Academics at Trace Academy

Overview

In kindergarten and first grade, our students begin to explore God’s world through the conceptual lens of “Near and Far.” Our studies in kindergarten take us from what is most near, our bodies, to studying what is most far, the very reaches of the universe, at the end of first grade. Throughout the kindergarten year, students will grow in understanding of the familiar and unfamiliar, those things that are near and those things that are far. They will come away knowing the enduring truth that “I am part of God’s creation, and He is always near me!” (Matt. 28:20, Ps. 24:1)

Curriculum

Math—Saxon Math 1

Phonics & Reading—Abeka

Manuscript—Abeka

Integral Thematic Units (includes history, science, geography, art & music)

• Creation

• Body & Soul

• Family & Friends

• Christmas Near & Far

• Flora & Fauna

• Rivers & Oceans

Field Trips Include

• Build-a-Bear

• My Gym

• Sea World

• Zoo

Overview

First grade at Trace Academy continues with the theme of “Near and Far.” This exploration began in kindergarten with an emphasis on creation, and continues in first grade with an emphasis on relationships. First graders will be encouraged and challenged with the enduring truth that “I am part of God’s community, and I love my neighbors near and far!” (Mark 12:31, Gal. 6:10)

First grade is a year of tremendous academic growth. By the end of the year, the first-grade student will be able to add and subtract two-digit numbers easily, read easy chapter books with a fair degree of fluency, and write short stories using complete sentences.

Curriculum

Math—Saxon Math 2

Phonics, Reading & Spelling—Abeka

Manuscript—Abeka

Integral Thematic Units (includes history, science, geography, art & music)

• Creation

• Community & Country

• Christmas Near & Far

• Tales & Traditions

• Earth & Space

Field Trips Include

• Fire Station

• Wildlife Refuge

• Orlando Science Center

• Local Theater Show

Overview

Second grade is a time of tremendous growth as our students move on from being new to the academic environment. It is filled with fun opportunities like learning to write reports, transitioning from manuscript to cursive, and moving toward written journaling. Students will learn to create their own stories, or recreate experiences and thoughts they’ve had. We also focus on becoming a more proficient, fluent, expressive reader by first using Abeka readers, then moving on to chapter books.

The second grade integral thematic units take a close look at a variety of topics centered around the conceptual lens of “Hidden and Revealed.” They are asked to think and write and experiment in new and deeper ways as they explore things visible and invisible, the mysterious and the known. They will begin to discover the enduring truth that “God knows the mysteries of my comings and goings!” (Ps 139, Job 23:10), Their units will cover topics such as animal and human migration, transportation, seeds, rocks, birds and trees and more!

Curriculum

Math—Saxon Math

Phonics, Reading & Spelling—Abeka

Cursive—Abeka

Integral Thematic Units (includes history, science, geography, art, and music)

• Creation: Feet & Fins

• Coming & Going: Migration & Transportation

• Thanksgiving Coming & Going

• Christmas Coming & Going

• Asleep & Awake

• Over & Under

Field Trips Include

• Audubon Birds of Prey Center

• Sunrail Train Ride

• Butterfly Encounter

• Zoo

Overview

Third grade at Trace continues the theme of "Hidden & Revealed" which started in second grade. Students will be encouraged and challenged with the enduring truth, “I reverence God and He reveals His mysteries to me!” (Ps 25:14, Deut 29:29, Dan 2:28). Exploration of the secret and hidden things in our world and literature, as well as a fresh perspective when exploring already-known things, will lead to delightful surprises. Third grade students grow as readers, writers, thinkers and learners.

Curriculum

Math—Saxon Math 4

Writing and Language—Abeka Book

Cursive—Abeka Book

Integral Thematic Units (includes science, literature, art, and music)

• Creation: Time & Eternity

• Thanksgiving

• Christmas

• Surprise & Disguise

• Eyes & Light

• Ears & Sound

Field Trips

• Bok Tower

• Fishing trip

• Museum of Illusions

• Lighthouse

Overview

Fourth grade centers around the conceptual lens of “East & West.” Students begin a journey to explore what God has revealed from east to west beginning with our very homes and homeland. Students will discover “God has made a home for me!” both here on earth and in heaven. (Phil 3:20, Ps 90:1, John 14:3) From there, students will look at the history of our earthly home, the United States, from the eastern seaboard to westward expansion and wrapping up with the history of our home state, Florida.

This is also a year where the student begins to experience more independence in their studies. That means they will be taking more personal responsibility, such as copying down their homework in an agenda and organizing their papers in a binder.

Curriculum

Math - Saxon Intermediate 5

Writing - Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW)

Grammar - Fix-It Grammar by IEW

Integral Thematic Units (includes history, science, geography, art, and music)

• Creation: Citizenship

• First Americans

• New Americans

• Colonial Christmas

• New Nation

• Westward Bound

• Florida

Field Trips Include

• Pioneer Settlement

• Orlando Archery Academy

• St. Johns River Boat Cruise

• St. Augustine

Overview

In fifth grade students continue looking through the conceptual lens of “East and West” that was started in fourth grade. However, students and teachers will zoom out and look at cultures all over the world. It is a year of exploring how God’s beautiful world is matched up and/or not matched up to His design. Fifth graders will be encouraged and challenged by the enduring truth that “I’m a culture maker in God’s world!” (Gen 1:26, Gen 2:15, Col 3:23-25, Rom 1:20).

This is also a year where we build into students the skills of organization and time management, especially in breaking large assignments into smaller pieces. Writing assignments focus on composition and content, building upon their growing grammar foundation. By the end of our journey, students are prepared to step into middle school.

Curriculum

Math—Saxon Course 1

Writing—Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW)

Grammar—Fix It! Grammar by IEW

Integral Thematic Units (includes history, science, geography, literature, art, and music)

• Creation: Culture

• Africa

• Asia

• Europe

• Antarctica

• Australia

• South & Central America

• North America

Field Trips Include

• Pottery Studio

• Rock Climbing

• Orlando Wetlands Park

• Sea World

Overview

6th Grade will bring a focused study on “Identity” for the young adolescent and preadolescent students in 6th grade. Developmentally, the 11-12 year old is deeply engrossed in discovering his or her identity; this is part of the fabric of God’s design and merits focused attention. In addition to instruction in Pre-Algebra using Saxon Math, Grammar Instruction using Fix-It Grammar, a survey of General Science using BJU curriculum, IEW influenced writing, and an introduction to Latin, there are weekly lessons that focus on this theme of Identity.

These lessons focused on identity incorporate reading and interacting with rich literature both together as a class and individually. These books will span the genres of fiction, fantasyfiction, and non-fiction biographies and autobiographies. Regular class discussions (seminars) are held and projects and activities will come from the themes of identity found in these wonderful books.

In addition, students will explore the different ways we bear God’s image and will use the Clifton StrengthsExplorer assessment to better understand their God-given talents. All year, student will interact with the statement: I respond to circumstances and events by choosing to lead, to participate, or to resist: I am never merely a passive observer.

Lastly, a weekly emphasis in apologetics will equip students to think critically and gain sound understanding of some of the most common obstacles. The goal is to help students become able to not only understand, but also to lovingly communicate with others the truths on which their faith stands.

Field Trips Include

• Ninja Gym

• Madame Tussaud’s

• Orange County Juvenile Detention Center

• 4Roots

Overview

The 7th & 8th graders are in a combined class that has a two-year rotating curriculum. The first year covers ancient world history from Creation to the Renaissance/Reformation while the second year covers Revolution to Current Events. Story of the World by Susan Wise Bauer serves as the history backbone to our exploration and a strong civic thread is woven throughout the two years. The theme for the 7th and 8th grade years is: "God’s Truth and Grace in HIStory." Through our thematic-based curriculum, reading, writing, art, music, and field trips flow. An introduction to Spanish and French rounds out the strong humanities emphasis.

During these years, students continue refining the writing skills they have been developing in the earlier grades with the Institute for Excellence in Writing curriculum through a variety of assignments: journals, creative writing, reports, and essays.

The students will receive two years of Apologia Science, with one year of General Science focused on life science. The second year covers Physical Science focused on earth science and physics.

In addition, there are 3 levels of math that are taught, Saxon Course 3 (Pre-Algebra), Saxon Algebra and Honors Saxon Algebra.

In these middle school years, students will have the opportunity to apply strategies for academic success, work together cooperatively to develop team spirit and a sense of community, and take on a leadership role in the school.

Field Trips Include

• Tarpon Springs

• iFly

• Holocaust Museum

• Medieval Times

• State Capital Trip to Tallahassee

• Our Nation’s Capital Trip to Washington, D.C.