K-8 COURSES

First Step Course

The Grade 1-8 curriculum used by Zion Academy of America requires that the student be reading. To prepare the student for this curriculum, we offer a 5-month course specifically designed for the non-reader or for the younger student who is elementary age and having reading difficulties. The course includes 35 letter sounds and 12 blend sounds basic to reading. This course is equivalent to a kindergarten program. At the completion of this course, the student will be academically equipped to continue in our distance learning programs offered for elementary ages.

Core Courses for Grades 1-8

Grade 1-8 courses help your child progress through basic concepts and to build on a solid foundation of a classical education. The following lists provide highlights of the concepts and topics that are covered in the courses of Math, English, Social Studies, Science, and Word Building. Grades 1-8 of THE ACADEMY program includes up to five of these courses. Grades 1-8 of The Freedom P.A.C. program includes up to four of these courses.

Math Grades 1-8
Numbers, addition, subtraction, time, money measurements, shapes, multiplication facts, Roman numerals, fractions, conversions, division, decimals, prime numbers, basic geometry, consumer arithmetic, business methods, and introduction to algebra and geometry concepts

English Grades 1-8
Consonant and vowel sounds, blends, diphthongs, suffixes, prefixes, reading comprehension, phonics, parts of speech, writing sentences, alphabetizing, sentence types, punctuation, cursive writing, capitalization, paragraph writing, grammar, diagramming sentences, outlining, and writing short biographical sketches

Social Studies Grades 1-8
Map study, respect for the law, travel, understanding our country, conservation, different forms of communication, geography, basic US and world history, famous leaders, timelines, ancient history, biblical history, introduction to civics, introduction to professions and vocations, and the American presidents

Science Grades 1-8
Four seasons, personal health, hand-eye coordination, weather, the five senses, animal studies, solar system, life cycles of plants and animals, measurement of time, geological changes, water cycle, matter, gravity, minerals, respiration and circulatory systems, good hygiene, rockets, astronomy, molecular and atomic theories, introduction to biology, chemistry, and physical/earth science

Word Building Grades 1-8
Learn to write letters, words, and sentences, use phonics, word concepts, vocabulary, syllables, contractions, parts of speech, root words, word classification, synonyms, homonyms, antonyms, heteronyms, expanded grammar usage and skills, abbreviation, and semaphore alphabet code

Enrichment Courses for Grades 2-8

These distance learning courses are available for an additional fee for students in Grades 2-8 in THE ACADEMY program or in The Freedom P.A.C. program.

Animal Science
Grade 2: Includes 12 PACES (workbooks) ~
Student studies different animals

Bible Reading
Grade 2: Includes 12 PACES (workbooks) ~
Student studies the Book of John

Grade 3: Includes 12 PACES (workbooks) ~
Student studies the Book of Matthew

Grade 4: Includes 12 PACES (workbooks) ~
Student studies the Books of Mark and Luke

Literature and Creative Writing
Grade 2: Includes 12 PACES (workbooks) ~
Student is encouraged to write descriptive sentences, build comprehension skills, practice handwriting and speed reading

Grade 3: Includes 12 PACES (workbooks) and 2 reference books ~
Students practices critical thinking, sequencing, limericks, story writing, and literature reading

Grade 4: Includes 12 PACES (workbooks) and 6 reference books ~
Student is given opportunities to use deductive reasoning, predictions, and dictionary study skills, to read literature, and to practice cursive handwriting

Grade 5: Includes 12 PACES (workbooks) and 6 reference books ~
Student learns more about short story development and writing, point of view, persuasive and descriptive writing, and editing and proofreading skills

Grade 6: Includes 12 PACES (workbooks) and 6 references books ~
Student practices writing essays, detailed explanations, fact and opinion, using sensory detail, working word and logic puzzles, and converting information in bar graphs

Basic Literature
Grade 7: Includes 1 study guide used in conjunction with 6 resource literature books
Grade 8: Includes 1 study guide are used in conjunction with 6 resource literature books