Elementary | Bell Shoals Academy

Jr. K through 5th Grade

Bell Shoals Academy is PreK2 through 8th grade Christian Private School in Brandon, Florida. Our elementary grades include Junior Kindergarten - 5th Grade.

Bell Shoals Academy believes in educating children not only academically but also spiritually, socially, physically, and emotionally thus keeping with our mission to provide a Christ-centered education. Academy students are taught in a classroom setting using a variety of teaching methods so that each child can develop their individual skills and talents. We use a comprehensive curriculum combined with hands-on activities that reflect God as the source of all knowledge, truth, and understanding. It is our vision to address the individual needs of our students and to maintain an active learning environment.

The elementary program at the Brandon Campus provides a strong, core curriculum of Bible, math, reading/phonics, grammar, spelling, history, and science. Our students also participate in a variety of special classes such as art, music, library, computer, and physical education.

Elementary Highlights:

Weekly Chapel-Spiritual Emphasis Week
Science Experiments
Grandparent’s Day
Music & Art Presentations
Panther Color Run
ACSI Spelling Bee
ACSI Math Olympics
ACSI Creative Writing Contest
ACSI Speech Competition
Field Trips
Competitive Athletics 4th and 5th Grade Cross Country 1st- 5th Grade

SPECIAL CLASSES

Spanish Art (2nd-5th)
Music
Computer
Physical Education
Media/Library
Playground Daily (Jr. K-4th)

CURRICULUM:

Bible: ABEKA

Handwriting: ABEKA

Reading: ABEKA

Language Arts: ABEKA

Vocabulary: ABEKA

Mathematics: ABEKA

Science: ABEKA

History: ABEKA

Spelling: ABEKA

5th Grade

CURRICULUM:

Bible: Bob Jones

Handwriting: ABEKA

Reading: Bob Jones

Language Arts: Bob Jones

Vocabulary: Bob Jones

Mathematics: ABEKA

Science: ABEKA

History: ABEKA

Bible:

In fifth grade, students focus on Old Testament Bible stories. Each lesson stresses faith and trust in God and obedience to Him. The stories begin with The Fall, including major events up to the time of Job, and related stories of the great patriarchs from Abraham to Job. Throughout the year, the plan of salvation is presented. Students memorize Old and New Testament Bible verses with the emphasis of hiding God’s Word in their hearts and for character trait building. Application of Bible principles are embraced throughout the course. Students minister to the community by collecting food during Thanksgiving and Christmas for local food pantries; and collecting shoes for the homeless.

Reading:

In language arts, students develop discernment by evaluating literature from a biblical worldview. Additional goals include: fostering a joy of reading; differentiating instruction with reading groups to meet the needs of individual students; teaching vocabulary in context; encouraging fluency by reading silently for comprehension and then orally for communication; and enhancing comprehension through literary skills and strategies.

History:

In history and geography, students study the Eastern hemisphere by geographical regions beginning with the Middle East, where history began, and continue with the history, geography, and culture of Asia and Africa to demonstrate what man has accomplished with the time God has given, and through the Bible, how God has worked in History. Students also memorize important American historical documents including the Pre-amble to the Constitution and the Gettysburg Address.

Math:

In math, the students acquire the appropriate mathematical skills and processes to understand the underlying principles of math. They learn to think mathematically and work with concrete, real-world problems and related concepts. Students compete in the ACSI Math Olympics.

Science:

In science, the students learn that all creation comes from God. They acquire the appropriate concepts and skills to understand the underlying principles of science while learning to think scientifically, and apply learned concepts with various labs throughout the course. Students participate in the Hillsborough County STEM fair.

English:

In English, students learn how to transition from writing simple sentences to complex sentence structures. Students also develop a strong understanding of capitalization, punctuation, and grammar rules. This strong understanding of the mechanics of writing prepares students to become independent writers. Students participate in the ACSI Writing Festival, Spelling Bee, and Speech Meet.

*Please note curriculums are subject to change.

Elementary Subjects Overview

Reading

“He is to read [God’s Word] all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees."
Deuteronomy 17:19

With different types of learners in mind, teachers instruct in small reading groups as well as whole class activities. We give individual attention to your child’s specific reading needs, regardless of their reading ability level.

Your child will become excited about reading as he/she develops in fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary. Leveled readers, iPad, centers, and a variety of games and activities will keep your child motivated.

Writing

“We write this to make our joy complete.”
1 John 1:4

In developing our students to communicate their faith and achieve academic success, Bell Shoals Baptist Academy’s writing program uses but is not limited to the LAFS, Language Arts Florida Standards.

We teach a variety of writing, including narrative, expository, persuasive, and poetry; however, the main-focus is on text-based writing.

Text based writing uses text sources to support the paper’s thesis. High school and college students use this form of writing in order to synthesize information when they write reports and research papers. Writers often use text based writing in non-fiction books as well.

This form of writing requires higher level reading comprehension and writing skills and also enhances the student’s ability to think and synthesize information. Students must be able to place a value on what information is important and explain to the reader how this information supports their main idea. Students must also understand how to use information without plagiarizing.

Our writing program integrates writing and reading throughout the various curriculums and classrooms, allowing students to apply critical thinking strategies and powerful writing skills on a daily basis.

Science

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
Genesis 1:1

Our students learn important concepts in the areas of life, physical, earth, and space sciences and how they relate to God’s design. They engage in various fun hands-on experiments and activities.

Social Studies

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14

We teach the biblical foundation of our country, and we celebrate the diversity between other nations of the world. Through the study of our nation's geography, history and the biographies of many great Americans, students will gain an appreciation for the Biblical foundation of America.

Math

“You must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.”
Deuteronomy 25:15

ABeKA math curriculum and a variety of manipulative and hands-on activities are used to teach skills such as computation, time, temperature, money, measurements, graphing, and algebraic thinking skills. Memorization of multiplication facts and applications are employed in the higher grade levels.

Bible

"These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."
Deuteronomy 6:6-7

We teach God’s truth explicitly and integrate it into each subject daily. The students experience praise and worship each Monday during our chapel time. Throughout the year, students are also given the opportunity to give back to the community in our various mission projects.

Interested in applying to the Elementary program?

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meet our teachers

Jr. K through 5th Grade

Elementary Highlights:

SPECIAL CLASSES

Junior K

Kindergarten

1st Grade

2nd Grade

3rd Grade

4th Grade