Bible - We are using the Christian Schools International curriculum to teach. Students learn that they are uniquely and perfectly designed with special talents and abilities to be used for God’s glory. We explore how God’s goodness is the same yesterday, today, and forever. They memorize verses in order to carry God’s words with them wherever they are. We also utilize Right Now Media’s video content to learn from some of the world's best Christian speakers.
Math - Our 5th-grade class utilizes the enVision math curriculum and the 6th-grade students learn from the Prentice Hall curriculum. Both series cover a wide variety of math concepts, including Numbers and Operations, Algebra, Geometry, Measurement, and Data Analysis. In these grades, there is an emphasis on mastery of fractions. Math is taught from a traditional perspective with some new strategies implemented.
Science - For Science class, we utilize the Christian Schools International curriculum. Our school and this text acknowledge that God is the creator and sustainer of the Earth and Universe. It is His perspective that is the basis of our teachings. Students participate in hands-on activities and experiments, research, and presentations.
Writing - We are using Writing Units of Study by Lucy Calkins. She has been a leading expert in both reading and writing in the United States for many years. It is an authentic approach to writing in which students start out by writing about what they know. Teachers provide guidance to help them grow their writing while still allowing for independence. Students will learn to write a variety of pieces, including narratives, research-based essays, persuasive pieces, scientific reports, and memoirs. Grammar skills are incorporated into the writing block.
Reading - We are also using Reading Units of Study by Lucy Calkins. Each day, students are introduced to specific reading skills and then allowed time to read. Students are encouraged to pick books that are of interest to them. The more students read, the better readers they become! They apply the skill taught for the day to their own reading and participate in authentic conversations about their reading. We are creating a love for reading to encourage lifelong readers.
Social Studies - We recently adopted a newly published curriculum through Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 2019. Our students alternate between United States History and World History. They are given an overview of each subject while allowing for chances to dive deeper into specific areas of interest. Current events are covered through the use of Scholastic News Magazines.
Foreign Language - Foreign Language is an individually based curriculum. Students may choose to learn and study from thirty-four different languages offered by Duolingo. Students are required to pass a unit before they can continue on. Sign Language is offered during the second semester. Students' progress is monitored by the classroom teacher.
Technology - Our middle school students have access to 1:1 Chromebooks. We use devices as tools for learning, but they are not the primary teaching tool. The DCS curriculum is book-based. The use of Chromebooks has been important to stay connected and collaborate with classmates and teachers.
At Delavan Christian School we strive to develop well-rounded students that are given many different opportunities to show God-given abilities. Our 5th and 6th-grade students have weekly Physical Education, Art, Drawing, and Music classes to display those gifts.