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Westside Christian School
6815 Schneider Road
Middleton, WI 53562
Phone: (608) 831-8540
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Home » Curriculum
Religion
One of the key components of Westside Christian School curriculum is the Christ-Light Religion series. This curriculum covers Old and New Testament Bible stories in an exciting, colorful and memorable way. Each lesson has a key truth that is discussed and applied to our lives in a powerful and meaningful way. Lessons for the seventh and eighth grades focus on age appropriate topics relating to guidance the Lord has given us in His Word. This curriculum will give students a strong rooted base in God’s Word, allowing them to make wise, Christian choices throughout life.
Language Arts
A clear understanding of the English language is important to success in all areas of the curriculum and in everyday life. Our English program carries out that need by providing students opportunities and experiences in reading, writing, spelling, phonetic skills, grammar, penmanship, and public speaking. Students develop a desire for reading through instruction that uses high quality literature, poetry, short stories, and narratives. Westside Christian School strives to have their students increase their vocabulary and comprehension skills, while developing the ability to read critically.
Students are taught to be proficient writers using the five-step approach to writing and are given opportunities to write short stories, reports, poetry, essays, and journals. Grammar is taught and stressed throughout all grade levels. Students develop public speaking skills through experiences in Show and Tell, class presentations, and forensics. Denelian handwriting is taught in the early grades. Penmanship skills are maintained and stressed in all areas of the curriculum.
Accelerated Reader Program
An important goal of the faculty is to help students develop a passion for reading. Good reading and comprehension skills are of utmost importance to Christians in their study of God's Word. To God's glory, we pursue excellence in reading through the Accelerated Reader program. All students in grades K-8 participate in the program
Our teachers have chosen lists of books they deem the highest quality literature, which are appropriate reading for our students and contain timeless literature fitting for a well-rounded education. The Accelerated Reader program provided tests on these books that students take using computers. One thousand of these tests are now loaded into our computers.
Upon completion of each test, each student is awarded points based on the reading level of the book. Teachers monitor the progress of all students and help them set new reading goals. Students who earn the highest number of points are recognized weekly.
Students are also combined across grade levels into teams. These teams meet regularly to share with each other what they have been reading and encourage each other in their reading. Teams earning the highest number of points are also recognized weekly.
Our first and second grade teacher, Miss Jane Schlenvogt, coordinates the Accelerated Reader program.
Mathematics
A solid mathematics curriculum is critical for success in our ever-changing world. The math curriculum at Westside Christian School gives students a firm foundation in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data interpretation. This foundation will be constructed through daily instruction and review, allowing concepts to be mastered. Students will also be engaged in hands-on activities and learning experiences applicable to real life situations.
History / Social Studies
At Westside Christian School, the study of history is the study of “His Story,” the Lord’s creation. Students will gain a broad perspective of our world through the study of world, United States, and Wisconsin state history. Other components include instruction in government, civics, economics and geography.
Instruction and activities in each of these areas are structured to help students develop the following skills: critical thinking, decision making, understanding cause and effect relationships, and comparing fact and opinion. Activities used to foster this development include reading charts, graphs, maps, and daily discussion of current events. The goal of these experiences is to give our students the necessary tools to be active citizens in God’s world.
Science
The science curriculum at Westside Christian School allows children to see the wisdom and skill of our Creator. Unit lessons are taught at all grade levels covering physical, earth, life science, and the human body. Through hands-on-learning the students will be actively engaged in experiments, projects and presentations. These opportunities will allow them to develop skills such as observing, comparing, hypothesizing, predicting, measuring, testing and interpreting for a better understanding of the world our Lord created.
Fine Arts
The fine arts curriculum seeks to develop students’ art and music appreciation as well as their art and musical skills. Students will be exposed to a wide variety of artists and their unique styles and classical works. Opportunities for students to work with different art mediums will increase their knowledge and appreciation of art.
Music is another important element in the fine arts curriculum. The music program at Westside Christian School develops in students an appreciation and understanding of music, allowing them to glorify God through their voices and musical instruments. Numerous opportunities are available for students to learn music theory and apply that knowledge. Music recognition is taught through listening to selections from various composers. The students will actively grow in their musical gifts through movement, rhythm instruments, and singing. Further opportunities to expand musical skills include the piano and band programs. Plays and musicals are also a part of the Westside Christian School fine arts curriculum. Students will have opportunities to audition for parts as well as help design sets and stages. A spring performance will be scheduled each year.
Computer Science
The development and use of modern technology continues to change and shape our lives. In order to be proficient in this technology age, computer education at Westside Christian School begins in kindergarten. Students will have opportunities to use educational software that supplements all areas of the curriculum. The computer curriculum allows students to develop skills such as word processing, spreadsheets, internet research, and visual presentations. Teachers also use software programs that help them improve their lessons and classroom
instruction.
Physical Education
Physical educational classes at Westside Christian School help students gain an understanding of physical development, well being, and safety. Classes and activities develop basic locomotion and coordination skills as well as an interest in lifetime sports. An emphasis is placed on Christian sportsmanship and helping students reach their God-given physical potential.
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