ELEMENTARY

Thank you for your interest in the First Baptist Church School.  Our curriculum is designed to help the average student master the skills with the use of drills and practice.  Our program has been very successful in accepting children from other schools and incorporating them into our curriculum.  Elementary students transferring into our school will be required to take an entrance exam to determine placement in our program.   Elementary grades are very important in your child's life and a matter worth much thought and deliberation.  We want to help your child achieve a successful and fulfilling elementary experience.

Elementary students have chapel two times a week, Monday and Wednesday.  A weekly memory verse is learned. 

Our Elementary students enjoy Physical Education three times a week for 45 minutes.  In P.E. the child learns spatial/body awareness, directionality and review non-locomotive and locomotive movements.  The students participate in recreational games and activities and learn hand apparatus skills and ball skills such as roll, catch/throw, dribble, and kick/trap.  They will also learn different lead-up games in basketball and soccer, and will also participate in Jump Rope for Heart, Mile Run and a Spring Track meet.  A fitness test program is administered each fall to the elementary classes to help advance the understanding of the relationship between living habits and health.  One of the most important things stressed in P.E. is showing good sportsmanship.

All elementary students attend computer lab twice a week for 45 minute sessions.  Lower elementary students (1st, 2nd and 3rd grades) begin learning simple keyboarding and word processing skills.  Using various software titles, they also become comfortable with using the computer while at the same time reinforcing concepts learned in reading, language, and math.  Upper elementary students (4th, 5th and 6th grades) use a technology curriculum to learn to use the various components of Microsoft Office.  They also focus on building confidence and accuracy in typing by learning proper keyboarding skills.

Spanish classes are held once a week for all students 1st through 6th grades.

In addition to our excellent academic curriculum, we offer our students extra-curricular events in which they may participate.  Each January, our students from second through sixth grades have an opportunity to be contestants in the First Baptist School Spelling Bee.  The three top spellers will go on to represent our school at the Washington County Spelling Bee held later that month.

We have an after school athletic program designed for our fifth and sixth graders.  The boys compete in flag football and basketball.  The girls compete in volleyball and basketball.

Our students also have an opportunity to participate in an Interscholastic League meet held each April at our school.  We host this event which is open to other private schools in Texas.  This is a very exciting time for all of us at First Baptist School as we compete with 400 or more students representing 6 or more schools. 

The skills, habits, and values formed in these school years will be life-long assets.  We know that you want to equip students as fully as possible for successful, fulfilling years ahead.  At First Baptist Church School we are striving to create a loving, caring educational environment where quality academics can be taught.  Each child is viewed as a gift of God with special needs and abilities.  With God's help, we endeavor to meet these needs and nurture these abilities. 

FIRST GRADE

In our first grade program students review vowels, consonants, blends, one and two-vowel words, and consonant blends.  They will learn to recognize and use phonics rules in reading.  The students learn 13 phonics charts with different rules on each one.  Phonics class is taught daily, enabling students to decode unknown words.

In writing, students review manuscript formations three spaces high.

Students have daily seatwork practice in all academic areas.  Spelling is interrelated with 3 subjects – spelling, phonics and reading with each reinforcing the other. 

In language first graders learn capitalization of first letter of first words in sentences, days of the week, and months of the year.  They learn correct punctuation at the ends of sentences and recognition of complete sentences.  Students will learn about words using suffixes, prefixes, syllables, compound words, rhyming words, opposite words, same meaning words and contractions.  They will learn to alphabetize words and to write complete sentences and short stories.  Creative writing is also emphasized through Bible stories and writing letters to special pen pals at another school.  Students end the year by meeting these pen pals in a day of activities.  Journal writing is also introduced and continued through the year.

In arithmetic students learn number recognition, counting, and writing 1-350.  They learn numbers largest and smallest 1-250 and counting and writing to 200.  First graders learn to count by tens, fives, and twos to 150, and threes to 99, and learn number sequences by ones, twos, fives and tens.  They also learn numbers before and after by ones, twos, and tens 1-250.  Your first grader will learn the value and handling of pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and half-dollars.  He/She will learn the place value in ones, tens, and hundreds, thermometer use, addition and subtraction facts through 13, and story problems.  Liquid and metric measurements are also taught.  The key to our successful math program is repetition with drills being used to assure mastery of the skill.  That skill is then reinforced throughout the year.

In science, first graders study Discovering God’s World, which stimulates the child’s interest in science through the study of the wonders of creation.

In history, we study My America, a study of important symbols, history, and places of interest in the United States.  Slides, home videos, and pictures from family vacations to these locations are very entertaining and educational for our first graders.

In Bible and chapel time your child will learn hymns, choruses, scripture verses, Bible truths, and Bible stories, such as Genesis, Life of Christ, Paul etc.  Prayer requests and prayer time is encouraged.

In computer class students will begin to learn the parts of the computer.  They will use various software titles to help first graders become familiar with the keyboard, mouse, and become comfortable using the computer.

First graders also attend music classes where they begin to develop musical skills and experience musical concepts through singing and rhythmic games.  Attention is also given to listening activities.

There are varied educational activities in the first grade.  Field trips to Houston of Natural Science and the Jersey Barnyard, and a visit with their pen pals are a few of the activities which the children find to be educational and fun.

First grade participates annually in a selected mission project.  Previous mission projects have included nursing home visits, hand painting ceiling tiles for a cancer treatment center, and corresponding with over-seas soldiers.

A unique show and tell takes place each week with specific items requested for the students to bring.

We have wonderful, dedicated teachers who strive to create a loving, caring educational environment where quality academics can be taught.  Each child is viewed as a gift of God with special needs and abilities.  With God’s help we strive to meet these needs and nurture those abilities.top

SECOND GRADE

Second grade students will review the vowels, consonants, blends, one and two-vowel words, consonant blends, etc.  They will recognize and use all spelling rules, doubling consonants, dropping silent E, changing Y to I, etc.  Oral reading is again emphasized as well as reading comprehension.  In the daily phonics lesson there is daily drill of charts, rules, blends and grammar.

We build on these tools until the children have mastered eight phonics charts.  The spelling lessons reinforce the phonics program as the words are grouped by rules.  Students study vocabulary words and definitions.  The children learn to become good spellers in this program.  This is apparent by how well our students perform in the Washington County Spelling Bee.  Cursive writing is taught in second grade and reinforces the phonics rules.  The students learn to write in a very logical progression. Capital letters are learned after all lower case letters have been taught.  Joining the letters together to form words and sentences and creative writing also reinforce handwriting.

In language, students learn capitalization of first words in sentences, days of the week, months of the year, and special holidays.  They also learn correct punctuation at the ends of sentences, complete sentences, questions, and exclamations, words using suffixes, prefixes, syllables and accents, abbreviations, compound words, rhyming words, opposite words, same meaning words, singular and plural words, singular possessive words, and contractions.  As the year progresses, they learn alphabetizing words, word usage rules, and writing of complete sentences and short stories.

Our Abeka math program for second grade is designed for your child to have mastery and success.  Students learn number recognition, counting and writing 1-500: numbers largest and smallest 1-300; counting and writing by tens to 300, twos to 300, threes to 102, fours to 100, and tens to 300; numbers before and after by ones, twos, threes, fours, fives, and tens: value and handling of money, telling time, simple measures, place values to thousands, simple fractions, use of a thermometer and Roman numerals1 – 1000.  Second graders learn about simple graphs, addition facts through 18, column addition, four-digit addition with carrying, addition terminology, subtraction facts through 18, four digit subtraction with borrowing, subtraction terminology, multiplication facts by two, three, five, ten, division facts by two, five, ten, and story problems in addition and subtraction.

Second graders study America and Texas in history and geography with added units on current events in the world.  ACSI Science units include plants, animals, weather and insects.  Health, safety and manners units are also taught throughout the year.

Students continue to learn Bible songs, truths, and lessons in our daily chapel and Bible class.

Second graders also enjoy field trips to the Oil Ranch in October, The Space Center Houston in March and Minute Maid Park in May. top

THIRD GRADE

Third grade is a pivotal year, bridging the primary grades to upper elementary.  Numerous academic challenges are presented during the year, as well as significant life skills such as responsibility, self-discipline, and organization.

Our language arts are stressed through reading, language, spelling, and handwriting.  Two readers and one novel are covered in our reading program.  In these texts, comprehension and phonics skills are a major part of daily lessons.  Language begins with the basic skills of capitalizations, punctuation, structure, and spelling.  It moves toward more advanced skills, including proofreading, parts of speech, word usage, journaling, narrative and descriptive, and dictionary skills.  Handwriting begins by reviewing the formation of the letters, and then moves quickly to all work being done in cursive.  Spelling follows other areas of curriculum, connecting the phonetic approach in reading.

Math focuses on basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts as a high priority.  These basics are relied upon heavily during the year.  Specific knowledge in the use of place value, time, money, temperature, measurement, Roman numerals, the calendar, fractions, averaging, as well as story problems, are covered.  

A short study of early America is visited during our one semester of History.  This study begins with Christopher Columbus, and includes John Smith and Pocahontas, a few of our earliest presidents, as well as such notables as William Penn, Daniel Boone, Noah Webster, Louisa May Alcott, Martin Luther King, Jr., and others.

Our science curriculum is an in-depth look at the ecosystem, plants, matter, motion and force, electricity, the human body, and earth and space.  This curriculum is enhanced with many hands-on projects and experiments.

We are able to make exciting field trips during the year.  The biggest trip is to Galveston aboard a chartered bus.  The class visits the ship Elissa and the Seaport Museum.  We are treated to a beautiful lunch, normally served at Fisherman’s Wharf.  The end of our day is a boat tour of the bay where we see dolphins, pelicans, seaport traffic, cruise ships, fisherman, and evidence of the oil industry in our part of Texas.top

FOURTH GRADE

The fourth grade is an exciting transition year to upper elementary.  Students in the fourth grade are guided into accepting more responsibility.  The curriculum offers each student the opportunity to excel academically while growing spiritually.  The Language curriculum incorporates writing, reading, listening, and speaking skills.  The yearly goals of the fourth grade language class are to review rules and skills learned in the third grade, as well as acquire new skills in the areas of composition, grammar and word usage.

Included in the study of language are several supplemental novels the students read at school as well as at home.  The students, due to the themes, suspense and character development in each, eagerly read these supplemental novels.  Students complete projects after each novel is read.  Projects range from book reports, artwork, and essays to comprehension tests.

Spelling is taught in the fourth grade with weekly tests and homework.  Scripture is integrated into the spelling lessons.  Spelling lessons are divided into sound-letter relationships and visual memory techniques using exercises in the student’s work text.

Reading is strongly emphasized in this grade.  Each story selected reflects Biblical truths and principles.  Questions, which accompany each selection, are designed to go beyond the literal level to attain higher-level thinking skills with attention given to critical reasoning and inferring.  Students develop reading skills, which will be used in every discipline.  Vocabulary skills are developed and students are encouraged to use newly acquired vocabulary words in other areas to reinforce the acquisition.  In addition, timed “Read & Thinks” are given to increase speed and comprehension.  These skills will be invaluable in future years for each student.  The goal of the fourth grade-reading program is to nurture and encourage life-long readers.

The Fourth Grade Mathematics program helps our students to explore and master such math concepts as place value to the hundred millions, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of large numbers, fractions, decimals, geometry, measurement, and problem solving.  To reinforce the concepts, a variety of activities are incorporated: real-life experiences, working with manipulatives, and integration with other subjects including the Bible.

The History of the United States, beginning with the early European explorers, is taught from a Christian perspective with activities that make learning history a positive, enjoyable experience.  Students will also study geography and important American documents.  A special unit on Texas is taught as students make a notebook about the history, geography, climate, symbols, and industry of our state.

Our Science curriculum provides a solid foundation in science that is soundly based on the Word of God and Christian principles.  Activities support the learning of basic scientific principles and the development of thinking skills.  Demonstrations, experiments, projects, and research activities give the students a hands-on understanding of scientific principles.

In addition to the academics, students go on approximately four field trips annually.  In the fall, the fourth grade visits Moody Gardens to view the Rain Forest.  In January in conjunction with “Fine Arts Week” we visit the Houston Museum of Fine Arts.  In March, we take a tour of Washington-On-The Brazos  and finally we are invited to join Washington County Fourth graders at the Washington County Fairgrounds to learn about agriculture.

Fourth grade is an exciting, fun-filled year where students work hard and grow spiritually, academically, emotionally, and socially.top

FIFTH GRADE

The fifth grade school year is a very important one.  It serves to ease the transition into the middle school years.  The curriculum used at FBCS aides in this goal tremendously.  For example, the reading program has a strong emphasis on comprehension skills.  Students continue learning to identify important story elements as well as add to their increasing knowledge of vocabulary.  Exciting, well-written stories cause the students to eagerly look forward to this subject.  Bible truths and lessons are weaved throughout each story.  Supplement readers are used to enhance the curriculum.

The math program stresses the basic mathematical skills used in every day life.  Each lesson builds on the previous one while also including review and story problems to keep learned skills honed.

Old World Geography and History is taught from a Christian perspective through the ABeka Curriculum.  Students study the history and geography of the eastern hemisphere while also reviewing important American documents.

The name Purposeful Design is based upon the creative work of God.  This ACSI Curriculum is a challenging and engaging hands-on course that includes experiments.  Students learn the wonders of the created world through a biblical perspective.

Language is another important focus of the fifth grade curriculum.  Students learn important grammar skills and mechanics.  Much time is devoted to writing in the form of creative essays, poetry, and book reports.  A Research Project paper is introduced, and as a result, a research paper is written.  Also included in this time block is the subject of spelling which requires students to learn weekly lists from various categories.

Bible study is an important part of our school week.  Students memorize a scripture weekly.  Students are taught the value of God’s Word as we study and discuss Bible passages and stories.  They begin to see how the lessons of the Bible apply to their lives today.

Students also spend some exciting time outside the classroom in the form of field trips.  Each December, fifth graders go ice-skating at Arctic Wolfe Ice Center.  Another fun trip is in the spring when the class heads to San Antonio for an exciting day at the Alamo, the Art Institute, and the Imax Theater.top

SIXTH GRADE

The sixth grade year at First Baptist Church School is an exciting and important one.  As the oldest students on our campus, our students are given many leadership opportunities and privileges.  The sixth-graders are responsible for helping the younger students with fire drills, and taking part in our chapel programs.      

We strive to prepare our students not only for their junior high and high school years, but we hope to instill in each of them a life-long love of learning and discovering.  We work diligently at creating a loving, caring environment in which each student can grow spiritually and mentally.

We offer a rich, exciting curriculum in sixth grade.  Our Language Arts program includes Spelling, English and Reading.  The sixth grade spelling program offers activities designed to reinforce the phonetic spelling, usually reviewing a rule each week.  We add Greek and Latin root words with definitions and derivatives.  The philosophy we work toward is phonics is necessary to learn to read and spell, and the Greek and Latin roots build vocabulary.  Our English curriculum consists of recognizing and using the eight parts of speech, sentence diagramming, using the dictionary and thesaurus, poetry, several types of writing, and a library research paper.  Our Reading program utilizes Christian and contemporary works to teach literary concepts such as plot, climax, foreshadowing, and characterization.  We review and strengthen reading skills such as main idea, inference, context clues, fact and opinion, and reading for details.

Our Mathematics program challenges our students to become problem solvers.  We multiply and divide whole numbers, decimals, and fractions.  We delve into geometry, probability, measurement, working with integers, and solving two and three step word problems.

We offer a general Science program that covers plants,  insects, earth, space, and chemistry.  We have a science lab that we utilize for experiments and special projects. 

Our History curriculum covers the migration of people and animals to the western hemisphere, countries in North and South America, and the history of  the United States to present day.

Our Bible class on Tuesdays and Thursdays includes a study of eighteen different character qualities.  Weekly Bible verses  are memorized and tested.

The sixth grade curriculum is further enhanced through field trips.  We visit Camp Tejas in Giddings for team building experiences and canoeing.  We spend a day in Austin visiting our governor's house, touring the capitol building, and the Texas State Museum.  We visit the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston each year.  We take advantage of special exhibits, plays, or musical concerts when the opportunity presents itself.

The parents and staff of First Baptist Church School honor our sixth graders with a graduation breakfast and a graduation program in May.  Students choose a theme, Bible verse, and song that celebrate their years of education and experiences attending First Baptist Church School. top