Grades 2-5

Work Hard. Pray Hard. Play Hard.

Look no further than 2nd through 5th grade to get a sense of real connections. Synapses are firing at full power at this age as students tackle powerhouse skills that further build the foundation for the upcoming middle school years. Active learning, continuous participation, and joyful optimism permeates these classrooms and sets the stage for real understanding.

Learning

Our teachers take 2nd through 5th grade students on a journey! 2nd grade receives important sacramental preparation and hoops their way through “March Math Madness.” 3rd Grade powers through multiplication tables and tests their paper airplane designs to better understand aerodynamics. 4th grade finds creative ways to explain rock formation and the phases of the moon using food and takes a week-long exploration of the wonders of Florida. 5th grade bakes the ultimate chocolate chip cookies using their fraction knowledge and time travels to the Boston Tea Party to play a part in America’s history.

Technology

CKS recognizes the important role that technology plays in education. Through the integration of SMART boards and practice time in the computer lab, students sharpen their computer skills and understand technology’s place in education. STEM adds another layer of developmentally appropriate technology with an introduction to different coding platforms. Our 1:1 program begins in 5th grade to prepare students for their own device in middle school.

Day in the Life

2nd through 5th grade students are on campus for a full day of school from 7:55 a.m.-3 p.m., with Aftercare available until 6 p.m. Students switch classes in 2nd-5th grade, with one lead teacher teaching Math, Science, and Religion and the other teaching Reading, Writing, and Social Studies. Each class also has a teaching assistant. Classes last approximately 44 minutes.

2nd-5th Sample Schedule

2nd-5th Sample Schedule

Arrival & Morning Assembly

Students go to homeroom where they are greeted by their teacher, unpack, and then head to the pavilion for our school-wide morning assembly.

RELIGION

Students participate in whole group lessons, mass reflections, bible studies, and sacramental prep.

MATH

Students participate in whole group, independent, and partner work while using manipulatives.

co-curricular class 1

Schedule varies based on the day; Classes include STEM, Computer, Library, Art, PE, and Music

LUNCH & RECESS

Students enjoy lunch outside with their peers then go to the playground for recess.

SCIENCE

Students learn whole group, complete science labs in small groups, and participate in independent work.

co-curricular class 2

Schedule varies based on the day; Classes include STEM, Computer, Library, Art, PE, and Music

Reading

Students learn in whole group lessons to practice reading skills. Students also work with partners and independently to practice phonics and grammar.

Writing

Students participate in mini lessons lead by the teacher, then have independent work time to practice that day’s writing skill.

Social studies

Students read along with the teacher in their textbook, highlight key details, and participate in group discussions.

Pack Up & Dismissal

Students return to their homeroom at the end of the day to pack up and be dismissed to carline or Aftercare.

“I’m sure it’s easy for teachers to celebrate straight A students, but it takes a special teacher to acknowledge and celebrate what may not show up on a report card, such as working hard and being kind. These teachers came in and built my child up. They had supportive conversations with her that didn’t only focus on grades but on her overall success. It 100% changed the way my daughter looked at herself and how she felt about school. ” Parent of a CKS 5th grader

Curriculum

Language Arts

Our Language Arts program implements the Into Reading curriculum based on the latest literacy research with proven student success outcomes. This program is used from Kindergarten through 6th grade to foster strong foundational skills in phonics, reading comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, grammar, and decoding.

Classroom libraries in Kindergarten through 5th grade support literacy instruction and reading logs foster an independent reading life.

The writing workshop model provides explicit instruction for students to become strong, independent writers.

Handwriting Without Tears print curriculum moves into cursive practice in 2nd and 3rd grades.

Math

In addition to proven success with our Go Math curriculum, CKS added a supplement in grades 2-5 to improve automatic recall and mastery critical to future math success. Simple Solutions builds standards-based skills that take just minutes a day but provide a lifetime of mastery. Spiral review of math concepts each year provides students with the ability to tackle more complex math–evident through student academic data that illustrates consistently high math scores.

Science

Social Studies

Historical storytelling and literacy instruction are emphasized in grades 2-5. Students begin their understanding of social studies through the study of communities and economy. 4th grade students experience an in-depth study of Florida that includes week-long educational field trips. 5th grade uses an interactive notebook as they take a journey into American History and develop their map and geography skills.