CURRICULUM

 

While each teacher is encouraged to do whatever is necessary and professionally appropriate in meeting the needs of students, the school does use an approved basic curriculum. The A Beka curriculum has been used school-wide since 1987, with good success.

The A Beka curriculum was chosen for mainly two reasons. Firstly, it is a strong, coherent academic curriculum. This is important to the school because it believes in scholarship challenge to the boys and girls who attend. It's  parents expect that students be motivated, challenged, and encouraged to develop to full educational potential. A Beka provides tested and tried tools for accomplishing these expectations. Secondly, while A Beka is published by a Baptist-owned publishing company in Pensacola, Florida, it is developed with respect to the fact that this Christian school program is used by many denominational, as well as non-denomination schools (such as ours). While it may not be bias-free, it is as broad, but importantly, still Christian, as we have been able to find.

Our student and staff population represent diverse religious and cultural backgrounds. We find the curriculum more than satisfactory in meeting academic as well as religious objectives. Because most of our students are from African-American families, as has been said, care is taken to present their history, culture, and unique experiences in as positive and motivational a light as possible. The Portland Baseline Essays, an afro-centric curriculum with application in music, science, social studies, and art is also used to satisfy the interest stated. No part of the school's program is designed or used to teach religious or racial bigotry. The result of using the approach to learning that the school has adopted has resulted in basically consistent high ratings on standardized tests, and praiseworthy evaluations and reports from parents, other school teachers, counselors, and administrators. The school's community affirm that FEMS students generally leave reflecting increased maturity, character development, manners, and ability to stick to assigned tasks.

A Beka's Scope and Sequence allows parents to see the minimum skills students are expected to be taught appropriate for his or her grade assignment. A copy of the Scope and Sequence appropriate for your child's grade may be  provided upon request for parent information and reference.

Dress Code

Scope And Sequence

Nursery

Language
Arts

 

Two-year Olds

Please Note That (In 2008-2009, We Do Not Accept Two-Year Olds).

Language development and listening skills that include color words, shapes, animals, transportation, countries, community helpers, health, safety, manners, science

 

Three-Year-Olds

Recognition of name, sound, and picture for short vowels and consonants
Formation of vowels and consonants in upper and lower case
Language development and listening skills that include color words, shapes, animals, transportation, countries, community helpers, health, safety, manners, science

 

Numbers

  Simple counting 1–25
Number concepts 1–10
  Simple counting 1–30
Number concepts 1–15
 

Bible

  Hymns/choruses
Memory verses
  Lessons such as Creation, Noah, Boy Samuel, Daniel, Boyhood of Jesus, Zacchaeus, Good Samaritan
Top
K4 Four-Year-Old Kindergarten
Language
Arts
  Phonics and Reading
Recognition of name, sound, and picture of long and short vowels and consonants
Sounding of blends and one- and two-vowel words
Reading of sentences and stories with one- and two-vowel words
 

Cursive Writing
Formation of letters, blends, and words
Writing of first name

Poetry
Twenty-eight poems and finger plays committed to memory

Language
Language development and listening skills that include color words, shapes, animals, transportation, countries, community helpers, health, safety, manners, science

 
Numbers   Number recognition and counting 1–100
Number concepts 1–20
Numbers before and after 1–20

  Numbers largest and smallest 1–20 Addition facts
1 + 1 2 + 1 3 + 1 4 + 1
5 + 1 6 + 1 7 + 1 8 + 1
9 + 1 10 + 1    
 
Bible   Lessons such as Creation, Noah, Boy Samuel, Daniel, Boyhood of Jesus, Zacchaeus, Good Samaritan
(includes memory verses and hymns/choruses)
Top
K5 Five-Year-Old Kindergarten
Language
Arts
  Phonics and Reading
Recognition of name, sound, and picture of long and short vowels and consonants
Sounding of blends, one- and two-vowel words, and words with special sounds
Beginning phonics rules and special sounds
Reading of sentences and stories from twelve books containing one- and two-vowel words and special sounds

 

Cursive Writing
Letters, blends, words, and sentences
Name

Language
Recognition of sentences by capital letters and periods

Poetry
Thirteen poems committed to memory

 
Science  

Plants
God's Plan for Seeds

Animals
God's Plan for Animals
God's Plan for the Seashore

 

Health and Human Biology
God's Plan for Me

Earth and Space
God's Plan for Weather
God's Plan for Seasons

 
Arithmetic   Number recognition, counting, and writing 1–100
Number concepts 1–100
Numbers before and after 1–100
Numbers largest and smallest 1–100
Counting and writing by tens to 100
Counting and writing by fives to 100
Counting and writing by twos to 100
Number sequences by ones
  Using number words 1–10 and first–tenth
Value of coins and dollar bill
Telling time
Using the calendar
Days of the week
Addition facts through 10
One-step story problems in addition
Beginning subtraction
 
Social Studies   Community Helpers
Children of the World
  America: Our Great Country (map studies, famous Americans and places)
 
Bible   Hymns/choruses
Memory verses
  Bible doctrine
Lessons such as Salvation Series, Genesis, Life of Christ
Top
AK5 Advanced Five-Year-Old Kindergarten
Language
Arts
  Phonics and Reading
Review of names and sounds of the letters, consonant-vowel blends, one- and two-vowel words
Beginning phonics rules and special sounds
Writing of blends from dictation
Reading skills: speed, comprehension, and phrase reading

 

Cursive Writing
Writing letters, blends, words, and sentences
Name

Language
Recognition and writing of sentences with capital letters and periods

Poetry
Thirteen poems committed to memory

 
Science  

Plants
God's Plan for Seeds

Animals
God's Plan for Animals
God's Plan for the Seashore

 

Health and Human Biology
God's Plan for Me

Earth and Space
God's Plan for Weather
God's Plan for Seasons

 
Arithmetic   Number recognition, counting, and writing 1–100
Number concepts 1–100
Numbers before and after 1–100
Numbers largest and smallest 1–100
Counting and writing by tens to 100
Counting and writing by fives to 100
Counting and writing by twos to 100
Number sequences by ones
  Using number words 1–10 and first–tenth
Value of coins and dollar bill
Telling time
Using the calendar
Days of the week
Addition facts through 10
One-step story problems in addition
Beginning subtraction
 
Social Studies   Community Helpers
Children of the World
  America: Our Great Country (map studies, famous Americans and places)
 
Bible   Lessons such as Salvation Series, Genesis, Life of Christ
(includes memory verses, hymns/choruses, and Bible doctrine)
Top
1 First Grade
Language
Arts
 

Phonics and Reading
Review of vowels, consonants, blends, one-and two-vowel words, consonant blends
Recognition and use of all phonics special sounds in reading
Spelling rules: doubling consonants, dropping silent e, changing y to i
Oral reading

Cursive Writing
Review of letter formation
Daily seatwork practice in all academic areas

Spelling and Poetry
Weekly phonics-based word list
Weekly test with phonics
Reinforcement activities
Eight poems committed to memory

  Language
Capitalization of first word in a sentence, proper names, days of the week, and months of the year
Correct punctuation at the ends of sentences
Recognition of complete sentences
Words using suffixes, prefixes, syllables, compound words, rhyming words, opposite words, same meaning words, and contractions
Alphabetizing of words
Writing complete sentences and short stories
Creative writing
 

History and
Geography

  This Is My America
My America's Flag, My America's Freedoms, Symbols of My America, Great People of America, My America Grows, My America Talks, My America Travels, My America Is Beautiful, My America Sings
  This Is My World
Mexico, Peru, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, England, the Netherlands, Norway, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Israel, Egypt, India, China, Australia, Guam, American Samoa
 
Science  

Health and Human Biology
Discovering Myself

Energy
Discovering My Toys

Animals
Discovering Animals
Discovering Insects

 

Plants
Discovering Plants

Seasons
Discovering Seasons

 
Health,
Safety, Manners
  Health
Eating good foods
Exercising
Rest
Posture
Care of body, clothes, home
 

Safety
At home and away from home
On streets, playgrounds, water

Manners
At home, school, church, public

 
Arithmetic   Number recognition, counting, and writing 1–1,000
Greatest and least
Counting and writing by tens, fives, twos, and threes
Number sequences
Ordinal numbers
Addition facts through 13 and three-digit addition with carrying
Subtraction facts through 13 and two-digit subtraction
Story problems
Numbers before and after by ones, twos, tens
Between numbers
  Counting and combining coins
Telling time to the nearest five minutes
Recognizing odd and even numbers
English and some metric measures
Place value in ones, tens, and hundreds
Unit fractions
Reading a thermometer
Using a ruler
Multiple combinations
Concept of multiplication
Calendars
Reading pictographs and bar graphs
Developing listening skills
Roman numerals
 
Bible   Lessons such as Salvation Series, Genesis, Life of Christ, Paul
(includes memory verses, hymns/choruses, and Bible doctrine)
Top
2 Second Grade
Language
Arts
 

Phonics and Reading
Review of vowels, consonants, blends, one- and two-vowel words, consonant blends
Recognition and use of all phonics special sounds in reading
Spelling rules: doubling consonants, dropping silent e, changing y to i
Oral reading

Cursive Writing
Review of letter formation
Guided creative writing
Creative writing journal
Daily seatwork practice in all academic areas
Introduction to 3/4-space writing

Spelling and Poetry
Weekly phonics-based word list
Vocabulary words and definitions second semester
Weekly test

 

Reinforcement activities
Spelling glossary
Seven poems committed to memory

Language
Capitalization of first word in a sentence, days of the week, months of the year, special holidays, people, and places
Correct punctuation at the ends of sentences
Complete sentences, questions, and exclamations
Words using suffixes, prefixes, abbreviations,
compound words, rhyming words, opposite words, same-meaning words, singular and plural words, singular possessive words, and contractions
Alphabetizing words and other dictionary skills
Word usage rules
Writing of complete sentences, questions, exclamations, and short stories
Writing letters and thank-you notes
Creative writing

 

History and
Geography

  America, Our Home
    Our Flag
    Our Patriotic Holidays
    Our Songs
 

The People Who Built America
    The Separatists
    America's Indians
    The Colonists
    America's Pioneers
    America's Cowboys
    The New Americans

Tomorrow's America

 
Science  

Plants
Enjoying the Plant World

Animals
Enjoying the Animal World

Health and Human Biology
Enjoying Myself and Others

Earth and Space
Enjoying the Stars and Planets
Enjoying Planet Earth

 

Matter
Enjoying the Air Around Us

Energy
Enjoying the Air Around Us
Enjoying Things That Move

Conservation
Enjoying Things That Work Together

 
Health,
Safety, Manners
 

Health
Posture, Nutrition, Exercise, Rest, Cleanliness, Diseases

Safety
At home and away from home, On streets, Around water, During bad weather

  Manners
Politeness, Thoughtfulness, Kindness, Thankfulness, Cheerfulness, Patience, Respect, Table and Telephone Manners
 
Arithmetic   Number recognition, counting, and writing 1–10,000 and beyond
Numbers greatest and least 1–1,000
Counting and writing to hundred thousands, threes to 36, fours to 48
Ordinal numbers
Addition facts through 18, column addition, four-digit addition with carrying
Subtraction facts through 18, four-digit subtraction
with borrowing
Multiplication facts 0–5
Division facts 1–5
Story problems
Multiple combinations
Estimation

  Rounding
Numbers before and after by ones, twos, threes, fours, fives, and tens
Counting and combining coins and bills
Telling time to the nearest minute
English and some metric measures
Drawing and measuring lines to one-half inch
Developing listening skills
Calendars
Place value to thousands
Unit fractions
Making change
Reading a thermometer
Reading pictographs, bar graphs, and line graphs
Roman numerals
 
Bible   Lessons such as Salvation Series, Life of Moses, Tabernacle, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Jonah
(includes memory verses, hymns/choruses, and Bible doctrine)
Top
3 Third Grade
Language
Arts
  Phonics and Reading
Review of all phonics rules
Oral reading
Reading comprehension


Cursive Writing

Review of cursive writing formation 3/4-space high
Creative writing

Spelling and Poetry

Weekly phonics-based word list with vocabulary
Sentence dictation using spelling words
Reinforcement activities
Nine poems committed to memory
  Language
Writing Process
Complete sentences
Punctuation and capitalization rules
Creative writing, friendly letters


Grammar
Recognition of simple nouns, subjects, verbs, adjectives
Word usage
Forming plurals and common contractions
Recognition of antonyms, homonyms, synonyms
Dictionary skills
 
History and
Geography
  Continents and oceans of the world
Study of world geography
States of the United States
Study of our American heritage through the lives of great people
    Columbus
    John Smith
    Pocahontas
    Miles Standish
    Squanto
    William Penn
    Ben Franklin
    George Washington
  Thomas Jefferson
Daniel Boone
Noah Webster
John Greenleaf Whittier
Robert E. Lee
Abraham Lincoln
Clara Barton
U. S. Grant
Louisa May Alcott
Booker T. Washington
George Washington Carver
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Billy Sunday
 
Science  

Plants
Exploring the Plant World

Animals
Exploring the World of Vertebrates
Exploring the World of Invertebrates

Health and Human Biology
Wonderfully Made

 

Earth and Space
Exploring the Ocean
Exploring the Weather

Conservation
Exploring the Desert, the Ocean, the Pond, the Forest, the Farmer's Field

 
Health, Safety,
Manners
 

Health
Posture, Exercise, Nutrition, Diet, Cleanliness, Fighting disease

Safety
Fire, Water safety, Home, Play safety, Street safety, First Aid

  Manners
Hospitality
Proper introductions
Telephone manners
Courtesy and respect
 
Arithmetic   Recognition of the place value of numbers
Addition facts and checking addition problems with carrying
Subtraction facts and checking subtraction problems with borrowing
Multiplication tables 0–12 and multiplication problems with carrying
How to show a multiplication fact six ways
Division tables 1–12 and working and checking a division problem
Terminology for four processes
English and metric measures
Telling time
Roman numerals 1–1,000
Using a ruler

  Solving story problems with up to four steps
Recognizing and solving number sentences
Converting measures and solving measurement equations
Recognizing and working with greater than (>) and less than (<)
Counting money and solving money problems using the decimal point correctly
Solving problems containing parentheses
Fraction terminology and basic understanding of fractions
Averaging numbers
Reading a thermometer
Recognizing geometric shapes
Finding the unknown number in an equation
 
Bible   Lessons such as Salvation Series, Parables, Samuel, David, Elijah, Elisha, Daniel, Ezra/Nehemiah, Esther
(includes memory verses, hymns/choruses, and Bible doctrine)
Top
4 Fourth Grade
Language
Arts
 

Reading and Literature
Oral reading
Reading comprehension
Speed reading
Vocabulary building

Penmanship
Review of cursive writing formation through skill
practice, word games, original composition,
and sentence dictation

Spelling and Poetry
Weekly word lists based on phonics and spelling
rules, challenging words, and vocabulary
Reinforcement activities
Six poems committed to memory

 

Language
Writing Process
Sentence structure, Kinds of sentences
Punctuation; Capitalization facts
Abbreviations, Possessive words
Letters—business, friendly, post cards, thank-you notes
Gathering information
Writing with details
Writing an encyclopedia report
Writing book reports
Creative writing
Dictionary skills

Grammar
Recognizing and using all eight parts of speech
Diagraming verbs, nouns, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs
Correctly using troublesome words

 
History and
Geography
  Map study
State history for six weeks
Eight documents memorized
The Years of Discovery
The Years of Conquest
The First Americans
The English Come to America
The New England Colonies
The Middle and Southern Colonies
A Picture of Colonial Life
The Great Awakening
  The French and Indian War
The American War for Independence
Building a New Nation
Our Nation Grows
The Civil War
New Frontiers
An Age of Progress
Beyond Our Boundaries
The World Wars
Time for Freedom and Responsibility
 
Science   Plants
Plants: Provision for Man and Beast

Animals
Insects: Miniature Marvels of Creation
Birds: Winged Wonders

Matter

Matter: Water, Air, and Weather
  Energy
Energy: Sound and Hearing

Earth and Space

Geology: Planet Earth
Oceanography: Wonders of the Sea
Astronomy: Consider the Heavens
 
Health   Physical Fitness
Your Body Framework
The Muscle Builder
Your Breathing Machine
  Personal Hygiene
A Winning Smile
Your Body Cover
Keys to Good Grooming


Interpersonal Relationships
A Healthier You
 
Arithmetic   Place value of whole numbers and decimals
Mastery of fundamental operations
Story problems
Estimating answers
English and metric measures
Converting measures within the same system and solving measurement equations
Roman numerals
Addition, subtraction, and multiplication involving fractions
Estimation
Averaging
  Factoring
Divisibility rules
Introduction to decimals
Making change
Reading a thermometer
Solving equations using addition and subtraction axioms
Graphs and scale drawing
Basic geometric shapes
Perimeter and area
Using an English and metric ruler
Time lapse
 
Bible   Lessons such as Salvation Series, Genesis, Life of Christ, Paul
(includes memory verses, hymns/choruses, and Bible doctrine)
Top
5 Fifth Grade
Language
Arts
  Reading and Literature
Oral reading
Reading comprehension
Speed reading
Vocabulary building

Penmanship
Review of cursive writing formation through skill
practice, word exercises, original composition,
and sentence dictation


Spelling and Poetry
Weekly word lists on various categories and
vocabulary study
Six poems committed to memory
 

Language
Writing Process
Sentences and sentence parts
Punctuation, capitalization, and quotation facts
Synonyms, antonyms, homonyms
Dictionary, thesaurus skills
Letters—business, friendly, post cards, thank-you notes
Making an outline
Writing a library research paper
Writing book reports
Creative writing

Grammar
Recognizing and diagraming all eight parts of speech
Recognizing and diagraming complements
Word usage

 
History and
Geography
  Eight documents reviewed
Geography facts: terms, rivers, capitals, mountains, climate, deserts
Introduction to History and Geography
Fertile Crescent: Cradle of Civilization
Ancient Middle East
Middle East Today
Countries of Central and Southern Asia
Countries of the Far East
Egypt: The Gift of the Nile
  Africa Long Ago
Africa in Modern Times
Ancient Greece: Home of Beauty
Rome: Ruler of the Ancient World
Christianity: The Greatest Force in History
England and the British Isles
Other Countries of Western Europe
Countries of Eastern Europe
“Land Down Under” and Beyond
 
Science   Animals
Amazing Mammals
A Variety of Vertebrates


Energy
Force and motion
Electricity and magnetism
Engines: steam, internal combustion, jet propulsion, rocket engines
Light
  Matter
Water, Air, Weather

Earth and Space

Geology: Treasures of the Earth
Oceanography: The Living Sea
Astronomy: The Nine Planets, Stars, Moon, Sun
Conservation: Preserving the Sea
 
Health   Circulatory System
Life in the Blood
Your Hardy Heart
Pathways through Your Body


Nutrition and Physical Fitness
A Balanced Diet
Daily Food Guide
Maintaining Your Proper Weight
Raising Your Rate of Metabolism
Aerobic Endurance
Muscular Strength and Flexibility
  Digestive System
Digestion Begins in the Mouth
Through the Esophagus, Stomach, Small
Intestine, Liver, Pancreas
Absorbing Digested Foods

Interpersonal Relationships

Social Acceptance
Mental Awareness
Spiritual Warfare
 
Arithmetic   Place value of whole numbers and decimals
Mastery of fundamental operations
Story problems
Problem-solving strategies
Roman numerals
Measuring to the quarter inch
Calculating time
Making change
Rounding off whole numbers, money, decimals, and mixed numbers
English and metric measures
Converting measures within the same system and solving measurement equations
Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division involving fractions
Finding parts of a whole
Factoring
  Divisibility rules
Probability
Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division involving decimals
Introduction to percents
Reading a thermometer
Negative temperature
Converting from a Celsius scale to a Fahrenheit scale and from a Fahrenheit scale to a Celsius scale
Solving algebraic equations
Graphs and scale drawings
Graphing ordered pairs
Reading schedules and charts
Basic geometric shapes
Perimeter and area
Squares and square roots
Estimation
 
Bible   Lessons such as Salvation Series, Life of Moses, Tabernacle, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Jonah, Samuel, David (includes memory verses, hymns/choruses, and Bible doctrine)
Top
6 Sixth Grade
Language
Arts
  Reading and Literature
Oral reading
Reading comprehension
Speed reading
Vocabulary building
Dictionary skills

Penmanship
Review of cursive writing formation
Practice penmanship through creative writing and word exercises


Spelling and Poetry

Weekly word lists by prefixes, suffixes, and root words
Vocabulary study from the word lists
Eight poems committed to memory
Dictionary skills
  Language
Writing Process
Writing, comparison/contrasts, poetry, outlines, library research paper, narration, journal
Sentences and sentence parts
Fragments, run-ons
Punctuation and capitalization rules
Library skills
Student Writers’ Handbook


Grammar

Recognizing, diagraming, and using all eight
parts of speech
 
History and
Geography
  Advanced map studies
Geography facts, including the 50 states
Eight documents reviewed
North America
  Canada
  United States
  Mexico and Central America
  South America: Continent of Natural Resources, Nations of South America
United States History: The Colonial Heritage,
New World’s First Republic, U.S. in the Twentieth Century
 
Science   Plants
Plentiful Plants

Animals

Observing Invertebrates
  Earth and Space
Our Fascinating Earth
God’s Great Universe
Exploring Space


Chemistry
Matter and Chemistry (atoms, elements, and compounds)
 
Health   Safety First
First Steps of First Aid
Your Changing Body
An Active Lifestyle
Your Body’s Defenses
Your Communication System
Drugs—Use and Abuse
A Healthy Spirit
  Anatomy
Endocrine System
Respiratory System
Muscular System
Skeletal System
Lymphatic System
Nervous System
Skin
 
Arithmetic   Place value of whole numbers and decimals
Maintaining skills in fundamental operations
Story problems/ Problem-solving strategies
Roman numerals
Rounding off
English and metric measures
Converting measures within the same system and solving measurement equations
Adding, subtracting, and multiplying measures
Prime factoring
Fundamental operations involving fractions and decimals
Estimation
Ratios and proportion
  Percent
Probability
Graphs and scale drawing/ Introduction to statistics
Basic geometric shapes
Perimeter, area, and circumference
Bisecting angles
Reading thermometers
Converting Celsius to Fahrenheit and Fahrenheit to Celsius
Equation solving/ Introduction to basic algebra
Latitude, longitude, and time zones
Banking, finding interest, and installment buying
Reading electric and gas meters
 
Bible   Lessons such as Salvation Series, Life of Christ, Parables, Elijah, Elisha, Daniel, Ezra/ Nehemiah, Esther (includes memory verses, hymns/choruses, and Bible doctrine)
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