Although ICS is not a classical School, we do emphasize
memorization in the elementary classes. Whether it is the phonics charts and
math facts or states and capitals and the Bill of Rights, students memorize
valuable information by using chants, songs, and memory tricks.
Reading:
The Kindergarten through Second Grade learn to read using
phonics rules. Using the A Beka curriculum that breaks the English language
into common special sounds, children are taught to identify the various
language “rules”. Sight words are those words that don’t follow the rules and
must just be recognized.
Third Grade begins the journey into understanding English
grammar. This is continued into the high school, each year adding onto the
previous lessons. Students are taught to diagram sentences, understand verb
tenses, and identify adjectives and adverbs.
Writing:
There are two aspects of writing that we emphasize,
handwriting and composition. Handwriting is taught through the fourth grade and
good handwriting is expected in all work. Composition begins in first grade with
simple sentences describing a picture or event. Each grade builds on that
foundation unit in fifth grade students are taught how to write their first
term paper.
Arithmetic:
Beginning by counting and learning to add in Kindergarten
and continuing until Algebra in Eight Grade, the various uses of mathematics
are taught with excitement and practicality. Simple geometry, banking, and word
problems take the concepts out of the theoretical and into real world
situations.
Social Studies:
American, World, and Pennsylvania History as well as basic
World Geography are all covered by the time a student graduates from Eight
Grade.
Science:
Students are always encourages to look at and wonder about
the creation that God has placed us in. The formal study of science takes
aspects of that world and examines them closer. It is taught in all elementary
grades.
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