Tuition-Free Online Elementary School in Indiana

LANGUAGE ARTS

This Indiana Kindergarten Language Arts course will teach students to identify and write all letters, produce letter sounds, and frequently used phonograms. Students will also master weekly sight words and reading and comprehension strategies to grow as readers. All Common Core Kindergarten Language Arts standards are met in this online public school course.

MATH

During the first semester, students will learn foundational math facts. They will learn to count to 12, compare sizes and ordinal numbers, put items in order, what a number line is and its uses, basic measurements such as inches and feet, and how to tell time on digital and analog clocks.

In the second semester, students learn to count to twenty. They learn to compare objects using the terms tall, longer, and shorter and compare two objects using the terms lighter and heavier. They will continue their exploration of basic geometric shapes such as cones and spheres. They will work with the concept of first, middle, and last.

SCIENCE

Students in this course will use their senses to explore their world. Students experience nature walks, gardening, and imitative games by exploring varying concepts.

SOCIAL STUDIES

This course introduces students to their place in the community and the responsibilities of being a member of society. Significant figures of U.S. history, such as Pocahontas, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln, are a focus of learning this semester.

In the second semester, students are introduced to map reading skills. They will be taught to read maps of the U.S. and the world. From learning about location to how water is represented to floor plans, students are introduced to map skills that will last a lifetime.

Language Arts

This 1st grade Language Arts course will teach students to identify and write all letters, produce letter sounds, and frequently used phonograms. Students will also master weekly sight words and reading and comprehension strategies to grow as readers. All Common Core 1 LA standards are met in this course.

Math

During the first semester, students learn basic math. They will learn to count to 100, addition and subtraction, and how to add double-digit numbers. Students will be introduced to concepts such as word problems, Venn diagrams, and basic geometric concepts.

Students will begin counting by twos, fives, and tens during the second semester. They will learn both vertical addition and subtraction. Students are introduced to multiplication, division, and the signs used in those operations. They will also study even and odd numbers.

Science

Students in this course will complete projects designed to allow for exploration and discovery. Students observe their surroundings and, through observations of the natural world, conduct inquiries into topics related to their healthy development.

Social Studies

This semester, students explore social studies fundamentals, including map skills and cardinal directions, and examine maps of the U.S. and the globe. Students will also be introduced to important figures from American history, such as Pocahontas, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Clara Barton.

The second semester focuses on introductory economics. Students will study bartering, goods and services, jobs in the community, and how the marketplace works.

Language Arts

In the 2nd grade Language Arts course, students learn to spell and write vocabulary, read more fluently, apply grammar concepts, and participate in handwriting and writing activities through thematic units. They will also continue to master weekly sight words and reading and comprehension strategies to grow as readers. This course meets all Common Core 2 LA standards.

Math

During the first semester, students will build fluency in basic math and add and subtract within 100 to solve word problems using strategic methods. Students will also work with numbers up to 1000 using knowledge of hundreds, tens, and ones. Lastly, students will demonstrate arrays with repeated addition.

During the second semester, students will use place values to add and subtract from 1000 and to estimate and solve word problems to demonstrate skills. Students will measure and compare length and represent it on a number line. They will work with money and time to compare value. Students will collect data and represent it on graphs to discuss it. Lastly, they will learn to recognize common 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional shapes by specific characteristics.

Science

2nd grade Science introduces students to the observation process and its importance to scientific study. Learners will identify their five senses and why they are critical to observation. Students will use these observation skills throughout the course to examine many different types of animals and their environments. Students begin by observing ants in their own environments and learning the different bird types. Students will study plant and animal rhythms and perform small experiments with plants. Stories will be used to teach the students about nature and the interactions that humans have with nature. They will learn about animals and their characteristics, habitats, and needs.

Social Studies

Students in this course will begin to explore the fundamentals of social studies, including culture, geography, and economics. They will explore the Ancient Cultures of China, Africa, and the Celts. Students will explore these cultures through ancient folk tales and fables. They will create a photo book describing the significant events in their lives. They will also examine the importance of geography and direction. Students will learn how to locate boundaries while using a world map. Students will identify the places discussed in the previous lessons, including Africa, China, and the British Isles.

Language Arts

In 3rd grade Language Arts course, students learn reading comprehension skills and strategies to help them become strong readers. They will also master weekly spelling, vocabulary words, and grammar concepts to help them become stronger writers. All Common Core Third Grade LA standards are met in this course.

Math

During the first semester, students will build flexibility with numbers as they master addition and subtraction facts and multiplication and division facts. Students will understand relationships between addition and subtraction, multiplication and addition, and multiplication and division as they learn to borrow, carry, and regroup to find sums and differences of two whole numbers up to 10,000. Students will also comprehend the place value of base ten numbers up to 1,000,000 to find patterns and make estimations. Lastly, they will implement a 4-step approach to solving problems and expressing numbers differently, including translating them into Roman numerals or ordinal numbers.

During the second semester, students will explore concepts of linear measurement, weight, volume, temperature, and time. They will also recognize, compare, and convert fractions. Students will write amounts of money and make change using as few coins as possible. Lastly, students will examine lines, polygons, and solid figures as they are introduced to basic geometry concepts.

Science

3rd grade science introduces students to experimentation as they study the Earth and its many miracles. They will begin by learning about the Earth, the sun, and the moon. By participating in simple experiments, students will explore the water cycle, gravity, the weather and its patterns, various types of terrain, and the role of plants in oxygen production and their importance to human survival. Learners will expand their knowledge through videos, pictures, short readings, projects, and hands-on experiments.

Social Studies

Students will begin to explore the fundamentals of social studies, including geography, civics, and economics. They will examine the beginning of civilization and study the ancient Hebrew civilization, the Phoenicians, and the Kush tribe of ancient Africa. They will then investigate the Native American tribes of the Cherokee, Sioux, and Hopi. Students will also look at the first explorers of the Americas and learn about the beginning of the United States. In the first semester, students will learn significant geographical factors in the ancient civilizations, Native American tribes, and the developing United States. Students will increase their skills by creating maps and looking at the landscapes. They will closely examine their own personal heritage by mapping their ancestry.

Language Arts

4th grade Language Arts integrates reading, writing, speaking, listening, and vocabulary and grammar in an engaging way and supports students in building a broad and diverse set of literacy skills. Students study classic literature and more contemporary forms, including media and multimedia products. Writing assignments in semester A focus on narrative and persuasive modes and emphasize the use of reasoning and details to support opinions. Each writing assignment spans several lessons and guides students through a writing process that begins with prewriting and ends by emphasizing one or more aspects of conventions of standard written English. Students also learn how to participate in collaborative discussions and peer review sessions. In each lesson, engaging and relevant models and step-by-step instruction guide students toward mastering and appreciating 21st-century communication in all its forms and functions.

Math

4th grade math uses various instructional material to reinforce and teach new math skills. Instruction includes creative videos, mathematical storytelling, practical math applications, and repetition to reinforce skills throughout the course. The course will focus on three areas, and students will finish the course with a strong knowledge of these content areas. The first is understanding and fluency with multi-digit multiplication and understanding of dividing to find quotients involving multi-digit dividends. The second is understanding fraction equivalence, addition and subtraction of fractions with like denominators, and multiplication of fractions with whole numbers. The third will be addressed in semester B.

Science

4th grade Science includes the three main scientific domains: physical, life, and earth and space science. Learners will use various experiments, including field studies, systematic observations, models, and controlled experiences. The course begins with an explanation of the scientific method, which the students continue to use and build upon throughout the course. Earth’s big picture is examined as students review life on the planet, salt and freshwater, and fast and slow changes that occur. Students go beyond planet Earth to study galaxies, the solar system, and other planets. Students examine how forces and motion can be measured and how a single kind of matter can exist as a solid, liquid, or gas. Grade 4 science uses many modes of instruction, including video presentations, enrichment activities, and hands-on experimentation.

Social Studies

learners will use their understanding of social studies skills to explore their local states and communities. They will begin the course by learning the topography of their particular area. Students will do this by creating a detailed landscape model. This project will be hands-on and require students to research their communities. Learners will also research local animals and gain an understanding of local Native American grounds in their part of the country. This course walks students through the research and report writing steps vital to continuing social studies. They will continue to focus on their states as they do projects based on local geography, state capitals, and nearby natural wonders and landforms. The semester concludes with an introduction to Colonial history.

Semester B of grade 4 Social Studies picks up where semester A left off by looking further into the frontier life of the early American settlers. Students examine the difficulties that early settlers faced when reaching America. They apply knowledge of historical thinking, chronology, turning points, individuals, and local and United States history themes to understand how history has shaped the present and will shape the future. They will continue the focus of local history by doing research projects on settlers from their particular states and on how their state became a part of the Union.

Language Arts

5th grade Language Arts integrates reading, writing, speaking, listening, and studying vocabulary and grammar to engage students and support them in building a broad and diverse set of literacy skills. Students study classic literature and more contemporary forms, including media and multimedia products. Writing assignments in semester A focus on narrative and persuasive modes and emphasize the use of reasoning and details to support opinions. Each writing assignment spans several lessons and guides students through a process that begins with prewriting and ends by emphasizing one or more aspects of conventions of standard written English. Students also learn how to participate in collaborative discussions and peer review sessions. In each lesson, engaging and relevant models and step-by-step instruction guide students toward mastering and appreciating 21st-century communication in all its forms and functions.

Math

In this course, students will learn various math topics through hands-on activities, interactive lessons, and practical applications. They will focus on several critical areas, including but not limited to developing fluency in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of fractions. Students will also learn to extend division to 2-digit divisors, integrate decimal fractions into the place value system, and increase an understanding of operations with decimals to hundredths. They will develop fluency with whole numbers and decimal operations. The semester begins with operations and expressions, moves into decimals and money, and ends with more work on fractions. They will gain valuable skills as they carry out activities that model real-life situations like grocery shopping throughout the semester.

 Semester B continues work with fractions. The first lesson focuses on ratios and challenges students to solve word problems using fractions and ratios in practical life situations. Students continue strengthening their math skills by studying mixed and fraction products, fraction application, models, and division. The third critical area of focus in this course is volume.

Science

5th grade science continues to build on the skills obtained in previous years. There will be an emphasis on Earth, space, life, and physical science. Students will begin by focusing on Earth and space science by looking at the solar system and planets. Students will examine the concept of the Earth as a sphere and its place in the solar system. The focus is physical science and the tools that measure force, time, and distance. They will discover how light and sound travel and interact with each other and the different types of energy. The semester concludes with a look into life science and how organisms are interconnected. Instruction will include real-life application, hands-on projects and assessments, and video and short research projects.

 Semester B emphasizes life science and begins by focusing on the Earth’s many ecosystems and how all parts of ecosystems depend on each other. Students will learn about different types of ecosystems. They will learn that ecosystems change and how they affect their ability to support their populations. Students will examine plants, how they have different structures, and how those structures allow them to respond to various needs. They will learn the importance of good nutrition to all living organisms. The course concludes with a look into the scientific process and the importance of investigations and conclusions in scientific study.

Social Studies

5th grade Social Studies combines United States History through the Civil War with a geographical exploration of the U.S. and what it offers. Students will apply social studies skills and concepts to explore the development of the United States. The first semester begins with the early settlements of North America. It takes an in-depth look into what life was like for colonists and Native Americans. Students will examine the causes of the Revolutionary War and the people who played a significant role in it. The semester ends with students exploring the new nation and what life was like for European immigrants and those on the frontier.

 Semester B begins covering the West and what life was like for those looking to find gold. They will analyze slavery and what led to the Civil War. The course then departs from American history to take an in-depth look into cultures, people, and the geography of the United States from the past to the present. Students will study the country, region by region, to understand all it has to offer. The course concludes with students planning and describing a trip they would like to take to a particular place within the 50 states. Students will take a hands-on approach as they learn about their country’s geography, climate, and culture.

*Offerings may vary each year.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION (GRADES K-1)

Elementary PE K-1 helps establish a basic understanding of health and fitness. Students focus on health-related fitness and learn to become more fit and healthy. Topics of study include exercise safety, healthy choices, nutrition, the benefits, components, and principles of fitness, basic anatomy and physiology, and values of cooperation and teamwork. In addition, students learn age-appropriate motor, non-locomotor, and manipulative skills. Students are required to participate in regular physical activity.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION (GRADES 2-3)

Elementary PE K-1 helps establish a basic understanding of health and fitness. Students focus on health-related fitness and learn to become more fit and healthy. Topics of study include exercise safety, healthy choices, nutrition, the benefits, components, and principles of fitness, basic anatomy and physiology, and values of cooperation and teamwork. In addition, students learn age-appropriate motor, non-locomotor, and manipulative skills. Students are required to participate in regular physical activity.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION (GRADES 4-5)

Elementary PE 4-5 helps establish a basic understanding of health and fitness. Students focus on health-related fitness and learn to become more fit and healthy. Study topics include warm-up and cool-down, water safety, goal setting, nutrition, muscle strength, and flexibility. In addition, students learn age-appropriate motor, non-locomotor, and manipulative skills. Students are required to participate in regular physical activity.

ARTS AND CRAFTS (GRADES K-1)

This course provides a foundation for children’s inherent artistic imagination and creativity by sharing the basics of art and making art. Students are introduced to primary colors, the color wheel, shapes such as lines and circles, and concepts such as symmetry.

ARTS AND CRAFTS (GRADE 2)

Art allows children to develop their senses directly, encouraging them to further harness their existing knowledge and creativity. Art allows students to express feelings and emotions in their drawings and with color. Arts and Crafts promote self-esteem and self-awareness as they enhance personal fulfillment. Children have a wonderful imagination that, if encouraged, will be needed throughout their lives. This course provides an opportunity for self-discipline through instruction and cooperation while allowing the student to self-expression by using imaginative thinking for creative solutions.

ART LEVEL 1

Studying fine arts is beneficial not just for older students and the population but also a necessary development area for young students who will benefit from it in all areas of education. Art allows children to directly engage their senses, fostering further development of their knowledge and creativity. It is important for students to make a connection between the verbal and visual, logic and emotions, imagination and reality. Art allows students to express feelings and emotions in their drawings and with color. The fine art program promotes self-esteem and self-awareness as it enhances personal fulfillment. Children have a wonderful imagination that, if encouraged, will be used throughout their lives. This program offers an opportunity for self-discipline through instruction and cooperation while encouraging self-expression by using imaginative thinking for creative solutions.

ART LEVEL 2

Students will see artistic expressions and inventions from worldwide cultures that are part of humanity’s history and development. Modern media provides many opportunities for students, but they have the benefit of experiencing them more closely in art classes.

ART LEVEL 3

Students are introduced to artistic expressions and techniques from cultures around the world. Modern technology provides opportunities for students to observe history. They will use some of these elements themselves in their artwork. Repetition is important for children and is provided at different age levels using various tools and mediums. Home, family, traditions, friends, pets, and toys are a young student’s world. The student will explore what they know of their world. These lessons provide a deeper awareness of the world around them, where their journey is just beginning. As individuals, each child is gifted with unique talents and ideas. Our goal is to provide each student with an opportunity for personal growth for themselves and the world in which they live.

ART LEVEL 4

Students are introduced to artistic expressions and techniques from cultures around the world. Modern technology provides opportunities for students to observe history. They will use some of these elements themselves in their artwork. Repetition is important for children and is provided at different age levels using various tools and mediums. Home, family, traditions, friends, pets, and toys are a young student’s world. The student will explore what they know of their world. These lessons provide a deeper awareness of the world around them, where their journey is just beginning. As individuals, each child is gifted with unique talents and ideas. Our goal is to provide each student with an opportunity for personal growth for themselves and the world in which they live.