K–8 Curriculum

The Calvary Lutheran School K-8 curriculum is Christ-oriented and builds students’ comprehension of valuable areas of study, including Religion, Math, Reading, English, Social Studies, Science, Geography, Spelling and Vocabulary. Click any grade level below to learn more about the curriculum!

Kindergarten

Kindergarten Curriculum

Calvary’s Kindergartners are very busy learning and having fun while doing it! Among the many activities that are a part of their schedule are:

Religion: Kindergartners explore stories and people from the Bible, to learn about God’s love and provision for them. (One in Christ by Concordia Publishing House)

Reading/Language Arts: The reading curriculum teaches the main areas of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and writing. (Wonders by McGraw-Hill)

Handwriting: Following the D’Nealian method of handwriting, students practice using upper and lowercase letters in their daily writing.

Math: Calvary’s math curriculum exposes the children to a wide range of math concepts, including patterns, shapes, graphing, telling time on the hour, and using small change. (Saxon Math)

Social Studies: Students learn about themselves, their families, their community, and the world around them. (My World by Pearson)

Science: Students explore sophisticated topics in an age-appropriate way, enjoying creative and hands-on activities. (Nancy Larson Science)

Art: Students attend art class twice a week to learn about different artists and art techniques.

Physical Education: Students take part in a physical education program twice a week that is designed to strengthen their gross motor skills.

Field Trips: Kindergartners enjoy several field trips during the school year, which include going to the Pumpkin Patch, Discovery Science Center, Kaleidoscope, the Kansas City Symphony, and the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art.

1st Grade

First Grade Curriculum

  • Religion – Concordia Publishing House by One in Christ
  • Reading – Wonders by McGraw-Hill
  • Math – Saxon
  • Handwriting – D’Nealian
  • Science – Nancy Larson
  • Social Studies – My World by Pearson

The first grade class begins their day with devotions and singing. In religion class, they learn about simple Bible stories and how they relate to their lives. They learn about Christ, their personal Savior, and how they can follow His footsteps by letting their own actions and lives shine for Jesus.

Students have memory work twice a week. Throughout the year, they learn the Ten Commandments, the Lord’s Prayer, various Bible passages that correlate with the Bible story of the week, and simple songs.

A major focus of the 1st grade classroom is Language Arts and Reading. Students participate in many reading activities and the Accelerated Reading program. Students also participate in the Saxon Math program to develop a solid foundation in the basic concepts in areas such as addition, subtraction, counting by fives, tens, and hundreds, telling time to the hour and half-hour, counting money, measuring, and reading a graph or chart.

Throughout the year, students enjoy physical education, music, art, technology, several field trips, and a variety of activities, including celebrating the Week of the Young Reader and National Lutheran Schools Week. 

2nd Grade

Second Grade Curriculum

  • Religion – Concordia Publishing House, One in Christ
  • Language Arts – Wonders, McGraw-Hill
  • Math – Saxon
  • Science – Nancy Larson
  • Social Studies – My World, Pearson
  • Handwriting – D’Nealian Style, Scott, Foresman

Math: Students practice addition, subtraction, time, money, measuring, and graphing. Near the end of the year, they begin to work on multiplication.

Reading: Students read and discuss a variety of literature selections while increasing skills in phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension. They also participate in the Accelerated Reader program.

English: Students study nouns, verbs, adjectives, and punctuation combined with many writing activities.

Handwriting: During the first semester students polish up their writing skills. In the second semester, they learn how to write in cursive.

Religion: Students examine their relationship with God and how it affects them, others, and the world around them. Prayer and worship are encouraged!

Science: Students study a variety of areas including plants, animals, habitats, matter, and magnets. Hands-on activities are included.

Social Studies: Students learn about their neighborhood, community, and world. They study American government and history, use maps, and explore various cultures.

Field Trips: Students go on a variety of field trips. We explore God’s good and wonderful creation at the Discovery Center and the Pumpkin Patch. We enjoy the arts at the Kansas City Symphony, Kaleidoscope, and the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art.

Special Times: A “Seascape”, President’s Project, and an “All About Me” collage are just a few of the fun projects offered in second grade. We also have a special day of flying kites with our 6th grade friends! We celebrate the 100th day of school, we dress up like book characters, and most importantly we find joy in learning.

3rd Grade

Third Grade Curriculum

  • Religion – One in Christ by Concordia Publishing House
  • Math – Saxon Math
  • Language Arts- Wonders by Mc-Graw Hill
  • Social Studies – My World by Pearson
  • Science – Nancy Larson
  • Handwriting – D’Nealian Handwriting “Contemporary Cursive”

In third grade, students begin receiving letter grades (A, B, C, D, F) as well as progress marks (+, √). Students also are responsible for an assignment book and homework, and getting both of those to and from school each day.

Field Trips include Mahaffie Stagecoach and Farm or Fort Osage, the Kansas City Symphony, and School Day at the K. Children who meet the Accelerated Reader goal may participate in the end-of-year AR Field Trip.

Third grade has music, art, and physical education classes twice weekly and technology once weekly. Third grades participation in school musicals (bi-annually) and Christmas programs. They also have the opportunity to lead an all-school chapel each year.

Most importantly, the class learns to live together as followers of Jesus. They know that God is with them, guiding them, and protecting them. He especially forgives them, because of Jesus, and students learn to forgive each other. With God’s help, these are the most vital lessons students learn.

4th Grade

Fourth Grade Curriculum

  • Religion – One in Christ by Concordia Publishing House
  • Math – Saxon Math
  • Language Arts – Wonders by McGraw-Hill
  • Social Studies – My World by Pearson
  • Science – Nancy Larson Science
  • Handwriting – D’Nealian & Cursive

Social Studies: Fourth graders focus on regions of the United States. Students also complete a unit about Missouri in fourth grade social studies.

Technology: Students develop keyboarding and word-processing skills to create content. Fourth graders are using Google Apps for education along with many other programs and websites to integrate technology into all areas of learning.

Music: Students learn how to play the recorder and read music. Every December, the fourth through eighth grades present a Christmas concert. There is also a Spring concert for those students who participate in the performance choir. On alternating years, fourth graders may try out for a part in the 4-8 grade school musical. All fourth graders are a part of the chorus.

Reading: Students sharpen their reading skills in the Accelerated Reader program.

Physical Education: Students work on fitness with the Presidential and National Fitness Program.

Fourth Grade Field Trips:

  • McHaffie Stagecoach and Farm or Fort Osage
  • Kansas City Symphony
  • School Day at the K

Extracurricular activities for fourth graders include performance choir and track.

5th Grade

Fifth Grade Curriculum

  • Religion – One in Christ by Concordia Publishing House
  • Math – Saxon Math
  • Language Arts – Wonders by McGraw-Hill
  • Social Studies – My World by Pearson
  • Science – Nancy Larson Science
  • Physical Education, Music, Handwriting, Spanish

Economics: Fifth graders take part in an economics unit sponsored by the Blue Springs School of Economics.

Religion: Students explore areas of worship and the creeds and commandments. A read-through and discussion of each of the four Gospels is a key part of our curriculum.

Reading: Reading is encouraged with a thorough examination of fiction and nonfiction through the Wonders curriculum resource. Fifth graders also participate in the Accelerated Reader program.

Social Studies: Students study United States history from the centuries of exploration through the Civil War.

English: Students have a variety of opportunities for creative writing learning the principles of grammar. A research paper is included in the curriculum.

Science: Students complete a group experiment in preparation for the middle school Science Fair.

Other Activities: Students enjoy technology, Spanish, physical education, art, and music classes. Fifth graders may also participate in the performance choir, band, and sports programs. Students enjoy field trips to the School of Economics, the Kansas City Symphony, and School Day at the K.

Most importantly, students learn to work, play, serve, and pray together as followers of Jesus. They know that God is with them, guiding them and protecting them.

6th Grade

Sixth Grade Curriculum

  • Religion – One in Christ by Concordia Publishing House
  • Math – Saxon (Course 1)
  • Language Arts- Novel Units, Grammar Flip & Various Resources
  • Literature – Holt-McDougal
  • Vocabulary – Vocabulary Workshop by Sadlier
  • Social Studies – My World by Pearson
  • Science – Elevate by Savvas

Sixth grade is the transition year in which students prepare for middle school. It is a time of reinforcement of what students have learned over the past five years, and a time to prepare them for the added responsibilities to come.

Science: The Science Fair is a major component of the Science curriculum. Top projects from the school are entered in the Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair held at Union Station.

Math: Sixth grade students study Math based on their proficiency level. 

Reading: Like other grade levels, seventh graders participate in the Accelerated Reader program.

Technology: The sixth grade is a technology immersion year for Calvary students. Once students pass their keyboarding test (15 wpm @ 80% accuracy), students purchase a Chromebook for regular use.

Music: In addition to music class, students may choose to participate in band, choir, or handbell groups. Students take part in annual Christmas programs and concerts, at least one musical production every other year.

Field Trips: Sixth graders go on several field trips throughout the year, including Steamboat Arabia, the Kansas City Symphony, and an all-day ski trip in Weston.

Athletics:

  • Fall: Boys soccer and girls volleyball
  • Winter: Boys and girls basketball and girls cheerleading
  • Spring: Boys and girls cross country and track & field

Academic & Arts Competitions:

  • Spelling Bee
  • Geography Bee
  • Mathletics
  • Bible Bowl
  • Science Fair
  • Celebrate the Arts
7th Grade

Seventh Grade Curriculum

  • Religion – One in Christ by Concordia Publishing House
  • Math – Saxon (Course 2)
  • Language Arts – Novel Units, Grammar Flip & Various Resources
  • Literature – Holt-McDougal
  • Spelling & Vocabulary – Sadlier
  • American History – Prentice Hall
  • Science – Elevate by Savvas

Religion: Students begin each day with a devotion and Religion class. On Tuesday they attend Chapel.

Music: In addition to music class, students may choose to participate in band, choir, or handbell groups. Students take part in annual Christmas programs and concerts, at least one musical production every other year.

Science: Science Fair is a major component of the Science curriculum. Top projects from the school are entered in the Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair held at Union Station.

Math: Seventh grade students study Math based on their proficiency level.

Reading: Like other grade levels, seventh graders participate in the Accelerated Reader program.

Athletics:

  • Fall: Boys soccer and girls volleyball
  • Winter: Boys and girls basketball and girls cheerleading
  • Spring: Boys and girls cross country and track & field

Academic & Arts Competitions:

  • Spelling Bee
  • Geography Bee
  • Bible Bowl
  • Science Fair
  • Academic Meets
  • Mathletics
  • Celebrate the Arts

Class Trip: Students participate in an overnight Class Trip to Hutchinson & Abilene, KS. They tour an underground salt mine, the Cosmosphere, Seale Mansion, and the Eisenhower Museum. Fundraisers are held throughout the year to help students earn funds for the trip.

8th Grade

Eighth Grade Curriculum

  • Religion – Enduring Faith by Concordia Publishing House
  • Math – Saxon (Course 3, Algebra 1, or Geometry)
  • Language Arts – Novel Units, Quill & Various Resources
  • Literature – Holt-McDougal
  • Spelling & Vocabulary – Sadlier
  • World Geography – Prentice Hall
  • Science – Elevate by Savvas

Religion: Students begin each day with a devotion and Religion class, and on Tuesday they attend Chapel.

Reading: Like other grade levels, eighth graders participate in the Accelerated Reader program.

Music: In addition to music class, students may participate in band, choir, or handbell groups. Students take part in at least one musical production every other year and put on a Spring Melodrama annually. Students assist with set design, music and sound, costume design, and acting.

Science: Science Fair is a major component of the Science curriculum. Top projects from the school are entered in the Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair held at Union Station.

Math: Eighth grade students study Math based on their proficiency level.

Athletics:

  • Fall: Boys soccer and girls volleyball
  • Winter: Boys and girls basketball and girls cheerleading
  • Spring: Boys and girls cross country and track & field

Academic & Arts Competitions:

  • Spelling Bee
  • Geography Bee
  • Bible Bee
  • Science Fair
  • Academic Meets
  • Mathletics
  • Celebrate the Arts

Class Trip: Students participate in a Class Trip to Washington DC. Fundraisers are held throughout the year to help students earn funds for the trip.