Curriculum
 On This Page:

Educational Philosophy
Letter from LCS Curriculum Coordinator
Elementary Texts
Middle School Texts
High School Texts
Spiritual Ends

Educational Philosophy

The goal of Christian education is to develop the student’s ability to see al areas of life from a Christian world and life view. The desire of Lansing Christian School is to assist Christian young people in acquiring an internal moral code of behavior based upon the Bible, which is our sole and final authority for faith and practice and Christian life in society. All areas of curriculum shall be consistent with the inerrant Word of God and shall be designed to train the whole child.

Letter from LCS Curriculum Coordinator, Paula Limburg: 

Rigor! Relevance! Balance!

These three key works have had lots of attention lately as we watch over our LCS curriculum. Hard work and attention to detail are vital as we study the English Language Arts (Literacy). These are demanding issues for staff at LCS to apply to the teaching and planning they do every day. This is one reason we study only one curriculum area at a time. This year’s study has overflowed to a second year. And no wonder! Look at some of the detail of the “ELA” curriculum:

Four questions are guiding the work:

1.    What do we want our students to know or be able to do?
2.    How will we know our students are learning (assessment)?
3.    What will we do if our students are not learning?
4.    What will we do if our students already know what we plan to teach?

Critical thinking and diligence are two of the “Habits of Mind” we try to instill in our students. We (staff) have had to use them continually as we make decisions about how to help our students achieve proficiency in the language arts.

One of our major academic goals this year is that all students will be good writers. Since the act of writing is so amazingly complex, it is hard to decide just what to do. Some things are already in place.

1.    We are asking all our content area teachers (like Science, Math, Social Studies and Bible) to incorporate more non-fiction writing in their classes. Each curricular area has types of writing that fit in especially well. Karen Keyser, our “Gifted and Talented” teacher in working with Middle School teachers on this.
2.    We’re making “technology” connections in all areas of learning.
3.    Research writing is included in every grade level now.
4.    Christian and critical thinking and “habits of mind” that enable optimal learning are included as well.

But academic accomplishment is not enough at LCS. All our teachers weave in “spiritual formation” in every class daily. We believe that we only achieve excellence in learning when we make clear that the academic knowledge and the spiritual values are inseparable. We look for “faith intersections” everywhere, and our students note them as well.

No doubt we still have work to do with the academic curriculum. But we very intentionally address the “Soul curriculum” in every class every day. This year we’ve decided to devote special attention to the spiritual problem of bullying. Our superintendent puts it this way:

“This is a goal we will passionately pursue this year: that LCS will become known as a place where students truly care for, include, and respect each other; and where we ache to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. We will intentionally teach and model for our students how to ‘Love one another.’ We will try to ‘kill them with kindness.’ It will hurt our hearts to know that bullying is happening at LCS. The ‘Lansing Christian School Spiritual Formation Framework’ will guide activities at the differing grade levels. We will assess our success in this area when we hear voluntarily from all parts of the LCS community that love for each other is obvious to all who observe us.”

So. We’ve set two big and complex goals before ourselves. As we present these goals before you and before our Lord, we will need every encouragement as well as perseverance as the year progresses. We thank you for all the support you give us daily. May God graciously guide us in this serious, solemn undertaking.

 - Paula Limburg, LCS Curriculum Coordinator  

Elementary (Kindergarten - 5th Grade) Texts

Literature: Trade Books leveled "A" through "Z"

Writing: Great Source, Houghton Mifflin, 6+1 Traits of Writing, Sitton Spelling, Phonics - Fountas & Pinnell

Math: EveryDay Math - McGraw Hill/Wright Group

Science: Science Anytime - Harcourt Brace

Social Studies: Nystrom, Michigan, the World Around Us - MacMillan/McGraw Hill, History Alive - Teachers Curriculum Institute 

Bible: Christian Schools International Elementary Texts

Middle School (Grades 6-8) Texts:

Math: Middle School Math, Scott Foresman - Addison Wesley

Spanish: Discovering Languages: Spanish

Bible: Christian Schools International Middle School texts

English: Literature - Prentice Hall, Write Source 2000 - Houghton Mifflin, Write Source 2000 Sourcebook - Houghton Mifflin

Social Studies: American Nation - Prentice Hall 

Science: Physical Science - Prentice Hall, Health - Prentice Hall, Earth Science - Prentice Hall

High School (Grades 9-12) Texts: 

Math: McDougal Littell, Functions, Statistics, and Trigonometry - UCSMD, Precalculus and Discrete Math - UCSMD, Calculus - Saxon, Calculus - D.C. Heath, Integrated Math I, II, III -American Guidance

Bible: Prayer, the Great Conversation - Peter Kreeft, Exploring Apologetics - Christian Schools International (CSI), The Church History - CSI, Exploring Ethics - CSI

Science: Physical Science - Prentice-Hall, Chemistry - The Study of Matter - Prentice-Hall, Conceptual Physics - Hewitt, Chemistry: The Central Science - Brown LeMay

English: Literature Gold - - Prentice-Hall, Literature - Prentice-Hall, Literature: The American Experience  - Prentice-Hall, The English Tradition - Prentice-Hall, Writers Inc., Write for College

History: The United States: A History of the Republic, American Government - Magruder, World History: Patterns of Civilization - Prentice-Hall, The American Pageant - Houghton Mifflin

Economics: Economics: Choices and Challenges - McDougal Littell

Psychology: Psychology: Principles and Applications - Prentice-Hall

Spiritual Ends

• Articulates own faith story, in many ways, to others
• Demonstrates Godly character, values and behaviors
• Puts own faith into action
• Develops, articulates, and practices a Christian worldview
• Posses a passion for prayer, Bible study, and applying Biblical truth
• Exhibits a well-developed moral conscience
• Integrates with growing independence, a Biblical faith perspective in all subject matter
• Participates in social relationships with grace, generosity, and kindness
• Perseveres with self-control in Christian growth and studies
• Increases expertise in critical judgment of current issues, literature, and technology
• Develops and uses Christian leadership skills
• Demonstrates Christ-like empathy and behavior to all God’s children
• Is a good steward of Creation
• Seeks and practices Biblical justice
• Values and cares for own body as a gift from God
• Actively participates and contributes in a local church
• Refuses to bully or condone bullying in others

 

 

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