Students cannot excel in math, science, or any other subject without the ability to read and understand what they are reading as well as being able to communicate ideas effectively. Through emphasizing literacy in all areas of instruction, students are better able to make connections between literacy and other academic pursuits. Our goal is that each student will develop the ability to comprehend
and communicate effectively through listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking. Spanish is a required course, taught twice a week to all students. Culture is also a big focus of the class. Learning about a country can help explain the uses of certain words, especially words not used in the students’ culture. It is C.S. Lewis’ goal that students enrolled from kindergarten will be able to comfortably converse in Spanish by the time they graduate from C.S. Lewis Academy. Technology is a required course, taught weekly to all students. Students are introduced to Word, Powerpoint, Excel, iMovie, Flowboard, etc. with a focus on improving keyboarding skills. Projects are completed to support work being done in other classes to integrate technology with other subjects students are studying. Music appreciation is a required class taught weekly to all students. All students receive a thirty minute general music class once a week. This class teaches students how to read, write, listen, sing, and create music. Keeping with the Utah State Standards this class goes beyond these guidelines and goes into different types of music from a variety of foreign languages while including American folk songs. Including technology with creating music this class makes for a fun, hands on approach that is on the cutting edge of teaching music. Leveled Math classes are taught to all students at the same time each day. Students are assessed at the beginning of the year and placed in a math class based on ability. Most students fall within a high or low grade level group, but those students who are above grade level are tested for the next grade’s instructional content and placed in the appropriate ability level math class. Teachers observe and assess students regularly to be certain they are placed in the correct math ability class. There are 12 leveled math classes taught for one hour every day, allowing smaller class sizes and more focused instruction. Beginning of chapter tests are mapped for the class ability and students further grouped based on their instructional needs. If all of the students in the class have mastered a certain concept, class time is not taken to focus on that concept. This allows students to be challenged, not bored going over concepts that they already know. The high grade level class usually moves at a much faster speed than the low grade level class.
