Grade School Curriculum Highlights
Educating the Whole Child
Zion-Concord Lutheran School is a ministry of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Bensenville to preserve and extend the kingdom of God through an educational ministry. Zion-Concord Lutheran School assists families to meet their parental responsibilities and challenges.
Zion-Concord's most important role is to proclaim the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We believe that through the Holy Spirit, this proclamation changes the hearts and lives of those who are unconditionally declared righteous for Christ's sake.
Christian education is applying God's Law and Gospel to every aspect of life and learning. We agree with The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, which stated that "the most effective education agencies available to the church for equipping children and youth for ministry are the full-time Lutheran elementary (including preschool) and secondary schools." (1983 Convention Proceedings, Res. 2-17)
Zion-Concord Lutheran School represents a significant portion of the congregation’s efforts to fulfill each of the five functions of Lutheran congregations:
Lutheran Philosophy of Education
Education
EDUCATION in all subjects prepares children to serve God and people throughout their lives. The Holy Spirit nurtures children's faith through God's Word. Unchurched children are accepted and taught God's Word so that the Holy Spirit can work faith in their hearts. Zion-Concord Lutheran School teaches Lutheran Christian doctrine as proclaimed by The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Children are taught using a Law and Gospel approach. They learn the demands of God's law and are comforted by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Students are encouraged and prepared to serve Christ and other people. Utilizing God's blessings, students and teachers endeavor to achieve excellence through use of current learning and teaching materials. Children are trained to become responsible stewards of their God-given gifts and accomplishments.
Worship
Worship is a regular occurrence both in the classrooms as well as in other corporate settings. But worship is not limited to these occasions. Children grow through spontaneous worship experiences and learn to pray as opportunities and needs arise. Teachers model the Christian life by leading worship exercises and by active participation in congregational worship. This also includes weekly chapel services with the whole school.
Evangelism
Evangelism, witnessing, and testifying of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is part of student and staff life. Through staff modeling and instruction, students give witness of Christ's love to each other, to the congregations, and to the communities. Children of unchurched families may doubly benefit as the student is brought to faith and then witnesses to his or her family.
Fellowship
Fellowship is another experience for the school community. As members of the body of Christ, students and staff accept, play, support, encourage, and witness to one another. Each individual is respected as unique and assisted to achieve his/her full potential. Each is recognized as a forgiven and saved member of God's family. Therefore, each member of the Zion-Concord family strives to create an environment of love and joy.
Service
Service is a natural outgrowth of Christian education. Children are prepared to respond to God's love as they interact with each other, their communities, and the world.
Curriculum Guides
Listed below are links to more information about the curriculum taught at each grade level at Zion-Concord Lutheran School
Nationally Accredidted
Accredited by the National Lutheran School Association
Zion-Concord has passed the rigorous accreditation process from the National Lutheran School Association. For more information on this organization, please visit the NLSA Website.
Beyond the Traditional Classroom
1:1 Initiative and Technology
Each student in 1st through 8th grade has access to his/her own Chromebook. Monitored by teachers and driven by Google Classroom, our students are prepared daily for life in a 21st Century World.
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Philosophy of Technology
Technology is included in the curriculum at Zion-Concord Lutheran School to ensure that high-quality Christian Educational learning, using technology, is available in every classroom. Technology is used to support the teachers and administration of Zion-Concord Lutheran School as they educate their students in a 21st-century classroom.
Technology Goals
Teachers and administrators have the authority to decide how technology is used in the classroom within the guidelines of the following goals:
1) Technology is used to help our students grow mentally in terms of academic education and spiritually using visual and musical aids that are used at Zion-Concord Lutheran School.
2) Technology must be a tool in education and not something that is a substitute for teaching. Technology does not replace a teacher and the teaching process but increases the students’ knowledge and motivation for learning. Technology brings more useful information directly to the student more efficiently than ever before. The process of learning does not change with technology but is supplemented and enhanced for the student.
3) Technology enables students to be prepared for their future life. This is done when technology is used correctly to motivate students, be problem solvers, and learn how to find and use the information that is at their fingertips.
4) Technology training is as important as continuing education in different teaching techniques. Teachers with no training and exposure to the latest technology will have little motivation to use it in their classrooms. Teachers must be confident in their use and knowledgeable in their use of technology to successfully utilize it for students. A commitment to funding professional development activities to utilize technology will be made through both the time and financial resources of Zion-Concord Lutheran School.
By the end of 8th grade at Zion-Concord Lutheran School, students will:
a) Understand the operations of computer systems
b) Understand the ethical and societal issues related to technology
c) Know the basic functions of technology software and productivity tools
d) Use the internet to locate, evaluate, and collect information
e) Use technology research tools to process data and report results
f) Use technology resources for making informed decisions and problem solving in the real world
g) Utilize technology and software that is being utilized in the high schools to which they will be attending
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