Instructional Program

Christian education is based on the conviction that knowledge of the Bible and of Jesus Christ is essential to the development and growth of the child. This belief calls for the integration of faith and learning. Every subject area is seen as part of this bigger picture and thus taught from a Christian perspective.

Christian teachers play a key role in opening a child’s eyes to the wonders of God’s creation. The instructional program at Timothy Christian School aims to respect each student’s individuality and also strives to help each individual to recognize and develop their gifts within the community.

Our school follows curriculum guidelines that meet the goals of Christian education as outlined by the Timothy Christian School Program Committee and Board. We strive to meet and surpass ministry and government specifications and follow much of the provincial curriculum. We supplement our course of studies with curriculum resources and textbooks that come from Christian Schools International (CSI), the Ontario Alliance of Christian Schools (OACS) and those we have developed ourselves. Our curriculum encompasses studies in Bible, Mathematics, Language Arts, French, Vocal and Instrumental Music, Fine Arts, Physical Education, Science, History and Geography. Students with special needs enjoy the individual or small group support of our Resource Department facilitating specific remedial needs. The spectrum of our curriculum encourages the use of a variety of teaching styles: teacher directed, individual research, small group, peer tutoring, cooperative learning and computer-assisted learning.

The staff of Timothy Christian School annually reviews specific areas of curriculum under the supervision of the Program Committee. New teaching methods, publications and support services are examined and goals are set to maximize student learning.Devotions are held on a daily basis and a weekly chapel brings all students together in the gym for a time of praise and worship.

Bible

Although a Christian worldview is integrated within all subject areas, Bible is also taught as a separate subject, to all students. Biblical studies help students learn about the Bible as the record of God’s loving concern for his people and their response to his faithfulness. Scriptures are also studied to help students deepen their awareness of God’s grace in their own lives and at the same time to help deepen their commitment to Christ as Saviour and Lord.

Language Arts

Effective use of language increases the ability of students to serve God and his people in a loving, God honouring manner. The language arts curriculum is built on the four components of reading, writing, listening and speaking. The reading program is based on various reading resources and selected novel studies. The writing program uses a Writer’s Workshop approach, which integrates phonetic principles and proper grammatical/ writing style skills. Listening and speaking are integrated throughout the reading and writing components. Often the language arts is integrated within the various courses of study. Reading is the key to success in most subject areas. Parents are encouraged to model reading and to set a high priority on promoting books and regular home reading.

Creational And Cultural Studies

Through the study of Science, History and Geography students will learn about human interaction in the context of people’s relationship with God. Students learn that all people are called to exercise dominion over creation by using its resources in a harmonious and fruitful way. They learn that all the various aspects of life are interrelated within any given culture. As well, students will learn that physical and living things are part of God’s plan, created by God and not just a product of our environment Through study of God’s creation the students hopefully will gain a deeper understanding of how they too are the caretakers of creation and responsible to God for maintaining and developing it.

Mathematics

Math has its roots in God’s creation order and gives us a greater appreciation for the orderly design of this world. In math students first experience mathematical ideas from contact with concrete objects and by analyzing the spatial numerical aspects of everyday experience. Mathematical speed drill and problem solving application will be stressed.

Computer Studies

Computers are viewed as a technological tool that should be used to support the learning that takes place within the curriculum. Students in the Junior and Intermediate grades will receive instruction in keyboarding, word processing and presentation skills. Computer stations can be found in the classrooms and all students will have access to the computer lab. An Internet Control policy is enforced.

Music / Band

Singing is an important component of praise in a Christian’s life and music is certainly an important part of the Timothy Christian School program. Primary and Junior grades will get together, within their divisions, for regular choir singing sessions. Recorders are used in grades 3 - 5 and and instrumental band instruction occurs at Grades 6 –8. Much of the music program takes place in our large, functional, 3 tiered Music Room. A band rental fee will be required unless students purchase their own instrument. A goal of our music program is to instill an appreciation and awareness of a wide variety of music and musical selections.

Art

Art is taught by each classroom teacher and often integrated within the curriculum. The aim of the program is to introduce the various elements of art such as: line, shape, colour, form, composition, texture, value and perspective.At the Grades Seven and Eight levels the students participate in a Fine Arts program, which expands the art appreciation and exposure, but also adds opportunities to participate in areas such as Drama, Yearbook and Web site design and presentation.

French

At the primary level, French is taught as a second language with emphasis on basic vocabulary and French songs. More formal French instruction starts at the Junior grades and carries on to the end of Grade Eight. A set program is followed which consists of workbooks, oral dialogue and audio listening tapes.

Physical Education

In physical education students learn that bodily development and physical fitness are necessary to serve the Lord responsibly. Students are encouraged to develop a lifestyle that will adopt this approach to fitness as well as individual and team sports. The Grade Three & Four program includes a swimming component. A voluntary running and cross-country program is promoted. Team sport competition generally involves special meets with area Christian schools.

Learning Assistance And Special Education

This program is designed to provide support to those students who need help, primarily in the areas of: reading, language arts and math. Skills and strategies are also taught to intermediate students to support them in their learning and study habits. Referrals to the program require written approval and identification of need.

Assessment and Evaluation

Evaluation is based on the assessments of student achievement derived from tools such as: observations check lists, work samples, conferences, self-reflections and tests. The report card is one of the primary means of communicating the results of evaluation and it is extremely important for parents to sit down with their children and review the report card together. There will be three official report card dates. We believe that children make the best progress when home and school work together. We encourage you to share your comments and observations in open dialogue with the homeroom teacher. Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled during the year. Students in grades three to eight participate in the Canadian Test of Basic Skills, every other year. This is a standardized test that allows us to measure individual student growth and also to compare our school’s academic profile with that of other school systems. Timothy is also a part of the Ontario Alliance of Christian School Quality Assurance Program, which is an external review performance review process.

Library And Computer Lab

We have been blessed with a healthy stock of books and resources in our library. Children have a library period each week and are encouraged to check out books that interest them. We want the children to enjoy their books of choice and share them with you at home. However, it is imperative that those books be returned before further selections may be made. We try to carefully screen new entries into our book collection. However, if you find a book that may be inappropriate, please bring it our attention. Alternatively, if you have recently read a book that could be a valuable addition to our library, please recommend it, or better yet, donate it! All of our encyclopedias are for in-school use only. Currently much of our students' research is conducted on CD ROMS and the Internet.