• Latin is taught from the beginning as students familiarize themselves with the roots of English and build a basis for advanced Latin studies in older grades
  
• Using Shurley English, students learn English Grammar starting in first grade. Come and see our first grader bulletin board with diagrammed sentences
  
• Starting in second grade, the outstanding Excellence in Writing program teaches artful communication
• Saxon Math is used through all elementary grades at least one year ahead of the publisher’s recommended schedule

Grade school, or “grammar” school in the Trivium’s pedagogy, is a time for developing structures that reward self-control and personal discipline. Habits and concepts learned at this early age will stick for life if they are taught in an interesting and engaging way. Students must conduct themselves properly in the classroom as a strong work ethic is implanted, with a bit of fun too.

Grammar students will advance through mathematics skills such that five years can prepare students for pre-algebra or even more challenging work. As in mathematics, students will quickly progress through English and come away with a knowledge of grammar that some college students still do not possess.

Reading comprehension and good penmanship are also core ideals in grammar school. Students will read famous books from the time period of history they are studying to gain interest across the subject lines and show how knowledge is integrated. For example, students read Robin Hood the year they study the Middle Ages and Where the Red Fern Grows during the year of studying American history. They will also learn about the music and art of the time period they are studying.

Even from this age students are pushed towards the solidifying analysis and communication of logic and rhetoric levels of learning, though the primary focus is on filling the mind with knowledge. If you visit, you may see 5th graders having a class debate of British vs. Colonists, 4th graders giving discovery presentations about electricity or sewage, 3rd graders acting out ancient customs, 2nd graders dressing up for a play, or 1st graders explaining their favorite U.S. President.

Students are not merely tested on the memorization of information but also on their ability to skillfully express information in writing. As reading and writing are the focus of elementary students, so reading comprehension is the focus of reading. Students must explain what occrred in readings and when listening to others read, solidifying good listening and critical thinking habits–it is very difficult to be a good writer without being a good reader first.

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