Elementary School
Enrichment Courses
Spanish
Spanish lessons are provided beginning in Kindergarten. Students acquire a basic understanding and appreciation of the diversity of cultures in the Spanish-speaking world. Our dynamic, challenging K-8 Spanish program actively engages students as they learn to communicate in another language. Classes are taught primarily in Spanish, developing oral language skills.
Music
All children, preschool through sixth grade participate in our music program. Our skills-based music instruction includes: singing, steady beat activities, movement, tonal and rhythm patterns, instruments and listening activities. Educators repeatedly find that success in music fosters success in other areas of learning. Our goal is to provide a music program that is creative, intellectually enriching and joyful. Children in our upper grades begin to learn instruments and to read music. All children participate in a Christmas and Easter chapel program that emphasizes music.
Library
Our school library has two main goals: support the curriculum and instill an enjoyment of reading in our students. The librarian teaches the students research skills and how to use the library. We also have the Scholastic Reading Counts Program that motivates our students to read and gives diagnostic reports to teachers about each student’s reading progress.
Technology
The primary purpose of our technology classes is to prepare our students for the continuation of their education technologically and to meet the criterion for computer education as proscribed by the California Board of Education. Overall emphasis is on keyboarding skills and utilizing the computer as a learning tool. We use both PC’s and Mac’s in our computer labs.
Good Shepherd Lutheran School’s use of technology fosters learning and prepares students for life in a 21st-century world. Our students have access to a desktop and laptops in our computer lab. Wireless access is provided campus wide so we can use technology to support traditional teaching methods, as well as to transform the 
classroom learning experience. The educational possibilities are infinite.
Art Instruction
Kindergarteners through sixth grade students receive art instruction every week. The art instruction is designed for children to see that they have a wonderful way to express themselves through color, texture, and form. The art lessons include art appreciation, art history and hands-on assignments.
Students are encouraged to explore and develop their artistic skills in variety of media – pastel, pencil, watercolor, tempera paint, acrylic paint, clay, paper mache, printmaking and mixed media. Examples of student art can be seen in our online gallery, and at our annual “Good Shepherd Lutheran School Art Museum” the first Friday of June each year.
Physical Education
Grades K-2
PE in grades K-2 focuses on the studentʼs ability to follow directions in an athletic environment. Activities are kept to encouraging basic improvement of motor skills like jumping rope, running, kicking a ball, throwing a ball, and playing games to improve these skills. Students are taught good sportsmanship, teamwork and the value of physical fitness.
Grades 3-5
PE in grades 3-5 focuses on providing students with a positive atmosphere and to encourage them to maintain a lifelong pursuit of physical fitness. Understanding of the rules and concepts of athletic sports are highly emphasized. Students are expected to follow good sportsmanship, teamwork and show a continuing interest in physical fitness.
Drama
Our drama program helps students grow in all areas of their life by developing their confidence and interpersonal skills. A nurturing, safe and fun environment encourages students to grow creatively. Third grade classes teach improvisation, pantomime, poetry and storytelling. Students learn to stay focused, observe, pay attention and respect their peers. They also learn choreography, which helps them have more control over their bodies.
The fourth and fifth grade Spring play is a highlight of the school year. Students learn how to audition, memorize lines, rehearse and work as an ensemble. They practice articulation, enunciation, projection and clear communication. Several performances are given for schoolmates, families and friends.
Learning effective public speaking skills is another highlight of the drama program. .
GSLS Garden Activities
There are few things kids enjoy more than digging in the dirt, hunting for worms and watching seeds grow. This natural curiosity about nature and the outdoors often develops into a lifelong love of gardening, especially if their natural interests are encouraged.
Children garden for their own reasons, which are not necessarily the same reasons that adults garden. Kids may not be crazy about pulling weeds, but they love to water the garden (and their shoes, and you, and anything else that gets in the way of the hose). They enjoy digging, planting and harvesting, and they like spending time outdoors.
Through gardening, children learn about nature and their role in it. Gardening helps them realize that carrots, corn and potatoes don't originate in the grocery store. Another important lesson, especially if the rain washes away seedlings or birds pull up tender shoots, is that nature is not totally under human control. Gardening also teaches perseverance and patience. It takes time for sprouts to break through the ground and children love to watch, wait and discover.
In addition, gardening reaches across science and math which make activities in the garden a perfect way to teach an abundance of skills. Above all, gardening will teach children to be responsible. They realize that forgetting to water plants and pull weeds has consequences. Neglected plants won't do very well, yet a well-tended garden can be a source of pride for children of all ages.