the grades to develop their personal writing skills. Spelling, Grammar, and English are taught to enable students to write properly. All students write a book prior to our annual school-wide Writers’ Celebration.
Mathematics.
We follow the Harcourt Brace Math Advantage curriculum in Math, Kindergarten through sixth grade. Many manipulatives are used to give students concrete experiences with mathematics concepts.
Science/Social Studies.
The emphasis of these programs is hands-on experience. The teachers are involved in equipping the students with the skills and concepts of these areas: map reading, categorizing, organizing, data collection, drawing conclusions, graphs and charts, research, and keeping accurate records.
They learn about all of the areas of Social Studies: geography, culture, economics, civics, history, and religion. Students begin learning about our own city and county, and throughout the years students learn about the entire world.
In Science, student study units each year in Physical Science, Life Science, and Earth Science. They experiment and learn the Scientific Method. We have a magnificent annual Science Fair the first week in May each year.
Art/Music/Physical Education
These areas of the curriculum lend themselves to allowing children to move into activities that expand their perception of the world around them. Experience is given in a wide variety of media, activities, and opportunities for growth.
Art is taught in each classroom, generally by the classroom teacher, who has had special training. Each grade gets to recognize and appreciate two specific artists, and work in different media. We have an Art Display or an Art Gala, in alternating years.
Students in kindergarten through fifth grade have music class once a week with a specialist. Kindergarteners, First, and Second graders perform a Christmas musical; Third through Fifth graders perform a musical in the Spring. Students in Fourth through Eighth Grades can participate in our band program.
All students in First Grade through Eighth grade have PE two times each week, half an hour for younger students and an hour for Middle School students. They learn many fitness activities and games with our PE specialist. First through Fifth graders have swimming lessons each spring. Students in Fifth through Eighth grades can be involved in athletics through the Kitsap Christian Conference (KCC). Students compete in volleyball, cross-country, basketball, and track.
Technology.
Computers are used in Third Grade through Eighth Grade, in a progressive curriculum beginning with keyboarding and developing into word processing and more advanced software usage.
Extended Learning Workshops.
During the year, we offer special after school activities that celebrate the joys of learning. These include Chorus, Sign Language, Chess Club, Math Club, Birding, Physics, Knitting, Art, and many other very fun learning activities.
For more grade specific curriculum, please download the appropriate brochure.
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