Elementary School
(Grades 1-5)
At Candil Hall Academy, our elementary program is designed to foster confident, curious learners by nurturing academic, social, and emotional growth. Each grade builds on previous knowledge, giving students the skills and confidence they need to take on new challenges. Our engaging curriculum, aligned with Nevada Academic Content Standards, ensures that students are well-prepared for the future.
Common Elements Across Grades
Character Education &
Social-Emotional Learning:
Candil Hall Academy integrates character education into every grade level. Weekly lessons on respect, responsibility, empathy, and honesty help students grow into kind and thoughtful individuals. These values are woven into everything we do, creating a school environment that is inclusive and supportive.
Specials &
Enrichment:
All elementary students participate in art, music, physical education, and Spanish. These enrichment activities allow students to express themselves creatively, stay active, and explore new cultures. Whether they’re learning to play an instrument, mastering a new art technique, or practicing a new language, students discover new interests that complement their academic growth.
First Grade
In first grade, students continue to develop their reading, math, and problem-solving skills. This year is about strengthening the core abilities they began building in kindergarten, helping them become more independent and confident learners.
Reading & Phonics
Through Saxon Phonics, students start to see reading come alive. As they move beyond the basics of decoding words, they begin to read stories that introduce them to new ideas and adventures. Reading fluency improves as they encounter more complex sentences and new vocabulary, laying the groundwork for future comprehension and more advanced reading skills.
Math
In science, students explore the world around them using Mystery Science. Whether they are learning about animal habitats or plant growth, hands-on activities spark their curiosity. In social studies, they start to understand their community and the role they play in it, laying the foundation for understanding broader social concepts.
Language Arts & Writing
First graders begin to express their ideas more clearly through writing. The D’Nealian writing method helps them refine their handwriting, while lessons in Shurley English guide them in forming complete sentences. These early writing experiences help them communicate their thoughts with growing confidence.
Science & Social Studies
In science, students explore the world around them using the “Delta Science Modules.” Whether they’re learning about animal habitats or plant growth, hands-on activities spark their curiosity. In social studies, they start to understand their community and the role they play in it, laying the foundation for understanding broader social concepts.
Second Grade
In second grade, students are encouraged to think more independently and apply their growing skills. This year, they start to take ownership of their learning and explore new subjects more deeply.
Reading & Literature
With Saxon Phonics, students continue to sharpen their reading skills. They begin to read more independently, tackling chapter books that challenge them to think about characters, plot, and themes. By discussing these stories with classmates, they learn to share their thoughts and listen to others’ ideas, which helps them develop empathy and comprehension.
Math
Math becomes more dynamic with Saxon Math, as students dive into concepts like multiplication, division, measurement, and problem solving. Through engaging lessons, students start to see how math connects to the world around them, and students learn to think critically about real world problems. These problem-solving skills help them gain confidence in their abilities.
Writing & Grammar
Writing begins to flow more naturally as students move into cursive using the D’Nealian method. They also learn how to build more complex sentences and write simple paragraphs using Shurley English. These lessons help them communicate more effectively, whether they are telling a story or explaining a new idea.
Science & Social Studies
With hands-on experiments from Mystery Science, students explore topics like ecosystems and electricity. These activities help them make connections between what they learn in class and the world they experience outside. In social studies, they start exploring American history, discovering how the past shapes the present, which sparks a sense of curiosity about their heritage.
Third Grade
Third grade is an exciting year, where students transition from learning how to read to using reading as a tool to explore new subjects. This shift encourages them to become more independent learners and thinkers.
Reading & Literature
Students dive into chapter books and informational texts that challenge their growing reading skills. In literature circles, they discuss the stories they read, learning to form and express their own ideas while considering others’ perspectives. This helps them build not only comprehension skills but also a deeper appreciation for storytelling.
Math
Saxon Math takes students further into multiplication, division, fractions and problem-solving. Through hands-on activities and problem-solving tasks, they start to see how math can help them solve everyday problems. Lessons on geometry, such as understanding area and perimeter, show them how math plays a role in the design and structure of the world around them.
Writing & Grammar:
Writing becomes more complex as students learn to organize their thoughts into multi-paragraph essays and narratives. Grammar lessons in Shurley English help them develop sentence structure, making their writing clearer and more expressive. These skills are critical as they begin to write more thoughtfully about a variety of topics.
Science & Social Studies
In science, students explore physical sciences—learning about concepts like force and motion through hands-on experiments. These activities inspire curiosity and analytical thinking. In social studies, students dive deeper into American history, learning about the people and events that shaped the country. This exploration of history helps them understand the connections between past and present.
Fourth Grade
In fourth grade, students begin to tackle more complex subjects, honing the skills they have developed in earlier years. This year is about strengthening their academic abilities and learning how to apply them in new ways.
Reading & Literature
Fourth graders explore more advanced texts, both fiction and nonfiction. Through reading projects, they start to analyze themes, characters, and the author’s intent, which helps them think more critically about what they read. These skills not only improve their comprehension but also encourage them to think about how stories relate to the world around them.
Math
Saxon Math guides students through more advanced topics like long division, decimals, and fractions. As they begin to explore geometry concepts like angles and lines, students start to see how math is used in real-life situations, such as architecture and art. These lessons help students become more comfortable tackling more abstract mathematical ideas.
Language Arts & Writing
Writing becomes more thoughtful and detailed in fourth grade. Students learn how to craft persuasive essays, narrative stories, and research projects. They are introduced to research techniques, which encourage them to explore topics in more depth and present their findings clearly.
Science & Social Studies
Students continue with Mystery Science, exploring earth, physical, and life science. These lessons encourage them to ask questions about the world and find answers through observation and experimentation. In social studies, they explore U.S. history, focusing on the events and figures that shaped the country. They study key events in American history, from the Civil War to the U.S. Constitution, helping them understand their role as informed citizens in a democratic society.
Fifth Grade
As the final year of elementary school, fifth grade is all about preparing students for the academic and social challenges of middle school. This year focuses on helping students become independent, critical thinkers who are ready to take on new challenges.
Reading & Advanced Literature
Fifth graders read a variety of more complex texts, including historical fiction and nonfiction. By analyzing themes, character development, and the author’s perspective, they deepen their understanding of literature. These discussions help them articulate their thoughts and ideas, preparing them for the more analytical reading and writing tasks they will encounter in middle school.
Math
Abeka Math covers advanced topics like ratios, percentages, and introductory algebra. Students learn to solve multi-step word problems and apply their math skills to real-world situations, such as budgeting or understanding data. These experiences give them the confidence to approach math with a problem-solving mindset.
Writing & Research
Writing in fifth grade becomes more structured and sophisticated, as students learn to craft detailed essays, reports, and creative stories. Through Shurley English, they master advanced grammar, which helps them communicate their ideas clearly. Research projects give them a chance to explore topics that interest them, teaching them how to gather information, evaluate sources, and present their findings.
Science & Social Studies
Mystery Science guides students through hands-on exploration of physical and life sciences, such as human body systems and basic chemistry. These activities teach students how to think scientifically, using observation and experimentation to understand how things work. In social studies, they study key events in American history as well as World History and geography.
Discover the Candil Hall Difference
Candil Hall Academy is a place where students are excited to learn, friendships blossom, and every day offers new opportunities for discovery. Our goal is to create a space where children feel safe, valued, and inspired to reach their full potential.