Why not have both? At Cambridge Christian School, we focus our attention not only on preparing our students for 21st century learning, but also on the foundational skills that many schools have abandoned.
What about our music program? Research shows that children who participate in music education for one year have increases in general intelligence (Schellenberg, 2006). Music is also mathematical. Th e rhythmic quality of music fosters children’s ability to keep time and count sequences (Seefeldt, 2010). Research also has found that music instruction helps develop the capacity for spatial-temporal reasoning, which is integral to the acquisition of important mathematics skills. Musical training in rhythm emphasizes proportion, patterns, fractions and ratios expressed as mathematical relations. Th ose who took instrumental music were more than twice as likely to perform at the highest levels in math as their peers who were not involved in music (Catterall, 2002). Beginning Band and Advanced Band program for our fourth and fift h graders twice a week. Our sixth graders have the option of Choir or Band, which perform regularly with the middle school music students, and for weekly chapels. Our hope is to carry on a legacy of music in your child’s life that will continue through their middle and high school years. So, what can you expect from a CCS education? Our Lower School Program creates their foundation in Music early on by administering music instruction weekly starting in Preschool. We also have a Cambridge Christian School’s college and life preparatory program begins in preschool. Our goal, through the use of a blended curriculum, is to have students who are pro fi cient in the fundamentals, as well as 21st century technology. Our commitment to Engaged Learning enables students to learn and become accomplished in their presentation, critical thinking and relational skills. Most importantly, taught through the lens of a Biblical Worldview, our integrated curriculum is designed to deepen our discussions and help grow our students both academically and spiritually. Th e mission of Cambridge Christian School is to glorify God in all that we do; to demonstrate excellence at every level of academic, athletic, and artistic involvement; to develop strength of character; and to serve the local and global community.
Why are Fundamentals Still Important in a Technology-Driven Society?
Research has shown that students across the nation are spending only minutes a day outside doing physical activity and approximately 5-7 hours a day in front of a television or computer screen (Lue, 2013). Th e American Academy of Pediatrics asserts that recess is a crucial and necessary component of a child’s
development (AAP, 2012). Th e National Association for Sport and Physical Education recommends that elementary students get at least 30 minutes of recess time every day (NASPE, 2010). Why are these critical components of a child’s development being le ft out? Some answers are to meet the demands of a Common Core, to accommodate a more rigorous academic curriculum, or sometimes just to save money. Our Lower School Physical Education Department at Cambridge Christian School provides your child with a comprehensive physical education program and recess opportunities that meet or exceed the NASPE recommendations.
Why is cursive writing important? Under current Common Core State Standards, the overwhelming majority of states do not have cursive writing as part of their curriculum (O’Connor, 2014). Research shows using cursive is an important tool for cognitive development (Klemm, 2013) and develops functional specialization that integrates sensation, movement control, and thinking (Klemm, 2013).
We hear about it in the news constantly or read it online… “state schools cut funding for physical education and music programs,” or “new Common Core standards exclude cursive writing.” Programs and curriculum that bring value to your children’s education are slowly working their way out of many of today’s schools and are being replaced with a new emphasis that focuses solely on technological skills.
Our Lower School begins an introduction to cursive in the second grade while continuing to learn keyboarding and other marketable technological skills through sixth grade, building relationships and con fi dence all throughout the process.
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