Grades K-1 Curriculum
In grades K-1 Belmont students develop their hearts, minds, and bodies. They begin with Bible study each morning, and practice (to mastery) foundational skills in reading, writing, and arithmetic. They begin to read with expression, they observe the wonder of nature, and they practice spelling and cursive penmanship. They develop courtesy and character, and learn to create beautiful art and music. The materials, below, are part of the Belmont Connected Curriculum™, and have been carefully chosen to prepare students for success in grades K-1.
English
(Reading/Spelling/
Writing/Grammar/
Literature)
Classic children's books are as delightful as they are effective in nurturing the heart, developing character, and growing vocabulary.
Students receive one-on-one time reading with the teacher, reading as a class, and being read to. Daily reading leads to fluency, and develops the ability to read with expression.
Belmont's flagship spelling method is carefully designed to help students become excellent readers and spellers, and to understand the governing spelling rules. Each week students practice reading and writing spelling codes, rules, word lists, and spelling sentences; and practice turning spelling words into a story.
Distar Reading Program
by Seigfried Englemann, adapted for smaller classes by Phyllis Haddox and Elaine Bruner.
All About Reading (an Orton Guillingham program)
Classical Spelling Method
by Classical Materials
English Grammar Recitation
by Memoria Press
Classic and beloved children's books, such as the following, form the core of our K-1 literature:
Owl Moon
Stone Soup
The Story of Ping
Cordoroy
Stellaluna
The King's Highway
The Little House
Katie No-Pocket
The Tale of Peter Rabbit
Danny Meadow Mouse
Frog and Toad are Friends
All-of-a-Kind Family
The Tale of Tom Kitten
The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin
Little Bear
Tales from the Odyssey
Make Way for Ducklings
The Tailor of Gloucester
Blacky the Crow
The Family Under the Bridge
A Bear Called Paddington
My Father's Dragon
The Tale of the Pie and the
Patty-Pan
The Tale of Jemima
Puddle-Duck
The Adventures of Chatterer
the Red Squirrel
The Adventures of Happy
Jack
Mathematics
A solid foundation in math, including mastery of arithmetic, is the key to later success in science, technology, and engineering.
Saxon Math 1/2/3
(according to individual student level)
Penmanship
Printing begins is Kindergarten. Cursive begins in Grade 1.
Classical Penmanship,
by Classical Materials
Science
Grades K-2 students develop a love of science by enjoying the beauty and wonder of the natural world. Formal science instruction begins in Grade 1.
Patterns of Nature
by Memoria Press
Bible Study, Daily Devotional
Grades K-2 students begin each day with a daily devotional that includes prayer, a song, scripture, and a copy statement. In Bible Study, students learn the story of God's love in the Old and New Testaments, and commit scripture to memory.
Children's Illustrated Bible
by Selena Hastings
History/
Geography
Students learn to draw maps and become acquainted with stories of the great men and women in world and American history through a variety of literature selections.
Greek Myths
by Ingri d'Aulaire, Edgar Parin d'Aulaire
Music
Music is a universal language of enormous power. Mathematical at its base, it develops the mental abilities of students while enriching the soul.
Our sequential music program instills a love of music in each student. Our music curriculum includes music theory, with the training of the voice as a primary instrument.
*Specific curriculum materials will change as we continuously improve while staying anchored to our mission.
