CrossTrain Kids K-8 Curriculum
This blog will outline how to use the CrossTrain Kids K-8 curriculum and share how it can be taught in multiple settings.
CrossTrain Kids created a Christ-centered K–8 curriculum focusing on building spiritual, emotional, and physical health and resiliency. It was designed to equip students to grow in character, confidence, and their faith in Christ. You might be wondering what type of curriculum this is. We call it a Social-Emotional Learning Curriculum; however, it is genuinely a resiliency curriculum, as it focuses on the whole child, not just social-emotional learning. At CrossTrain Kids, we often discuss the importance of balancing all three areas to achieve overall well-being. To demonstrate this, we refer to it as the three-legged stool. When one area is out of balance, we can become wobbly and can fall. We are stable and resilient when all three areas are strong and cared for. Our approach intentionally moves away from emphasizing or placing the spotlight on ourselves. Instead, the curriculum is thoughtfully designed to help children understand how God created them, and, more importantly, to discover who they are and how they can glorify Him by caring for the earthly bodies He has entrusted to them. We call this playing to an audience of one. So, how do we continuously redirect children to God’s truths? By giving them the tools to remain rooted in their faith life, develop healthy habits, and build overall resiliency.
A Whole-Child Approach Rooted in Faith.
This curriculum is designed to help children learn about Jesus and walk with Him through life’s challenges, while also developing practical tools for emotional awareness, making healthy choices, and fostering personal growth. Every lesson weaves biblical truth, wellness education, and life application, creating meaningful experiences that stick with students long after the lesson. We also believe it is essential to incorporate movement and breathing techniques throughout the lessons and school day. This not only helps the children but also the adults working with them!
What’s included:
18 written lessons that all grade levels use
6 comprehensive teacher manuals with age-specific suggestions and flexible adaptations
Supplemental videos and resources to bring the material to life
Appendix materials for hands-on engagement and added depth
One Curriculum, Many Classrooms.
We understand that private Christian schools, homeschools, and church programs often face unique challenges, such as multi-age classrooms, limited staff, or fluctuating student numbers. That’s why we’ve designed this curriculum to be flexible and inclusive.
All grades use the same 18-lesson documents, with modifications and teaching ideas built into the manuals to tailor each lesson to the specific age group. This means less prep, stress, and consistency across classrooms and grade levels.
We’ll also offer a fresh supplemental package each year for those looking to add even more variety. This package will include new art projects and activities, applicable Bible verses, additional related songs, and up-to-date CrossTrain material. However, many teachers find that the current materials’ built-in adaptability keeps things engaging.
Who This Is For:
This curriculum can be implemented in a variety of settings:
K–8 private schools
Sunday school or church small groups
Before and after-school programs
Homeschool families and cooperative learning groups
Family ministries seeking age-appropriate discipleship tools
It also pairs well with our preschool program and Life Skills curriculum to support a seamless educational journey from early childhood through adolescence.
Getting Started Is Simple!
After purchase, follow these steps:
Read through the introduction document and teacher manuals to understand the program’s structure and goals.
Review the 18 written lessons and appendix materials to prep your classroom and tailor the experience to your students.
Teach confidently, this curriculum is easy to implement, rich in content, and full of room for your teaching style to shine.
Focusing on the whole child through the lens of the Word, this K–8 curriculum empowers teachers, supports schools and churches, and helps kids grow into strong, resilient followers of Jesus.
How to Teach the Curriculum Across Age Levels
Begin by familiarizing yourself with the content using the teacher manuals. These guides offer a range of teaching strategies and activities tailored to various age groups and learning styles. Whether you're incorporating music, projects, or discussions, the curriculum is designed to be flexible, allowing you to adapt lessons to fit the unique needs of your classroom. Our goal is to keep prep minimal while maximizing impact.
Once you've reviewed the manual, follow the provided scope and sequence or build your own using the blank planning document in the K–8 introduction. We recommend keeping a record of your activities throughout the year. This will help you easily modify, swap out, or expand on lessons in future years.
Use the pre- and post-assessments to identify students' existing knowledge and areas needing reinforcement. These tools are particularly useful when targeting specific skills in small-group instruction or tracking progress over time.
Finally, don’t overlook the importance of the home-to-school connection. The parent newsletter is a key piece of this. It helps families stay informed and engaged with what their children are learning. You can deepen this connection by sending home completed projects, sharing assessment results, or organizing opportunities for families to participate, such as inviting parents to see older students present on special topics.
Would you like to learn how it integrates with our preschool and middle school programs? We’d love to help you build a complete path of Christ-centered learning!
Stay Up to Date!
Updated materials will be available for purchase each year to keep the curriculum fresh and engaging for children. Our aim is for this curriculum to become a lasting part of a school or church's culture, providing ongoing support for children.
If you would like further information on which curriculum is the best fit for you, email sam@crosstrainkids.com to schedule a time to connect!
