3rd-6th Grade

Comm. Central’s Classical Rotation:

Comm. Central embraces the principles of classical education, an important component of which is the integration of subjects for greater learning through studying multiple subjects within their historical context. The history class is the organizing outline for literature, geography, and some composition assignments. When students can engage more with the culture, the lessons become more meaningful and understanding and retention increases.
In addition, science classes are on a four-year rotation and cover one subject per year where students can dig deep rather than skimming the surface of a plethora of science topics.
Comm. Central’s Classical Core follows a four-year rotation: World I, II, III, and American.
- Beginnings of Time and Life:
  - World History I: Creation thru the fall of Greece
  - Science: Life Science
- Weathering the Storms of Time:
  - World History II: Rome thru Early Exploration
  - Science: Earth Science
- Compositions of Nations and Matter:
  - World History III: Age of Exploration thru Modern Times
  - Science: Chemistry and Ecology
- Innovations of America and Society:
  - American History: Founding thru the 19^th Century
  - Science: Physical Science
NOTE: The 24-25 School Year will offer classes following the Innovations of America and Society Rotation.

Comm. Central Curriculum Guide (CCCG):

Tuition includes a CCCG which will aid students each week by providing the following:
All Memory Work (3^rd-4^th Grade)
Daily checklists which include the following:
- A memory work recitation schedule (3^rd-4^th Grade)
- A schedule of each assignment to be completed
- Space for scheduling additional assignments/activities such as math, spelling, chores, etc.
History/Geography:
- Memory Fact
- Points to Remember (P2R) to focus students’ attention on important concepts (5^th-6^th Grade)
- Clear and concise map instructions
- Timeline instructions for weekly entries (5^th-6^th Grade)
Science:
- Memory Fact
- Points to Remember (P2R) to focus students’ attention on important concepts (5^th-6^th Grade)
Composition sources
Literature book lists
Unique Design topic and project ideas (5^th-6^th Grade)

Classes:

3^rd-4^th Grade:
- History/Geography/Oral Comm.
- Literature/Grammar
- Composition
- Science
- Latin/Bible
- Art
5^th-6^th Grade:
- History
- Literature/Grammar
- Composition
- Science
- Latin/Bible
- Oral Communications

Memory Work:

Memory work, the foundational blocks for the week’s study in each subject, is introduced within each applicable class.
3^rd-4^th Grade:
- Teachers listen to memory work recitation and award points where students are allowed to shop for prizes every six weeks.
- Categories:
  - Timeline (Chronological timeline memory song)
  - History (facts covering important people and events of the time period)
  - Science (processes, definitions, etc.)
  - Bible
  - Literary Works (excerpts/poetry)
  - Latin Vocabulary
  - Math/Grammar (skip counting, parts of speech, etc.)
  - Heritage (speeches, important documents, etc. correlating to the time period)
5-6^th Grade: History and science memory facts are included in the CCCG to aid students in mastering the most important concept of the week.

History:

3^rd-4^th Grade:
- A discussion of the continents and oceans along with other map features begin each geography lesson, transitioning to the week’s history fact and region of the world being studied. Students use an atlas to complete their geography lesson by shading and labeling a black-line map related to the week’s history fact.
- Students will continue their history studies at home as a family utilizing history texts outlined in the CCCG (see NOTE below).
5-6^th Grade:
- Class time consists of a history lecture with a PowerPoint slide show to enhance student understanding with images from the time period and maps. Students are taught various note-taking skills throughout the year in preparation for high school and beyond.
- Students will continue their history studies at home as follows:
  - Read from a selected history text outlined in the CCCG (See NOTE below.)
  - Complete a black-line map using an atlas and map directions in the CCCG
  - Prepare a Digging Deeper one-paragraph report using outlining and summarizing skills learned in composition class. (See “Digging Deeper” at the end of this document.)
  - Continue timeline creation by adding weekly entries
  - Study Points to Remember (P2R) to prepare for weekly quizzes (provided to parents at the beginning of the year)
  - Take a quiz (Quizzes can be used as a review worksheet or open or closed-book quiz depending on the ability of the student. The goal is to train students for in-class quizzes beginning in 7^th grade.)
NOTE: The CCCG outlines weekly readings from a plethora of different history texts. Families are able to choose the history texts that best suit their needs and students’ learning styles.

Literature:

3^rd-6^th Grade:
- 3^rd and 4^th grade students begin class with an introduction of the week’s literary memory work.
- All students 3^rd thru 6^th grade spend four weeks at home reading a historical fiction classic. During class they discuss content as well as the following:
  - Setting/Characters
  - Conflict/Plot Development
  - Resolution/Theme
  - Literary elements
- At the completion of the book, the class completes a plot diagram to assist in visualizing the story structure.
- The next three weeks are spent reading a selected book at home from a specified genre as listed in the CCCG. In class students are introduced to the genre. Students reading the same book will work in groups to complete genre-related tasks and complete a fun project at the conclusion of the book such as performing skits, conducting interviews, and presenting story boards.
- This schedule is repeated three additional times to complete the school year. Students work through four different genres such as realistic, adventure, mystery, science fiction, or fantasy.
- 5^th and 6^th graders, as time allows at the end of each class, work through literary logic puzzles.

Grammar:

3^rd-6^th Grade:
- Grammar concepts are taught to aid students in completing their weekly homework.
- In addition 4^th-6^thgrade students complete editing assignments where they gain skills in grammar mechanics while editing pre-written, grade-appropriate paragraphs. One paragraph is edited and discussed in class, and three paragraphs are completed as homework.

Composition:

3^rd-6^th Grade:
- Composition instruction is based on the concepts utilized by the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW). Once the composition concept is introduced, a source is read aloud and discussed. As a class, an outline is created to aid students in completing their composition homework, which consists of one to two paragraphs weekly.

Science:

3^rd-6^th Grade:
- Class time consists of a science lecture with a PowerPoint slide show to enhance student understanding with images and diagrams. To supplement the instruction, demonstrations, experiments, and activities are completed.
- In addition, 5^th-6^thgrade students are taught test-taking skills throughout the year and practice test taking in class in preparation for 7^th grade where quizzes are completed for a grade.
- Students will finish their science study at home utilizing curriculum designated in the CCCG.
- In addition, 5^th-6^thstudents will study the Points to Remember (P2R) in their curriculum guide to prepare for the weekly quiz.

Latin/Bible:

3^rd-6^th Grade:
- Concepts are introduced and reviewed each week, and learning is reinforced through review games. At home, students will complete exercises each week to reinforce their learning.

Oral Communications:

3^rd-4^th Grade:
- Each week students prepare a Digging Deeper one-paragraph report using outlining and summarizing skills they are learning in composition class. Students are encouraged to “Dig Deeper” into their history or science studies, but any topic of interest is welcome. This research is used to practice public speaking skills and build confidence.
- In class, students are provided with instruction and encouragement for sharing their Digging Deeper reports.
- The goals for the students are as follows:
  - Overcome fear
  - Speak fluently
  - Focus on eye contact and volume
  - Speak from an outline
5^th-6^th Grade:
- Class time consists of instruction and encouragement for four presentations given over first semester.
- Second semester consists of fun mock interview exercises and an introduction to formal debate.
- Games that foster speaking and listening skills and other impromptu activities are conducted as time allows.
- Unique Design is introduced, taught, and discussed in this class, and accountability is provided for the year-end project. Please see “What is Unique Design?” below for more information.

Art:

3^rd-4^th Grade Only:
- Students learn interesting facts about a master artist, practice techniques used by the artist, and create a masterpiece mimicking the artist.
- This schedule is repeated every three weeks as the students learn about different artists.

Parent Responsibilities

Parents are responsible to assist their student each week as needed and to complete the following:
Edit compositions and Digging Deeper Paragraphs for grammar and spelling (graded by teacher)
Grade grammar, Latin, and Bible exercises
Grade history quiz / discuss and correct science quiz (5^th-6^th grade)
Keep records and compile a course book as the year progresses as desired OR input grades into the online record keeping system as desired (5-6th grade)
Implement a spelling and math program at home outside of the context of the Comm. Central program.

What is Digging Deeper?

Composition skills are paramount, and students should have a regular opportunity to practice researching and to independently practice the composition skills they are learning in class each week: outlining and summarizing. The Digging Deeper assignments achieve this goal.
Each week 5^th-6^th grade students are either assigned to “dig deeper” into the time period or their Unique Design and compose a paragraph. When digging deeper into the time period, students choose a topic within the scope of their history reading for further research.

What is Unique Design? (5^th-6^th Grade)

God has gifted each student with a unique design that includes interests, skills, and abilities unique to them. Unique Design assignments facilitate students in discovering more about themselves and celebrate each student’s individuality.
Each year the student picks an area of interest.
Over the course of the school year, students are assigned to perform research and compose eight paragraphs presenting this research.
In addition, students are allotted six weeks to work on a related project.
Projects are presented at the year-end assembly. (Think Science Fair.)
Possible areas of interest and project ideas are included in the appendix pages of the CCCG.
Accountability for these assignments takes place in the oral communications class.

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