Curriculum
THE GOALS OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
The primary goal of the Christian day school is to help students grow into independent people so they can serve God according to His word and are able and willing to employ all their talents to the honour of God and for the well-being of people in their community in every area of life in which they are placed by God.
This central goal will guide students to:
- Deepen their commitment to love God,
- Develop the knowledge and understanding necessary to fulfill their calling effectively in modern society,
- Discover and develop particular gifts and talents,
- Train and discipline those skills and attitudes necessary for satisfaction and productivity in the world of work and/or advanced levels of schooling,
- Develop awareness of themselves as learners able to adapt knowledge, skills, and attitudes to the ordinary tasks of life,
- Acquire competencies for responsible living as adults, including the sensitivity and skills necessary for effective communication,
- Follow the norms for good health and physical fitness,
- Develop abilities of perception and judgement in moral and ethical matters,
- Mature as Christian persons in relation to God, self, others, and the environment,
- Acquire appreciation for the customs, habits and beliefs of other faith communities, ethnic groups, and other cultures.
(From the Ontario Alliance of Christian Schools)
Timothy Christian School’s commitment to achieve the above goals for Christian education as suggested by the Ontario Alliance of Christian Schools is reflected in its curriculum.
As such, all subjects are taught from a Christian point of view: Bible, Church History, Math, Language Arts, French, Social Studies, Science, Health, Physical Education, Music, Art, and Computers. Following are examples of this:
Biology and astronomy is studied from the understanding that the Lord created plants, animals, the sun, moon and stars. The arts are an expression of our appreciation for God’s creation. The physical sciences investigate the structure of the physical universe as fashioned by God’s Word of power (Hebrews 11:3).
The life sciences study the wonderful diversity, construction and function of God’s creatures and their interaction with each other. The social sciences and language arts examine the ways in which the Lord intends human beings to relate to one another.
Historical studies explore the ways in which cultures have observed or disregarded God’s will. The arts provide opportunities to respond to the beauty and design built into creation by the Creator himself. Bible study in the Christian school teaches students about God’s special revelation, and also deepens their sensitivity to God’s revelation in creation (Ps. 36:9).
TCS is an elementary school with a program that seeks to lead students into an ever increasing knowledge of God’s wonderful creation, helping them to understand and marvel at its unity, diversity and coherence and teaching them to follow Christ and to counter the forces of sin and evil wherever they are encountered.
It should be noted that TCS’ program does not intend to insulate or shelter students from the realities of contemporary culture. Rather, we seek to enable students to critically and discerningly judge culture and to be obedient to the Lord in all areas of life.
KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM
The Kindergarten program focuses on developing children’s academic and social skills as they begin their school journey. To build a base for future learning, Timothy Christian School (TCS) provides a rich and stimulating environment in which students feel safe and secure. The primary focus of the program is the growth and development of the whole child.
Click here to read more about our JK/SK program.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
TCS offers a compulsory Band Program in grades 6-8. An annual fee is required. (This fee is adjusted annually to reflect maintenance/replacement costs.) A band handbook is given to all students. This contains a Band Materials Agreement, band class procedures, band class equipment, practice/homework requirements, grading procedures and guidelines for care and use of the instruments.
ART PROGRAM
Students in grades 3 - 8 participate in our special art program with the art specialist teacher. They are required to supply several tools and supplies such as the coloured markers, a thin black marker, coloured pencils, erasers, a glue stick, a pencil, a long ruler (labelled), scissors (labelled), and a thin black drawing ink pen for cartooning.
COMPUTERS
In addition to the computer lab, each classroom has several computers for student use. Students can access the Accelerated Reader program as well as other programs that are integrated into the curriculum.
SPECIAL EDUCATION: THE RESOURCE PROGRAM
The Resource Program is an integral part of the complete educational program at TCS. The aim of the program is to build self-confidence and teach students the skills and strategies necessary to overcome and/or cope with learning difficulties, so that they too, can serve God and others to the best of their abilities.
Both teachers and parents may make referrals to the Resource Room. Students are scheduled in the Resource Program according to need and the time available.
The Resource Program has many components: the students, the parents, the teachers, the program, and the resources. All of these work together to help the students develop their talents, promote a feeling of self-acceptance and find their value as children of God.
The Resource Program offers the following services and programs:
- Assessment/testing/diagnosis of learning strengths and weaknesses for all students in a variety of exceptionalities including slow learners, learning disabilities, gifted, emotional and behavioural.
- Teaching individuals or small groups of students in the Resource Room.
- Referrals to outside agencies and support services in the community such as speech therapy.
- Information about a variety of special education topics and issues.
STANDARDIZED TESTING
Students in grades SK, 1 and 2 participate annually in the Gates MacGinitie standardized reading tests in May. This allows TCS to carefully chart their reading progress for the primary years.
Students in grades 3 - 8 participate every other year in the Canadian Tests of Basic Skills (CTBS) in early November. The CTBS measures a student’s knowledge and is used as a tool to analyze program weaknesses and student progress. It shows national percentile comparisons as well as OACS (Ontario Alliance of Christian Schools) comparisons.
Parents are informed of their child(ren)’s progress in a report sent home.
CLASS TRIPS
Class trips are an important part of the curriculum. They require adult supervision and teachers will ensure that an adequate number of parents or other adults accompany their students. Parents are also asked to volunteer to drive students to their class trip destination.
Legal implications require the following practices:
- All students wear a seatbelt
- Only one student per seat belt
- Vans with a seating capacity of 9 passengers or less may be used
- No reimbursement will be paid to the driver
- A Booster seat is required for children 80lbs. and under, 4’9″ tall and under, or under 8 years old.
Parents are asked to volunteer only if they are confident about the route followed.
Those who do volunteer should have liability insurance coverage and a clean driving record. Buses will be used for long distances and when there are enough students to make it economically feasible. Public transit (bus, subway) is both safe and practical for downtown travel and will be used where possible.
The cost of trips and excursions is covered in part by proceeds from the TCS student fund-raisers. For some special overnight trips, parents may be asked for additional funds to cover the cost of the event.
