On hearing this statement during a history lesson, one of my second-grade students responded, “That reminds me of Daniel in the lions’ den!”. Making such connections paves the way for students to develop big ideas and integrate knowledge, even in the grammar school.

Roman gladiators fought in the Colosseum, and Christians fought wild animals there.

At Covenant, students discover God’s character in Scripture and unearth the treasures of God’s wisdom and knowledge in every subject (Colossians 2:3). We see God’s hand in unique animals, dazzling galaxies, a well-crafted sentence, and a friend’s prayers. A question as simple as, “What amazes you about the human body?” often promotes inspiring and varied answers which lead to worshipful appreciation of our creator.

Integrated learning is also achieved by using History as Covenant’s curricular backbone. As students progress through the grade levels, they learn history chronologically from creation to the present. This creates a framework that provides context and insight for each new fact or idea learned. The literature selections, maps, songs, and writing lessons all integrate with the empires and cultures the students study. For example, when second graders study Pompeii they make a Roman villa model, view Pompeiian artwork, and read about the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

Throughout the grades, students encounter “big ideas” for discussion, reflection, and evaluation. As first graders learn about Egyptian embalming rituals, they compare the Egyptian and Biblical views of the afterlife and observe how beliefs inform actions. Second graders consider qualities of good leadership in Cyrus the Great, Alexander the Great, and King David, and fifth graders expand this concept when studying George Washington. These “big ideas” continually encourage robust learning.

With a rich curriculum that focuses on theological, historical, and philosophical integration, Covenant students are eager learners. They identify connections, look for God’s hand in all of learning, discover exciting historical events and people, and develop big ideas. Learning is a joy for students at Covenant!