Legacy Christian Academy Classroom Curriculum
As a private school, we have the freedom to choose our own curriculum without governmental interference. Our curriculum selections are based on proven scientific research – not fads. We choose curriculum that is relevant and matches our learning goals. For the core subjects of reading, writing, and mathematics, here are our research-based choices in curriculum:
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Rowland Reading
Rowland Reading Foundation’s Superkids curriculum is a research-based, highly-engaging language arts curriculum that has proven successful in developing our kindergarten, first, and second-grade students’ reading and writing abilities. Most notably, our SAT-10 reading scores increased in K-2 with the addition of the Rowland Reading curriculum. Our students and teachers alike find this curriculum to be incredibly enjoyable as well. Rowland Reading is entirely aligned to current standards and provides students with a comprehensive, systematic way to engage with literacy. We are confident that this program will provide the excellent foundation primary grade learners need for lifelong success in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
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Step Up to Writing At Legacy
we are equipping our students with the ability and desire to write with purpose. One of Legacy’s stated LEAD goals is for students to be "Accelerated Achievers” – to articulate thoughts clearly through systematic writing. One way we have targeted this learning goal is by adopting the program Step Up to Writing (SUTW). This organized system is used school-wide and is integrated across all grade levels, in enrichment classes and even during math lessons. Teachers model correct processes of organizing thought into writing in a systematic way, allowing students to take the abstract art of writing and make it concrete. SUTW utilizes color coding, drawing, outlining and systems for revisions and edits. Students use these same tools from grade to grade and across content areas. You’ll be impressed by how this curriculum inspires confidence in even the most hesitant of writers. As students learn how to systematize their writing, they feel more equipped as a writer to branch out creatively and explore different genres of writing. Narrative (stories), expository (paragraphs and reports) and opinion/persuasive writing are each specifically targeted at all grade levels. With SUTW we equip our students to LEAD in their understanding and analysis of excellent writing.
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Accelerated Reader
The Accelerated Reader (AR) Program is a computer program that motivates students to read independently and helps teachers and librarians manage and monitor students’ reading practice. A student picks a book at his/her own level and reads it at his/her own pace. When finished, the student takes a short quiz on the computer. AR gives children, teachers, and librarians feedback based on the quiz results, which the teacher then uses to help the child set goals and direct ongoing reading practice. Since they’re reading books at their reading and interest levels, students are likely to be successful. This is satisfying for most children. Incentives are also given to students who reach their point and quiz average goals. But best of all, they learn and grow at their own pace.
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MIND Math
Created by MIND Research in collaboration with more than 13 universities, including University of Pittsburgh, Johns Hopkins University, Medical University of South Carolina, East China Normal University, University of Montreal, University of Victoria, UCLA and University of California, Irvine, ST Math games use interactive technology and graphically-rich animations to visually represent mathematical concepts to improve conceptual understanding and problem solving skills. The ST Math K-8 courseware is a research-proven, comprehensive, grade level math instructional program that utilizes Spatial-Temporal (ST) reasoning [or the innate ability to visualize and manipulate images through a sequence of steps in space and time]. ST Math has also been identified by the CEO-led Change the Equation as one of just four STEM programs ready to scale nationally. ST Math incorporates the latest research in learning and the brain and promotes mastery-based learning and mathematical understanding.
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Destiny Quest.
Library Volumes of new books and eBooks are showing up every day on the Legacy Christian Academy campus. Destiny Quest, our library management system that is available online and through the Destiny Quest App, will facilitate students checking out eBooks and hard-copy books. Through Destiny Quest, Legacy students can also view lists of popular books, see what other students are reading at Legacy and even post reviews of books, viewable only by our Legacy family. The "universal search” feature allows students to research or surf the web safely at school or at home. Students will be able to type in a topic and receive a full online listing of Legacy books, eBooks and a comprehensive listing of student-friendly websites and links. This is a huge benefit for Legacy students for two distinct reasons. First, it is a boon for internet safety. Second, it provides a big boost to efficiency. The filtered sites direct students to educational resources instead of advertisements or wikis, so students spend more time reading authentic text and less time searching and filtering content themselves.
(For current Legacy students and parents)