Mount Pisgah Christian School

Inspiring and cultivating intellectual curiosity is a fundamental aspect of Primary School. Individualized attention, nurturing teachers, and strong academics create the perfect opportunity for children to foster a love of learning. From foreign language and art to music and Christian education, Lower School students are appropriately challenged through a wide-ranging curriculum. Multi-media technology, visits to the Science, Invention, and Culinary Labs, plus physical education, library skills, and etiquette round out each child's school experience. Pisgah's acclaimed Intermediate program (4th & 5th grades) prepare students for Middle School with instruction in study and organizational skills. A guide for each grade level is contained in the Primary School Curriculum Overview below.

Lower School Curriculum Overview

American History Museum Opens

Hear Ye, Hear Ye: Pisgah recently celebrated the grand opening of the Pisgah Patriot American History Museum, with Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Betsy Ross, and George Washington in attendance! Thank you to all who contributed their time, talents and treasures to help bring history to life for our students. The museum features period furniture and memorabilia and will be a living learning lab that teachers will utilize for demonstrations, hands-on activities, and special presentations. Phase two of the project will include a full size log cabin. Many exciting learning experiences are planned for the American History Museum!

Phase Two of History Museum Opens

Thanks to the impressive talent and dedication of many volunteers, phase two of Pisgah's American History Museum has opened and it is quite a sight! This morning's visitors were 'oohhing and aahhing' over the huge log cabin, general store, and much more. The kids couldn't wait to get inside to check it out! This new addition enhances an already exciting 'learning lab' where teachers bring American history to life for their students.

Pisgah Students Lead Pledge

Pisgah's own Lower School students were invited to lead the Pledge of Allegiance at the Johns Creek City Council meeting on the National Day of Prayer.

Think Tank Debuts

Engagement, excitement, and loads of creativity - learning comes to life for students at the new Lower School Think Tank. The Think Tank is the enrichment classroom for kindergarten through third grade. The enrichment team has redesigned the classroom environment, creating a space that is more conducive to creative thinking and collaborative learning. The space is used as a laboratory to test learning strategies for classroom use that challenges students in practical ways and develops teamwork, confidence, and problem-solving skills.

Each class comes to the Think Tank once a week. Classes are co-led by Mrs. Fetz and the classroom teacher allowing for a more in-depth and customized experience for all students. Many of the foundational ideas incorporated into the enrichment curriculum stem from Harvard's program called Project Zero which stresses thinking routines and Stanford's Design Thiking which encourages practical problem-solving skills. There is great excitement surrounding what will be discovered as faculty and students practice innovative ways to make learning engaging. Learn more by playing the video below.

Spring Inspires Young Writers

What better way for children to experience Spring renewal than to venture to Newtown Park for a sensory experience?  Third grade students chaperoned by Think Tank coordinator, Sarah Fetz, and classroom teachers Caitlin Goss and Leslie Brooks were armed with clipboards to take notes for a descriptive writing study. A cross curricular teaching opportunity evolved:  in the bank and shallow water habitat of the pond a slithering snake ate a turtle, birds warbled in the trees, a cool breeze filled the air with the scent of flowering trees.  At a later date, simile and metaphor charades were acted out in the Think Tank to help engage the students in the descriptive writing process even further.  We can’t wait to read the student’s final drafts!

Super Science

Mrs. Clark’s 4^th and 5^th grade Science classes had a blast presenting their Super Science Day projects.  Each student prepared an experiment at home to show the class.  Some highlights included 5^th grader Lukas Aden making “elephant’s toothpaste” demonstrating a chemical reaction, 4^th grader Tori Dalton showing her generator that lit up lights in her miniature Christmas tree, and 4^th grader Katie McKroskey using a light to make her solar car constructed out of a soft drink can run inside.  Her solar car also worked outside in the sun.  Students gained public speaking experience, as well as prepared written reports to demonstrate their knowledge of the science concepts they learned.  Everyone had a wonderful time watching all the fun presentations!

Field Trip Fun

KPrep (Kindergarten Prep) students recently wrapped up their unit on "Construction" with an educational adventure to The Home Depot.

The children enjoyed some unique hands-on learning and had fun building their very own #20 Home Depot racecar. This is just an example of the creative and memorable instruction methods employed by Pisgah's talented teachers!

Ice Crystal Exploration

Ms. Powers' Kindergarten class was excited to see science in action during an upcoming exploration of "Ice Crystals".

In addition to the thrill of seeing the "crystals" form, the children reflected on their observations and illustrated what they saw as a folllow-up exercise. Science experiements are always popular among these eager young Pisgah students!

Hands-on Learning

The Kindergarten Prep class recently explored flora and fauna in a fascinating up close and personal way!

The class took a trip to the Dunwoody Nature Center.

The children hiked and participated in a program called Nature Makes Sense. The students had a blast playing games and learning how animals use their five senses to survive in the wild.

Trip to the Zoo

Who doesn't love the zoo? There's so much to see and learn! Ms. Kornegay's class recently enjoyed their exploration of the zoo - enjoy the slide show below:

Pisgah Puppeteers

Imagine settling into your seat for a chapel service only to see a colorful puppet pop up to open the program. Now peek the behind the scenes and discover the hours of dedicated practice students put in to bringing these puppets to life. “Puppets are a bit more difficult than they look,” says RJ Scalzo. “You have to keep your arm almost perfectly straight and you have to remember to make your puppet look alive.” RJ is just one of the talented puppeteers who delight the young crowds at chapel each week as part of Pisgah’s Puppet ministry.

Real Life Geography

As part of their geography lesson, LS students in Mrs. Gibson's class were able to experience Afghanistan through Skype. Maggie Dowd's father is serving in Afghanistan and in this particular report, he shared information about the food that the people of the region eat. These interactive classroom experiences allow students to learn in new, exciting and memorable ways.

Click below to view video.

March Mathness

A clever way to teach math fundamentals, March Mathness engages students in exciting and creative exercises and activities. A popular Pisgah program, it's one more way teachers go Above and Beyond to develop imaginative hands-on learning themes that foster a lifelong love of learning.

Lifesaving Lessons

Kindergarten Prep students recently learned valuable safety lessons by visiting "Safety Town".

Safety Town is a child sized town designed to familiarize students with important safety concepts including bike, pedestrian, fire, and seat belt safety.

Mementos and Memorabilia

Fifth graders recently shared their research projects about various famous Americans in Pisgah's Marvelous Mementos and Memorabilia Museum. Parents were awed by the creativity and imagination displayed! 

Active Learning

Fifth grade Science students in Mrs. Clark’s class recently experienced an adventure in learning as they made polyurethane foam. The students discovered how amazing it is that a small amount of two liquids mixed together puffs up into a large amount of solid foam.  Students learned that some signs a chemical reaction has occurred include making heat and forming a gas. They learned the practical applications of this material which include insulation for buildings, furniture cushions, and packing materials.

Popcorn Party

Congratulations to Ms. Kornegay's second grade class for their outstanding participation in the school's BoxTops collection campaign.They were treated to a special popcorn party as a reward for their efforts - way to go!

P.A.L.S. (Parents Are Loyal Supporters) oversees Pisgah's BoxTops collection which helps raise money for the school. Learn more about this program.

Spirit Night Fun

Chick-Fil-A spirit night was a blast for Pisgah families once again. Congratulations to Mrs. Goss' third grade class which had the most in attendance, squeaking out the win with just one more than Mrs. Brooks class.

More than $300 was raised thanks to our Pisgah families and their support. Thank you to the Arts students, including the drum line who came out to help make the evening a special one.

Snakes Alive!

Steve the SnakeMaster strikes again - much to the delight of Pisgah's students! Steve, along with his wife, put on quite a show entertaining and educating the fourth and fifth grade students with live non-venomous and venomous species of snakes all native to Georgia.  Steve is very animated and does a great job of keeping the attention of the students with his knowledge and playful handling of each snake, having each one kiss him on the cheek before putting them away.  The students were even allowed to touch and/or hold some of the snakes under the watchful eye of The SnakeMaster.  Throughout the presentation, Steve focused on teaching the children about what they might see in their back yard, how to handle a snakebite and repeatedly used his catchphrase of “leave that snake alone”. 

How the Garden Grows!

An extension of the popular Pisgah American History Museum, a learning garden lab has sprouted at the Lower School! Heavenly Landscapes built the box garden and dumped the dirt and an automatic sprinkler system has been added. Next the children planted their own tomatoes in biodegradable pots. The classes have to maintain their plants  so they pick up twigs, rocks, and sticks. The kids love working in the dirt!

As an example of how lessons come to life in the garden - students have been taught how the pilgrims moved into a new land and had to be self sufficient, growing their own food. There are more big plans for the garden - stay tuned! Pictured are first graders in Ms. Raftery's class and kindergarten students in Ms. Winfield's class.

Field Day Fun with Lower School

Pass It On: Congratulations Fifth Graders!

Pisgah Press: Think Tank

Engagement, excitement and loads of creativity – learning truly comes to life for students at Mount Pisgah Christian School's new Think Tank.  This innovative classroom space is being used as a laboratory to test learning strategies for classroom use. These strategies challenge students in practical ways and help them develop teamwork, confidence and problem-solving skills.
 

Read more - Johns Creek Herald - Students at MPCS take their turn with the innovative Think Tank

Ready, Set, Grow!

Nicholas Schretter has quite a green thumb.  All the LS students visited the pioneer house in April to learn about gardening in the past.  Each child was given an organic planting pot, soil, and 2 seeds to plant.  They had the option to either grow their plant in the school garden or at home over the summer and Nicholas took his home. Just take a look at how his tomato plant has grown!

"We partnered with Sage food service and they donated funds for our garden," explained teacher Deanna Orr, "In return, Sage used some of our herbs and other produce such as green peppers, tomatoes, and jalapeño peppers. Some families donated plants and tools for our spring planting.  During the summer some of our families also came and tended the garden and enjoyed some of its produce."

Talented Teachers

Pisgah teachers Leah Dixon, Suzanne Halloran, Shannon Sanders, Jan Clark and Jenny Terpstra spent time this summer sharing fellowship and creativity to prepare for the upcoming school year.  Individually, the teachers painted a cross that together they will hang in their classrooms to show their committment to Christ and to being a team.

Young Scientists!

Fourth grade students are  learning about sound by experimenting with a tuning fork making a splash. They hit the fork against the table to set it in motion, place it in a bowl or water, and the water splashes out.  The Science concept? Sound makes vibrations, and the vibrations transfer to the water causing it to splash. Everyone loved getting wet!

Fifth graders studied the concept of density. Students made a “rainbow in a straw” by preparing four liquids of different densities by mixing a different amount of salt in each cup of warm water.  They learned that the things with greater density would go to the bottom, and the things with a lower density would go to the top. 

Minding their Manners

Our first graders study correct manners as part of Pisgah''s commitment to teaching Life Ready skills. As a culminating activity, the children design their own placemat that is used during a class snack celebration. The children demonstrate proper dish, utensils, and napkin placement. When being served various healthy snack items, they have a chance to reply with polite words. Friendly conversation is carried on while treats are enjoyed.

Living History

Learning is fun when the past comes to life at Pisgah's American History Museum! In September, the third grade classes sang Civil War songs and enjoyed a surprise visit from President Abraham Lincoln. Other learning activities (age appropriate) included a dollar bill match (highlighting George Washington as our first president), a 13 colony match, learning how colonialists grew and stored their crops, and dress up fun with period costumes. Upcoming lessons will include discussing the important roles Native Americans and women played during the Revolutionary War.

KPrep Gardeners

Pisgah has a wonderful garden where children enjoy hands-on learning. They experience planting, growing, and learn all about nutrition and healthy eating.

Congratulations Summer Readers!

Pisgah was pleased to recognize summer reading achievers at this year's Primary School Night at the PAC. Congratulations to these students who are developing aand nurturing a lifelong love of reading.

Living History at the LS Museum

Students are giving the Pisgah American History Museum rave reviews for the engaging lessons they experience.

Third Grade Visits Cobb County Youth Museum

by Leslie Brooks, LS Teacher

Saltwater Science

One look at the kids' faces below and you can tell their latest Science field trip was a big hit! Fourth graders visited PureReef, a salt-water aquarium shop. They had studied the classification of animals in Science, as well as how to use indicators to test solutions to determine pH level.

"Our tour guides pointed out many interesting fish and shared very cool facts about them," explained LS Science teacher Jan Clark. "There is one fish that has circular markings when it is young, and then the markings become straight horizontal stripes as it grows older.  We were also able to see living coral and lots of invertebrates like starfish and sea cucumbers."  

The children were excited to hold several of the animals including crabs, shrimp, starfish, and sea cucumbers. The lesson concluded with a lab exercise designed to teach how to make sure the water is just right for the animals. The field trip enabled the children to see a real life application of what they had studied in Science class - powerful hands-on learning. 

Here Comes the Judge

Pisgah fifth graders had a rare opportunity to visit the United States Federal Court and meet the Honorable William S. Duffey, Jr.  They had a memorable learning experience spending time in the actual courtroom.  Judge Duffey spoke with the students about the roles of the different levels of courts, the symbolism and specifics to the set-up of a courtroom, their roles as voters and jurors, and how he was appointed to his judgeship. 

The students were also able to see the holding cell where defendants await their trial, as well as the jury room, the judge's robes and even his actual office.  The judge allowed the students to sit in the jury box and on the “bench.”  The students were honored to spend time with Judge Duffy and for the opportunity to see our judicial system in an up close and personal way.

Off to the Races

Each year fifth grade students build balloon cars at home and write a report to demonstrate the application of Newton’s Laws of Motion. Not only do the students discover much about Science, they also learn how to persist until achieving success and how to make modifications to solve various problems. 

Happy Birthday George Washington

Pisgah's Rising Kindergarten class (Preschool fours) attended a celebration of George Washington's birthday in the History museum. George himself read a story to them, accompanied by Martha. The students created hats just like George Washington, bought a cookie from the store for a penny, and picnicked outside with their cookies on authentic old quilts. The children were engrossed in the story (especially about the first President's teeth) and enjoyed stepping back in time in a way that was meaningful to them. "Pisgah's History museum is such a valuable resource and a blessing to our students!" said Preschool Assistant Director Charmaine Botha.