Horizon Prep: Academic Program & Curriculum

Elementary and Middle School Core Curriculum

Curriculum Outline

Check out the attached Adove PDF file with the Horizon Prep Curriculum Outline.

Elementary SPECIAL AREAS

Field Trips Field
Trips may be included during the year as an extension of the curriculum. Field Trips are mandatory, not optional. All students must return a permission slip signed by their parent/guardian before participating in a field trip. There may be additional charges to students for admission and transportation for certain activities. Parents may be asked to volunteer to help with transportation and supervision. Drivers will need to provide proof of drivers license and auto insurance to the office. Younger siblings may not accompany parents on field trips without special permission from the teacher. Field trip attire is described in the dress code section of the handbook; the teacher will communicate any exceptions to the dress code.

Spanish
Spanish is taught from first through fifth grade. The Spanish course includes the learning of basic vocabulary and verbs, simple phrases and an introduction to the grammatical structure of Spanish. These concepts are taught through a variety of hands-on activities, games and projects while incorporating literature, music and the Bible. The students are also exposed to the culture of the Spanish-speaking people through dialogue, presentations and personal study. Each class is prepared grade appropriately and encourages language learning in a stimulating, non-threatening environment. The number of class minutes and weekly class periods will evolve to enable older students more exposure to the conventions of the language. Students in sixth through eighth grades will use the text Como Te Va, an innovative and contemporary curriculum by Glencoe.

Latin
Why do Latin students achieve higher? Latin has been re-discovered as a valuable subject - contributing to the mastery of English, foreign languages, history and significantly boosting SAT scores. The reasons for this should not be surprising. About eighty percent of English vocabulary comes from Latin and Greek, with over fifty percent of our vocabulary coming from Latin. For example; the Latin word sisto means I stand or I stop. From it we derive consist (stand together), desist (to stop), insist (to stand upon), exist (to stand out) and persist (to stand through). The effect of Latin on our daily discourse has been immense. The study of Latin grammar greatly refines the student's knowledge of grammar in general, which then carries over into English.

The students in sixth grade receive instruction in basic Latin. The Latin for Children Primers are engaging, incremental, creative and filled with clear grammatical explanation, illustrations, exercises, tests, and a sizable and useful reference section. A plethora of mnemonic aids (songs, chants) enable the students to learn over 240 vocabulary words. Latin for Children is integrated with our grammar program; Shurley Grammar and our logic program; The Art of the Argument.

Technology
The technology curriculum presents an age appropriate survey of the most important foundations of personal computing. All grade levels are exposed to: the basic components of the computer, standard computer functions (opening and closing programs, saving, etc.), typing skills, word processing, multimedia, spreadsheets, the Internet and more. The Horizon Prep Technology Lab provides both Macintosh and PC computers for student use.

For students in first grade there is a larger emphasis on the development of basic motor skills and hand eye coordination. Using some of the most popular educational software available, the students are able to enhance their skills in an academic yet entertaining manner.

Grades two and three assume basic motor skills and focus on the introduction to each of the basic computing skills. Many of the skills are further enhanced by use in their home classroom (i.e. the Internet and Microsoft Word).

Grades four through five expand on the basic functions exposing the students to intermediate skills in word processing, typing, the Internet, and projects. Efforts to develop word processing proficiency are steadily increased in the upper grades. Students in these grades will be expected to successfully integrate computing skills into their class work. Formal papers in grades five are expected to be computer generated. More than just teaching individual skill sets, the curriculum for the higher grades seek integration of each of the computing skills presented to the students. Students will use Microsoft Power Point, Excel and Word.

Physical Education
Physical Education blends Godly character and personal effort into sportsmanship. Each child is given a positive environment to do their best as an individual and cooperatively. The building blocks to learning and elementary physical achievement are encouragement, teamwork and a safe environment. Horizon Prep uses the widely acclaimed Sparks (Sports, Play and Active Recreation for Kids) curriculum, developed by San Diego State University.

Grades 1-2
Physical Education classes are based on a developmental program that emphasizes locomotor, non-locomotor, body management, manipulative and rhythmic movement skills. Basic skills are used and simulated in game like activities. Here children learn how to work and play with others.

Grades 3-5
Physical education classes develop lifelong skills incorporating fitness, health and safety. Sports and activities are learned through a breakdown of basic skills and exercises intended to help the intermediate/expert, as well as the novice. Warm up activities are used to learn a sport or activity and give a well-rounded approach to the game or task at hand. Additionally, Physical Education is used to develop skills of sportsmanship and godly character.

Art
Horizon Prep is proud to be a part of the "Meet the Masters" art program. "Meet the Masters" is a Classical approach to learning art which begins with a multi media assembly where the children learn about the fascinating lives and famous works of the Master Artists. Once the children have made a true connection to the artist, they are then introduced to the techniques which made the art revolutionary. After learning the inspiration and techniques the students are led through a step-by-step journey through the art project. Students will be learning about the lives and art of Vincent Van Gogh, Mary Cassatt, Piet Mondrian, Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet and Winslow Homer. They will be looking carefully into the techniques of texture, portraits, balance, composition, color and value.

Music
The music program has many fun aspects to it. The curriculum includes listening to classical music from composers like Mozart, Beethoven and Vivaldi, modern praise music from Third Day and Paul Coleman, and even Gregorian chants. We will be using church hymnals and singing traditional praise music, learning to read and understand all the dots, lines, and drawings that make up a page of beautiful music. Students also get a hands-on approach to play instruments like drums, tambourines, recorders, xylophones, and learn some basic keyboard songs. There is a Musical Production that is produced two times a year for performances in December and May.