Academics

Balanced Literacy incorporates all reading approaches realizing students need to use multiple strategies to become proficient readers.

What is its purpose?

It provides and cultivates the skills of reading, writing, thinking, speaking and listening for all students. A Balanced Literacy Program includes:

• Modeled Reading (Reading Aloud) and Modeled Writing
• Shared Reading and Shared Writing
• Guided Reading and Guided Writing
• Independent Reading and Independent Writing

Teachers continuously evaluate your child’s growth and development throughout the year during small and whole group instruction, one-on-one work, classroom projects and homework assignments. Progress Reports are completed once per quarter, a total of four times during the school year. A portfolio of student work in different areas compliments the assessments. With the portfolio, a parent is not only able to hear about the child’s growth, but also see the growth through the various forms of work.

Principal’s Certificate

This is awarded to students in grades 3-5 on a semester basis. A student must achieve a 97%-100% in all subject areas each quarter to receive this award.

A Honor Roll

This is awarded every quarter. The student must receive A’s in all subject areas or a combination of A’s and B’s with an average of 91% or higher. The student is not allowed to receive a C in any area.

B Honor Roll

This is awarded every quarter. The student must receive B’s in all subject areas or a combination of A’s, B’s, and C’s with an average of 86% or higher.

Parent/Teacher conferences take place in the fall and spring of the school year. We understand the importance of communication and value the partnership between parents and teachers as it relates to the success of each student. As a result, all parents are encouraged to make student conferences a priority.

Christian Life Schools understands the benefits of competence in more than one language and culture. It enables our students to look beyond their customary borders, develop insight into their own language and culture, act with greater awareness of self, of other cultures, and their own relationship to those cultures. At the elementary level, learning a second language has the following benefits:

• Has a positive effect on intellectual growth.
• Enriches and enhances a child’s mental development.
• Leaves students with more flexibility in thinking, greater sensitivity to language, and a better ear for listening.
• Improves a child’s understanding of his/her native language.
• Gives a child the ability to communicate with people he/she would otherwise not have the chance to know.
• Opens the door to other cultures and helps a child understand and appreciate people from other countries.
• Gives a student a head start in language requirements for college.
• Increases job opportunities in many careers where knowing another language is a real asset.

K-5 Students at Christian Life Schools learn art skills and concepts that comply with the Illinois Learning Standards for Fine Arts. They include art production, art history, art criticism, and aesthetics. Students will experience a variety of art media, including, drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture and fiber arts.

Kindergarten

Students in kindergarten meet the standards through the use of the music curriculum, “Music For Little Mozarts.” Students are introduced to the musical concepts of high/low, going up/going down, fast/slow, steady beat, quiet/loud. Formal music notation (quarter notes and rests) is briefly introduced. Students are encouraged to sing in tune as much as possible. The enjoyment of music and the use of music to express emotions, ideas and praise to God is emphasized. Kindergarten students perform in a Christmas program, Grandparent’s Day, Kindergarten graduation, and other opportunities as they arise.

Grades 1-3

Students in Grades 1-3 meet the standards through the music curriculum, “The Music Neighborhood.” Formal music notation is introduced in first grade and reinforced and expanded upon in second and third grades. Keyboards are used to reinforce the concepts of notes and rhythms. In first grade students are introduced to the keyboard and in second and third grades a more in-depth study of the keyboard is done. Music history and appreciation is explored with the study of music composers and their music. Students are briefly introduced to instruments of the orchestra in first grade and explore them in more depth in second and third grades. Singing in tune is encouraged in first grade, with a higher expectation of achievement in second and third grades. First, second, and third grade students combine to present a musical performance in late February or early March as well as participate in a Grandparent’s Day song. The enjoyment of music and the use of music to express emotions, ideas, and praise to God is emphasized.

Grade 4

In Grade 4, these standards are taught and reinforced by playing recorders. Music notation learned in the earlier grades is now put into practical use by playing this easy-to-learn instrument. Reading music is very much emphasized and evaluated. Second semester is devoted to playing the recorder. First semester students prepare for a full children’s musical combining with the fifth grade classes. This musical is performed in late November. Singing in tune is encouraged and evaluated. Students also participate in a song for Grandparent’s Day. The enjoyment of music and the use of music to express emotions, ideas, and praise to God is emphasized.

Grade 5

In Grade 5, these standards are taught by reviewing all musical concepts learned in earlier elementary years and the continuation of more complex musical concepts. Fifth grade has an emphasis in music appreciation by studying a few more composers and their musical periods as well as various contemporary musical styles. First semester students prepare for a full children’s musical combining with the fourth grade classes.

Physical Education is critical to the development and maintenance of good health. The goal of physical education is to develop physically educated individuals who have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of healthful physical activity.

Presidential Fitness Challenge

The Physical Fitness Test recognizes students for their level of physical fitness in five activities that measure muscular strength/endurance, cardio-respiratory endurance, speed, agility, and flexibility.

CLS Athletic Facilities

The CLS campus includes two gymnasiums, the largest being a double gymnasium in the high school wing which features a four-sided scoreboard, an exceptional sound system, and a lighting system which provides an exciting display for all home games. A complete 400 meter track, football field and soccer field, weight rooms, and locker rooms enhance the physical education classes and athletic programs.

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Dr. Seuss

“Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.” Margaret Fuller

The focus of the library program at Christian Life is to encourage life-long learning, and a love of reading. Students in Preschool through 5th grade have the opportunity to access the library resources and tools required for learning in a warm, stimulating, and safe environment. Each week, students of all ages engage in a story before checking out library materials. With more than 24,000 children’s titles, students have access to all different genres in both fiction and non-fiction selections. Please feel free to stop by to take a look, check out a book, or volunteer.

Christian Life Schools technology curriculum will provide a framework for preparing students for life-long learning in a global, digital society.