Academics


Lighthouse Christian School predominantly uses the Abeka curriculum for our classrooms, but it may be supplemented with BJU Press, Positive Action for Christ, and Striving Together Publications. The curriculum at Lighthouse Christian School has been chosen carefully to ensure a standard of academic excellence for our students. All of our curriculum has undergone rigorous testing to guarantee it falls in line with the core values of a Biblical foundation. Students will be challenged to think at a high academic level and to maintain a Christian perspective in all areas of life.

Language Arts-Phonics

  • Master the five vowels and their short and long sounds and the 21 consonants and their sounds
  • Blend a consonant and vowel together
  • Master one- and two-vowel rules
  • Sound one- and two-vowel words
  • Learn certain basic phonics and spelling rules
  • Apply phonics concepts to words, simple sentences, and stories
  • Learn the sight words the, a, I, to do and of
  • Capitalization and basic punctuation
  • Apply phonics concepts to spell dictated words

Language Arts-Reading

  • Read and decode by applying phonics sounds
  • Improve accuracy, correct enunciation, expression, comprehension
  • Strive for smoothness, fluency, appropriate volume, alertness to punctuation
  • Receive differentiated instruction with ability grouping

Language Arts-Language 

  • Give simple analogies
  • Rhyming words
  • Opposites
  • Classification and comparisons
  • Develop deductive reasoning
  • Learn basic biblical character traits

Language Arts-Manuscript Writing

  • Learn to write the letters as they learn what sound the letters say

Number Skills

  • Count by ones, fives, tens, and twos to 100
  • Recognize and compare numbers 1-100
  • Write and spell number words one-ten
  • Add to 10 with concrete objects
  • Add number combination families 1-10
  • Solve oral word problems
  • Understand subtracting one or all of a numbers from numbers 1-10
  • Recognize the parts of a clock and read and write the time to the hour, half past, and quarter past
  • Recognize an inch and measure objects more or less than an inch
  • Recognize shapes:circle, square, rectangle, triangle
  • Learn formation for numbers 0-9

Social Studies

  • Community helpers
  • Introduction to the history of America
  • Learn about the landscape, location, famous landmarks, historical people, and culture of 12 different countries

Science-Six units of study

  • Health and human body
  • Weather
  • Seasons
  • Seeds and plants
  • Animals
  • Seashore

Bible

  • Genesis
  • Life of Christ
  • Missionary Stories

Language Arts

  • Recognizing More Special Sounds
  • Learning Syllables
  • Forming Contractions
  • Writing Short Narratives
  • Punctuation
  • Capitalization
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Oral Reading
  • Book Reports
  • Research
  • Spelling Rules
  • Literature

Arithmetic

  • Place Values
  • Addition with Carrying
  • Subtraction Two and Three Digits without Borrowing
  • Multiplication Building Blocks
  • Roman Numerals
  • Money
  • Temperature
  • Measurements
  • Fractions
  • Geometry
  • Simple Graphs

History and Geography

  • American Heritage
  • Flag Etiquette
  • US Documents
  • Great People of America
  • Famous Locations of the US
  • Countries of the World
  • States of the US
  • Thirteen Original Colonies

Science

  • Scientific Process
  • Energy
  • Animals
  • Insects
  • Plants
  • Force and Motion
  • Simple Machines

Health

  • Safety at Home and Away
  • Proper Teeth Hygiene
  • Taking Care of Clothing
  • Manners
  • Nutrition
  • Physical Exercise
  • Self Care

Language Arts

  • Recognizing Words from Oral Dictation
  • Recognizing Different Spellings of Words
  • Increasing Comprehension from Oral Dictation
  • Forming Contractions
  • Writing Short Narratives
  • Punctuation
  • Capitalization
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Oral Reading
  • Book Reports
  • Research
  • Spelling Rules
  • Literature

Arithmetic

  • Place Values
  • Addition with Carrying up to 10,000’s Place
  • Subtraction Four Digits with Borrowing
  • Multiplication Tables 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 10
  • Division Building Blocks
  • Roman Numerals
  • Money
  • Temperature
  • Measurements
  • Fractions with Mixed Numbers
  • Geometry
  • Circle Graphs and Line Graphs

History and Geography

  • American Heritage
  • Flag Etiquette
  • US Documents
  • Great People of America
  • Famous Locations of the US
  • Countries of the World
  • States of the US
  • Thirteen Original Colonies

Science

  • Scientific Process
  • Energy
  • Animals
  • Insects
  • Plants
  • Force and Motion
  • Simple Machines

Health

  • Safety at Home and Away
  • Proper Teeth Hygiene
  • Taking Care of Clothing
  • Manners
  • Nutrition
  • Physical Exercise
  • Self Care

Language Arts

  • Parts of Speech
  • Punctuation
  • Diagramming Sentences
  • Capitalization
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Oral Reading
  • Book Reports
  • Research
  • Spelling
  • Literature

Arithmetic

  • Place Values
  • Addition/Subtraction/Multiplication/ Division
  • Roman Numerals
  • Money
  • Temperature
  • Measurements
  • Fractions
  • Geometry
  • Graphs
  • Pre-algebra

History and Geography

  • Thirteen Colonies
  • Preparing for, and the War for Independence
  • The New Nation
  • Expansion
  • Civil War
  • Western Settlement
  • Industry
  • World Wars I and II
  • 20’s and the Great Depression
  • Recent Decades
  • PA State Notebook

Science

  • Scientific Process
  • Matter and Energy
  • Force and Motion
  • Growth and Reproduction of Plants
  • Animal Design
  • Ecosystems
  • Structure of the Earth

Health

  • Body Functions
  • Circulatory System
  • Body’s Defenses
  • Nutrition
  • Physical Exercise
  • Self Care

Language Arts

  • Parts of Speech
  • Punctuation
  • Diagramming Sentences
  • Capitalization
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Oral Reading
  • Book Reports
  • Research
  • Spelling
  • Literature

Arithmetic

  • Place Values
  • Addition/Subtraction/Multiplication/ Division
  • Roman Numerals
  • Money
  • Temperature
  • Measurements
  • Fractions
  • Geometry
  • Graphs
  • Pre-algebra

History and Geography

  • Thirteen Colonies
  • Preparing for, and the War for Independence
  • The New Nation
  • Expansion
  • Civil War
  • Western Settlement
  • Industry
  • World Wars I and II
  • 20’s and the Great Depression
  • Recent Decades
  • PA State Notebook

Science

  • Scientific Process
  • Matter and Energy
  • Force and Motion
  • Growth and Reproduction of Plants
  • Animal Design
  • Ecosystems
  • Structure of the Earth

Health

  • Body Functions
  • Circulatory System
  • Body’s Defenses
  • Nutrition
  • Physical Exercise
  • Self Care

Language Arts

  • Parts of speech
  • Diagramming sentences
  • Punctuation
  • Quotations
  • Capitalization
  • Writing book reports, letters, outlines
  • Library Research
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Oral Reading
  • Book Reports
  • Research
  • Spelling
  • Literature

Arithmetic

  • Whole numbers
  • Measures – English and Metric
  • Fractions
  • Introduction to Algebra
  • Decimals Graphs
  • Geometry

History and Geography

  • Ancient and Contemporary Middle East
  • Central and Southern Asia
  • Far East
  • Africa
  • Greece and Rome
  • England and Europe

Science

  • Nature
  • Mammals
  • Light
  • Natural Earth Treasures
  • The Sea
  • Energy and Engines
  • The Sky
  • Weather

Health

  • Circulatory System
  • Nutrition
  • Digestive System
  • Physical Fitness
  • Personal Care

Bible

  • Major Events of the New Testament
  • Apply Bible study skills
  • Relate Scripture to Biblical world view
  • Apply Biblical teaching regarding Christ as the climax of God’s plan to their lives.

Language Arts

  • Parts of Speech
  • Composition
  • Sentences, Punctuation, Paragraphs
  • Diagramming Sentences
  • Research
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Oral Reading
  • Book Reports
  • Research
  • Spelling
  • Literature

Arithmetic

  • Whole Numbers
  • Measurements – English and Metric
  • Factoring
  • Fractions
  • Decimals
  • Percents
  • Graphs
  • Geometry
  • Introduction to Algebra

History and Geography

  • First Americans
  • Lands North of America
  • America – East, North, West
  • Colonization of America
  • Expansion
  • World War I and II
  • South and Central America
  • Caribbean

Science

  • Plants
  • Invertebrates
  • Structure of the Earth
  • Space
  • Matter and Chemistry

Health

  • Safety
  • First Aid
  • Growth of the Body
  • Importance of an active lifestyle
  • Body’s Defenses
  • Nervous System
  • Brain
  • Drugs – Use and Abuse

Language Arts

  • Detailed Diagramming
  • Introducing Verbals
  • Verb Tense
  • Clauses
  • Full-Length Research Papers
  • Homophones
  • Basic Literary Devices
  • Classic Literature Selections

Intermediate Mathematics

  • Types of Numbers
  • Scientific Notation
  • Factorials
  • Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division of Signed Numbers
  • Properties of Arithmetic
  • Simplifying Complex Fractions
  • Plane Figure Notation
  • Construction of Angles
  • Three-Dimensional Figures
  • Probability
  • Statistics
  • Graphing on the Cartesian Plane
  • Algebraic Equations and Inequalities

World History and Geography

  • Beginning of World History
  • Creation of the World
  • Rise of Empires
  • The Middle Ages and the Distortion of Christianity
  • Beginning of the Modern Age
  • Rise of Modern Europe
  • An Era of Change
  • Nations of the World

Science

  • Scientific Method
  • Plant Reproduction
  • Arrangement of Flowers
  • Classification of the Plant Kingdom
  • Human Anatomy
  • Emotions
  • Creationism vs. Evolution
  • Mammals
  • Birds
  • Fish, Reptiles, and Amphibians
  • Insects
  • Microbiology
  • Forestry
  • Ecology

Language Arts

  • Participles
  • Correct Punctuation
  • Verb Tense Conjugations
  • Gerund Phrases
  • Infinitive Phrases
  • Summaries
  • Essay Answers
  • Poetry Writing
  • Rhyme Schemes
  • Reading from Classic Authors

Pre-Algebra

  • Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division of Scientific Notation
  • Measurements
  • Significant Digits
  • Eliminating Fractions
  • Types of Equations
  • Mixture Problems
  • Distance on Cartesian Plane
  • Word Problems
  • Introduction to Geometry Theorems
  • Graphing on the Cartesian Plane
  • Functions
  • Parabolas
  • Statistics
  • Binomial Multiplication
  • Trigonometry
  • Systems of Equations

US History and Geography

  • Exploration and Settlement of the New World
  • Birth of the United States
  • Building American Character
  • Times of Testing and Triumph
  • Times of Challenge and Promise
  • US Geography
  • Civics

Science

  • Engineering Design Process
  • Pedology: Soil Science
  • Geology
  • Interpreting the Fossil Record
  • The Seas
  • The Atmosphere
  • Weather
  • Astronomy
  • Man and the Universe
  • Environmental Science

Language Arts

  • Critical Book Reviews
  • Oral Book Reviews
  • Rhetoric: Persuasion by Logic
  • Compare and Contrast Paragraph Essay
  • Short Story
  • Literary Essay
  • Conciseness and Subordination
  • Proofreading Skills
  • Word Choice
  • Parallel Structure
  • Advanced Rules for Nouns, Verbs, and Other Parts of Speech
  • Recognizing Themes in Literature

Algebra 1

  • Real Numbers
  • Graphing Lines on Cartesian Planes
  • Determining Least Common Denominator in Algebraic Expressions
  • Linear Absolute Value Equations
  • Terms of the Cartesian Plane
  • Standard Form of an Equation
  • Slope-Intercept Form of an Equation
  • Point-Slope Form of an Equation
  • Absolute Value Inequalities
  • Linear Inequalities in Two Variables
  • Multiplying and Squaring a Binomial
  • Quadratic Equations
  • Polynomial Factoring
  • Rules for Working with Radicals
  • Solving Radical Equations
  • Rational Expressions
  • Functions

World Geography

  • Introduction to Geography
  • The Continent of Asia and Its Cultures
  • The Continent of Europe and Its Cultures
  • The Continent of Africa and Its Cultures
  • Australia, the Pacific, and Antarctica
  • The Continent of North America and Its Cultures
  • The Continent of South America and Its Cultures

Physical Science

  • Introduction to Physical Science
  • Formal Logic
  • Units of Measurements for the SI
  • Brief History of Physics
  • Motion and Forces
  • Fluid Mechanics
  • Energy
  • States of Change
  • Gas Laws
  • Sound Waves
  • Color and Light
  • Electricity and Magnetism
  • Brief Introduction to Chemistry
  • Science vs. Evolution

Health

  • Developing a Healthy Body
  • Maintaining Personal Health
  • Keeping a Sound Mind
  • Practicing Personal Safety
  • Administering First Aid
  • Preventing Diseases
  • Avoiding Drug Abuse
  • Pursuing Right Relationships

Language Arts

  • Clear and Effective Diction
  • Using Logical Verb Tense Sequences
  • Avoiding Unnecessary Shifts in Sentences
  • More Practice in Diagramming
  • More Rules in Parts of Speech
  • Word Study
  • Informative Essay
  • Develop Ability to Solve Analogy Questions
  • Learn various literary forms: short story, essay, novel, narrative poetry, and descriptive poetry
  • Learn meaning and use of literary terms and devices such as theme, plot, imagery, figurative language, point of view, dramatic structure and dénouement.

Algebra 2

  • Complex Numbers
  • Polynomial Equations and Inequalities
  • Systems of Equations and Inequalities
  • Linear Programming
  • Matrices
  • Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
  • Trigonometry
  • Sequences, Series, and Counting
  • Statistics

World History

  • Asia and Africa: Beginnings of Western Civilization
  • The Middle Ages: From the Ancient to the Modern
  • The Reformation Era: The Modern Age Begins
  • The Age of Ideas: Revolution, Revival, and Reform
  • Twentieth Century: A World at War

Biology

  • Botany
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology
  • Life Sciences: Methodology and Philosophy
  • Ecology
  • Zoology
  • Cellular and Molecular Biology

Language Arts

  • Unity and Coordination in Sentences
  • Avoiding illogical and excessive subordination
  • Avoiding Squinting Modifiers and Split Constructions, Dangling Gerund and Infinitive Phrases, and Elliptical Clauses
  • Clear and Logical Construction
  • Narrative Essay
  • Argumentative Essay
  • Paraphrase
  • Character Sketch
  • Character Analysis
  • Study meaning and use of literary terms and devices such as theme, plot, imagery, figurative language, aphorism, character analysis, conceit, dialect, epitaph, local color, pun, realism, rhetorical devices, and understatement
  • Study historical backgrounds and writing techniques to better understand American literary periods

Geometry

  • Principles, informal statements, axioms, postulates
  • Rectilinear Plane Figures
  • Triangles Congruent by SAS, LL, ASA, LA, SSS, HA, SAA, and HL
  • Parallel postulate and corollary
  • Unequal lines and angles, perpendicular lines, triangles with unequal lines and angles
  • Concurrent lines of a triangle
  • Parts of the Circle
  • Transformations: alternation, inversion, addition, subtraction, like powers
  • Proving triangles similar aaa, aa, sas, ll, sss
  • Pythagorean theorem proved
  • Construction of proportional segments and polygons: fourth proportional, a given proportional, mean proportional

US History

  • Land of New Beginnings
  • The Thirteen Original Colonies
  • Birth of a Nation
  • A Growing Nation
  • The American Character
  • Expansion and Conflict
  • The Civil War
  • Reconstruction
  • Age of Progress
  • A New Century
  • World War I
  • The Great Depression
  • The Global Age
  • World War II
  • The Post World War II America
  • The Cold War
  • The New Millennium

Chemistry

  • Atomic Theory
  • Subatomic Particles
  • Stoichiometry
  • Gas Laws
  • Chemical Thermodynamics
  • Light, Electrons, and Atomic Structure
  • Periodic Table
  • The Chemical Bond and Intermolecular Forces
  • Selected Nonmetals and Their Compounds
  • Selected Metals and Semimetals
  • Solutions and Colloids
  • Chemical Kinetics
  • Chemical Equilibrium
  • Acids, Bases, and Salts
  • Oxidation-Reduction Reactions and Electrochemistry
  • Nuclear Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry

Language Arts

  • Further Practice in Parts of Speech Rules
  • Additional Diagramming Practice
  • Word Study
  • Additional Writing Practice
  • Further Exercise of Different Types of Writing
  • British Literature History
  • Study various literary forms: lyric and epic poetry, drama, allegory, Romantic and Victorian poetry, and modern fiction
  • Study meaning and use of literary terms and devices such as theme, plot, imagery, figurative language, analogy, aside, caesura, carol, exemplum, idyll, kenning, madrigal, metonymy, ode, rondeau, scop, currealism, and terza rima
  • Study the development of plot, theme, setting, and character(s) in short stories, essays, and other notable works of English literature

Pre-Calculus

  • Trigonometry & Analytical Trigonometry
  • Identities
  • Reducing trigonometric function angles: reference angle, reference triangle
  • Trigonometric Function graphs
  • Hyperbola: vertexes, foci, transverse and conjugate axes, latus rectum, eccentricity, asymptotes, conjugate hyperbolas
  • Polar Coordinates
  • Graphs: lines, circles, roses, cardioids, limaçons, parabolas
  • Magnitude, argument, trigonometric form, polar form, conversions
  • Regression Analysis
  • Introductory Calculus

Civics and Economics

  • Foundations of American Government
  • Our Constitutional Republic
  • The Three Branches of Government
  • The Constitution and the Amendments
  • Our Federal Republic
  • Basics of Economics
  • First Principles of Economics
  • Factors of Production
  • Laws of Supply and Demand
  • Productive Market Economy
  • Positive Competition
  • Efficiency of Production
  • Importance of Savings
  • Functions of Money
  • Governments Role in the Economy
  • Successes and Difficulties in the Market Economy
  • Promise and Performance in the Command Economy
  • The Global Economy
  • Economic Future

Physics

  • Composition of Matter
  • Elementary Particles
  • Liquid State
  • Hydrodynamics
  • Gaseous State
  • Pneumatic devices: entrained, water and exhaust pumps, compressors, siphon
  • Solid State
  • Moduli of Deformation
  • Introduction to Motion
  • Vectors and Projectile Motion
  • Forces in Nature
  • Concurrent Forces
  • Circular and Periodic Motion
  • Work and Machines
  • Energy and Momentum
  • Rotary Motion: Angular, Circular, and Rotary Motion
  • Heat
  • Laws of Thermodynamics
  • Waves
  • Sound
  • Nature of Light
  • Reflection of Light
  • Refraction of Light
  • Wave Optics
  • Electrostatics
  • Magnetism
  • Current Generation
  • Electric Circuits
  • Electrical Devices
  • Quantum Theory
  • Relativity