Writing & Research Standards

 

Pre-Kindergarten: What is it?

The word “Kindergarten” literally means “children’s garden.” This brings to mind an environment rich with things to see and do: a room for four-year-olds with many kinds of toys, blocks, books and useful learning tools not found in the typical home. More important than the “things” is a warm, loving, mature Christian teacher who can make interesting things happen – someone who encourages the child to try new things and someone who sets necessary limits and lets a child know in a firm and loving way when he or she has exceeded those limits. A lively academic program for four-year-olds gives children an enjoyable educational foundation and a desire to learn more.

Pre-Kindergarten is offered Monday through Friday. Parents can choose to enroll children for mornings only (8:00am – 11:30am) or all-day (8:00am – 2:30pm). Morning-only students are not at any academic disadvantage because the afternoon session consists of enrichment activities only.

 

Pre-Kindergarten: Goals

Play is natural to all children. The Pre-Kindergarten seeks to accommodate children’s desires and abilities in play while nurturing their desire to learn how to do productive work. They come to school knowing that work is an adult skill and that growing up means learning to work. They want to learn to work so they can grow up. Interacting socially with children their own age helps them obtain skills to handle situations to be used the rest of their lives.

 

Early Exposure: Our Trademark

Exposure to written words and numbers is a distinguishing feature of our Pre-Kindergarten program. While we do not pressure children whose maturation level indicates non-readiness, students will be recognizing letters and numbers, counting and reading three-letter words by the end of the school year. The time at which a child begins to find interest in these areas depends upon several key factors:

  1. the amount of instruction provided in the home by parents or older children. This instruction can include memorizing the alphabet, associating letter names with specific written letters, counting to five or beyond, counting objects, coloring with crayons, etc.
  2. interest in reading created by parents who read to the child at home. It has been said, if you want your child to be a reader then it has to be modeled at home. Reading to your child daily has a vast impact on the interest in reading your child will have in the classroom.
  3. experience at Sunday school, nursery school and/or preschool.

 

Pre-Kindergarten Goals: A Basic List

By the time a child completes Greater Houlton Christian Academy Pre- Kindergarten they will have been exposed to:

 

  • Readiness Skills: writing readiness, eye-hand coordination, visual perception, listening skills, thinking skills

  • Numbers: number concepts, formation of numbers 1-20, counting objects, patterns, sorting

  • Phonics: recognition of letters, sounds of letters, formation of letters, consonant-vowel blends, one-syllable words, introduction to reading circle.

The child will also have gained knowledge and skills in all the other traditional, social, emotional, physical, spiritual, and academic values expected of a quality Christian Pre-Kindergarten.

At GHCA, we offer elementary students a solid academic foundation in a safe, structured but nurturing environment where Christ is at the center. The day begins with Bible and prayer, and our Christian philosophy of education is woven throughout the program the rest of the day. Students learn about the creation—and also about the Creator! They are trained at an early age to recognize God’s hand throughout the world he has made.

 

Academic Overview

The elementary curriculum focuses on mastery of basic skills in math, reading (phonics and whole language approaches are used) and language arts (including writing, spelling, and penmanship) and a broad knowledge in science and history. Enhancing the curriculum are computer skills, physical education, and music. All subjects are taught from a biblical perspective by certified, caring Christian teachers using developmentally appropriate instruction. Our dual accreditation with both the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the Association of Christian Schools International verifies our program quality.

Grades are combined in pairs (K-1, 2-3, and 4-5) with one teacher responsible for the core academic areas in each self-contained classroom.

Grades 2–6 are now using a computer technology literacy curriculum which integrates technology into math, science, language arts and social studies. This improves student learning outcomes in core curriculum subjects while it provides students with the skills they need for success in the 21st Century.

Students enjoy other “specials” teachers for subjects such as gym and music. The Christmas Concert and Spring Concert are always well-attended and give elementary students opportunities to share with their families and community the music they have been learning. Elementary students visit the public library regularly which provides some useful resources.

 

Our secondary program is designed to provide students with challenging opportunities to grow in mind, soul, and body as they prepare for lives as adults. One indication of program quality is our dual accreditation with both the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the Association of Christian Schools International. In addition to a focus on students’ intellectual development, we seek to promote their spiritual and moral growth through opportunities such as retreats, chapels, discipleship groups, and Christian service.

 

Junior High Program (Grades 7-8)

The junior high years are a time of major growth and development for students, and our caring, experienced teachers help nurture and guide students through this exciting—and challenging!—time. Students mature at different rates and benefit from our small class sizes. Core subjects taught include language arts, mathematics, life science, earth science, U. S. history, world history, and Bible. Other courses offered include study and research skills, physical education, and computer.

 

High School Program (Grades 9-12)

Our goal is to develop in students the core academic and relational skills and knowledge they will need for success beyond high school, whether at institutions of higher learning or in careers; over 90% of our graduates go on to higher education. Our committed teachers use a variety of instructional techniques to guide students in developing the core skills of observation, collaboration, communication, analysis, and evaluation. Students leave the Academy well-prepared for the next challenges they will face.

 

Extracurricular Activities

Students have a number of extracurricular options in the areas of athletics, fine arts, and service to help round out their education while at GHCA. Our school is a member of the Maine Principals Association (MPA) and the Aroostook League and, therefore, a strong interscholastic sports program. GHCA has an active Student Council and a chapter of the National Honor Society.

 

Diploma/Credit Requirements*

*Subject to change as necessary

Subject Areas

Credits

Bible

1 credit for each year of GHCA h. s. enrollment

Math

4

English

4

History

3 (one must be U. S. History)

Science

3

Foreign Language

2

Physical Education

1

Health

½

Fine Arts

½  

Computer

Demonstrate proficiency either through completion of a jr. high course
or competent high school work

TOTAL

18 (plus normally 4 credits of Bible)

The administration and secondary faculty have adopted the following basic standard for writing and research at the secondary level at Greater Houlton Christian Academy, believing that holding students to a consistent, reasonable standard honors the Lord (Colossians 3:17, 23). All students will be expected to submit work that meets these minimal levels of expectations. Teachers may, at their own discretion, increase these standards for any of their assignments. Work not meeting these standards will not be accepted by the teacher and will be considered late until turned in with corrections.

 

Writing Standards

 

SENTENCES

All sentences will start with a capital letter, be complete, and end with an appropriate end mark.

 

All answers will be written in complete sentences in every course. “Short answers” will be the exception rather than the rule. Teachers may require parts of answers to be highlighted to save correction time.

ORGANIZATION

Students will use IBC (introduction-body-conclusion) format with good paragraphs.

MECHANICS

Students will italicize, underline, or use quotation marks for titles and demonstrate correct use of apostrophes, capitalization, and spelling.

APPEARANCE

Written work will be legible and not use all capital letters.

 

Written work will be neat with few corrections.

 

There will be no scribbling or doodling on written work.

 

All papers will use the correct GHCA heading:

  • Student Name
  • Date                   
  • Course
  • Assignment

 

Research Standards

  1. All research papers and projects at GHCA must conform to MLA (Modern Language Association) format; all teachers will have a copy of the MLA style book and refer to it). Basic citations state the author and page number inside parentheses: e.g., (Smith 103).
  2. Any specific information not derived from common knowledge must be cited, whether it is quoted or paraphrased.
  3. Teachers may determine the quantity of Internet sources to be used for papers and projects as well as determine which Internet sources are acceptable for assignments.
  4. All research work must include note cards, typed notes, or a handwritten rough draft at the discretion of the teacher.
  5. Students may be required to have their papers typed.

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Houlton, ME. 04730
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