Lower Elementary (K-2)

Kindergarten-2nd Grade will utilize the Wonders Reading series by McGraw Hill, Handwriting without Tears, Shurley English, Write Traits-Houghton Mifflin, Pearson Realize-Math, and One in Christ Series for Religion. Both Science and Social Studies are taught through hands on learning and teacher created lessons supplemented with Foss and Delta science learning kits, Scholastic News, Science Fun for Everyone, Studies Weekly, Brainpop Junior and field trips. *Students must be 5 by August 31 to apply to kindergarten.

Upper Elementary (3-5)

Math–enVision Math by Pearson is based on conceptual understanding.  The program incorporates grade level objectives and problem solving through interactive and visual learning.  While the program is organized around the Common Core domains, RLS teachers do modify the curriculum to meet the newly revised North Carolina math objectives.  

Language Arts–Foundational learning of grammar and composition is taught through Shurley English instruction.  Students spirally learn sentence structure, conventions, various parts of speech, sentence identification, the writing process, and traits of writing.  Teachers correlate writing units with cross-curricular studies, such as Literature and Social Studies. Writing units include descriptive essays, research reports, persuasive essays, narrative writing, instructional writing, and writing poetry.  

Literature–Novel Studies are a primary method of literature instruction in the upper elementary grades.  Our novels not only incorporate Literature objectives, but Social Studies as well. Non-fiction text covers 50% of the literacy objectives at the 3-5 level.  Third grade primarily uses Scholastic News/Story Works, and 4th and 5th grade uses close reading text passages, articles, and activities. Grades 3-5 also use various supplemental and teacher-created activities to enrich each child and make instruction student-driven and meaningful to each individual child.

Science–The 3-5 Science curriculum focuses on weather, space, plant life, the human body, rocks and minerals, electricity and magnetism, force and motion, and animal studies.  Teacher’s use several different Fossil and Delta Education kits and texts for experimental instruction.

Social Studies is intertwined throughout cross-curricular units at RLS as well as through various texts and publishers.  The 3-5 focus is the United States and North Carolina. Many hands on projects and field trips truly enrich and enhance the fascinating things learned through these benchmarks.

Religion–Lutheran based curriculum One in Christ is our primary framework for Religion education.  

*Junior kindergarten (Pre-k)-5th Grade Specials-Music, Physical Education, Art, Library, Technology, Spanish 

Middle School (6-8)

Math

Grade 6:  Math: Numbers, expressions, and equations. Decimals, Number Theory and Fraction Concepts. Ratio, Rates, and Proportion. Percent, Algebraic Concepts (Integers, Rational Numbers, Inequalities, and Equations) Geometric Concepts, Data Graphs and Probability

Grade 7: 7th grade Mathematics or Pre-Algebra (Grouped by Ability)

 Grade 8: Pre-Algebra or Integrated Math I (Grouped by Ability)

Literature/Language Arts

In middle school, literature and language arts are taught separately. Although they overlap, the language arts classes focus on the development of writing skills, while the literature classes focus on the development of reading skills. Using the NC State Standards and Common Core Objectives as guides, the language arts curriculum utilizes a variety of materials including, but not limited to Analytical Grammar, NoRedInk, Paragraphs for Middle School, and NaNoWriMo to deepen the students’ understanding of writing. In literature, students read everything from graphic novels to Shakespeare. The texts include poetry, nonfiction articles, novels, plays, and various texts from the Prentice Hall textbook. The younger students focus on the development of the reading comprehension skills, while the older students focus on their literary comprehension skills.

Science

Physical Science, Cycles of Matter, Energy Transfer, Motion and Force, Biological Science, The Human Body, Cell Theory, Heredity and Genetics, Microbiology, Earth Science, Geological Cycles, The Solar System, Population, Dynamics, Ecology, Atmospheric Studies, The Hydrosphere, Evolution of Landforms and Organism, Beginning Topics in Chemistry, Intro to Scientific Theory and Law, research of influential scientists/theories. McGraw Hill

Social Studies

Advanced Mapping and Geographical Concepts, Geographic, Cultural, Historical and Sociological Studies of World Regions: Ancient Greece and Rome, Medieval Europe and Renaissance Revolutionary and Modern Europe, Latin America, Australia, Africa, Asia, North America, Comparison and Contrast of Cultural Features. North Carolina and American Political, Historic, and Geographical Study. In-depth Study of Multiple “Eras” in US History, Political Science, Comparative Study of World Political Systems, US Electoral Processes, Current Events. McGraw Hill

Religion

Comparative Study of World Religions, Survey of Old Testament, Survey of New Testament, Application of Biblical Concepts to Daily Life, Servant, Leadership/Service Opportunities, Hymns/Songs of Faith, Chapel Leadership, Memory Verses. 

Middle School Electives

“Fake News Network”, Drama, Dance, Spanish, French, Art, Intro to Games, Technology, Into to Sports, Music, Latin, Advanced Science, Chapel Leaders, Teachers Aid, Yearbook, Ceramics and Sculpture,  Advanced Topics in Art Journalism/School Newspaper, Introduction to a Foreign Language, Physical Education, Service Learning, Technology Advanced Topics in Science, Current Events, Advanced Topics in Social Studies, Economics, Essentials of Drama, Advanced Topics in Theology, Topics in Music, Health/Advanced, Topics in Physical Education, Study Hall and more.