Primary Grades (K-2)

Religion

Kindergartners will learn through stories, activities, scripture, prayer, discussion and reflection about their Catholic faith.  Catholic values are discussed and integrated in all subject areas. Students are encouraged to live as Jesus lived by applying their religion lessons to their actions. Each morning students recite the school pledge.

Students will be introduced to:

• Traditional common prayers such as the Sign of the Cross, Morning Offering, Hail Mary, Our Father, the Prayer to Guardian Angel and the Grace Before Meals
• Christian values such as respect, charity, forgiveness and mercy
• The Holy Trinity
• God, Jesus, Mary, Joseph
• The Bible
• Liturgical seasons
• Lives of the Saints
• Weekly Mass
• Christian Service – Children learn to serve their neighbors through charitable works.

Language Arts - Literacy

Children will learn to listen, speak, and write for a variety of purposes. In our Kindergarten, we realize that all children come to school at various levels of “emerging literacy.”  Students are encouraged to read at their own indpendant level through our guided reading program. 

Children will:

• Learn to listen effectively in formal and informal situations
• Learn to speak effectively using language appropriate to the situation and audience
• Demonstrate phonemic awareness
• Recognize letters of the alphabet
• Say appropriate sounds when shown letters of the alphabet
• Apply knowledge of letter sounds to decode simple words
• Learn conventions of print
• Read and track familiar text
• Show understanding of stories and respond to simple questions
• Recognize high frequency sight words
• Make predictions and connections to text
• Develop an understanding of the writing process
• Write to communicate using developmental spelling
• Express ideas through pictures and words

Phonics

The following phonetic skills are taught:

• Letter and sounds recognition
• Beginning, medial and ending sounds
• Introduction to long and short vowel sounds
• Word chunks (word families)

Handwriting

Kindergarteners will use Manuscript Handwriting.

Students will be introduced to:

• Upper and lower case letter formation
• Number formation

Mathematics

Students will develop an understanding of and gain insight into mathematical patterns through the use of concrete materials.

Students will:

• Identify, say and read numbers 0 - 100
• Create sets to match numbers 0 - 20
• Compare numbers   =  >  < (equal, greater than, less than)
• Rote count by 1’s to 100, 2’s to 20, 5’2 to 100, and 10’s to 100
• Explore addition and subtraction using manipulatives and pictures
• Estimate and check guesses using manipulatives
• Solve simple math problems as applied to daily life experiences
• Measure using non-standard/standard units
• Be introduced to money and coin values
• Identify and create patterns
• Identify and draw shapes
• Analyze, graph and interpret data
• Identify plane and solid shapes
• Be introduced to telling time
• Sort and classify objects

Science

Students will explore and investigate their environment and the world around them.

Students will study:

• Seasons
• Plants and animals
• Weather
• Butterflies
• Insects
• Caring for God’s Creation

Social Studies

Students will recognize their roles as Christians in our society.

Students will study:

• Families
• Homes
• Working together
• Holidays
• Our country and citizenship
• Global awareness

Fine Art

Children will integrate art into their daily activities, including drawing, painting and special projects.  Kindergarteners attend Art class each week where they can explore and learn Art concepts. 

Music

Students will sing or play on classroom instruments a variety of music representing diverse cultures and styles. The students will learn the four parts of the orchestra and recognize their sounds. They will sing and sign using the Kodály hand signs. They will sing rhythm and rhyming songs and will also demonstrate rhythm movement sequences.

Physical Education

Students will demonstrate:

• Safe movement in physical activities
• Understanding of spatial awareness
• Fundamental locomotor and non-locomotor skills
• Basic coordination

Technology

During Kindergarten the students will be introduced to:

• Simple technological tools such as chromebooks and Ipads
• Basic computer skills as they relate to tools in the classroom
• Applying simple tools when using them for learning math facts and reading skills 
• Understanding the basics of privacy and safety on the Internet.

Homework

Kindergarten students will be assigned simple reading and math homework weekly.

Parents Can Help By:

• Modeling active participation in weekly liturgy, daily prayer and service
• Showing an interest in homework and school activities
• Encouraging good nutrition, behavior, rest and exercise
• Reading with their children every day
• Reading the weekly kindergarten newsletter and other school communications
• Talking to the teacher if there are social concerns and questions before making assumptions
• Holding their child accontable for appropriate behavior and social interactions

Religion

Catholic values are integrated and discussed in all subject areas.  Catholic faith, prayers, and scripture is naturally incorporated and learned. Students in first grade learn the morning offering and O Sacred Banquet. 

Students will be introduced to:

• Traditional common prayers: Hail Mary, Our Father, Grace Before Meals, Act of Contrition, Glory Be
• Creation
• The Holy Trinity
• Celebrating the Liturgy
• Renewing Baptismal vows
• The Saints
• An introduction to Church vocabulary
• Weekly Mass
• Performing Service for others in need

Language Arts

Students will be introduced to the writing process including:

• Daily Oral Language
• Discussing stories that are read aloud
• Drawing and illustrating to express ideas
• Conferencing with the teacher
• Writing complete sentences using correct punctuation
• Introduction to 6 Traits of Writing
• Introduce research topics
• Recognizing nouns, verbs and adjectives
• Sequencing thoughts in writing

Reading

Through the reading program, children will experience literature in poetry, folk tales, non-fiction, fiction, fantasy and plays.  Reading comprehension will be developed in a variety of ways, including the use of authentic texts and Fountas and Pinnell leveled readers. Students are encouraged to read at their own indpendant level through our guided reading program.

Students will be introduced to recognize / identify:

• Topic and details
• Literary elements – Setting and Characters
• Reality/Fantasy
• Word meanings
• Main ideas
• Sequences
• Cause and effect

Phonics

Students will develop skills that allow them to read with fluency, comprehend written language, communicate, and listen and speak effectively.

Students will be introduced to:

• Initial, middle and final sounds
• Rhyming words
• Long and short vowels
• Blending letter sounds
• Listening to, discussing and highlighting letter sounds
• Decoding words
• Strengthening fluency and comprehension skills
• Recognizing word patterns and phonemes
• Daily practice and weekly spelling tests

Listening and Speaking

First grade students will grow in their ability to listen and speak with confidence through activities such as:

• Mass participation
• Listening to Text
• Student of the week presentations
• Asking appropriate questions
• Taking turns when speaking
• Oral Reading

Handwriting

D’Nealian Handwriting is taught.

Students will practice:

• Letter and number formation
• Letter and word spacing

Mathematics

First grade students will practice math concepts and problem solving strategies to further develop number sense and problem solving skills.

Students will:

• Develop and practice addition and subtraction facts.
• Strengthen their ability to problem solve through understanding of math strategies.

Some of these strategies include:

• Grouping
• Graphs and charts
• Measurement
• Estimating
• Calendars
• Fractions
• Geometric shapes
• Time and money
• Solving simple word problems

Science

First grade uses concrete, hands on experiences to understand science in the physical and natural world around them.  Students learn through observation, prediction, questioning and explaining.

Students will:

• Learn and discuss My Food Plate, healthy heart, healthy body
• Develop an understanding of Scientific Discovery, What is a Scientist?
• Energy
• Animals and Plants – How they grow
• Learn and discuss the ocean habitat
• Patterns in Space

Social Studies

Students will develop an awareness of people and communities around them. They will be introduced to global terms, maps and world events.

Students will study:

• Families
• Homes
• Neighborhoods
• Working together
• Meeting needs and wants through goods and services
• Celebrations
• Map skills
• Our country, its states and the concept of citizenship

Fine Arts

Art

All students will be taught the language of the arts through understanding the sensory elements and expressive qualities; understanding the similarities, distinctions and connections in and among the arts.

Through creating and performing all students will understand how works of art are produced. Students will learn about the processes, traditional tools and modern technologies used in the visual arts. Students will apply skills and knowledge necessary to create visual arts.

Students will understand the role of the arts in civilizations, past and present. Students will analyze how the arts function in history, society and everyday life. Students will understand how the arts shape and reflect history, society and everyday life.

Music

The first grade students will learn Kodály hand signs. They will identify a variety of sounds and sound sources (e.g., instruments, voices and environmental sounds). The students will study three composers.  They will read written music and sing more complex songs.

All students will be given the opportunity to perform on stage in the school musical.

Physical Education

Students will be encouraged to “be active” at recess through playing ball, jumping rope and running. During physical education class students will demonstrate:

• Safe movement in physical activities
• Proficiency in basic gross motor skills
• Advance coordination activities such as fine and gross locomotor patterns

Technology

Technology is incorporated with class curriculum and infused as a tool throughout. During first grade the students will be introduced to:

• Basic computer skills as they relate to the chromebooks and Ipads
• Launching and using a basic word processing program within the math and reading curriculum
• Creating single screen multimedia projects 
• Understanding the basics of privacy and safety on the Internet.

Homework

First graders are encouraged to read and practice math facts every night for 15-20 minutes. First graders will be assigned homework as needed for practice and reinforcement as well as completion of special projects. On an average first grade students can expect 15 minutes of homework daily.

Parents Can Help By:

• Modeling active participation in weekly liturgy, daily prayer and service
• Showing an interest in homework and school activities
• Encouraging good nutrition, behavior, rest and exercise
• Reading with their children every day for 15-20 minutes
• Staying in touch with the school and monitoring the teachers’ web pages
• E-mailing the teachers regarding questions, comments or concerns with a positive and supportive attitude
• Being involved through the classroom parties, field trips, as library helpers, and other volunteer activities

Religion

Catholic values are integrated and discussed in all subject areas. Each morning the students recite the student pledge.

Students will:

• Increase understanding of the liturgy by attending weekly Sunday Mass, prayer services, and family prayer
• Grow in the tenants of the Catholic faith with a focus on a personal relationship with Jesus
• Recite common prayers such as the Act of Contrition, Glory Be, and Nicene Creed
• Celebrate the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist as a family
• Use the Bible, religion text and related materials to deepen their knowledge of the Catholic faith and the Church’s teachings
• Further their understanding of the Trinity, Holy Family, Saints and Angels
• Perform service to others

Language Arts

Through writing across the curriculum, reports, journal/letter writing, and spelling/grammar lessons students will study:

• Daily Oral Language
• Conventional spelling/writing vocabulary
• Grammatical conventions
• Use 6+1 Traits of Writing to create narrative, expository and persuasive writing pieces
• Cursive writing

Reading

Through the use of the guided reading reading program, grade level chapter books, and poetry, students will study:

• Word analysis skills
• Picture, context clues, sequencing
• Predictions
• Inferences and recalling details
• Retelling
• Vocabulary
• Summarizing and comprehension
• Decoding strategies: phonics, word patterns, blending, structural analysis

Listening and Speaking

Through classroom instruction, free choice activities, and preparation for Masses and Sacraments students will:

• Learn to listen attentively
• Respond appropriately to questions and directions
• Participate in discussions
• Form and verbalize opinions
• Present oral reports
• Speak publicly with confidence

Mathematics

Second grade students will develop and continue to strengthen math concepts and problem solving strategies.

Students will study:

• Addition and subtraction facts to 20 for mastery
• Addition problems with three addends
• Greater than and less than value
• Numerals (numbers) in number words and expanded form
• Place value, grouping and regrouping
• Estimating, rounding
• Add and subtract multi-digit numbers with and without regrouping
• Units of length, capacity and weight
• Fractions, money, time, graphs, data, geometry, introduction to multiplication and division

Science

Students will study:

• Developing and increasing their respect for all of God’s creation
• Life science through the study of plants, animals, fossils, ecosystems, habitat
• Physical science through the study of matter; sound, heat and light; force, magnets and electricity
• Earth science through the study of the seasons, the earth’s revolution and rotation, Earth Day
• Changing variables in experiments
• Constructing a model

Social Studies

Through classroom activities, textbook study, Time for Kids and weekly geography lessons students will study:

• About our country’s history from early Native Americans’ arrival through today
• Understanding of the United States and its neighbors, continents, oceans, seas
• Basic local government processes or services, rights and obligations
• Learn how a church and local community work, understanding leadership and responsibilities
• Develop understanding of goods, services, production, consumption and distribution
• The value of the earth’s renewable, non-renewable resources-  emphasizing conservation
• Improve knowledge of geography and map skills
• Practice community service by contributing money and goods to school collections for those in need.

Fine Arts

Art

All students will be taught the language of the arts through understanding the sensory elements and expressive qualities; understanding the similarities, distinctions and connections in and among the arts.

Through creating and performing all students will understand how works of art are produced. Students will learn about the processes, traditional tools and modern technologies used in the visual arts. Students will apply skills and knowledge necessary to create visual arts.

Students will understand the role of the arts in civilizations, past and present. Students will analyze how the arts function in history, society and everyday life. Students will understand how the arts shape and reflect history, society and everyday life.

Music

Students will identify differences in elements and expressive qualities (e.g., between fast and slow tempo; loud and soft dynamics; high and low pitch/direction; long and short duration; same and different form, tone color or timbre, and beat). The second grade students will learn about three composers. They will study the basic theory of music and read written music.

All students will be given the opportunity to perform on stage in the school musical.

Physical Education

Students will demonstrate:

• Safe movement in physical activities
• Control when performing fundamental locomotor and non-locomotor skills
• Advance coordination activities

Technology

Technology is incorporated with class curriculum and infused as a tool throughout using SMARTBoards, etc. During second grade the students will be introduced to:

• Changing the size or shape of a graphic using edge handles
• Copying graphics
• Creating small multiple screen projects
• Applying keyboarding skills
• Formatting a document using different fonts, text sizes, styles, etc.
• Understanding the basics of privacy and safety on the Internet.
• Defining the basics of computer ethics and the meaning of cyberspace.

Homework

Second graders will be assigned homework as needed for practice and reinforcement as well as completion of special projects.  On an average second grade students can expect twenty minutes of homework daily.

Parents Can Help By:

• Modeling active participation in weekly liturgy, daily prayer and service
• Showing an interest in homework and school activities
• Encouraging good nutrition, behavior, rest and exercise
• Reading with their children regularly
• Practicing addition and subtraction facts at home
• Staying in touch with the school and monitoring the teachers’ web pages
• Showing open and supportive communication with the teachers when sharing questions, concerns, etc.