Teaching Style and Methods
This is a truly exciting program. From the contents of the lessons guides through to the last visual aid, you will find it to be permeated with God's Word. The premise for teaching your young children to read is based on the verse, "And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children." (Isaiah 54:13, KJV) Christian character development is a vital focus in this curriculum and can be used for people of almost all ages. We believe the curriculum has proven itself to be effective for early childhood and beyond!
Multi-Sensory Approach
A multi-sensory approach to teaching phonics/reading insures that all types of learners - visual, auditory, and "hands-on" - can meet with success in the exciting adventure of learning to read so that they can pursue the joy of reading to learn.
The Christ-Centered Phonics and Math Programs utilize a multi-sensory approach - auditory, visual, kinesthetic - to teach phonics, reading, and arithmetic.
Auditory discrimination is developed as children learn to distinguish one sound from another.
Visual discrimination takes place through associations of each sound under study with its written symbol.
Kinesthetic sensory development occurs in several ways.
1. daily phonics drills practice correct movement of the tongue and lips.
2. daily workbook exercises reinforce sound/symbol relationships through writing.
3. activities require body movement (e.g. chalkboard and "Jack-in-a-box" listening exercises and action drills.)
Ungraded Format
This excellent program is suitable for children from age 3 through to and including the adult who needs remedial upgrading in reading skills. It provides great remedial or reinforcement of reading principles for older children who may have missed foundational reading skills and basic arithmetic development. We at JOY Center of Learning have successfully used this program to teach in a church setting many children from age three through 15. Adults for whom English is a second language have been thrilled to use the program for themselves, as well as their children.
Because this is an ungraded curriculum, you start where you need to start for each individual person. You can also teach children of different ages at the same time. There is no need to complete each level in one academic year. Take the time you need!
Content Style
You will find that this material does not speak down to a child, but raises a child up. The pictures are comprehensive and detailed (not basic preschool line drawings). The vocabulary stretches the child with the understanding that a child understands at a much higher level than at which he currently articulates. They will learn Biblical terms and concepts. Just think of how excited your little child will be when he is reading words like omnipotent, merciful, and enmity. Even more exciting is that he will know the meaning of these words and concepts. The material is presented simply enough for a young child to grasp, but so comprehensively that older children and adults could benefit from its use.
Math concepts are explained according to their relation to Scripture. You do not teach math for academic purposes, but to instill in your students a love for God's order and design. Because of the teaching of Biblical principles, and the high caliber of this curriculum, students of any age could benefit.
Scripture used throughout the program is taken from the King James Version.
Use of Music
The music used in the Christ-Centered Curriculum Phonics and Math programs is melodic and never incorporates soft or hard rock beats or rap. While the songs are very helpful for teaching the letter sounds, use of the music is not a requirement of the programs.
Method of Instruction
Lessons involve:
- listening and visual skills
- development of large and small muscles and fine motor skills.
- drills for reinforcing the learning processes
- some music in the early levels of the phonics and math programs.
This program is designed to have the children actively involved. Lessons include "Guess the Picture," "Jack-in-the-Box," workbook pages that are done while listening to a story, matching games, full colour flashcards, drill charts, speed drills, and much more. The combination of training in each of these areas allows for exciting learning times.
It will take only a few minutes, two or three times a day for a three-year-old, and no more than an hour and a half to two hours a day for older children to accomplish both the phonics and math.
