Academics

Our Program

• As a student progresses through the grades, the chief doctrines of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod are taught the Bible verses and hymns are memorized.
• Textbooks are evaluated regularly and purchased on the basis of the best available product in any given area.
• A well rounded program of studies includes religion, language arts, math, reading, social studies, science, computer, music, art, outdoor education, and physical education.
• The curriculum at St John’s meets the requirements of the State of Illinois.

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Early Childhood Curriculum
​(PK-3 through Kindergarten)
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• Religion
• Math
• Physical Education
• Music
• Art
• Science
• Language Arts
• Social Studies

Through the use of a variety of Bible stories St. John’s PK -3 through Kindergarten students learn of God’s love for them.  They learn that their sins are forgiven through God’s Son Jesus.  The students participate in weekly chapel services where they worship and praise God.

St. John’s Early Childhood Curriculum begins with patterning, calendar activities sorting and counting.  PK – 4 begins instruction in number recognition, graphing, sorting, math vocabulary and exploration of math materials.  By the end of Kindergarten, students have had experiences with adding and subtracting, telling time, and solving addition and subtraction word problems.  Students are expected to be able to identify, read, and write number up to 30 and count to 100 or higher.

​Fine and gross motor skills are the main focus points in PK -3 and PK – 4.  Working on these skills takes place during recess and gym activities. The development of these skills continues in Kindergarten.  Kindergarten also gives the students the opportunities to practice throwing, catching, kicking and dribbling through simple games.  Safety habits, good sportsmanship as well as caring for their bodies is also stressed in Kindergarten.

In addition to music activities in the classrooms, students also develop an appreciation for music through rhythm instruments and movement to music.  Students begin to understand that music is another gift from God.

St. John’s young artists begin their artistic exploration through a variety of media including, paint, coloring, drawing, cutting and making collages.  Art activities are expanded to include crafts, free form, and proper use of materials and equipment.  As with music, students gain an understanding that art is also a gift from God.

Students are encouraged to develop their sense of wonder of God’s creations through observations and predictions while exploring different materials.  When students reach Kindergarten, they begin to study plants and animals, weather and seasons, matter, heat and light, day and night and how things move.  They further advance by developing and refining their observation skills, making inferences and predictions through investigation and experimentation.

​Stories, pre-writing skills, listening and speaking skills are used in PK – 3 and PK -4 to begin formal language development.  Language Arts skills in Kindergarten are expanded to include the reading and writing of letters, phonemic awareness, beginning and ending word sounds, blending sounds, developing a sight word vocabulary, enhanced writing activities and listening and following directions.

PK – 3 and PK – 4 concentrates on developing appropriate social skills.  Communicating feelings, developing empathy, and learning to play together are all a part of the PK program at St. John’s.  Students moving to Kindergarten learn about holidays and celebrations, cooperation, citizenship, school workers, safety and self-esteem.

Elementary Curriculum 
​(Grades 1-5)
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• Religion
• Math
• Physical Education
• Music
• Art
• Science
• Language Arts
• Social Studies
• Foreign Language
• Computer

​The religion curriculum for grades 1 – 5 feature worship opportunities, Bible Study, catechism, memory work, church history and defending the Christian faith. Service Hours are another component of the religion curriculum.

​Big Ideas Math has been systematically developed using learning and instructional theory to ensure the quality of instruction. Students gain a deeper understanding of math concepts by narrowing their focus to fewer topics at each grade level. Students master content through inductive reasoning opportunities, engaging activities that provide deeper understanding, concise stepped-out examples, rich thought-provoking exercises, and a continual building on what has been previously taught.

​Big Ideas Math delivers a unique and revolutionary curriculum providing a balanced instructional approach of discovery and direct instruction. This approach opens doors to abstract thought, reasoning, and inquiry as students persevere to answer the Essential Questions that drive instruction. Clearly stepped-out examples complete the lesson and provide students with the precise language and structure necessary to build mathematical understanding and proficiency.

Through gym class and recess students participate in physical fitness and recreation activities, group games and team sports. Gym uniforms are required in Grade 5 (available through the school office).

In music class students gain experience in rhythm, music theory, music appreciation and with various musical instruments.  Students also participate in school musicals.  After school guitar and piano lessons are offered.  Walther Christian Academy provides instruction with band instruments.

In school art class is offered to grades 1 -4.  These classes feature drawing and painting activities, using mixed media and art appreciation.  Grade 5 may elect to experience art activities through the after-school art club.

As with all subjects, science is taught from a Christian perspective.  Science classes vary by grade level and include general science, biology, and earth science.  Health and safety skills are taught through the science classes.

Language Arts classes include reading, phonics, English, spelling, literature, handwriting and creative writing activities.  St. John’s also has an extensive library of leveled readers that are used to supplement classroom reading activities.  High School Prep students are placed in leveled reading groups with differentiated instruction being provided within the individual reading group.

Students are prepared to be Christian citizens through the study of geography, history, citizenship, current events and the United States and Illinois Constitutions.

Spanish is taught in grades 1-4.   Beginning with 5th grade, students utilize Duo Lingo to choose the language they would like to study.

Typing skills, word processing and computer-generated activities are included in technology classes.  St. John’s also has two 3-D printers where students can create and build 3-D models.  Students in Grades 5 are assigned a Chromebook to be used for instructional purposes.

High School Prep Curriculum
(Grades 6-8)
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• Religion
• Math
• Physical Education
• Music
• Art
• Science
• Language Arts
• Social Studies
• Foreign Language
• Computer

The religion curriculum for grades 6 – 8 feature worship opportunities, Bible Study, catechism, memory work, church history and defending the Christian faith. Service Hours are another component of the religion curriculum.

Big Ideas Math is a complete math program developed with the Common Core Standards for Mathematical Content and Standards for Mathematical Practice as its foundation. High School Prep math classes are leveled according to students’ abilities. There are as many as 6 different math levels with geometry being the highest level taught. It is the only program to offer multiple pathways through middle school mathematics. The Regular Pathway prepares students for Algebra 1 or Integrated 1 in 9th grade.  
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Above information taken from the Big Ideas Math Program Overview

Through gym class and recess students participate in physical fitness and recreation activities, group games and team sports. Gym uniforms are required in Grades 6-8 (available through the school office).

Outdoor education is part of the 6th grade curriculum.  Outdoor education takes place at Walcamp.  

In music class students gain experience in rhythm, music theory, music appreciation and with various musical instruments.  Students also participate in school musicals.  After school guitar and piano lessons are offered.  Walther Christian Academy provides instruction with band instruments.

Grades 6-8 may elect to experience art activities through the after-school art club.

As with all subjects, science is taught from a Christian perspective.  Science classes vary by grade level and include general science, biology, and earth science.  Health and safety skills are taught through the science classes.

Language Arts classes include reading, phonics, English, spelling, literature, handwriting and creative writing activities.  St. John’s also has an extensive library of leveled readers that are used to supplement classroom reading activities.  High School Prep students are placed in leveled reading groups with differentiated instruction being provided within the individual reading group.

Students are prepared to be Christian citizens through the study of geography, history, citizenship, current events and the United States and Illinois Constitutions.

For Grades 6-8, students utilize Duo Lingo to choose the language they would like to study.

Typing skills, word processing and computer-generated activities are included in technology classes.  St. John’s also has two 3-D printers where students can create and build 3-D models.  Students in Grades 6-8 are assigned a Chromebook to be used for instructional purposes.