Academic Program

Elementary

     Here you will find links to the various classrooms in the Elementary end of the school. Here you can read interesting tidbits about the curriculum, trips, and other highlights of the school year in the respective classes.

Junior Kindergarten - Mrs. Doggart

The Junior Kindergarten program at Brampton Christian School provides the building blocks for learning experiences. Christian principles and teachings are woven into this full-day, five-day a week program.

JK students are introduced to many introductory subjects at an age-appropriate, fun paced, learning environment. Students will be introduced to the French language using songs and games. The Music program introduces students to rhythm, movement and song. In Phys. Ed. program the students have an opportunity to participate in a variety of apparatus including balls, parachute and hoops, as well as a gymnastics and dance unit. Library and computer classes are also provided.

The academic program follows the “Footsteps for Fours” course of study which covers Phonics, Math, Social Studies and Science. Readiness skills are taught for printing, reading and math. Whole class and small group activities help to reinforce the skill being taught, as well as individual seatwork. Students are introduced to many Bible stories through the “Bible Truths” Christian Education program. They also memorize one Bible memory verse each month.

Every month students will be introduced to two mini themes which are woven into the academic and play sections of the JK program. Thematic units are highlighted with a variety of school trips, in-school workshops and activities throughout the school year.

The JK class will participate in two concerts: Christmas- December 20, 2012 and Spring- May 16, 2013.

Senior Kindergarten - Mrs. Botros

Welcome to Senior Kindergarten!

The Senior Kindergarten Program at Brampton Christian School provides learning experiences which will develop the foundational skills necessary for success. Christian principles and teachings are integrated into our full day programs and offers opportunities to meet the developmental needs of the total child: socially, emotionally, intellectually, and physically.

The Senior Kindergarten program provides opportunities for students to learn to function within a group and become independent in handling personal needs, handling classroom materials, and following routines. Students learn to express and communicate thoughts and ideas through speaking, listening, and writing.

Our core, theme-based program, uses the “Check & Double Check” Phonics Program, “Bible Truths” Christian Education Program, and “Math K5” Math Program. The curriculum equally offers both formal and informal learning opportunities using Academic and Open Court Centres, individual enrichment in all academic areas, as well as in Science & Social Studies, Christian Education, French, Music, Art, and Physical Education.

Senior Kindergarten students participate in various on-site workshops, school trips, chapels, school-based activities, and a formal graduation ceremony. Our students also carry out special concert performances during Christmas and Spring (December and May).

Grade 1 - Mrs. Martin

Welcome to Grade 1

     Grade 1 is a very exciting year at Brampton Christian School. Some students come into Grade 1 knowing how to read while others learn how to read during their year in Grade 1. Reading is the doorway to learning so is the main focus at the beginning of Grade 1. Students read every day at school and every night at home. Below are the subjects taught in Grade 1, along with a list of skills learned in each subject and the topics covered in the Grade 1 Curriculum. We follow the Ontario Curriculum in all subject areas.

READING: Students are given a Reader that contains stories and vocabulary designed to increase their reading ability. Reading activities for each story are completed in workbooks. By the end of Grade 1, students are beginning to answer simple questions in complete sentences. SRA is also a big part of the Reading Program in Grade 1.

PHONICS: Students use the Modern Curriculum Press Level A phonics workbook. Students learn about initial, middle and final consonants, short and long vowels, blends, word endings, contractions and digraphs. Review pages are given throughout each unit and a test is given at the completion of each unit.

SPELLING: Students use The ACSI Grade One Spelling Workbook. This program compliments the Phonics Program that is used in Grade 1. Students learn initial consonants, long and short vowels, word endings, double letters, blends and digraphs. At the beginning of the year Sight Words are introduced each week. Students do a variety of activities with these words and are tested at the end of the week. By the 6th week of school a spelling list is given to each student and a test is given at the end of the week.

MATH: Students use the Math Quest 1 workbook designed for their grade level. The workbook is divided into several Units of Study. At the completion of each unit a test is given. Supplemental materials, gathered from a variety of sources, are used to enhance and consolidate learning in each unit. Students learn number recognition, counting by 1's, 2's, 5's and 10's to 100, greater than/less than, ordinals to the 10th position, addition and subtraction facts to 12, patterning, measurement, place value (tens and ones), recognition of shapes, geometric terms, recognition of money (penny, nickel, dime, quarter), time (hour and half hour), fractions (halves, thirds, quarters), simple graphing, word problems and readiness for multiplication and division (dividing objects into equal groups)

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION: Students in Grade 1 use the BJU Press Bible Truths Curriculum Workbook. The program is divided into 10 different units that focus on a particular Bible event or Bible character from both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. Tests are given at the end of each unit, to assess student's knowledge. Christian Videos are also used to supplement learning. Weekly Bible verses are learned by students.

SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES: We adhere to the Ontario Curriculum Guidelines for Science and Social Studies. The following units are covered in Grade 1: My Body, The 5 Senses, Nutrition, Growth and Changes in Animals, Properties of Objects, Energy, Structures, Cycles and Seasons, Relationship/Rules/Responsibilities, Local and World Communities and Special Days and Holidays. A workbook is made for each topic. General knowledge, research, hands on activities and experiments are used to teach each unit. Tests are given at the end of each unit to assess student's knowledge.

FRENCH AND MUSIC: These subjects are taught 3 times each week by another teacher.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION: Students participate in a Gym class twice a week. Students learn basic motor skills through a variety of games and use of equipment.

COMPUTER/ART/LIBRARY: Students go to the Computer Lab once a week, do Art projects once a week and visit the Library once a week.

FIELD TRIPS: Students go on several Field Trips throughout the year such as: Albion Apple Orchard, The Kortright Centre for Seasonal Changes and Maple Syrup, The Meadowvale/Rose Theatre, The Peel Safety Village and The Toronto Zoo. The Mad Scientist is periodically invited to Grade 1 to help students understand the units they are studying. This is always a fun time. Students also go skating in the Winter and Bowling in the Spring.

Grade 2 - Mrs. Lackey, Miss Robertson

     Grade 2 is an exciting year at Brampton Christian School. Students learn many things. Reading is very important. Students read every day at school and every night at home. Below are the subjects taught in Grade 2, along with a list of skills learned in each subject and the topics covered in the Grade 2 Curriculum.

READING: Students use Readers geared to their level of reading. Students are taught to answer questions in complete sentences. At the end of the year, students complete a Novel Study using The Mouse and the Motorcycle

PHONICS: Students use the Modern Curriculum Press Level B phonics workbook. Students learn about initial, medial, and final consonants, short and long vowels, vowel pairs and digraphs, syllables, consonant blends, contractions, word endings, suffixes and prefixes, diphthongs, hard and soft C words, hard and soft G words, synonyms, antonyms and homonyms. 

SPELLING: Students use the ACSI Spelling Series for Grade 2. Students learn about long and short vowels, syllables, plurals, word endings, base words, contractions and compound words. The Spelling program is an extension of the Phonics program.

MATH: Students use the Math Makes Sense 2 Workbook.  Students learn about sorting, patterning, number relationships time, temperature, money, addition and subtraction to 100, linear measurement, area, perimeter, 2D geometry, 3D geometry, multiplication, division, fractions, mass and capactity.

CREATIVE WRITING:  Students learn how to write sentences and questions. Students learn the three parts of a story and how to write a proper story. Students write a monthly story and journal. Other stories are written throughout the year.

SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES:  This year we are learning about our own heritage through a look at Canadian Traditions and Celebrations. We will travel the globe using our mapping skills, and do three in depth studies of different communities. We will study Nunavut, and Zimbabwe. In Science we study Air and Water in the Environment, Liquids and Solids, Animal Life Cycles, Animal Classifications and Simple Machines.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION:  We are using Bible Truth's For Christian Schools - A Servant's Heart. During the year we will study unit of God is my King, The Best Way, A Humble Heart, Christmas, Serving God, God Gives Courage, A Forgiving Heart, Easter: He Lives, Jesus the Messiah and A Generous Heart.

FRENCH AND MUSIC:  These subjects are taught three times each week by another teacher.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION:  Students participate in a Gym class twice a week. Students learn to play many co-operative games.

COMPUTER / ART/ LIBRARY:  Students go to the Computer Lab once a week, do Art projects once a week and visit the Library once a week.

FIELD TRIPS:  Students go on Field Trips throughout the year such as:  The Meadowvale Theatre, and the Toronto Zoo. Students also go skating in the Winter and swimming in the Spring.

Grade 3 - Miss Robertson, Mrs. Warman

The Grade Three curriculum offers a year full of new and challenging learning
opportunities for the students.

• cursive writing /  multiplying and dividing

This year also marks the beginning an exciting journey for students to
represent our school on our competitive and intramural sports teams.

• cross country /  track and field

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION:  Bible Truths for Christian Schools: Following Christ, leads the students on a spiritual journey to know God, His character and promises, and His purpose for our lives. Students are given a verse from the Bible to memorize and are tested orally on a weekly basis.

COMPUTER LAB/LIBRARY: Students meet once a week for computer instruction and practice, and once a week for library. Students sign out books of interest and/or research on a weekly basis.

CREATIVE WRITING: Students learn the writing process through the use of poetry and stories. They learn how develop paragraphs, creating good opening and closing sentences. They will critique their spelling and grammar skills, and the continuity of their ideas, through the editing process.

FIELD TRIPS: Students have the opportunity to leave the classroom to explore their world through several trips. These trips compliment the units of study in the curriculum. We hike through the forest at Kortright Centre to investigate soil and the growth and change of plants. We go back in time as we tour Black Creek Pioneer Village or visit the old Britannia Schoolhouse to visualize the differences, and similarities of the early settlers in Canada. Mad Science visits our class to expand our scientific knowledge and understanding through hands-on experiments. Ontario Place is the end-of -the-year trip to reward ourselves for a successful Grade 3 year.

FRENCH AND MUSIC:  Twice a week, students receive French instruction with their teacher, Ms. Plouffe.  Mrs. Fanni, the music teacher, offers an interactive music program twice a week in the music room.

MATHEMATICS: Students use the textbook, Math Makes Sense, to review and build on the concepts they have learned and are introduced to new and challenging mathematical concepts. Topics include Patterning and Place Value, Patterns in Addition and Subtraction, Geometry, Multiplication and Division, Sorting and Data Management, Measurement, Motion Geometry, Fractions, Length, Perimeter and Area, Patterns in Numbers and Geometry and Probability.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION: Students participate in gym class twice a week. Students learn a variety of skills through co-operative games, sports and fitness. They also enjoy skating four times a year, and swimming instruction in May and June.

READING: Students are assigned to a reader, Paths to Adventure, Footprints or Crossroads that best suits their reading ability. A novel study based on Charlotte's Web is also completed.

SCIENCE: We discover our world through the units on Soils, Energy and Control and Stability.

SOCIAL STUDIES: The students learn about their Canadian heritage through the study of Early Settlements in Upper Canada, and about their beautiful country, Canada, as they investigate Urban and Rural Communities.

SPELLING: Students use the A.C.S.I. Spelling Workbook.  Phonetic and grammatical skills reinforce the learning of new spelling words. Students are given a list of spelling words to study and are tested on them weekly.

Grade 4 - Miss Challenger

One of my main goals for grade 4 is to promote independence and responsibility for student learning, since this is their first year in a junior grade.

The curriculum expectations are met in ways that are interesting, applicable and relevant to the lives of our students. They will participate in many group and independent activities which will allow them to express their learning in different ways. I want the students to be excited about school!

The grade 4 year begins with a study of Canada, where students become exposed to the richness and characteristics of the provinces and regions. The unit concludes with a multifaceted group project with many subtasks.

Some our Reading studies, such as Fables include comprehension articles which provide the students with an opportunity to show their learning. It concludes with a media assignment where the students write their own Fable and create an advertisement to accompany it. We will embark on an in depth novel study of Helen Keller. We will explore her inspirational life as a writer, speaker, and advocate. The Canadian Reader Articles tackle issues that allow the students to reflect on what is happening in Canada today!

The Medieval Times unit is a fantastic culmination to the grade 4 social studies curriculum. During this unit the students learn about the time period as well as; experience the Medieval Times show in Toronto, create a Medieval brass rubbings art piece, and build a 3D castle project.

Once a month, all elementary students participate in an interactive chapel where we can fellowship together through a relevant Bible message and song. Each class participates in the Grandparents' Chapel, Christmas and Spring Concerts. These events give the students an opportunity to perform in front of parents, grandparents, family, and friends as we appreciate our ancestors and celebrate Jesus as the Reason for the Season! Our Christian beliefs are woven through all subjects.

Students participate in the ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) poetry/speech competition. At the grade 4 level, all students are required to memorize a poem of their choice and recite it to their peers in class. They also have the option of participating in the ACSI Math Olympics or Spelling Bee. Successful candidates will compete against other schools.

The academic program is enriched by in-school presentations from Mad Science and Arts Express Literacy Storytelling, as well as outside trips to the National Film Board (media) and the Peel Art Gallery Museum Archives. The grade 4 and 5 students have the wonderful privilege of attending and playing their recorders with The Toronto Symphony Orchestra in the spring!

Grade 4 students are given the opportunity to be involved in the competitive sports programs at BCS; Grades 3-6 Track and Field, Grades 3-8 Cross Country, Grades 4-6 Co-ed Soccer, Grades 4-6 Co-ed Softball, Grades 4-6 Boys' Basketball, and Grades 4-6 Girls' Basketball.

Our busy school year ends with an elementary picnic and a private pool party for the grade 4 and 5 students. It's a well deserved treat for all of their hard work!

Grade 5 - Mrs. Laramee

     In grade 5, we teach to excite the students with learning that is applicable to everyday life. The assignments and activities that the students complete are conducive to many learning styles. In our classroom we emphasize the importance of respect, self worth, and having a Christ centered life.

 
Every day, we work on developing excellent learning habits. We read and discuss Bible during Bible Habit time. We organize our homework and study plans as we complete our agendas. We always take time to do D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything And Read) and lunch time goes too fast as we enter the world of IMAGINATION by listening to exciting novels and stories of many genres. We always seem to stop at the most exciting parts!

     Some of our learning takes us out of the classroom.

     At the Ontario Science Centre we learn about how the human body works and how we can help take care of the world and practise sustainable conservation strategies.

     We go to Brampton City Hall to learn about the role of city government in our lives. We go to Peel Safety Village to take part in the exclusive Grade 5 program "Youth and the Law". Going to the ROM is a wonderful way to learn about Ancient Cultures. We explore Egypt through their unique digital gallery and enjoy hands on observation of real artifacts from China.

Finally, our goal is to "Work Smarter, not Harder"! Grade 5 has its challenges, but it is also a lot of fun!

Elementary Library - Mrs. Groenenberg 

Our elementary library currently consists of over 8,000 books available to our elementary students on a sign out basis. 

We also have 25 computers which have 18 different Essential Skills Learning programs designed for children in JK all the way through to Grade 5.    

These programs were designed by teachers and they supplement classroom instruction.  Students learn that their own level and pace.  The Internet is also available for students to conduct research.  However, sites are guarded with a Pure Pages block to ensure that inappropriate sites are not visited.

Supervision is provided during both recesses in the library for those students who need to catch up on classroom work.

Each year we host 2 book fairs during the parent-teacher interview weeks in which both students and parents alike can purchase current reading materials.  Profits earned through this are put right back into to library in the form of new books.