About

From kindergarten on, our students benefit from a strong reading, phonics, and word study program combined with exciting literature, projects and activities. The math program provides opportunity for students to receive whole class and small group instruction with independent practice.

In addition to the core courses of math, reading and language arts, we integrate science, social studies/history and Bible study into our core curriculum from the earliest elementary years.

As our students advance through the elementary grades, they benefit from challenging, age-appropriate curriculum that encourages independent thinking and personal growth. Strong reading and writing skills are regularly honed through incentive reading programs, book reports, essays, journals, and assignments in other subject areas. Bethany utilizes various programs such as Accelerated Reader, Zearn, Units of Study in reading, writing, and phonics, Khan Academy, and guided reading to ensure that each student is being challenged at their respective level of ability.

Bethany has implemented Responsive Classroom, a proactive approach to teaching in which teachers are mindful to implement engaging academics, use effective management techniques to build a positive classroom community while keeping in mind the developmental needs of students. Hands-on science experiments, long-term projects, intramural competitions, and educational field trips all reinforce the elementary academic curriculum. Bethany teachers consistently strive to inject fun and relevancy into their teaching.

Bethany utilizes a wide range of secular and Christian curriculum for its students' needs, including such well-known names as Saxon Math, Zearn Math, Units of Study (UoS) in Reading, and UoS in Phonics [ K-2} Daily Grams & Grammar, Writer’s Workshop, Project Passport, and The History of U.S. Curriculum resources for every subject are reviewed in 5-year cycles, with one or more subjects reviewed each year. Guidance for BCS benchmarks and standards is derived by an independent review process, comparable to other private schools and Florida State Standards.

Kindergarten

Full-time aide in classroom.
Full academic day.
Varied creative and traditional learning experiences.
Hands-on curriculum.
Comprehensive reading and writing program.
Independent work along with small and large group settings.
Print-rich environment.
Interactive circle times.
Educational visits from community friends.
Curriculum related field trips (e.g., Flamingo Gardens).
Weekly Art, Library, Computer, PE, Music, STEM, and Spanish classes.
"The First Thanksgiving" play; parental and school-wide attendance.
Christmas and Spring musical performances.
"100 Days" Celebration
End-of-the-Year celebration

First Grade

Full-time Aide in classroom.
Manipulative and online math program.
STEM
Social studies including studying maps, learning about Christmas traditions around the world and comparing cultures.
Reader’s Workshop: Units of Study, guided reading in small groups
Phonics: Units of Study
Writer’s Workshop: Units of Study
Curriculum based field trip.
Daily recess on playground.
Classroom iPad learning time.
Hands-on "baby chick hatching" experience.
Specials classes include library, computer, PE, music, Spanish and art.
Christmas and Spring musical performances.
Holiday parties
"101 Days" celebration

Second Grade

Full-time aide split between two (2) second and third grade classrooms.
Focus on using the writing process to craft narrative,opinion, informational and poetry pieces.
Novel studies to connect with Science and Social Studies Units.
Study of Animal Habitats.
Study of Ancient Egypt & Greece Civilizations.
Flat Stanley Project
Students create and present dioramas, posters and other interactive presentations.
Hands-on Science experiments.
Hands-on Math Manipulative used several times a week.
Library, Drama, Computer, PE, Music, Choir, Art, and Spanish
Polar Express Day!

Third Grade

Reader’s Workshop: Units of Study
Writer’s Workshop: personal narratives, opinion writing, informational writing, and fairy tales.
Zearn Math: multiplication, division, unit fractions, measurement; includes dynamic whole group lessons and individualized digital content.
Interactive Social Studies units covering North American Geography, Government and Civics, and Economics.
Manuscript handwriting review and introduction to cursive.
Bible units on Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, and 1 & 2 Kings.
Class parties celebrating: Fall/pumpkins, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, and End of the year.
A yearly field trip.

Fourth Grade

Florida State project in conjunction with Social Studies curriculum.
Annual two-day field trip to St. Augustine.
Weekly hands-on Science experiments in STEM Lab.
In-class novels integrated into the curriculum.
Technology (Chromebooks) integrated into each subject area.
Explorer Project using online research.
Essay Construction (Narrative, Persuasive, Informational, Literary Analysis, and Close Reading).
In class Community Service Projects.
Quarterly AR Goals.
Differentiated Reading instruction per student readiness.
Literary Styles of the Bible.
Characteristics of God.
Weekly Centers using hands-on learning, small group instruction, and technology to review concepts.

Fifth Grade

Quarterly AR goals and individual levels assessed.
Research projects and essays completed via Internet research and other sources.
Multi-level math groups.
Advanced students have the opportunity to take a Middle School math course.
Math lessons integrated with technology.
Math Manipulatives used as hands-on tools to assist during lessons.
In depth study of greek and latin word parts, prefixes and suffixes.
Cooperative Learning, Small group Instruction, Project-based learning.
Essay writing (narrative, persuasive, informational, creative, and reading responses).
Weekly hands-on science experiments in STEM Lab.
In-class novels integrated into the curriculum.
Life of Jesus studied throughout the school year.
In-class Community Service Projects.