PCA Curriculum

 

PCA offers a full curriculum that will prepare each student individually for a chosen career path in higher education, trades, business, ministry, arts, or other chosen fields.

 

In addition to regular course work, we will work to enhance opportunities through vocational and technical partnerships, dual enrollment, and à la carte classes for home schoolers.

 

Our curriculum consists of these main components:

 

1. Biblical World View: Courses are taught with the understanding that God is the creator of each discipline, and that all knowledge points to God as the Creator. Students will have opportunities for prayer and spiritual growth throughout each school day.

 

2. Base knowledge: These skills are needed for everyday life, and will be taught each day

 

- Mathematics and Technology

- English, Reading, Grammar, and Writing

 

3. Core Knowledge: This instruction is necessary for additional life skills and higher education. Core classes will be taught at least three days per week:

 

- Science

- Language

- Social Studies

 

4. Specialties: Students should devote a large portion of their time to areas of personal skill and gifting. This can include focused study, technology, creative arts, athletics, music, and more. Time will also be allotted for creative self-directed application (See enterprise projects, page 6).

 

Grades K through 5


Students will receive classroom instruction at or above grade level in the appropriate Math, Reading, Writing, Spelling, History, Bible, Science, and Language skills. Special attention will be given to emotional and social development through instruction, playtime, and peer interaction.

Reading

K-2 Heggerty-Phonemic Awareness

K-4 Macmillan McGraw-Hill 2011 (Treasures) Reading/Language Arts program

Grade 5 will also use novels to teach Reading skills

Math

K-5 McGraw Hill Math. (This is not Common Core)

Science

K-5 Generation Genius.

Social Studies

A biblical worldview will be used to teach Social Studies using the PA Standards and the Social Studies Curriculum from Macmillan and McGraw Hill as a supplement.

Bible

K-5 Bible-Based Character Education. Kindness & Empathy, Courage, Contentment, Honesty, Perseverance, Self-Control, and Forgiveness. These have been designed for students in grades K-5. Includes Bible story, bible exploration, bible verse, journal, and other meaningful activities.

Elementary students will also receive special weekly instruction in Art, Music, PE, and Language.

 

Middle School and High school students will be enrolled according to ability and achievement in each subject area. Some course offerings may be adjusted due to class size and students entering the school at differing levels. The general grade by grade track is as follows:

 

Grade 6

 

Math 6 or Pre-Algebra

English 6 / Grammar / Writing: Regular or Accelerated

Social Studies

Life Science

Bible 6

Spanish

 

Grade 7

 

Pre-Algebra or Algebra 1

English 7 / Grammar / Writing: Regular or Accelerated

Social Studies

Physical Science

Bible 7

Spanish

 

Grade 8

 

Algebra 1, Intermediate Algebra, or Honors Geometry

English 8 / Grammar / Writing: Regular or Accelerated

Social Studies

Earth Science

Bible 8

Spanish

 

Grade 9

 

Algebra 1, Geometry, Honors Geometry, or Honors Algebra 2

English 9 / Writing: Genre or Honors Genre

American History

Biology

Bible 9

Spanish 1

 

Grade 10

 

Algebra 2, Honors Algebra 2, or Honors Trigonometry

English 10 / Writing: Western Literature or Honors Western Literature

Western Civilization

Chemistry

Bible 10

Spanish 2


Grade 11

 

Consumer Math, Honors Trigonometry, or Honors Calculus

English 11 / Writing: American Literature or Honors American Literature

Conceptual Physics or Honors Physics

American History

Bible 11

Spanish 2, Spanish 3, or Biblical Apologetics

 

Grade 12

 

Math: College Algebra, Business Math, Honors Calculus 1, or Honors Calculus 2

English: College English 101 or British Literature

Science: Environmental Science, Anatomy and Forensics, Botany and Zoology, or Honors Physics 2

Spanish 3, Spanish 4, or Biblical Apologetics

Bible 12

Economics and Personal Finance

 

Electives

 

All middle and high school and students should choose and prioritize the following electives. Students will choose by prioritizing any electives they would like to take, with 1 being the most desired, 2 being second, etc. Based on class size and availability, we will attempt to enroll each student in as many of their top choices as possible. Students should number at least 1 through 5.

 

__ Christian Service      

__ Bible Quizzing

__ Gym / PE

__ Personal Fitness

__ Chorus

__ Painting

__ Drawing

__ Creative Writing

__ Worship Team

__ Guitar

__ Bible Study     

__ Home Economics / Cooking

__ Marketing

__ Spiritual Emphasis   

__ American Sign Language   

__ Sports Theory, Coaching, and Officiating

 

Students should also list any additional questions or requests regarding their schedule.


Enterprise Projects

 

An enterprise is defined as a project or undertaking, typically one that is difficult or requires effort. Each student in grades 6 through 12 will choose and conduct their own enterprise project. The projects may also be offered to younger grade levels if deemed appropriate by the teacher.

 

The project should make use of individual skills, gifts, and interests.

 

Much of the work for the enterprise should be done on a Chromebook or on paper, so that work can be done during a quiet time at school or on a cyber day. However, the project can include additional components such as producing audio / video or building a physical product.

 

The following are potential enterprise projects:

 

- Write a novel

- Write a screenplay

- Develop a portfolio of artwork

- Design puzzles or games

- Produce a comic book

- Write and comment on sporting events

- Research and comment on political or social issues

- Design a physical product

- Write lyrics or poetry

- Research a scientific subject, unsolved mystery, conspiracy, historical event, or Biblical subject

- Learn a programming language using w3schools.com

- Code a program or game

- Develop a live website and domain

- Write devotionals or Bible Study materials

- Any other creative endeavor that can be conducted on a computer and / or paper

 

At any time, each student should be conducting at least one active enterprise. At any time, a given project can wrap up and a student move on to a new one.

 

Students will periodically discuss projects with parents and an advisor in order to share content and brainstorm on additions to the enterprise.

 

There will be opportunities to discuss projects and to present projects to one's class and present in additional venues. However, a presentation is not a requirement, and there is no requirement to display the work publicly.

 

Enterprise projects will be the main component of some cyber days. For cyber days where this is the focus, online classes will be replaced with this individualized work.

 

Students will share what they are doing with their parents and advisors.

 

Course credit will be given for enterprise projects.

 

Homework

 

The amount of homework assigned should be well balanced and appropriate for grade level. We prefer that teachers assign useful practice exercises and valuable research assignments instead of an excessive amount of busywork. Homework time will vary per student, but the general goal is that most students’ average workload will not exceed one hour per night. Special assignments and projects may create an exception to this recommendation, but these should be assigned with ample lead time. Advanced course work may also require more than one hour of work per night.

 

With a focus on quality over quantity, it is our expectation that teachers will normally collect homework and grade it based on neatness, completeness, correctness, and quality.