Next Generation Learning Standards

The Next Generation Learning Standards serve as a consistent set of expectations for what students should learn and be able to do, so that we can ensure every student is on track for college and career readiness. The Next Generation Learning Standards are benchmarked, ensuring students are prepared to enter college and compete with their peers around the world in the increasingly competitive global economy. The adoption of these standards underscores Trinity Lutheran’s commitment to maintaining high academic standards for our students.  Trinity Lutheran School incorporates and exceeds the Next Generation Standards in our curriculum, but we do not administer the New York State Next Generation tests.  Each grade’s curriculum includes nationally recognized benchmarks throughout the school year to evaluate and ensure our student’s progress.

 

Kindergarten 

English Language Arts: Reading units include basic fundamentals including: phonics, decoding, comprehension, vocabulary, beginning reading concepts and interactive writing.

Social Studies: Students study school rules, relating to others, problem solving, good citizenship, famous leaders, and family and community helpers.

Mathematics: Students begin the year sorting, graphing, and creating patterns. The math units include: measurement, geometry, understanding addition and subtraction, counting, and number patterns to 100.

Science: Students cover Life Sciences which include: the needs of plants and animals and their life cycles. Students also cover Earth Science which includes; how we care for the Earth, our land, water, air, weather, and seasons.

Religion: Students learn bible stories and Jesus’ love for us through song. Prayer is a part of the daily routine.

 

First Grade

English Language Arts: The areas covered in the series are: different kinds of sentences (statements, questions, exclamations), nouns, plurals, verbs, adjectives. In addition the children will develop written skills for creative writing and use the skills taught in the various units. Our curriculum also consists of daily reading, spelling, and phonics lessons. The children keep writing journals in which they write creative stories weekly.

Social Studies:  The Social Studies curriculum includes: Culture (Family and Neighbors), Geography (All about Earth), History (Life Long Ago), Economics (All about Work), and Citizenship (Our Government).

Mathematics: The first grade curriculum aligns with the Next Generation Learning Standards. Students focus on patterns, graphing, addition and subtraction, geometry (solid figures and plane shapes), fractions, telling time to the hour and half hour, skip counting, odd and even numbers, place value (ones, tens and hundred), money (recognizing coins and their value), and measurement. The children do daily word problems in their math journals.

Science: The Science curriculum is divided into 4 main units: Life Science, Earth Science, Physical Science and Space and Technology.

Religion: The students learn a variety of bible stories spanning from The Old Testament into the New. Students will learn about Creation, and the story of Noah through Jesus’ life and death.

 

Second Grade 

English Language Arts: In second grade we read a wide variety of texts to continue to encourage students to become lifelong readers. We begin the year with short stories and then we introduce chapter books into the curriculum. The language arts curriculum also includes a lot of grammar, spelling and phonics instruction. Students keep writing journals and are introduced to a variety of writing styles.

Social Studies: The second grade Social Studies curriculum is divided into multiple units. These units include: Geography, History, Culture, Economics and Citizenship. Students are taught a variety of map and globe skills. We explore how to solve world problems on a community level and on a global level. Topics such as the Revolutionary and Civil War are learned about through literature with the Magic Tree House series.

Mathematics: In accordance with the Next Generation Learning Standards, the second grade math curriculum covers the following units: Place Value, Facts, 2 Digit Addition and Subtraction, Length, Time and Money, Geometry, and Data. Class work and homework help the students make real-life connections to the material they are learning. Students also connect reading and writing to their problem solving

Science: Second grade science is a research- based curriculum. Students use leveled readers, technology, textbooks and more to explore topics such as: Plants, Animals, Weather, Dinosaurs, Matter and Space. Students learn how to conduct experiments and gain skills that allow them to need less support from the teacher in their science investigations.

Religion: Second grade religion is centered on Bible literacy and discipleship. It focuses on the characteristic “One in Christ.” Through bible stories and daily devotions, students are reminded how our faith unites us. Students write prayers, role-play, and create illustrations to connect to God’s Word.

 

Third Grade 

English Language Arts: In third grade we strive to help every student gain a lifelong love of reading. Our curriculum includes reading various novels, from a variety of genres. Our curriculum consists of vocabulary, spelling, and grammar on a daily basis.  Writing is also a major component as the children keep writing journals and are taught different types of writing styles.

Social Studies: The third grade Social Studies Curriculum consists of studying the geography, history, and government of various communities around the world. Countries included in our study are Mexico, Canada, South Africa, Italy, and China. Different skills such as the study of time lines and different kinds of graphs are included in our study.

Mathematics: The third grade curriculum aligns with the Next Generation Learning Standards. The students focus on multiplication, division, fractions, geometry, and measurement. Multiplication and division within 100 is mastered by concentrating on problem solving skills, relating multiplication and division, and requiring fluency on all products of two one-digit factors. We develop an in-depth understanding of fractions, with close attention given to unit fractions, fractions on a number line, and equivalent fractions. Geometric figures are analyzed, and area and perimeter are explored. We interpret various graphs and charts. Additionally, students relate measurement to time, liquid volume, and masses.

Science: In third grade, students learn about life science, earth science, and space. Students will focus on necessary process skills that help them have a better understanding of science. These include how to read science, identifying key terms such as observe, classify, infer, and predict, as well as using the scientific method. Students enjoy a variety of project and experiments throughout the year.

Religion: The third grade religion curriculum focuses on daily devotions, memory verses, and the study of God’s Word.  We focus on how God shows his love for all of us through his son Jesus Christ.

 

Fourth Grade  

English Language Arts: Students are immersed in Reading and Writing. Weekly Reading Notebooks and student-teacher conferences are used to record information on novels read in a variety of genres.  Writing Journal assignments are given each week to focus on strengthening writing skills.  Spelling, parts of speech, vocabulary, and grammar are all part of the Language Arts program on a daily basis.

Social Studies: The curriculum covers the history of New York State.  Students learn about important people, events, and documents relating to the history of New York State from the 1600’s to the present. Additionally, landforms, regions, and weather patterns of New York are incorporated into the lessons.

Mathematics:  In accordance with the Next Generation Learning Standard, the fourth grade curriculum covers math concepts which allows for optimal understanding of math facts and computation. Included are Number Sense, Multiplication and Division of Multi-Digit Numbers, Fraction and Decimal Concepts and Computation, Measurement and Data, and Geometry and Geometric Measurement. All concepts are reinforced through class work and homework, with assessments at regular intervals.

Science: Fourth grade Science is exciting!  Students gain further knowledge of the systems of the human body; weather; rocks and minerals; Earth and its natural resources; properties of matter; and energy and heat.  Weekly Science labs and hands-on experiments enable students to understand ideas and also develop questions that initiate further exploration.

Religion: In our Christian setting, the 4th grade students learn, understand, and memorize prayers, Bible verses, the Ten Commandments, and books of the Bible. Daily devotions and Bible stories help keep students focused on living a life centered in Christ. The school attends a weekly Chapel service, with students and faculty joining together for meaningful worship services.

 

Fifth Grade  

English Language Arts: Students will be immersed in Reading and Writing.  Journals are used to encourage writing stamina and personal style. Writing Lessons focus on techniques for strengthening skills and grammar and are driven by student needs. A well rounded variety of novels, short stories, and news articles are used to develop reading strategies and comprehension.

Social Studies: This curriculum covers the history of America from early Native American cultures through the present. Students learn about important people, events, and documents relating to our country’s history. Elements of American government, citizenship, geography, economics, and culture are also incorporated into lessons. 

Mathematics: In accordance with the Next Generation Learning Standards, the fifth grade curriculum covers the following topics: Operations and Algebraic Thinking, Numbers and Operations in Base Ten (focused on more complex multiplication and division), Numbers and Operations – Fractions, Measurement and Data, and Geometry.  All concepts are reinforced through class work and homework, with assessments at regular intervals.

Science: In fifth grade science, students take a more in depth look into organisms, the systems of the human body, plants, ecosystems, weather, Earth and its natural resources, properties of matter; and energy and, our universe. Science labs and hands-on experiments enable students to understand ideas and also develop questions that initiate further exploration.

Religion: Students read, memorize, and reflect on Bible verses that correspond with our character education program. The remainder of the religion curriculum focuses on readings and discussions that help cultivate a greater understanding of who God is and how to form a personal relationship with Him.

 

Specials

STEAM: All students in grades Pre-K through 5th will take part in week long STEAM lessons in our new STEAM Lab. Students will be able to work collaboratively in a space specially designed for large scale hands on learning.  

The Learning Center: An essential service to students who are experiencing academic difficulties in the classroom. It provides a multi-sensory learning time with limited distractions. Referred by the classroom teacher, children come individually or in small groups for lessons that concentrate on a particular area of the child’s classroom curriculum. Alternate learning techniques and extra practice prior to testing are provided to allow each child to perform to their highest potential.

Art: Art education is an integral element of our total learning program at Trinity Lutheran School. The art program is aligned with the New York State Visual Arts Standards. Students are introduced to the styles and techniques of artists from the past and present. The students are exposed to a variety of media and tools and are instructed how to use them. Each student is encouraged to explore the materials and create their own original piece of art. It is our goal at Trinity for all students to find success and to encourage and cultivate a life-long love, respect and appreciation for the Visual Arts.

General Music: Kindergarten through 6th Grade take part in weekly General Music Classes. These classes prepare students for Christmas and Spring musicals and concerts, while also teaching students the basics of music literacy, history and appreciation. 

Instrumental Music: Students in grades 3 though 8 participate in the the Instrumental Music Program. Students learn one of several band instruments and perform for the Christmas Concert, Spring Concert, and Hicksville Memorial Day Parade. 

Physical Education: Physical Education is provided to students twice a week and aligned with New York State guidelines. This course provides students the opportunity to learn through a developmentally appropriate, comprehensive sequentially planned physical education program. The content standards emphasize working cooperatively to achieve a common goal. The focus of this course is the development of movement skill combinations and movement skill knowledge; the assessment and maintenance of physical fitness to improve health and performance, and the application of psychological and sociological concepts, including self-responsibility, positive social interaction, and group dynamics, in the learning and performance of physical activity.

Social Emotional Learning (SEL): Students in grades Kindergarten through 5th attend biweekly SEL classes as part of our whole child curriculum. Students will learn about the importance of proper peer relations and how to help them navigate the myriad of emotions that elementary students encounter in order to have a positive growth mindset.  

Spanish: Grades K-5 – Introduction to Spanish offered once a week. Students are introduced to Spanish language with a focus on basic vocabulary and Spanish and Latin American cultures. Each year students build on prior knowledge and create the foundation for middle school Spanish studies.

Technology: Class focus is on building skills that are essential when working with technology. Students are taught keyboarding skills, how to open up different programs, find different files with-in the computer, and how they interact with each other. Some programs that students learn how to use are: Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Chrome, Kid Pix, and others. 

Robotics: Students in grades 4, 6, and 8 utilize our Robotics Lab for a multi-week unit where they design, build, and program Lego EV-3 Robots. 

Living Museum: Students in grades Kindergarten through 5th attend biweekly classes in our one of a kind Living Museum, also knows as the Critter Room. Students get up close and personal with over 30 different species of reptiles, amphibians, arachnids, and other invertebrate. Environmental science topics including the water cycle, photosynthesis, recycling and food webs are also covered.