The first grade classroom is a place for kids to learn how to discover the world God provides for us. Each day begins with a devotion and prayer. Early in the year we learn, as God’s children, to solve problems peacefully and to accept each other’s differences. Opportunities to work cooperatively, particularly when working with math games and manipulatives, help the children practice these skills.

Science and social studies themes focus our work throughout the year. We learn to depend on God and how He provides for our wants and needs. Working at the many learning centers in the classroom allows the children to choose and to take responsibility for their own learning. Some of the centers available to the first grade children are listening, math, ABC center, writing, science, computer, and drawing/art.

Children are surrounded by quality books of every shape and kind, helping them to learn to love books. Each child enters first grade at his or her own reading and writing levels. Instruction is provided to develop reading and writing strategies helpful at each child’s own stage. Children learn to write sentences and paragraphs, sometimes for informal writing in journals and sometimes to show what they have learned in other subjects.

Our Lord and Savior is present in our classroom throughout the day. God is present in how we show our love to each other and in how we learn to appreciate what He has done and continues to do for us. Every afternoon we turn to God’s book, the Bible, as we learn about His love and grace for us. Each Wednesday we attend a chapel service with the rest of God’s children at Mount Olive. Chapel services are usually led by a pastor, but sometimes children, including the children in the first grade, are the chapel leaders.

The weekly family letter and the weekly sharing of all of the work done in school provides a vital communication link between school and home, essential to the growth of the child as a child loved by God.

Second grade is a fun time. Throughout the year we will learn about various science and social studies units. We end our year learning about farms and taking a field trip to my parents' farm where I grew up.

As second graders we will be reading often. The children will read at school and at home. The more often children read, the more fluent their reading becomes. It is always gratifying to see how far a child progresses throughout the year.

In math the children will have two-digit addition and subtraction with regrouping and multiplication and division; all of these are new areas in second grade math.

We will also learn various Bible stories in the morning after we begin our day with a devotion. We join the rest of the school for worship in the church one morning each week. Every spring we have an opportunity to present chapel to the rest of the school.

The best part for me as a teacher and a Christian is to share the love and forgiveness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with all of my students.

In my classroom, every child is a special gift from God. He has given me the opportunity to help His children learn not only academics, but also learn more about themselves as worthwhile and forgiven children of God. I try to help the children in my care become proud of who they are and what they can do with their God-given abilities. One of the greatest joys is to watch all of the children, from where they were when they entered third grade, grow and blossom in their own way as they reach not only the goals set for them, but also the goals they set for themselves. By the time the children leave my classroom, there is one thing they should know for sure: The personal touch of their Savior and His grace.

In the fourth grade, we study creation and the patriarchs in the Old Testament, and the early church and the journeys of Paul in the New Testament. A basic theme that runs through all this is that God cares for us in times of need and is always with us. We memorize parts of Luther's Small Catechism, scripture, and some hymns and songs. I also teach special units on the value of life in all its forms, the ideas of Martin Luther and how they changed the church, and the importance and meaning of Baptism.

Our math instruction includes advanced addition and subtraction, pre-algebra vocabulary and problem solving techniques, long division and multiplication, fraction concepts and operations, and advanced problem solving strategies.

The fourth grade reading curriculum reinforces strategies learned in the primary grades. In addition to this, we work on identifying genre, inferences in literature, cause and effect, literary techniques (e.g., flashback), understanding and using figurative language, and developing oral fluency and expression.

In English we study the parts of speech. We continue to perfect our writing skills through paragraphing and mini-reports, different types of poetry, outlining, and note taking. We practice using reference works in searching for information. We also work on usage of words both in our writing and our speech.

In general, fourth grade spelling words are not hard. The focus of our spelling instruction is on learning spelling rules that will help the children to become better spellers.

Our science curriculum consists of three basic areas of knowledge: 1) Life Science--The study of living things; 2) Earth Science--Rocks, minerals, the solar system, water, and weather; 3) Physical Science--Matter and energy. Through experimentation, the children learn to use the scientific method, work with microscopes, and develop advanced thinking skills.

The main purpose of fourth grade social studies is that the children will gain an understanding of their country and the geography, government, and culture that is America. We study the five regions of the United States spending most of our time on the Midwest and Wisconsin. We also do many special projects and field trips in connection with our different units.

The sixth grade provides students with many new opportunities. First of all, it marks the first year being on the “upper level” in the building. Being on the upper level almost represents the final stage of the students’ education here at Mount Olive. The sixth grade experience will help students make the transition into middle school. The sixth grade also marks the beginning of departmentalization. As they will be leaving their homeroom to have classes like science, English, art, and music in classrooms with other teachers.

Every year the sixth grade participates in an Outdoor Education Unit at Camp LuWiSoMo. While at camp, many students are able to experience, often for the first time,  activities such as canoeing, archery, and orienteering. Other activities include hiking, Math in Nature, Fish Hatchery Tour, cemetery visit, Fitness Trail, and a campfire sing along. This two-day trip takes place in September and allows students to form strong bonds with their classmates. The sixth grade students really enjoy the experience of Camp LuWiSoMo.  

All that we do here at Mount Olive focuses on our Christian faith. A Christian based education encompasses more than just religion class. Being a Christian isn't just behavior demonstrated at school but a lifestyle. Learning to apply our faith in real world situations is a wonderful blessing. We are all God’s children and are thankful for the many talents He blesses us with.

Seventh grade offers a true middle school experience with departmentalization with four different teachers in the upper grades. As not the youngest or oldest in the middle school, this works as a transition year with lots of changes. Students are taught responsibility and independence with changing classrooms, passing time, increased school work, extra-curricular activities, and faith-developing religious classes. Our goal in the seventh grade classroom is to challenge students at their ability while providing a safe and interactive environment that gets kids excited to learn.

Seventh grade is also when kids become teenagers and develop rapidly with their mind, body, and personality. Similar tot their past pace environment, the seventh grade classroom and curriculum is quickly changed to the students' interests and strengths. Activities such as debates, speeches, and presentations in class develop confidence and educated opinions in students. Students also have the opportunity to grow by participating in basketball, volleyball, track, drama, band, praise choir, chapel team, and other academic challenges.

Seventh grade at Mount Olive is a challenging, character-building year full of exciting lessons and changes!