CLA Curriculum Dictionary

10,040 vocabulary terms drawn directly from the Creation Learning Academy curriculum — PreK through Grade 12. Every definition is JIG Method-grounded and grade-calibrated.

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The Israelites left EgyptReadingGrade 1

six hundred thousand men plus families.

! Mark thisReadingGrade 8

the question is rhetorical, the answer is "no one who matters"

! The list is exhaustiveReadingGrade 8

Paul is closing every possible escape hatch from God's love

+1 propertyMathGrade 1

For any number n, n + 1 equals the next counting number after n.

-able suffixReadingGrade 5

usually added to complete words or Latin roots; means "capable of" (comfort → comfortable; wash → washable)

-ance / -ancy suffixReadingGrade 5

related to -ant adjectives (relevant → relevance; buoyant → buoyancy)

-ence / -ency suffixReadingGrade 5

related to -ent adjectives (different → difference; efficient → efficiency)

-ible suffixReadingGrade 5

usually added to roots that are NOT independent English words (aud + ible = audible; vis + ible = visible)

-sion suffixReadingGrade 5

used when the root ends in -d, -se, or when it means a visual/expansive idea (extend → extension; expand → expansion; television)

-tion suffixReadingGrade 5

most common spelling of the "shun" sound (action, correction, nation, salvation)

.comReadingGrade 7

commercial — wide range; always investigate

.com: commercial, varies widelyReadingGrade 8

treat with more scrutiny

.eduReadingGrade 7

educational institution — generally credible for academic content

.govReadingGrade 7

U.S. government agency — authoritative for government information

.orgReadingGrade 7

organization — can be anything from Red Cross to conspiracy site; always investigate

:00MathGrade 1

the digits after the colon when it is exactly on the hour

:30MathGrade 1

the digits after the colon when it is 30 minutes past the hour

[Answer: 16 L/day; 640 L totalMathGrade 2

plus water for the animals, which would have been enormous]

[Answer: 5 kg; 5,000 gMathGrade 2

this uses the metric connection between liters and kilograms]

[Demo: imagine a wheelbarrowScienceGrade 3

handles at one end (effort), wheel at other end (fulcrum), load in the tray (middle)]

[Hold up word card: BLUE]ReadingKindergarten

"Tap: /bl/ - /oo/ — BLUE. What color is the sky God made?"

[Hold up word card: CLAM]ReadingKindergarten

"Tap: /cl/ - /am/ — CLAM. A clam lives in the sea God made."

[Hold up word card: FLAT]ReadingKindergarten

"Tap: /fl/ - /at/ — FLAT."

[Hold up word card: GLOW]ReadingKindergarten

"Tap: /gl/ - /ow/ — GLOW. God's Word makes our path GLOW with light!"

[Hold up word card: PLUM]ReadingKindergarten

"Tap: /pl/ - /um/ — PLUM. A plum is a fruit God made."

[Hold up word card: SLED]ReadingKindergarten

"Tap: /sl/ - /ed/ — SLED."

`after`ReadingGrade 1

following in time

`almost`ReadingGrade 1

"We are almost at the end of our journey."

`already`ReadingGrade 1

"He has already made a way."

`also`ReadingGrade 1

"He is also our comforter."

`although`ReadingGrade 1

"Although I walk through the valley, I will not fear."

`always`ReadingGrade 1

"God is always faithful."

`another`ReadingGrade 1

"The Father will send you another Helper."

`before`ReadingGrade 1

preceding in time

`bought`ReadingGrade 1

"He bought bread for the hungry crowd."

`bought` / `brought`ReadingGrade 1

rhyme with each other

`brother`ReadingGrade 1

"Andrew was Peter's brother."

`brought`ReadingGrade 1

"Mary brought her son to the temple."

`grace`ReadingGrade 1

"We are saved by grace through faith."

`He is not hereReadingGrade 1

He has risen!`

`knew` and `new` are homophonesReadingGrade 1

same sound, different spelling, different meaning

`mother`ReadingGrade 1

"Mary was the mother of Jesus."

`other`ReadingGrade 1

"There is no other name by which we must be saved."

`place`ReadingGrade 1

"God has a place for each of us."

`race`ReadingGrade 1

"Let us run the race set before us."

`since`ReadingGrade 1

reason or time

`space`ReadingGrade 1

"God created all of outer space."

`The disciples left THEIR nets.`ReadingGrade 1

the antecedent is "disciples" (plural) → THEIR (plural) ✓

`The shepherd found HIS sheep.`ReadingGrade 1

the antecedent is "shepherd" (singular, male) → HIS (singular, male) ✓

`though`ReadingGrade 1

"I was tired, though I kept going."

`though` / `through` / `thought`ReadingGrade 1

three different sounds from the same letters!

`thought`ReadingGrade 1

"She thought about what Jesus said."

`through`ReadingGrade 1

"Jesus walked through the crowd."

`together`ReadingGrade 1

"They gathered together in one place."

`trace`ReadingGrade 1

"We can trace God's goodness in our lives."

`while`ReadingGrade 1

at the same time

A = π × 4²MathGrade 8

use the π button on the calculator

A and S are EQUAL priorityMathGrade 8

work left to right, whichever comes first.

A bag of potatoes [kilogramsMathGrade 2

about 5 kg]

A BibleBiblePre-K

hold it and reference it throughout

A bird callMusicGrade 3

can they imitate it?

A blessing in disguiseReadingGrade 8

something that seems bad but turns out good

A body of waterArtGrade 3

lake, river, or ocean (wavy, horizontal lines)

A branch with 8 leavesMathGrade 5

if 3 have fallen, what fraction fell? (3/8)

A brief map or globe referenceMusicKindergarten

point to Germany

A car [kilogramsMathGrade 2

about 1,500 kg]

A causal claim is NOT justifiedMathGrade 8

correlation ≠ causation

A celebratory activity planned for afterBiblePre-K

this is a milestone moment!

A celebratory snack optionalBiblePre-K

this is a celebration lesson!

A change of directionBibleGrade 8

turning away from sin and toward Christ

A complacent Christian stops growingReadingGrade 8

Revelation 3 rebukes the lukewarm.*

A conclusion wraps up the essayReadingGrade 3

it does not introduce new information

A coral reef: incredibly variedArtGrade 1

thousands of different species of fish, coral, plants in every color imaginable. Yet it is UNIFIED — they all live in the same ecosystem, they all share the same water, they all function in the same community. Maximum variety, unified habitat.

A day's journeyBibleGrade 1

Approximately 15-20 miles. The group had been

A fern frondScienceGrade 1

from a florist, garden center, or yard

A first draft is not perfectReadingGrade 3

it's a starting point

A flower with 5 petalsMathGrade 5

if 2 are yellow, what fraction? (2/5)

A gentle, quiet atmosphereMusicKindergarten

this is a tender lesson

A genuine turning from sinBibleGrade 4

a change of mind that leads to a change of direction.*

A heart shape: fold itArtGrade 1

both sides match

A journeyReadingGrade 5

physical or spiritual — that changes the traveler

A large piece of paperBibleKindergarten

draw one crown, then tear it in half to illustrate the kingdom splitting

A living relationship with GodHealthGrade 9

not just belief, but daily walk

A long sequence of cloudsScienceGrade 4

starting with high cirrus, then altostratus, then stratus

A magnifying glass if availableArtKindergarten

even a cheap one is wonderful for this lesson

A parentArtGrade 5

a thank-you or encouragement

A pencil [gramsMathGrade 2

about 5–10 g]

A performance spaceMusicGrade 4

any room that can be arranged with the performer at the front

A piece of paper or cardstockBiblePre-K

draw a clock face on it (or use a real clock), a bed, a car, and an outdoor scene

A prayer for that people groupMusicGrade 5

that the gospel would reach them or grow among them

A quiet, celebration-ready atmosphereHistoryKindergarten

this is the final lesson before the assessment

A quiet, celebratory atmosphereArtGrade 1

this is a special day!

A quiet, comfortable spotBiblePre-K

blanket, cushion, or cozy corner

A raised questionReadingGrade 8

the reader immediately wonders something

A reference objectMathGrade 1

something known to be exactly 1 inch (a large paperclip, thumb width, or a 1-inch square cut from paper)

A research laboratory in microgravityScienceGrade 8

studying effects of space on biology, physics, materials

A response to graceBibleGrade 3

done BECAUSE of what He has done, not to earn something

A rock begins to existBibleGrade 9

it requires a cause.

A second poem for analysisReadingGrade 6

choose from: a Psalm (Psalm 23, 46, or 139), a classic poem (William Blake's "The Tyger," Longfellow's "The Arrow and the Song"), or a poem from the student's anthology

A sense of wonder and joyBiblePre-K

this is the last "content" lesson before the celebration

A siblingArtGrade 5

a note of love or celebration

A simple celebrationReadingGrade 6

your family's tradition (a special meal, a dessert, a certificate, a small gift)

A small bandageScienceGrade 1

to discuss platelets/clotting

A special place to performMusicGrade 5

set it up in advance (living room, near the piano, outside if weather permits)

A special treatBiblePre-K

the child's favorite snack or dessert

A speech or essay for analysisReadingGrade 6

options: Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" (excerpt), Winston Churchill's "We Shall Fight on the Beaches" (excerpt), Paul's defense before Agrippa in Acts 26, or a well-crafted Christian apologetics essay

A storm at seaArtGrade 3

dark churning clouds, waves, a bolt of lightning

A storm over a mountain rangeArtGrade 3

rolling clouds, wind-swept trees, a flash of light

A strawberry [gramsMathGrade 2

about 12 g]

A subjectReadingGrade 1

who or what the sentence is about

A tape measureHistoryGrade 1

measure out approximately 100 feet in the yard or a long hallway to give the child a sense of the ship's size

A tempoMusicGrade 3

return to the original tempo after slowing/speeding

A ten-frameMathPre-K

draw 2 rows of 5 boxes (10 boxes total) on paper or card stock

A thesaurus lists synonymsReadingGrade 8

but the student must choose the RIGHT synonym, not just any synonym

A thousand years like a dayBibleGrade 3

2 Peter 3:8 — time does not constrain God

A walking pathMathKindergarten

either around the house room by room, or a short walk outside

A watermelon [kilogramsMathGrade 2

about 5–8 kg]

A weather data analysisMathGrade 4

one week of temperature data with a line graph and statistical analysis

A year-old male lamb without defectBibleGrade 1

Jesus was without sin, the perfect sacrifice

A** = accelerationScienceGrade 3

how quickly speed or direction changes (measured in m/s²)

A**ctionsReadingGrade 5

what choices do they make?

A1: RootsScienceKindergarten

anchor the plant and absorb water

A2: StemScienceKindergarten

supports the plant and transports water up and sugar down

A3: LeavesScienceKindergarten

make food through photosynthesis

A4: FlowerScienceKindergarten

attracts pollinators to enable reproduction/seed making

A5: FruitScienceKindergarten

protects and delivers seeds

AACP frameworkReadingGrade 6

Authority, Accuracy, Currency, Purpose

AaronBibleKindergarten

Moses's older brother; God gave him to Moses to speak for him

Aaron was chosen by GodBibleGrade 4

priests are not self-appointed

AB patternMathKindergarten

a two-part core that repeats: A, B, A, B, A, B

Abandonment cryMusicGrade 5

the raw feeling that God is absent; expressed in the Psalms and by Jesus on the cross

ABB patternMathKindergarten

a three-part core: A, B, B, A, B, B, A, B, B

AbbaBibleGrade 5

Aramaic for "Father" or "Daddy"; intimate, personal address (Romans 8:15)

AbbotHistoryGrade 3

the leader/father of a monastery

AbdomenScienceGrade 5

the rear section of an insect's body

AbelHistoryGrade 5

Adam and Eve's second son; a shepherd who offered acceptable sacrifice; killed by Cain

AbideBibleGrade 3

to remain in; to stay connected

Abigail AdamsHistoryGrade 1

wise counselor, "Remember the ladies!", faith-filled patriot

AbioticScienceGrade 1

the non-living components of an ecosystem (water, soil, temperature, sunlight, air, minerals)

Abiotic factorsScienceGrade 6

non-living components that affect organisms in an ecosystem

ABO blood typesScienceGrade 6

classification system based on antigens on RBC surface (A, B, AB, O)

AbolitionHistoryGrade 7

The movement to end slavery entirely

AboutMathGrade 1

approximately; close to a certain number

Above f₀, electrons are ejected immediatelyScienceGrade 11

no time delay.

Above the cloudsReadingGrade 3

preposition: above | object: clouds

Abraham and DavidReadingGrade 3

both in God's family line, different callings"

Abraham as a real historical figureHistoryGrade 2

archaeological confirmation

Abraham ~2000 BCHistoryGrade 2

God calls one family through whom all nations will be blessed

Abraham, Isaac, JacobBiblePre-K

the Covenant family

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, JosephBibleGrade 2

covenant and typology

Abrahamic CovenantBibleGrade 2

God's covenant with Abram consisting of three promises: land (a specific territory), seed (descendants, including the ultimate Seed — Jesus), and blessing (for all nations through his line).

Abram obeyed by faithBibleGrade 1

he just went

AbruptReadingGrade 5

sudden and jarring; writing without transitions feels abrupt and choppy

AbscissionScienceGrade 1

The process of a plant dropping a leaf by cutting off the leaf at the petiole. Tell your child: "Abscission is when the tree deliberately lets a leaf fall — it cuts the connection and the leaf drops."

Absolute fastBibleGrade 12

no food or water (rare; examples: Moses, Esther — divinely sustained or short)

AbsorbScienceGrade 1

To soak something up, like a sponge. Tell your child: "Roots absorb water — they soak it up out of the soil."

AbsorptionScienceGrade 5

the process by which nutrients pass from the intestine into the bloodstream

AbstinenceHealthGrade 9

100% effective; the only method God authorizes outside of marriage

AbstractScienceGrade 6

a brief summary of a project: question, method, results, and conclusion

Abstract languageReadingGrade 11

language that refers to concepts not directly observable; must be anchored with concrete examples

Abstract nounReadingGrade 5

a noun naming something that cannot be touched or seen (faith, justice, love, courage)

Abstract paintingArtGrade 5

color and form as language

AbsurdismReadingGrade 12

the philosophical position that human life has no inherent meaning, and the universe offers no rational response to human longing for purpose; Camus distinguished absurdism from nihilism by insisting one must still live and rebel

Abuse can happen to anyoneHealthGrade 9

any gender, any background, any family.

Academic inquiryReadingGrade 6

the disciplined practice of asking questions, investigating, and reporting what you discover

Academic integrityReadingGrade 5

Honesty in all schoolwork and intellectual endeavors

Academic toneReadingGrade 7

formal, precise language appropriate for serious analytical writing; avoids slang, contractions, and first-person informality

Academic writing portfolioReadingGrade 6

a collection of a student's written work over time; this paper is the Unit 5 portfolio piece

Academically rigorousScienceGrade 5

they study hard and do excellent work. Creation scientists earn real Ph.D.s from real universities.

AccelerationScienceGrade 7

rate of change of velocity; a = Δv ÷ t

Accept/exceptReadingGrade 5

accept (to receive/agree). Except (excluding).

Acceptable offeringBibleGrade 5

one received by God; Abel's was accepted, Cain's was not

Acceptable worshipBibleGrade 2

Worship that God receives and approves. It must be offered in faith, according to God's way, not the worshiper's preference.

AccessBibleKindergarten

Being allowed to come in; Jesus's death gives us access to God — we can come to God now because Jesus paid for our sin

AccommodationReadingGrade 6

absorbing or accepting culture's values uncritically; becoming indistinguishable from culture

AccordanceBibleGrade 3

in agreement with; matching

AccountabilityBibleGrade 12

the practice of inviting another believer to ask honest questions about your spiritual and moral life

AccuracyReadingGrade 6

is the information correct and well-supported?

AccurateReadingGrade 4

it doesn't add things that aren't in the text or leave out things that change the meaning

AccusativeGreekGrade 6

direct object (receives the action)

Accusative: direct objectGreekGrade 4

"τον Θεό" (tohn Theh-OH) = God (receiving)

AchanHistoryGrade 4

An Israelite from the tribe of Judah who disobeyed God by taking items *herem* (devoted to destruction) from Jericho; his sin caused Israel's defeat at Ai

AcidScienceGrade 5

a substance with pH less than 7; produces H⁺ ions in solution; tastes sour

AcousticMusicGrade 3

relating to sound

AcrosomeScienceGrade 9

a cap-like structure derived from the Golgi apparatus, covering the anterior (front) portion of the nucleus. It contains hydrolytic enzymes (including acrosin, hyaluronidase) that will be released to dissolve through the zona pellucida of the egg during fertilization.

AcrosticMusicGrade 5

a structured poem where each section begins with a successive letter of the alphabet

Acrylic mediumArtGrade 7

substances added to acrylic paint to change its properties: retarder (slows drying), gloss medium (increases sheen), matte medium (reduces sheen)

ActinScienceGrade 6

thin protein filament in muscle cells; slides during contraction

Action verbReadingGrade 5

expresses physical or mental action (run, think, believe, create)

Action-reaction pairScienceGrade 7

the two forces described by Newton's Third Law; they act on *different* objects

Activation energyScienceGrade 5

the minimum energy needed to start a chemical reaction

Active listeningBibleGrade 12

paying careful attention to what someone is saying to find the real need beneath the surface

Active loveReadingGrade 11

Elder Zosima's term for love that acts in the present moment, not in theory or sentiment; love that gets its hands dirty

Active readingReadingGrade 6

Reading with full engagement, responding to the text rather than just receiving it

Active transportScienceGrade 6

movement of molecules across the cell membrane AGAINST the concentration gradient; requires ATP

Active voiceReadingGrade 4

a sentence construction where the subject performs the action (stronger, more direct)

Acts 10-11: Peter and CorneliusBibleGrade 8

the Gospel crosses to the Gentiles officially.

Acts 10:34–43GreekGrade 11

Peter at Cornelius' house

Acts 13: Paul commissioned at AntiochHistoryGrade 8

first intentional mission

Acts 13:16–41GreekGrade 11

Paul at Pisidian Antioch