Academics

Program Overview

Trinity Christian School offers a distinctively Christian curriculum for students in Junior Kindergarten to Grade Eight. The curriculum is designed to nourish the whole child through his or her heart, mind and spirit, and build the child’s relationship with God, others, and the world.

A Trinity education leads and guides children to understand their role in God’s world by developing strong collaborative and communication skills and encouraging creativity and critical thinking.

Although Trinity’s academic program aligns with the standards and expectations of the Ontario Ministry of Education curriculum documents, it is infused with a Christian perspective and worldview. The curriculum includes three core learning strands that provide a solid framework for study:

Believing – We believe in the Triune God as Creator and Lord over all as revealed in the infallible Word of God.
Belonging – We belong to a community of Grace that seeks to instill a love for Christ and a passion for learning.
Becoming – We desire to become Disciples of Christ and stewards of the world in which we live.

Graduate Profile

Trinity Christian School strives to provide our students with opportunities to develop their God-given talents and abilities. Each student is encouraged and challenged academically, spiritually and emotionally.

Specifically, these themes are woven throughout the curriculum so that Trinity graduates will reflect the following characteristics:

Academically, students will...

Learn academic skills and attitudes for success in high school.
Communicate clearly through writing and speaking.
Develop creative and critical thinking.
Strive for high academic standards that realize their full potential.
Pursue independent study in areas of personal interest.

Spiritually, students will...

Develop self-discipline, responsibility and accountability.
Display attitudes of love and respect towards the Bible to themselves and each other.
Develop appropriate methods of Bible study, the memorization of Scripture, and a basic knowledge of the Bible.
Formulate a Christian world and life view by integrating life and studies with the Bible and by identifying and refuting the non-Christian philosophies, culture, and practices which are prevalent in society.
Develop a servant heart and bring joy to individuals and culture.

Emotionally, students will...

Heal brokenness by treating their neighbours with love and respect as unique individuals created in God’s image.
Actively build communities of grace where they work with others in a spirit of shalom.
Promote physical fitness, good health habits and the wise use of their bodies as temples of God.
Understand the privileges and responsibilities of citizenship and develop an appreciation for the heritage of freedom which we enjoy in Canada.
Understand that their talents are a gift from God to be used to the best of their ability for God.

General Curriculum

Bible

The Bible program at Trinity develops the head, heart and hands of our students. Students are moved to a deeper understanding of what it means to be a follower of Christ through daily devotions and times of prayer. Students are required to commit relevant passages to memory and to study Biblical stories, topics and concepts in depth.

A variety of curriculum is used including materials published by Christian Schools International (CSI), the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and Summit Ministries. The materials are intentionally structured to ensure that each student receives instruction that provides a complete and comprehensive summary of the entire Biblical narrative throughout their years at Trinity. The themes of creation, fall, and redemption are also highlighted.

The Bible program is enhanced by our weekly chapels which include a time of singing, a brief message focused on our yearly school theme and a time of celebrating God’s rich blessings to our school community.

More information about the various organizations listed above can be found by clicking on the following links:

Language

The Language program at Trinity introduces students to literacy as a wonderful gift of God. Students are taught to communicate effectively through reading, writing, and oral communication. Large selections of reading materials encompass a variety of interests and abilities and can be easily accessed in our classrooms and library. Specific assessment tools inform our teachers’ instruction and students are given regular and extended blocks of time to read, write, confer and reflect on their learning.

Reading

The Reading program in the primary division (JK-3) focuses on learning to read. As students transition into the junior (4-6) and intermediate (7-8) divisions, the focus shifts to reading to learn. The structure of our reading program in the primary and junior divisions is derived from the Daily Five/CAFÉ (Comprehension Accuracy Fluency and Expanding Vocabulary) model. The key components of this model are development of strong comprehension skills, reading accuracy, fluency and vocabulary. As students transition into the intermediate division, these skills are revisited and reviewed as they prepare for secondary school.

A variety of curriculum is used within the framework described above and includes but is not limited to the following:

Literacy Place from Scholastic Canada
The World of Literature from Christian Schools International (grades 3-6)
Both fiction and non-fiction text is incorporated into the literary program.

Specific differentiated instruction in reading is directed by the Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA) of each student’s reading level. The reading level of each student is assessed and recorded each year.

Writing

The Writing program follows the framework provided in the Traits of Writing. Various additional resources based on the traits are incorporated as well. Grammar, spelling, vocabulary and penmanship instruction are all included in the writing program.

A variety of curriculum is used within the framework described above and includes but is not limited to:

Literacy Place from Scholastic Canada
Working with Words by Patricia Cunningham (grades JK-6)
The Canadian Spelling Program by Ruth Scott (grades 7-8)

The Ontario Writing Assessments (OWA) are used to formally assess our students, to guide instruction and to provide additional instructional strategies in writing.

Oral Communication

Oral communication skills are fundamental to the development of literacy and essential for thinking and learning. The Oral Communication strand has three overall expectations that include:

listening to understand and respond appropriately to the ideas and questions within the learning environment
using speaking skills and strategies to communicate with different audiences
reflect on and identify how our strengths as listeners and speakers can be used to glorify God and for the edification of others.

Teachers use a variety of resources to provide instruction for oral communication and students are given ample opportunity to practice oral communication skills on an ongoing basis through the presentations, class discussions and daily communication.

French

French language instruction at Trinity begins in JK. The Accelerative Integrated Method (AIM) is an intensive methodology that significantly raises the expectations and performance of students in core French classrooms.

Through this approach, all target vocabulary to be learned by the student is taught kinesthetically, visually and in an auditory manner, thus responding to a variety of learning styles. Words are kinesthetically presented through gesture and contextualized through story and drama. Fluency is built by systematically scaffolding the presentation of new vocabulary, beginning with words of highest frequency and widest scope.

The JK and SK program are completely oral and focus on introducing vocabulary that will allow students to begin communicating in the French language. This set of words is taken from the AIM program. In Grades 1-3, the AIM program is more formally introduced. Students review and build upon previously learned vocabulary through the use of plays, games and songs. Repetition is key to ensuring the vocabulary becomes a part of the students’ oral language. Although still oral based, reading and writing are gradually introduced in the middle or towards the end of each grade level. The primary division provides a base of knowledge for students to build upon once they transition to the junior and intermediate levels.

More information about the AIM program can be found by clicking on the following link:

Aim Language Learning

Mathematics

The Mathematics program at Trinity provides our students with an experience of God’s awesome creation as witnessed through its inherent orderliness. God’s character is clearly seen in every math strand: Number Sense and Numeration; Measurement; Geometry and Spatial Sense; Patterning and Algebra; and Data Management and Probability.

The JUMP (Junior Undiscovered Math Prodigies) Math program provides our students with a foundation and framework for mathematical success. The program encourages a thorough understanding of math skills and concepts. Strategies to develop mental math fluency are encouraged to promote confidence in every learner. Each lesson begins with focused and targeted instruction, followed step by step practice and ongoing assessment. Each math strand listed above is covered twice per year in grades 1-8 and enrichment is provided using a variety of additional math resources.

More information about the JUMP Math program can be found by clicking on the following link:

Jump Math Program

Creation Studies

The Creation Studies program at Trinity explores God’s wonderful creation as seen in Science & Technology and Social Studies.

Science & Technology

The study of science and technology allows our students to observe and experience the wonder of God’s revelation of Himself in creation. Curriculum units developed by the Ontario Alliance of Christian Schools (OACS) and Christian Schools International (CSI) guide the science instruction and provide a Christian perspective for each unit of study. Students receive instruction in the following four science strands: Life Systems; Structures and Mechanisms; Matter and Energy; and Earth and Space Systems.

The science and technology strand of Creation Studies includes three main goals:

To relate science and technology to God’s world and the environment by developing an understanding of our roles as stewards of creation.
To develop the skills, strategies, and habits of mind required for scientific inquiry and problem solving.
To understand the basic concepts and terms associated with the study of science and technology.

Social Studies

The study of social studies provides our students with the opportunity to explore the world around them and to build the skills necessary to develop and maintain it.

For students in grades 1-6 the following strands are explored:
Heritage and Identity: This strand includes an understanding of the connections between the past and present; the interactions within and between diverse communities (including the student’s own communities); and the rights and responsibilities associated with citizenship. Students develop an understanding of personal, cultural and national identities, both past and present and the significant contributions to Canadian heritage.
People and Environments: This strand focuses on natural and built environments and the connections between the two. Students explore geographic, social, political, economic and environmental issues in the context of local, regional, national and global communities. Students also develop an understanding of the social and environmental responsibilities of citizens and the various levels of government.

For students in grades 7-8, the Social Studies program is divided into History and Geography. History is organized chronologically and focuses on the story of Canada from the early eighteenth century until 1914. Students learn how to apply concepts of historical thinking and to develop their understanding of how we study the past. Geography is organized thematically and provides students with opportunities to explore a variety of topics in physical and human geography. Students develop their spatial skills and learn how to apply concepts of geographic thinking to the inquiry process.

The curriculum for Social Studies in grades 1-6, and grades 7-8 history, is written by the Ontario Alliance of Christian Schools (OACS) and the program for grades 7-8 geography is based on the Nelson Geography curriculum.

Healthy Living

The Healthy Living program at Trinity includes health and physical education.

Health Education

The study of health education focuses on the students’ responsibility to take care of themselves. Students learn about the mental, emotional, social and spiritual aspects of personal health. They are challenged to take responsibility for their own health as individuals and as members of their families and communities. Opportunities are given to develop basic life skills including resolving conflicts and preparing for the challenges of daily living. Healthy living is presented as a lifestyle of obedience to God.

The Healthy Living program, published by Christian Schools International (CSI), provides a comprehensive health education curriculum for grades JK-8. The program is also supplemented with resources from the Ontario Physical and Health Education Association (OPHEA).

The Human Organ Systems curriculum developed by the Ontario Alliance of Christian Schools (OACS) is followed in our junior division (grades 4-6). This curriculum focuses on human anatomy and development. The grade four focus is the skeletal, muscular and nervous system. The grade five focus is the circulatory, respiratory and digestive and urinary system. The grade six focus is the immune, endocrine and reproductive system. These units integrate science and health and examine how God made our bodies and how we are to respond in love to God’s faithful call to “be fruitful and increase in number and rule the earth”. These units are designed using an active-reflective approach to learning for the purpose of coming to know God, opening ourselves to hearing God, and becoming more aware of what God is telling us through His creation.

Physical Education

The Physical Education curriculum is designed to encourage all our students to enjoy personal fitness and sport as part of an active lifestyle for life. Skills, strategies, fitness components and team work are all presented as a reflection of God’s purpose for our lives.

The emphasis in grades JK-3 focuses on the development of motor co-ordination, muscle tone and creative movement. Grades 4-8 continue to develop these skills through the teaching and practicing of various sports including: cross country running, soccer, flag football, volleyball, floor hockey, basketball, badminton, baseball and track & field as well as various team building activities. Students develop an understanding of the fitness components such as endurance, strength and flexibility. They learn the value of appropriate warm up and cool down activities and the benefits of daily exercise.

The Arts

The Arts program at Trinity includes music and visual arts.

Science & Technology

Vocal and instrumental music are an important part of the arts curriculum. Students in grades JK-3 concentrate on singing and music appreciation while students in grades 4-5 are also introduced to elements of music and music theory. Recorder instruction is provided in grades 4 and 5 as an introduction to instrumental music. Students in grades 6-8 participate in an Instrumental Band program while continuing to improve knowledge of theory and musical abilities. All grades have opportunities to perform throughout the year.

Visual Arts

The Visual Arts program nurtures students to explore God’s creation and glorify Him by making and appreciating the arts with skill, imagination and Biblical truth. As His image bearers, students will express themselves as individual creators, experience new materials and ideas, and be exposed to a variety of techniques. They will experience all of this while gaining confidence in their own artistic abilities and developing an appreciation for visual arts. Students will be encouraged to complete their creations in a way that reflects God’s excellence and brings glory to His name.

The visual arts program is based on the elements and principals of art and the ministry expectations for each grade level.