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Lower School
(Grade 1-6)

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Lower Elementary Grades Prep-One to 3

The GGIS Lower Elementary curriculum features the Abeka Book Reading Program and the Saxon mathematics program as its core components. Abeka uses an intensive phonics approach to reading and writing: by the end of first grade, all students can read with comprehension and write with understanding.

The Saxon Math curriculum features hands-on activities and rich mathematical conversations that actively engage students in the learning process. A variety of Abeka materials are also used for Bible, Science and Social Studies. The students enjoy special music, art, and physical education classes twice a week.
Learn more

Prep-One to 3

Bible

The Bible Defines A Biblical Worldview

As the Christian Philosopher VISHAL MANGALWADI so accurately put it… “The Bible is the soul of Western Civilization. It propelled the development of everything good in the Western world; the notion of human dignity, human rights, human equality, justice, optimism, heroism, rationality, family, education, universities, technology, science, culture of compassion, great literature, economic progress, political freedom.”

The Bible is the most famous book in all of history. No other book has been more translated, published, distributed, studied, debated, loved or hated. 

• Modern medicine was born from the Bible. Based on the Bible’s revelation of God’s high view of the human person, including his body, and Jesus’ expressed desire to heal all men, early Christians were motivated toward the medical research and practice that eventually led to medical hospitals and universities.

• Universities all over the world owe their existence to the Bible. Augustinian monasteries and Cathedral schools in the first millennium A.D. blossomed into West European universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Paris, Prague, Heidelberg, and Wittenberg.

• Jesus’ compassionate teachings like the story of the “Good Samaritan” and His sacrificial care for those who were in need led the way to philanthropy, humanitarian aid and ultimately to the establishment of non-profit organizations. 

• Modern ideas of human rights and equality are based on the Bible’s declaration that all human beings are created in the image of God and therefore worthy of the redemptive sacrifice of His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ.

• The Mosaic principles of blind justice and the evidence-based court system are the foundations of our criminal and civil justice systems.

• The Bible is the only book one can read to learn of God’s plan of salvation by grace through personal faith in Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. No wonder the Bible says, Matthew 4:4. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God”.

The Bible Program at GGIS  

• Given the fact of the Bible’s enormous impact on our personal lives and on the entire Western Civilization, GGIS considers the daily 30 minute Bible class to be the most important part of the daily instructional program. Our desire is that all of our students will, through the study of God’s Word, His creation and the academic disciplines, understand God’s plan for their lives and follow Jesus Christ in His care for people, self-sacrificial generosity and compassion for the needy of our world.

• All students receive biblical instruction daily. Bible classes provide students with age-appropriate lessons that give them an understanding of how the Bible is laid out, the story of redemption and GGIS’s core values: morality, discipline and respect. The Lower school teachers have flexibility in their daily schedule, but generally place the Bible teaching early in the day. Upper school students begin each day with either a formal Bible class (3x/week), Homeroom Bible (1x/week) or Chapel (1x/week). These morning Bible classes create a loving and God-centered school environment where truth is sought  and Christ’s love is manifested.

Grade 3

It is often said that in grades K, 1 and 2, the focus is on students learning to read , and in grade three the focus shifts to students reading to learn. Vocabulary and comprehension skills continue to be developed in the third grade with more complex reading provided by the content area texts in science and social studies.

Students work to master their basic arithmetic facts of addition, subtraction, and multiplication, with the spiral Saxon Math program building the foundational concepts and critical thinking skills required for more advanced mathematics.

Grade 2

In the second grade, students become skillful and confident readers and writers. In mathematics, they are developing deeper conceptual understanding, computational fluency, and problem-solving skills and strategies. In science they are exploring God’s world and principles of health, safety and manners.

In social studies they study American history and geography.

Grade 1

In first grade, students learn phonetic reading strategies to help aid comprehension, and learn letter-sound associations, word parts, and context to identify new words. They are not only reading simple stories, but also beginning to write them.

Reading well is the key to success in all subject areas, and we are committed to providing the very best reading instruction possible. Mathematics instruction uses a kinesthetic approach to shapes, addition, subtraction, graphing, measuring and much more. Students also begin to explore topics in health, community, science, and history.

Prep 1

With so many new skills to learn, our kindergarten is a full-day program designed to prepare the young student for a lifetime of learning.

Students learn to sit for longer periods than they may be used to, practicing self-control and building listening skills.

Upper Elementary Grades 4 to 6

The Upper Elementary uses a variety of quality teacher-selected curricula. The teaching methods and materials used provide students with strong language and communication skills, with grammar, reading, writing and speaking skills incorporated in every lesson. Students continue to develop computational and problem solving skills with Saxon mathematics.

The study of Latin is introduced in grade 5 and continues through to grade 6. A Beka and Purposeful Design Publications materials are used for most of the Bible, Science and Social Studies classes, with the introduction of World Studies in Grade 6 setting a strong foundation in geographical literacy for exploring world cultures and history in the upper grades. These students also enjoy two music classes, two art lessons, and two gym classes each week.
Learn more

Grade 4 to 6

Bible

The Bible Defines A Biblical Worldview

As the Christian Philosopher VISHAL MANGALWADI so accurately put it… “The Bible is the soul of Western Civilization. It propelled the development of everything good in the Western world; the notion of human dignity, human rights, human equality, justice, optimism, heroism, rationality, family, education, universities, technology, science, culture of compassion, great literature, economic progress, political freedom.”

The Bible is the most famous book in all of history. No other book has been more translated, published, distributed, studied, debated, loved or hated. 

• Modern medicine was born from the Bible. Based on the Bible’s revelation of God’s high view of the human person, including his body, and Jesus’ expressed desire to heal all men, early Christians were motivated toward the medical research and practice that eventually led to medical hospitals and universities.

• Universities all over the world owe their existence to the Bible. Augustinian monasteries and Cathedral schools in the first millennium A.D. blossomed into West European universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Paris, Prague, Heidelberg, and Wittenberg.

• Jesus’ compassionate teachings like the story of the “Good Samaritan” and His sacrificial care for those who were in need led the way to philanthropy, humanitarian aid and ultimately to the establishment of non-profit organizations. 

• Modern ideas of human rights and equality are based on the Bible’s declaration that all human beings are created in the image of God and therefore worthy of the redemptive sacrifice of His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ.

• The Mosaic principles of blind justice and the evidence-based court system are the foundations of our criminal and civil justice systems.

• The Bible is the only book one can read to learn of God’s plan of salvation by grace through personal faith in Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. No wonder the Bible says, Matthew 4:4. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God”.

The Bible Program at GGIS  

• Given the fact of the Bible’s enormous impact on our personal lives and on the entire Western Civilization, GGIS considers the daily 30 minute Bible class to be the most important part of the daily instructional program. Our desire is that all of our students will, through the study of God’s Word, His creation and the academic disciplines, understand God’s plan for their lives and follow Jesus Christ in His care for people, self-sacrificial generosity and compassion for the needy of our world.

• All students receive biblical instruction daily. Bible classes provide students with age-appropriate lessons that give them an understanding of how the Bible is laid out, the story of redemption and GGIS’s core values: morality, discipline and respect. The Lower school teachers have flexibility in their daily schedule, but generally place the Bible teaching early in the day. Upper school students begin each day with either a formal Bible class (3x/week), Homeroom Bible (1x/week) or Chapel (1x/week). These morning Bible classes create a loving and God-centered school environment where truth is sought  and Christ’s love is manifested.

Grade 6

Much is expected from our Grade 6 students, with study skills becoming a critical component of academic success. Reading, writing, speaking and listening skills are practiced extensively, with critical thinking and problem solving activities featured across the curriculum.

Grade 5

With the grade 5 content area textbooks such as the European history and geography texts becoming a bigger part of the student’s daily reading diet, students learn how to  use nonfiction informational texts to acquire knowledge- in both guided and independent settings.

In addition to this, there is a strong emphasis in our English curriculum in regards to writing. Students in the fifth grade will be familiar with the steps, both in theory and practice, in writing a research paper. Important study habits and skills are taught and practiced, preparing them for the middle and high school classes. In grade 5 we begin Latin instruction, to both enrich the study of English and History, and to prepare students for the study of additional languages such as French and Spanish.

Grade 4

Students continue to build a strong literacy base, with strong connections established between grammar, writing and speaking.

Saxon mathematics continues to build numeracy and problem solving abilities: view the scope and sequence for specifics. In Social Studies, students study the European discovery and exploration of North and South America, European pioneer settlements in the new World, British colonies, and the History of the USA.

Additional Program

Music

The music program at GGIS is offered to students of all musical learning levels. Students are engaged in learning multiple musical instruments, singing, reading of notate music and the history of music.  Each class in the Elementary school learns at least one instrument per year and has multiple performances to develop musical knowledge, confidence and skills. Each lower elementary student learns Xylophone, Bells, Recorder, Rhythmic instruments. Students in the upper elementary music classes continue to develop their musical skills by learning the Melody Horn, Ocarina, Guitar, Alto Recorder, Fife. Students can join the after school club for Elementary Choir, Korean Drum (Jang-Gu) and Flute class as a part of the music program at GGIS.
Additional Program

Art

The GGIS art program is designed to be engaging, meaningful, and enjoyable. At its core is the desire to foster a learning environment where all students feel welcome to exhibit their creativity. Through experimentation and self-expression, our objective is to provide students with the skills not only to produce art, but to appreciate it; instilling within students the sense of pride that is associated with creating.
Additional Program

Physical Education

The physical education program at Great Grace International School is designed to equip students physically, spiritually and academically, by teaching and demonstrating in a biblical worldview. In the elementary grades, running, jumping, landing, balancing, traversing, throwing, object control with or without equipment, weight bearing on a variety of body parts and basic gymnastics develop fundamental movement skills. Besides individual skills development, students also take on roles on teams and learn to exercise collaboratively as well as competitively. Students understand that they are created unto the image of God and therefore treat each other with dignity and respect (Genesis 1:26-27).
Extra-curricular

After School Activities

GGIS offers a variety of after-school activities for our lower school students. Typically offerings include Drama, Arts & Crafts, Soccer, Coding, STEAM Lab, Taekwondo, and Dance. Check with the school secretary regarding current offerings. These activities are available five days a week between 3:15 and 4:15 p.m.