Curriculum

Classroom Environment

Our teachers are skilled and knowledgeable professionals who love children and are dedicated to helping them realize their highest potential. Students are respected in the classroom, and classes are kept small so that each student receives individualized attention. The classrooms at GCCS are bright, engaging, and peaceful.

Character Training and Habit Formation

A great deal of emphasis is placed upon developing each child’s character and in the formation of good habits that will benefit the child for the remainder of his or her life. We set them on track to have a positive, Biblical outlook on life.

Reading / Language Arts

Reading is the foundation of knowledge acquisition. Our classes use Amplify: Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) curriculum to set a strong foundation in decoding, background knowledge, and vocabulary. This foundation paves the way for high-level reading, writing, speaking, and text analysis in the future. Classes use small group and individualized instruction to achieve their Language Arts goals. As a result, our students have seen great success in language arts on their state tests as well as in their middle and high school careers.

CKLA in Grades K-2nd are designed around the following principles:

• Explicit foundational skills and language instruction.
• Maximizing vocabulary acquisition through contextualized, content-based, and constant exposure.
• Building background knowledge for strong comprehension.
• Fostering “wonderful conversationalists”.
• Building analysis and expression in reading and writing.

CKLA in Grades 3–5 is designed around the following principles:

• Analysis and expression in reading and writing.
• Fostering “wonderful conversationalists”.
• Explicit language instruction.
• Rich variety of texts and contexts.
• Maximizing vocabulary acquisition through contextualized, content-based, and constant exposure.
• Continuing to build background knowledge for strong comprehension.

Mathematics

Eureka Math is a PreK-12 curriculum that sequences mathematical progression with specifically designed units. Each unit, or module, includes fluency practice, real world word problems, concept development, and application practice problems. Students are encouraged to use manipulatives to deepen understanding and apply foundational concepts to complex problems. Research has shown that with consistent implementation, Eureka Math will reduce gaps in student learning, inspire persistence in problem solving, preparing students in understanding advanced math. GCCS students consistently perform significantly better in Math on standardized tests than other schools in the area.

Science

ElevateScience™ is a comprehensive K-8 science program that focuses on active, student-centered learning. The blended print and digital curriculum engages students in phenomena-based inquiry, three-dimensional learning, and hands-on investigations. ElevateScience™ fuels interest in STEM and creative problem solving while supporting literacy development for all learners.

• Real-world, relevant, and interesting topics introduce the core ideas.
• Student-centered investigations utilize the science/ engineering practices.
• Problem-based learning promotes application and student understanding.

Social Studies

In Social Studies, GCCS Students explore key questions through multiple sources to develop claims about social studies content. As such, teachers create instructional opportunities that dive deeply into content and guide students in developing and supporting those claims. Teachers encourage social learning through the use of primary and secondary sources, research based exploration, and collaborative discussions and projects. Grade level courses include: Kindergarten: Life in My Home, School, and Local Community Grade 1: Life in the Great State of Louisiana Grade 2: Life in Our Great Country: The United States of America Grade 3: The American Story: People, Places, and Papers Grade 4: The Ancient World Grade 5: The Medieval Period to Early Modern World

Preschool Learning

Frog Street is a comprehensive curriculum for our 3 and 4-year-old preschoolers! Frog Street provides a nurturing, play-based environment that sparks curiosity, fosters creativity, and lays the foundation for lifelong learning. Themes like "Animal Friends," "Community Helpers," and "Wonderful Weather" ignite excitement and inspire exploration. Each theme unfolds through captivating stories, playful songs, and hands-on activities, immersing your child in a joyful learning experience. Frog Street goes beyond mere amusement. It carefully guides children towards developing essential skills, including:

• Language and Literacy: Children encounter rich vocabulary, engaging stories, and playful rhymes, fostering a love for language and laying the groundwork for early reading and writing.
• Social and Emotional Development: Through collaboration, empathy-building activities, and positive reinforcement, Frog Street nurtures social skills, self-confidence, and emotional intelligence.
• Cognitive Development: Activities involve sorting, comparing, and problem-solving encourage critical thinking, reasoning, and early math concepts.
• Physical Development: Gross and fine motor skills blossom through movement, music, and creative activities, promoting healthy development and coordination.

VISUAL ARTS

Visual Art

Our visual arts program offers a comprehensive, engaging curriculum that develops students' artistic skills, knowledge, and appreciation throughout their journey from preschool to 5th grade. We employ a diverse range of mediums and artistic approaches, while emphasizing:

Exploration and Play: In preschool, art is about discovery and joyful experimentation. Skill Development: Students gain foundational skills in drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, mixed media, and digital art. They learn basic techniques, refine fine motor skills, and explore various artistic processes. Art History and Appreciation: We introduce students to diverse art forms and movements throughout history, exposing them to renowned artists and cultures from around the world. Creative Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking: Art projects offer opportunities for students to think critically, solve problems creatively, and experiment with different solutions. Personal Expression and Meaning-Making: We prioritize creating a space where students can express their emotions, ideas, and experiences through their artwork. We encourage them to use art as a tool for self-discovery, communication, and personal growth.

PERFORMING ARTS

Music

The goal of our music program is to cultivate a vibrant love for music in every child, nurturing their God-given musical talents. The comprehensive music curriculum develops students' musical skills, knowledge, and appreciation from preschool to 5th grade, while emphasizing:

• Vocal Exploration and Singing: From preschoolers' playful singing to 5th graders' refined choral singing, we cultivate a love for singing at all stages.
• Playing Instruments: We introduce the basic techniques of a variety of instruments throughout students’ journeys, including keyboards, percussion, string instruments, and wind instruments.
• Music History and Appreciation: We expose students to diverse musical styles and periods from around the world, from classical masterpieces to contemporary genres. They learn about renowned composers, musical traditions from different cultures, and the power of music throughout history.
• Creative Expression and Composition: We encourage students to experiment with melody, rhythm, and harmony, creating their own musical pieces individually or in groups.
• Connections to Faith and Service: We integrate music into faith by singing hymns and spiritual songs, exploring biblical stories through music, and using music to serve the community.
• Performance Opportunities: GCCS students enjoy regular performance opportunities at various levels, from classroom presentations to school-wide concerts and community events.

Theater

Lights, camera, action! Gardere Community Christian School's 4th and 5th Grade Theater Program encourages students to explore the exciting world of theater. This once-a-week program, offered in conjunction with their music class, provides a unique opportunity for students to:

• Unlock their creativity: Students unleash their imaginations and discover the power of storytelling.
• Develop essential skills: From building confidence and public speaking abilities to honing teamwork and collaboration, theater empowers students to grow both on and off the stage.
• Express themselves: Whether it's singing and dancing in a musical or embodying a character in a classic play, students find a fun and safe space to express their individuality and emotions.
• Celebrate faith and community: Gardere's theater program weaves themes of faith, hope, and love into its productions.

Physical Education and Health

The primary focus for kindergarten through 2nd grade is the learning and acquisition of locomotor, non-locomotor and manipulative skills. This grade cluster is also charged with introducing health enhancing concepts and their accompanying conceptual movement vocabulary. The focus of 3rd through 5th grade is an increase in the difficulty of movement challenges presented to students in the form of combining movement patterns that are authentic to game situations. Students learn to give appropriate feedback and work as a team, applying movement concepts and working with partners or in groups with peers of higher or lower skill abilities. An emphasis on etiquette and safety of physical activity is included in all lessons. All grade levels explore the health related components of physical fitness and the benefits to overall physical health.

Intervention: Supporting Individual Learning Needs

Gardere Community Christian School is committed to fostering a learning environment where every student feels supported and empowered to reach their full potential. Recognizing that individual learning needs may vary, we offer a comprehensive intervention program designed to provide additional support and instruction to students.

Kindergarten and 1st Grade Intervention: In partnership with the East Baton Rouge Parish School System (EBR), Gardere Community Christian School is proud to offer an extension of our intervention program to Kindergarten and 1st graders within the EBR parish system. This collaboration allows us to share our expertise and resources, providing crucial early intervention support to young learners facing challenges in reading and math.

Grades 2-5 Reading and Math Intervention:

• Targeted Support: Small group instruction allows teachers to personalize lessons and strategies to address each student's specific learning gaps and challenges.
• Skill-Based Focus: Students refine foundational skills in reading and math, including fluency, comprehension, decoding, problem-solving, and computational accuracy.
• Multi-sensory Approach: We utilize a variety of engaging and interactive teaching methods, incorporating manipulatives, technology, and hands-on activities to cater to diverse learning styles.
• Data-Driven Instruction: Ongoing assessments and progress monitoring guide our teachers in tailoring instruction and strategies to ensure continuous improvement.
• Collaboration and Communication: Teachers, parents, and the EBR parish system maintain close communication to ensure a seamless and coordinated approach to supporting student learning.