Elementary (K-6)

*Afternoon Enrichment (AEP)

The goal of the afternoon enrichment program is to lay a foundation for academic, social, and spiritual success for young children who are attending or will attend Veritas School. Young children are able to acquire the skills necessary for success in school when they are offered activities and experiences that are language rich, hands-on, and highly interesting. We have created a curriculum that is thematic and integrates the following in a way that is fun, relevant, and developmentally appropriate: phonics, math, music, art, and physical education. The materials and activities offered are adjusted according to the developmental ability of each child. We have had great success with young children learning math skills, phonemic skills, and fine motor skills, as well as history or science knowledge by utilizing memorization through activities and songs. Children who are exposed early to this type of environment will be able to achieve success that will carry on throughout their educational years.

Afternoon Enrichment is taught by Kami McNeill.

Kindergarten Curriculum

Theology – Hymns, survey of the major stories of the Old and New Testaments

Math – Math U See: days of week, months of the year, counting, number recognition, writing numerals, basic shapes, patterns, place value to the hundreds, addition, money, skip counting by 2, 5, and 10: telling time

Spelling/Grammar – Spell to Write and Read – introduction to all 70 phonograms with concentration on mastery of the 26 letters/sounds. Students participate in many different games and activities that develop reading and spelling skills

Literature Arts – Reading aloud to class daily to develop a love of excellent books and poetry; student books for reading. The children will be read to from a variety of theme specific books as well as others from the list of 1000 Good Books. Students are also strongly encouraged to read or be read to at home.

Field Trips – Apple Orchard, OMSI, Children’s Museum, Oregon Dream Ponies, Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm, Oregon Zoo

Penmanship – Italics handwriting

Music/PE/Art –  An introduction to physical education and the arts

History/Geography – Students will become familiar with the founding of our country and with important historical figures such as Johnny Appleseed, Christopher Columbus, Native Americans, Pilgrims, and Presidents.  They also learn about the continents and the regions of the United States.

First-Grade Curriculum

Theology – New Testament Survey; life of Jesus, Acts of Apostles; Paul, Peter, John; missionary journeys; Psalm 100; memorize books of the Old and New Testaments; The Lord’s Prayer; other scripture and hymn memorization

Math – Math U See Alpha

Spelling – Spell to Write and Read (Wanda Sanseri), weekly spelling tests, learn all five rules for silent reading, dividing words by syllables, memorize 70 phonemes

Grammar – Shurley Grammar Level 1: Students learn to identify all parts of a sentence (noun, verb, etc.) and what role those types of words play

Writing – Capitalization rules, punctuation, synonyms/antonyms, simple research

Reading –  Blueberries for Sal, Little Bear, Frog and Toad Together, The Magic Fish, A Bargain for Frances, Owl at Home. Focus: comprehension activities, decoding strategies

Science – spiders, trees, bears, weather, frogs and toads, fish, farming

History – famous places in the United States, colonial times, inventors

Art – Basic design concepts & principles, art materials, techniques & application, as well as appreciation of the “Masters”

Music – Beat, quarter note, eighth notes, rest, begin sol-fa staff, 2 meter and repeat sign

P.E. –  Gain an understanding of physical activity and food choices and their lifelong impact on health and well being

First Grade is taught by Heather Olander.

Second-Grade Curriculum

Theology – An overview of Genesis to Ruth, historical framework, cycle of Judges, God’s faithfulness to His people in spite of their faithlessness, memorize The Lord’s Prayer and Psalm 115, review books of the Bible, attributes of God and Ten Commandments, other weekly scripture and hymn memorization

Math – Math U See Beta, Calculadders

Grammar –  Shurley Grammar Level 2

Spelling – Spell to Write and Read (Wanda Sanseri), weekly spelling tests

Composition – Two-point paragraph, descriptive writing, letter writing, daily journal writing, report writing

Reading – Curious George, Amelia Bedelia, Little House in the Big Woods, The Velveteen Rabbit, Mr. Popper’s Penguins, More Stories from Grandma’s Attic

Science – Human anatomy, digestive system, earth science, geography. Students dissect a fish and see first hand the wonder of God’s creation.

Geography – the Pacific Northwest., mapping skills

History –  Lewis and Clark Expedition, northwest Indians, U.S. Presidents, westward expansion (Oregon Trail)

Music – Sol-fa, various rhythmic elements, 4 meter, 1st and 2nd endings

Art –  Basic design concepts & principles, art materials, techniques & application, as well as appreciation of the masters

P.E. – Gain an understanding of physical activity and food choices and their lifelong impact on health and well being

Second grade is taught by Hope Nguyen.

Third-Grade Curriculum

Theology – An overview from Ruth to Nehemiah, weekly scripture and hymn memorization, United Kingdom (Saul, David, Solomon), Divided Kingdom (Elijah and Elisha), Old Testament Walk-through-the-Bible, attributes of God

Math –  Math U See Gamma

Grammar –  Shurley Grammar 3: sentence patterns 1-3, proofreading, editing, verb tense

Spelling –  Spell to Read and Write phonics, dictation

Composition –  Research paper on Colonial America, Imitation in Writing Aesop’s Fables, writing a friendly letter, poetry, Progymnasmata, historical arrative, italic cursive

Reading – The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Charlotte’s Web, Cabin Faced West, Homer Price, Baby Island, If You Sailed on the Mayflower, If You Lived in Colonial Times

Latin – Latin For Children Primer A

Science – Classification, five kingdoms, vertebrates/invertebrates (students dissect worms and squid), birds, solar system, biomes of United States

Geography –  U.S. geography: learn different regions, memorize states and capitals, be able to place states on a map of the U.S., major rivers, mountain ranges and oceans

History –  Exploration of the U.S., colonial America

Music – Sol-fa, do and la pentatonic scale, more rhythmic elements

Art –  Basic design concepts & principles, art materials, techniques & application, as well as appreciation of the Masters

P.E. –  Gain an understanding of physical activity and food choices and their lifelong impact on well being.

Speech Meet (3rd – 8th grade)

The Veritas Speech Meet takes place every year during February. This fun event provides an opportunity for students to practice their public-speaking skills. Each participant is being “graded” against set criteria, such as appropriate volume, eye contact, etc. and not competing against fellow classmates. Afterwards, all will be given helpful, written feedback from three judges.

Third grade is taught by Ann Lynch.

Fourth-Grade Curriculum

Theology – Overview of the major and minor prophets; memorize the beatitudes; attributes of God, books of the Old and New Testaments; weekly scripture and hymn memorization.

Math – Math-U-See Delta, Calculadder Math Drills

Grammar – First Language Lessons Level 4

Spelling – Spell to Write and Read

Reading – The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Incredible Journey, Stuart Little, The Indian in the Cupboard, Caddie Woodlawn, The Long Winter, Immigrant Kids, Number the Stars, Snow Treasure and independent reading books (see Veritas book list)

Latin – Latin For Children Primer B

Geography – Review seven continents and four oceans, major geographical features of the U.S., introduction to world geography (Europe)

History –  American history from last quarter of the 18th century through the 20th century with emphasis on the Revolutionary War, American founding, westward expansion, Civil War, immigration, American inventors and industry and major events in the early 20^th century

Music – Sol-fa, 3 meter, more rhythmic elements

Art –  Design concepts & principles, art materials, techniques & application, as well as appreciation of the Masters

P.E. – Gain an understanding of physical activity and food choices and their lifelong impact on health and well being

Speech Meet (3rd – 8th grade)

The Veritas Speech Meet takes place every year during February. This fun event provides an opportunity for students to practice their public-speaking skills. Each participant is being “graded” against set criteria, such as appropriate volume, eye contact, etc. and not competing against fellow classmates. Afterwards, all will be given helpful, written feedback from three judges.

Fourth grade is taught by Joy Strawbridge.

Fifth-Grade Curriculum

Theology – Compare and contrast Gospels; Old & New Testament walk-through, study the attributes of God, weekly scripture and hymn memorization, observation

Math – Math U See Epsilon

Grammar –  Rod and Staff Grammar

Spelling – Spell to Write and Read, words from literature, dictionary definitions, parts of speech

Composition –  Institute for Excellence in Writing: expository/narrative/descriptive paragraph writing. Poetry: students study poems and write poetry throughout the year. Letter and article writing, research paper, essay answers, newspaper writing on Roman life, note-taking skills

Reading –  Wind in the Willows, The Children’s Homer, Detectives in Togas, Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt, Rascal, Magician’s Nephew, The Horse and His Boy

Latin – Latin for Children Primer C

Science – Oceanography, zoology, botany, astronomy, mineralogy, creation

Geography – World geography, maps, coordinates, topography; country locations

History –  Mesopotamia, Ancient Israel, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome

Music –  Sol-fa, major and minor scales, I  IV  V chords, intervals, conducting various meters

Art –  Design concepts & principles, art materials, techniques & application, as well as appreciation of the Masters

P.E. – Gain an understanding of physical activity and food choices and their lifelong impact on health and well being.

Speech Meet (3rd – 8th grade)

The Veritas Speech Meet takes place every year during February. This fun event provides an opportunity for students to practice their public-speaking skills. Each participant is being “graded” against set criteria, such as appropriate volume, eye contact, etc. and not competing against fellow classmates. Afterwards, all will be given helpful, written feedback from three judges.

Fifth grade is taught by Maddie Desmond.

Sixth-Grade Curriculum

Theology – Overview of the New Testament from Acts to Revelation, key words and themes, in-depth memorization of Scripture

Math – Math-U-See: review of fractions; introduction to the metric system; decimals, and percents

Spelling – Worldly Wise 6 and important new words from other subjects; 15 words per week that expand students’ vocabularies. Worldly Wise focuses on the correct usage of the words, synonyms, antonyms, and spelling.

Grammar – Rod and Staff Grammar 6: reviews parts of speech, introduces detailed forms of parts of speech, works on sentence diagramming

Composition –  Begin with review of basic paragraphs, then three-to-five paragraph essays, concluding with a major paper on a topic from Western World History.

Reading –  Work with reading comprehension and fluency, reading books such as: The Hobbit, The Last Battle, Adam of the Road, Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry, The Scarlet Pimpernel, A Christmas Carol, The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Prince and the Pauper, The Hiding Place, Tales from Shakespeare, Martin Luther

Latin – Lingua Latina Part 1

Elementary Art Curriculum

Kindergarten
Studio Art at the kindergarten level is a basic introduction to tools, terms and techniques used in the visual arts. With drawing (mark-making) as the foundation and main emphasis, color theory, proper use of tools and materials in addition to familiarity of the art studio itself are key elements in the course. As students learn and build skills in making art, they begin to think of art as a worthy and enjoyable pursuit that is pleasing and glorifying to God, and they will begin to appreciate the beauty of God’s creation as well as the creativity He has placed in people.

1st, 2nd and 3rd Grades
Studio Art for the primary levels at Veritas continues to introduce tools, terms and techniques used in the visual arts, adding more information each progressive year as projects gaining in complexity. Projects during the year rotate within a 3-year cycle and include drawing with a variety of pencils and pens, oil and soft pastels, printmaking, painting on paper and canvas, sculpting with clay and paper, as well as cutting and gluing. Students will continue learning to building skills in making art; begin to think of art as a worthy and enjoyable pursuit that is pleasing and glorifying to God; begin to appreciate the beauty of God’s creation as well as the creativity He has placed in people. These young students will also be introduced to some of the master artists from the history of western civilization.

4th, 5th and 6th Grade
Studio Art for the 4th-6th grade grammar level continues to train students with the proper use of tools, more advanced techniques and an increased art vocabulary. Each progressive year students develop skill as projects gain in complexity. Projects during the year rotate within a 3-year cycle and include drawing with a variety of pencils and pens, oil and soft pastels, printmaking, painting on paper and canvas, sculpting with clay and paper, as well as cutting, gluing and assembling as they take a focused view of several master artists through the school year. Art projects include imitating some master works of art or responding to the study of them. As in the younger grades, the goals of the course for each student is to continue to build skills in art making; understand more fully that art is a worthy and enjoyable pursuit that is pleasing and glorifying to God; appreciate the beauty of God’s creation as well as the creativity He has placed in people.

Elementary art is taught by Jeana Linhart and Diane Wiser.