Ladera Community Church - United Church of Christ
Stained Glass Window for Rennie Wilsnack Pauls

Elementary
and
Mid-High School Program

Search for Understanding

Creative Arts

Performing Arts

Ladera Church uses the Workshop Rotation Model as our program guide for elementary-age children and mid-high youth. The model consists of three workshop rotations: Search for Understanding, Creative Arts and Performing Arts. Over a period of three weeks, the children have the opportunity to explore one Bible story in depth, through three different media.

For history and more information concerning the Workshop Rotation Model, go to www.rotation.org/.

We have found this model to be stimulating for both students and teachers.  It has given our children a strong foundation in biblical stories.

Grade Week one Week two Week three
First-Second Creative Arts Performing Arts Search for Understanding
Third-Fifth Performing Arts Search for Understanding Creative Arts
Sixth-Eighth Search for Understanding Creative Arts Performing Arts

Children will rotate among 3 classrooms over a period of three weeks. 

Elementary-age children through mid-high school are divided into the following rotations or class groups:

  • First and Second grades
  • Third, Fourth and Fifth grades
  • Sixth, Seventh and Eighth grades

September to Advent: Bible lessons come from the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament.
During Advent/Christmas: the theme is based on the Birth of Jesus.
From January to Easter: lessons focus on Jesus – his teachings, people he met, and Holy Week.
After Easter through mid-June: topics are the early church and the life of Paul.
During the Summer: a general theme is selected where children from Kindergarten through 6th grade can learn together. Some themes have been Peace, Our Place in God's Natural World, the books of Leo Lionni, and This Train is Bound for Glory.