Elementary Division

1. Learning Outcomes
Our Learning Outcomes state the knowledge, skills and understandings all students should possess upon graduation from First Presbyterian Weekday School.  Our goal is to produce students who are:

Knowledgeable in Christian Faith

  • Acquires knowledge and appreciation of scripture.
  • Participates in meaningful worship, prayer, and Bible study.
  • Actions reflect Christian values.

Effective communicators

  • Demonstrate literacy by reading and comprehending a variety of materials.
  • Speak and write in a logical, coherent, well-organized manner.
  • Listen, interpret and respond to information appropriately.
  • Demonstrate self-expression through the arts.

Critical thinkers and problem-solvers

  • Analyze and apply problem-solving processes and critical thinking skills to real-life situations.
  • Develop meaningful questions.
  • Use multiple strategies to solve problems.
  • Analyze outcomes and consequences in decision-making.

Collaborative workers

  • Work effectively in groups.
  • Demonstrate responsibility for self and to others.
  • Establish and accomplish effective goals with others.

Involved citizens

  • Show respect for the rights of others, based on the teachings of Jesus Christ.
  • Demonstrate positive and productive citizenship.
  • Contribute time and energy to help others in our school, our community, the nation, and the world.
  • Develop awareness, appreciation and respect for God’s creation.

Productive individuals

  • Set personal goals toward their achievements.
  • Are self-directed.
  • Put into practice Christian morals and values.
  • Make informed decisions and evaluate results.
  • Create and appreciate visual and performing arts.

Well-rounded individuals

  • Apply Six Pillars of Character to daily life. (Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Caring, Fairness, Citizenship)
  • Develop an understanding about how to access and use resources.
  • Apply and use technology tools to enhance classroom learning.
  • Incorporate technology as a means of expression and communication.

2. Curriculum Overview

The basic subjects of language arts, mathematics, social science, and science are emphasized in accordance with the California State Board of Education Code 8503.

Language Arts: (Houghton-Mifflin Reading)

  • Our Language Arts curriculum has an emphasis on creative writing and composition, providing knowledge of capitalization, punctuation, parts of speech, spelling and appreciation of good literature.
  • Spelling: (K-2 uses Zaner-Bloser; 3-5 uses Stec-Vaughn) Our two spelling curriculums offer emergent literacy to create developmentally appropriate spellings that will enable them to write for their own purposes.

Mathematics: (Sadlier-Oxford)

  • Our mathematics curriculum helps children learn computation skills, critical thinking, logic, and reasoning, with application of these skills to mathematical word problems.

Social Science: (Harcourt)

  • Our Social Science curriculum helps children connect the past and present world through exciting units that include an appreciation of cultural diversity.  Geography and map skills are highlighted throughout the program.

Science: (Houghton-Mifflin)

  • Our Science curriculum maximizes the scientific curiosity inherent in all children, with hands-on experience.

3. Modified Programs

  • First Pres. does not have the resources to offer classes or individual instruction that can meet Special Education needs.
  • Slight modifications to the curricular program and/or extended time for test-taking may be arranged with documentation by a licensed or certified professional educator.

4. Field Trips

  • All Elementary students participate in curriculum-related field trips.
    These trips take students to places such as:

    • The Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Festival
    • The tide pools to have hands-on experience with creatures of the sea
    • Sacramento to see the state’s history

5. Homework

  • Provides practice and reinforcement of classroom instruction.
  • Parents can assist students by providing a definite time and appropriate place for study.
  • Parents may show interest in a student’s work by checking homework and making sure homework is complete.  Parents should not correct mistakes as the teacher needs to be aware of the areas needing additional attention by the teacher and student.

6. Standardized Testing

  • First Pres. students use the Standard Achievement Testing Program, Version 10, for students in grades 1-5.
  • The SAT 10 is given every spring.  Results are reported to parents and used by the school to identify areas of strengths and weaknesses both for the group and the individual.

7. Awards

  • Academic (Grades 4-5)
  • Citizenship (Grades 1-5)
  • President’s Award for Educational Excellence (Grade 5)
  • Presidential Award for Physical Fitness (Grade 5)

8. Auxiliary Classes

  • Physical Education: Our physical education program stresses exercise, physical fitness, sportsmanship, and teamwork, fostering a healthy competitive spirit.
  • Music: Our music program offers a variety of experiences including: singing, drama, movement, music theory, and instrumentation.  Students have the opportunity to perform in two school productions each year.
  • Bible Studies: Our Bible study classes make the Bible come alive for the students. They study both the Old and New Testament and learn how God’s word can guide and enrich their lives.
  • Computer Science: Our computer science class incorporates computer technology into all areas of study.
  • Spanish: Our Spanish class offers conversational Spanish to all students.
  • Discovery Lab: Our Discovery Lab encourages discovery, wonder, and problem solving through hands-on exploration and investigation that maximizes the scientific curiosity inherent in all children.