RSM Christian School First Graders begin each day with pledges, prayers, and worship. Homeroom teachers instruct the students on the core subjects of math, science, language arts, social science, and Bible. The enrichment subjects of physical education, technology, music, Spanish, Art of the Master, and library are taught by teachers who specialize in those areas. The students conclude each day with prayer in their classroom. All subjects are taught to meet or exceed the California State Standards. RSMCS is fully accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). All classroom teachers are Christians and have valid teaching credentials.

Spiritual and Social

Bible:

• 30 minutes, 4 days per week
• Emphasis on reading familiar Bible stories that are expanded into a theme of “God’s Gifts to Me.” Students study how God gives us gifts of the world, family, friends, leaders, salvation, the church, and a way to live.
• Emphasis on encouraging Bible reading and memorization. Students memorize and recite different Bible verses weekly. Children are taught that the Bible reveals God’s plan for living wisely and righteously in the present day.
• Textbook: Bible Lessons for Little Learners (Arch Books).

Chapel:

Chapel each week with worship and message

Social:

• Emphasis on Christian character development and biblical conflict resolution.
• Focus on further developing students’ independent study habits, proper classroom, and school ground etiquette, as well as instilling academic and social responsibilities that will serve students through their school years and beyond.

ACADEMIC

Mathematics:

• 40 minutes, 5 days per week
• Emphasis on learning basic mathematical functions and problem-solving skills in such areas as classifying, patterning, time, measurement, place value, fractions, addition, subtraction, graphing, symmetry, geometry, and word problems.
• Textbook: Mathematics (Bob Jones), IXL Math
• Variety of extension activities.

Language Arts & Reading:

• 180 minutes, 5 days per week
• Emphasis on reading, comprehending, and responding to grade-level appropriate materials and significant works of literature, equipping students to analyze literature from a biblical worldview. Improved reading fluency and comprehension is fostered through continued study of phonics, memorization of sight words, oral reading, and class discussion.
• Emphasis on learning to write clear, coherent, and focused sentences and paragraphs while demonstrating a command of English grammar, sentence structure, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and penmanship.
• Accelerated Reader Program 1st-5th grades
• Special Activities: ACSI Speech Meet and ACSI Spelling Bee
• Textbooks: Bob Jones English, Raz Kids Reading, A Reason for Handwriting, IXL-Language Arts.

Science & Health:

• 30 minutes, 2 days per week
• Emphasis on the study of states of matter (solids, liquids, and gases); plants (their environments, characteristics, and needs); animals (their habitats, characteristics, and needs); weather (measuring weather and seasons); and on recording and graphing observations and findings.
• Students conduct a variety of experiments and participate in activities, including individual and group projects, to promote hands-on learning in a stimulating scientific environment.
• Textbooks: Scholastic News Mystery Science

Social Studies:

• 30 minutes, 2 days per week
• Emphasis on studying rights and responsibilities of citizenship, map skills, United States symbols and traditions, everyday life in different times and places, basic economic concepts, and cultural diversity.
• Students participate in hands-on activities and projects based on California State Standards.
• Textbook: Studies Weekly, Scholastic News.

ENRICHMENT 

Physical Education:

• Two days per week students participate in a variety of cardiovascular and strength-building exercises. Throughout the year students play various games and activities to encourage coordination and movement, as well as good sportsmanship. In addition, fitness testing is conducted at the beginning and end of the school year.

Technology:

• All RSM Christian School students in kindergarten through sixth grade receive hands-on computer learning instruction from the technology teacher on a wireless laptop computer. Emphasis for kindergarten is on becoming comfortable with using a computer. Students integrate technology with a variety of themes and subject matter.
• Programs taught: Google Docs, Google Slides, Google Sheets, web tools and research websites, Lego Mind Storms, IXL. Typing practice in grades 1-6.

Music:

• Our music program places emphasis on keeping a steady beat, rote rhyme, song learning, and recognizing the musical elements of tone, duration, and pitch. Students explore rhythm instruments and rhythm patterns while playing with one another as a musical ensemble. Students learn musical symbols which introduces them to the structure of reading music. Using the Solfege System, students are able to become familiar with sight-singing, harmony, and musical intervals.

Spanish:

• Emphasis on teaching students how to speak in Spanish including how to say the alphabet and vowels, colors, numbers, days of the week, months of the year, words related to the family, Bible verses and prayers, as well as basic commands and phrases. Students are taught songs in Spanish that reinforce their learning.

Art:

• A hands-on program that introduces students to the great artists and their work. Students engage in creative expression by painting their own masterpieces using the techniques of the masters.

Library:

• Emphasis on developing basic library research skills and on teaching students how to use the library as a resource to find age-appropriate books that match their interests for pleasure reading.

RSM Christian School Second Graders begin each day with pledges, prayers, and worship. Homeroom teachers instruct the students on the core subjects of math, science, language arts, social science, and Bible. The enrichment subjects of physical education, technology, music, Spanish, Art of the Master, and library are taught by teachers who specialize in those areas. All subjects are taught to meet or exceed the California State Standards. RSM Christian School is fully accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). All classroom teachers are Christians and have valid teaching credentials.

Spiritual and Social

Bible:

• 30 minutes, 4 days per week
• Emphasis on studying Christian character traits demonstrated by the lives of Bible characters and how they apply to their daily life.
• Emphasis on encouraging Bible reading and memorization. Students memorize and recite different Bible verses weekly. Children are taught that the Bible reveals God’s plan for living wisely and righteously in the present day.
• Textbook: The Bible, Teacher designed units that include character studies and personal reflection.
• Field trips: Service project pop-up food pantry.

Chapel:

Chapel each week with worship and message.

Social:

• Emphasis on Christian character development and biblical conflict resolution.
• Focus on introducing students to a structured classroom setting, encouraging good classroom and playground behavior, developing study habits, as well as instilling academic and social responsibilities that will serve students through their school years and beyond.

ACADEMIC

Mathematics:

• 30-45 minutes, 5 days per week
• Math engages students in hands-on learning, practice, and critical thinking. Some of the math concepts covered include higher place value, regrouping, fractions, time, money, and introductory multiplication and division.
• Educational technology to enhance learning such as IXL, MobyMax, and Prodigy.
• Special Activities: STEM and STEAM projects.
• Textbook: Math 2 (BJU).

Language Arts & Reading:

• 120 minutes, 5 days per week
• Second-grade students experience a comprehensive language program that incorporates enjoyable and meaningful children's literature to build spelling, phonics, listing/speaking, reading and writing strategies and skills.
• Educational Technology to enhance learning such as IXL, MobyMax, and Vocabulary City.
• Special Activities: ACSI Speech Meet and ACSI Spelling Bee. Differentiated book reports and cross-curricular units and activities.
• Textbooks: Reading Street; English 2 (Bob Jones).

Science & Health:

• 30 minutes, 3 days per week
• Science involves students in exploratory learning activities such as STEAM, STEM, and project-based learning with lessons covering a wide variety of areas such as vertebrates/invertebrates, animal habitats, plants, energy, weather, space, and geology.
• Textbooks: Science ACSI and teacher created units.
• Field trips: Backyard Bees.

Social Studies:

• 30 minutes, 3 days per week
• Students focus on patriotism-love of God and country; responsible citizenship; communities (including types, then and now, and multicultural) with an emphasis on important people and events in America's history.
• Student Activities: Hands-on project-based learning- cultural and historical challenge activities.
• Textbooks: Social Studies 2 (Houghton-Mifflin) and Teacher-created units.
• Field Trips: The Kellogg's House Heritage Museum; OCMA.

ENRICHMENT 

Physical Education:

• Two days per week students participate in a variety of cardiovascular and strength-building exercises. Throughout the year students play a variety of games and activities to encourage coordination and movement, as well as good sportsmanship. In addition, fitness testing is conducted at the beginning and end of the school year.

Technology:

• All RSM Christian students in kindergarten through eighth grade receive hands-on computer learning instruction from the technology teacher on a wireless laptop computer. Emphasis for second grade is on becoming familiar with using computers as a tool. Technology is integrated across the second-grade curriculum particularly in language arts for writing autobiographies and in math for completing a family birthday gift wish list.
• Programs taught: Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Publisher, web tools, research websites, and typing practice.

Music:

• Our music program places emphasis on keeping a steady beat, rote rhyme, song learning, and recognizing the musical elements of tone, duration, and pitch. Students explore rhythm instruments and rhythm patterns while playing with one another as a musical ensemble. Students learn musical symbols which introduces them to the structure of reading music. Using the Solfege System, students are able to become familiar with sight-singing, harmony, and musical intervals.

Spanish

• Emphasis on teaching students how to speak in Spanish including how to say the alphabet and vowels, colors, numbers, days of the week, months of the year, words related to the family, Bible verses and prayers, as well as basic commands and phrases. Students are taught songs in Spanish that reinforce their learning.

Art:

• A hands-on program that introduces students to great artists and their work. Students engage in creative expression by painting their own masterpieces using the techniques of the masters.

Library:

• Emphasis on developing basic library research skills and on teaching students how to use the library as a resource to find age-appropriate books that match their interests for pleasure reading.

RSM Christian School Third Graders begin each day in their classroom with their teacher leading them in pledges, prayers, and worship. Homeroom teachers instruct the students on the core subjects of math, science, language arts, social science, and Bible. The enrichment subjects of physical education, technology, music, Spanish, Art of the Master, Composer Countdown, and library are taught by teachers who specialize in those areas. All subjects are taught to meet or exceed the California State Standards. RSM Christian School is fully accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). All classroom teachers are Christians and have valid teaching credentials.

Spiritual and Social

Bible:

• 30 minutes, 4 days per week
• Emphasis on studying God’s plan for His Church through the life of Christ, through the Apostles, and finally through the life of believers as witnesses to the world. Study of scripture and Godly character traits equips students to grow and to become witnesses for Christ.
• Emphasis on encouraging Bible reading and memorization. Students memorize and recite Bible verses weekly. Children are taught that the Bible reveals God’s plan for living wisely and righteously in the present day.
• Textbook: Following Christ 3 (BJU Press)

Chapel:

Chapel each week with worship and message.

Social:

• Emphasis on Christian character development and biblical conflict resolution.
• Focus on further developing students’ group and independent study habits, organizational skills, as well as instilling academic and social responsibilities that will serve students through their school years and beyond.

ACADEMIC

Mathematics:

• 50 minutes, 5 days per week
• Emphasis on mastering foundational facts in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers. Students participate in integrated technology lessons, activities, and projects to assist in mastering these concepts.
• Additionally, students study decimals, fractions, money, measurement, basic geometry, graphs, and problem-solving.
• Special Activities: ACSI Math Olympics.
• Textbook: Math 3 (BJU).

Language Arts & Reading:

• 100 minutes, 5 days per week
• Emphasis on reading, comprehending and responding through written and oral communication to works of literature, equipping students to analyze literature from a biblical worldview. Emphasis is placed on reading fluency, word analysis, and systemic vocabulary development. Students read age-appropriate novels.
• Emphasis on writing clear, coherent, and focused sentences and paragraphs that develop a central idea while demonstrating a command of English grammar, sentence structure, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and penmanship.
• Special Activities: ACSI Speech Meet and ACSI Spelling Bee
• Textbooks: English 3 (BJU); Wordly-Wise: Book 3 (School Specialty, Inc); Handwriting 3 (Zaner-Bloser).

Science & Health:

• 30 minutes, 2 days per week
• Emphasis on the study of matter and sound, force and motion, ecosystems, the solar system, and plants.
• Students conduct a variety of experiments and participate in activities, including individual and group projects, to promote hands-on learning in a stimulating scientific environment.
• Textbooks: Science (BJU Press)

History & Geography:

• 40 minutes, 3 days per week
• Emphasis on the study of the local Tongva Native Americans, maps, pilgrims, Miles Standish, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr., U.S. symbols, and government. Exploring American history from a Christian perspective.
• Textbook: Our American Heritage (Abeka)

• Field Trips: Environmental Nature Center, RSM City Hall.

ENRICHMENT 

Physical Education:

• Two times per week students participate in a variety of cardiovascular and strength-building exercises. Throughout the year students play a variety of games and activities to encourage coordination and movement, as well as good sportsmanship. In addition, fitness testing is conducted at the beginning and end of the school year.

Technology:

• All RSM Christian School students in kindergarten through eighth grade receive hands-on computer learning instruction from the technology teacher on a wireless laptop computer. Emphasis for third grade is on becoming familiar with using computers as a tool. Technology is integrated across the third-grade curriculum.
• Foundational Platforms taught: Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, TypingClub, Chrome, IXL, Accelerated Reader.

Music:

• Our music program places emphasis on keeping a steady beat, rote rhyme, song learning, and recognizing the musical elements of tone, duration, and pitch. Students explore rhythm instruments and rhythm patterns while playing with one another as a musical ensemble. Students learn musical symbols which introduces them to the structure of reading music. Using the Solfege System, students are able to become familiar with sight-singing, harmony, and musical intervals.

Spanish:

• Emphasis on teaching students how to speak in Spanish including how to say the alphabet and vowels, colors, numbers, days of the week, months of the year, words related to the family, Bible verses, and prayers, as well as basic commands and phrases. Students are taught songs in Spanish that reinforce their learning.

Art:

• A hands-on program that introduces students to the great artists and their work. Students engage in creative expression by painting their own masterpieces using the techniques of the masters.

Library:

• Emphasis on developing basic library research skills and on teaching students how to use the library as a resource to find age-appropriate books that match their interests for pleasure reading.

RSM Christian School Fourth Graders begin each day with pledges, prayers, and worship. Homeroom teachers instruct the students on the core subjects of math, science, language arts, social science, and Bible. Teachers layer all subjects and curriculum through the lens of a Biblical worldview. The enrichment subjects of physical education, technology, music, Spanish, Art of the Master, and library are taught by teachers who specialize in those areas. All subjects are taught to meet or exceed California State Standards. RSM Christian School is fully accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). All classroom teachers are Christians and have valid teaching credentials.

Spiritual and Social

Bible:

• 40 minutes, 4 days per week
• Emphasis on understanding foundational Christian doctrine and its personal application while developing skills and implementing strategies to correctly understand the true meaning of the Bible.
• Emphasis on encouraging Bible reading, memorization, and application. Students memorize and take weekly Bible memory verse tests.
• Textbook: The Student Bible, New International Version (Zondervan), Bible 4: The Pathway of Promise

Chapel:

Chapel each week with worship and message

Social:

• Emphasis on Christian character development and biblical conflict resolution.
• Focus on introducing students to a structured classroom setting, encouraging good classroom and playground behavior, developing study habits, as well as instilling academic and social responsibilities that will serve students through their school years and beyond.

ACADEMIC

Mathematics:

• 60-75 minutes, 5 days per week
• Emphasis on computing and solving mathematical problems and developing reasoning skills. Areas of instruction include addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers, decimals, fractions, and money. Additionally, students learn critical thinking skills, and to solve problems involving measurement, graphs, basic algebraic functions, and geometry.
• Special Activities: ACSI Math Olympics, daily math superstars enrichment program
• Textbook: Math 4 (BJU Press), Math 4 Activities booklet

Language Arts & Reading:

• 90 minutes, 5 days per week
• Emphasis on reading, comprehending, and responding to historically and culturally significant works of literature, equipping students to analyze literature from a Biblical worldview.
• Emphasis on writing clear, coherent, and focused sentences and paragraphs that develop a central idea while demonstrating a command of English grammar, sentence structure, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and penmanship.
• Students listen and respond critically and appropriately to oral communication and deliver brief recitations and oral presentations around a coherent thesis statement.
• Development of written and oral responses to literature. Students read novels such as Patty Reed's Doll, Island of the Blue Dolphins, Sign of the Beaver, and a variety of other books.
• Accelerated Reader Program 1st-5th grades
• Special Activities: ACSI Creative Writing Festival, ACSI Speech Meet, ACSI Spelling Bee, DUCKS Program (Reading is the Goal), and a field trip to the Honda Center
• Textbooks: Sadlier Grammer Workshop

Science & Health:

• 60 minutes, 2 days per week
• Emphasis on exploring and experiencing a variety of areas within the fields of physical science and health through reading, research, discussion, participation in group and individual projects, and scientific experiments using the scientific method.
• Textbook: Science 4, Science 4 Activities Manual (BJU press)

History & Geography:

• 60 minutes, 3 days per week
• Emphasis on exploring the history and geography of California from its earliest inhabitants of indigenous Native Americans, through the settling of various peoples, to the contemporary times by using reading, research, discussion, and participation in individual and group projects.
• Special Activities: Overnight, three-day, two-night field trips to Sacramento and Coloma; field trip to Mission San Juan Capistrano, The Reserve at RMV, Dana Point Harbor; Gold Rush Day.
• Textbook: Scholastic California Weekly Studies

ENRICHMENT 

Physical Education:

• Twice per week (45 minutes each) students dress in their school-provided P.E. uniforms and participate in a variety of cardiovascular and strength-building exercises. Throughout the year students learn athletic fundamentals and play the following: flag football, volleyball, basketball, hockey, pickleball, badminton, and handball. In addition, fitness testing is conducted at the beginning and end of the school year.

Technology:

• All RSM Christian School students in kindergarten through eighth grade receive hands-on computer learning instruction from the technology teacher on a wireless laptop computer. Emphasis for fourth grade is on becoming proficient using computers as a tool. Technology is integrated across the fourth-grade curriculum particularly in history for the Mission's report, in language arts for personal narrative projects, and writing assignments, and in science for projects and presentations.
• Programs taught: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Paint, Internet Explorer, typing, Google Suite, editing and enhancing projects.

Music:

• Our music program places emphasis on keeping a steady beat, rote rhyme, song learning, and recognizing the musical elements of tone, duration, and pitch. Students explore rhythm instruments and rhythm patterns while playing with one another as a musical ensemble. Students learn musical symbols which introduces them to the structure of reading music. Using the Solfege System, students are able to become familiar with sight-singing, harmony, and musical intervals.

Spanish

• Emphasis on teaching students how to speak in Spanish including how to say the alphabet and vowels, colors, numbers, days of the week, months of the year, words related to the family, food, the grocery store, restaurant, and menus. Students are given exercises, videos, and activities to practice in order to reinforce their learning.

Art:

• A hands-on program that introduces students to the great artists and their work. Students engage in creative expression by painting their own masterpieces using the techniques of the masters.

Library:

• Emphasis on teaching students how to use the library as a resource to find age-appropriate books that match their interests for pleasure reading, as well as helping students develop research skills for integrated, cross-curricular projects.

RSM Christian School Fifth Graders begin each day in their classroom with their teacher leading them in pledges, prayers, and worship. Homeroom teachers instruct the students on the core subjects of math, science, language arts, social science, and Bible. The enrichment subjects of physical education, technology, music, Spanish, Art of the Master, and library are taught by teachers who specialize in those areas. All subjects are taught to meet or exceed the California State Standards. RSM Christian School is fully accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). All classroom teachers are Christians and have valid teaching credentials.

Spiritual and Social

Bible:

• 30 minutes, 4 days per week
• Emphasis on Christian character traits demonstrated by the lives of Old Testament Bible characters and how they apply to students’ daily lives.
• Emphasis on encouraging Bible reading, memorization, and application. Students memorize and recite Bible memory verses.
• Textbook: Living in God’s Love (BJU Press), The Student Bible, New International Version (Zondervan)

Chapel:

Chapel each week with worship and message

Social:

• Emphasis on Christian character development and biblical conflict resolution. Each month a different character trait is highlighted school-wide. Students are encouraged to incorporate this character trait into their daily lives and to acknowledge it in others.
• Focus on further developing students’ group and independent study habits, organizational skills, as well as instilling academic and social responsibilities that will serve students through their school years and beyond.

ACADEMIC

Mathematics:

• 50 minutes, 5 days per week
• Emphasis on computing and solving mathematical problems and developing reasoning skills. Areas of instruction include addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers, decimals, and fractions; ratios and proportions; and geometry.
• Special Activities: ACSI Math Olympics and annual school celebration of Pi Day
• Textbook: Mathematics, Applications and Concepts (Glencoe)

Language Arts & Reading:

• 100 minutes, 5 days per week
• Emphasis on reading, comprehending, and responding to historically and culturally significant works of literature, equipping students to analyze literature from a Biblical world view.
• Emphasis on writing personal narratives with dialogue, persuasive essays, and responses to literature using 6 + 1 traits and “Step Up to Writing” techniques.
• Development of written and oral responses to literature. Students read novels such as The Sign of the Beaver, Holes, Junior Great Books, and a variety of other stories.
• Accelerated Reader Program 1st-5th grades
• Special Activities: ACSI Creative Writing Festival, ACSI Speech Meet, and ACSI Spelling Bee
• Textbooks: Reading Anthology (Houghton Mifflin), English (Houghton Mifflin)

Science & Health:

• 35 minutes, 5 days per week
• Emphasis on exploring a variety of areas within the field of science including life, physical, and earth sciences through the use of reading, research, discussion, participation in group and individual projects, and utilization of the scientific method and experiments.
• Special Activities: Labs
• Textbook: California Science (Harcourt)

History & Geography

• 35 minutes, 5 days per week
• Emphasis is on the history of the United States. Students study American Indians and early settlers, exploring when, why, and from where they came. They learn about the colonial government and its formation based on Christian principles. Students learn about the American Revolution, land conflicts, slavery, and westward expansion. They study the causes and effects of the War for Independence and study the people and events associated with the development of the U.S. Constitution while analyzing the Constitution’s significance as the foundation of the American republic.
• Special Activities: Overnight field trip to The Pilgrim Ship in Dana Point; perform musical Westward Expansion; field trip to Riley’s Farm, state report
• Textbook: The History of our United States (A Beka Book)

ENRICHMENT 

Physical Education:

• Three days per week students dress in their school-provided P.E. uniforms and participate in a variety of cardiovascular and strength-building exercises. Throughout the year students learn athletic fundamentals and play the following: flag football, volleyball, basketball, hockey, pickleball, badminton, and handball. In addition, fitness testing is conducted at the beginning and end of the school year.
• After-school sports programs are available to all fifth through eighth-grade students. RSMCS competes against schools, whose major emphasis is on maintaining a Christian attitude of sportsmanship, honesty, respect, teamwork, and responsibility. Sports programs are available for the following: girls’ and boys’ volleyball, boys’ flag football, girls’ and boys’ basketball, coed soccer, and girls’ and boys’ track.

Technology:

• All RSM Christian School students in kindergarten through eighth grade receive hands-on computer learning instruction from the technology teacher on a laptop computer. Emphasis for fifth grade is on more independent work using the various programs. Technology is integrated across the fifth-grade curriculum, particularly in math, state reports, and science.
• Programs taught: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Paint, Mavis Beacon (typing), Internet Explorer

Music:

• Our music program places emphasis on keeping a steady beat, rote rhyme, song learning, and recognizing the musical elements of tone, duration, and pitch. Students explore rhythm instruments and rhythm patterns while playing with one another as a musical ensemble. Students learn musical symbols which introduces them to the structure of reading music. Using the Solfege System, students are able to become familiar with sight-singing, harmony, and musical intervals.

Spanish:

• Emphasis on teaching students how to speak in Spanish including how to say the alphabet and vowels, colors, numbers, days of the week, months of the year, words related to the family, Bible verses and prayers, as well as basic commands and phrases. Students are taught songs in Spanish that reinforce their learning.

Art:

• A hands-on program that introduces students to the great artists and their work. Students engage in creative expression by painting their own masterpieces using the techniques of the masters.

Library:

• Emphasis on teaching students how to use the library as a resource to find age-appropriate books that match their interests for pleasure reading, as well as helping students develop research skills for integrated, cross-curricular projects.

RSM Christian School Sixth-Graders begin each day in their classroom with their teacher leading them in pledges, prayers, and worship. Homeroom teachers instruct the students on the core subjects of math, science, language arts, social science, and Bible. The enrichment subjects of physical education, technology, music, Spanish, Art of the Master, and library are taught by teachers who specialize in those areas. All subjects are taught to meet or exceed the California State Standards. RSM Christian School is fully accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). All classroom teachers are Christians and have valid teaching credentials.

Spiritual and Social

Bible:

• 30-45 minutes, 4 days per week
• Overview of the entire Bible, a personalized study of vital passages, and application of these Scriptures to important issues faced by sixth graders.
• Emphasis on sharing their individual testimonies through an integrated writing project and oral presentation.
• Textbook:  The Student Bible, New International Version (Zondervan), Basics For a Biblical Worldview (BJU Press).

Chapel:

Chapel each week with worship and message

Social:

• Emphasis on Christian character development and biblical conflict resolution.
• Focus on further developing students’ group and independent study habits, organizational skills, as well as instilling academic and social responsibilities that will serve students through their school years and beyond.

ACADEMIC

Mathematics:

• 50 minutes, 5 days per week
• Emphasis on computing and solving problems using the four arithmetic operations with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and positive and negative integers. Students use unknown variables to solve multiple-step linear equations. Students use reasoning skills and explore introductory algebra.
• Special Activities: ACSI Math Olympics
• Textbook: Mathematics, Applications, and Concepts (Glencoe), Math (BJU).

Language Arts & Reading:

• 100 minutes, 5 days per week
• Emphasis on reading, comprehending, and responding to historically and culturally significant works of literature, equipping students to analyze literature from a biblical worldview.
• Emphasis on writing clear, coherent, and focused essays while demonstrating a command of English grammar, sentence structure, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.
• Development of written and oral response to literature. Students read three to four novels throughout the school year.
• Novel studies are used to enhance students’ abilities to read, comprehend, discuss, and write about many different literature passages throughout the year.
• Special Activities: ACSI Creative Writing Festival, ACSI Speech Meet, and ACSI Spelling Bee
• Textbook: English 6 (BJU), Step Up to Writing (Sopris West), Writing For Grammer (Sadlier), ACSI Spelling, Vocabulary Workshop (Sadlier)

Science & Health:

• 45 minutes, 4 days per week
• Emphasis on exploring a variety of areas within the field of science including life, physical, and earth sciences through the use of research, discussion, participation in group and individual projects, experimentation, and utilization of the scientific method.
• Special Activities: Four-day overnight outdoor education science camp.
• Textbook: Science 6 for Christian Schools (BJU Press)

History & Geography

• 45 minutes, 4 days per week
• Emphasis on studying the geography of the Eastern Hemisphere and becoming familiar with ancient history from a Christian perspective from creation through 500 AD.
• Through the use of reading, research, discussion, and participation in individual and group projects, students explore the historical origins, political, religious, economic, and social structures of the early civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Kush, the Hebrews, Greece, India, China, and Rome.
• Special Activities:  Ancient Civilizations Day, Ancient World on-campus experience.
• Textbooks: Heritage Studies 6 for Christian Schools (BJU Press)

ENRICHMENT

Physical Education:

• Three days per week students dress in their P.E. uniforms (purchased through the uniform store) and participate in a variety of cardiovascular and strength-building exercises. Throughout the year students learn athletic fundamentals and play the following: flag football, volleyball, basketball, hockey, pickleball, badminton, and handball. In addition, fitness testing is conducted at the beginning and end of the school year.
• After-school sports programs are available to all fifth through eighth-grade students. RSMCS competes against local Christian schools whose major emphasis is on maintaining a Christian attitude of sportsmanship, honesty, respect, teamwork, and responsibility. Sports programs are available for the following: girls’ and boys’ volleyball, boys’ flag football, girls’ and boys’ basketball, coed soccer, and girls’ and boys’ track.

Technology:

• All RSM Christian School students in kindergarten through eighth grade receive hands-on computer learning instruction from the technology teacher on a laptop computer. Emphasis for sixth grade is on more independent work using the various programs. Technology is integrated across the sixth grade curriculum, particularly in math, state reports, and science.
• Programs taught: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Paint, Typing Club, All Google products.

Music:

• Our music program places emphasis on keeping a steady beat, rote rhyme, song learning, and recognizing the musical elements of tone, duration, and pitch. Students explore rhythm instruments and rhythm patterns while playing with one another as a musical ensemble. Students learn musical symbols which introduces them to the structure of reading music. Using the Solfege System, students are able to become familiar with sight-singing, harmony, and musical intervals.

Spanish:

• Emphasis on teaching students how to speak in Spanish including grammar, sentence structure, tense, differentiation, how to say the alphabet and vowels, colors, numbers, days of the week, months of the year, words related to the family, Bible verses and prayers, as well as basic commands and phrases. Students are taught songs in Spanish that reinforce their learning.

Art:

• A hands-on program that introduces students to great artists and their work. Students engage in creative expression by painting their own masterpieces using the techniques of the masters.

Library:

• Emphasis on teaching students how to use the library as a resource to find age-appropriate books that match their interests for pleasure reading, as well as helping students develop research skills for integrated, cross-curricular projects.