RELIGION
Our curriculum provides a solid foundation of Scripture and Tradition, a rich diversity of prayer, and a developmental sequence of activities.
- In third grade, students learn the Nicene Creed and the Apostles Creed, as well as reinforce the previously learned prayers.
- In fourth grade, the lectionary-based approach is woven into the topics of Revelation, the Ten Commandments, the Trinity, Jesus Christ, the Beatitudes, the Church, morality, sacraments, and the Kingdom of God. In addition to the prayers previously learned, fourth graders learn Hail Holy Queen and have a fuller understanding of the Stations of the Cross.
- In fifth grade, children deepen their faith through stories and scripture, activities, prayers, and seasonal celebrations. Family life is an integrated program between religion, health, and parental instruction. There will be a preparation meeting for parents before family life begins
LANGUAGE ARTS
In third grade, the reading curriculum has a strong emphasis on phonics/decoding and word attack skills approach enhanced by strong literature. Students work to become fluent readers with strength in comprehension.
Students learn the forms of writing - paragraph, descriptive, narrative, expository, persuasive, creative, and research writing. They have a response to literature writing; review basic elements of writing; proofreading and focus on the six traits.
Our program also incorporates a rich vocabulary and spelling series in which students learn words in a contextual way and are able to apply spelling practices to general writing. The students learn definitions/pronunciation; match the meaning, synonyms and antonyms, completing the sentence, and word associations.
Fourth graders use a traditional reading series but also have novel studies as part of this curriculum. Spelling and vocabulary continue. English/Writing is studied with an emphasis on the six traits of writing.
In grade five, students continue their vocabulary development and spelling. Students master words by working with their spelling, definitions, synonyms, antonyms, completing sentences and making word associations. Each unit is studied for two weeks. A spelling test is given on the first Friday, and a Vocabulary test is given on the second Friday. Informal observation is used to assess the students' use of words and progressive use of vocabulary in their daily oral and written work.
Students use a Writing Workshop process and 6+ traits of good writing to publish paragraphs and descriptive, narrative, expository and persuasive pieces. They write in response to literature and journal prompts, explore creative writing (poetry) and focus on the basic elements of writing, including parts of speech, effective sentences, and editing/proofreading skills.
Science
Grade 3
Our curriculum is a problem based program with elements of science, technology, engineering and math. The units of study are Matter and Motion, Life Cycles and Ecosystems, and Weather and Climates.
Grade 4
We use a program that is designed to engage students, build their problem solving skills, and prepare them to actively participate in the lessons/curriculum. Units that are covered include Rocks and Minerals, Weather and Climate, Engineering of Sound, Substances, and Environment and Life.
Grade 5
Fifth grade students study these modules: explorations of scientific reasoning and technology through experiments with variables, explorations of physical science through levers and pulleys, explorations of life science through foods and nutrition, and explorations of earth science through landforms.
SOCIAL STUDIES
Students in third grade explore people and communities: learning about citizenship, government, a community's geography, American culture and people, history of a community, how people work in a community, and communities over time. In fourth grade, students study the USA sections of the Northeast, the South, the Midwest, the West, and the present day USA. There is special emphasis on the state of Illinois. The fifth graders study geography. Students study six continents - Africa, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia - through the five themes of geography.
MATH
Students in third grade learn numeration, operations and computation, data and chance, geometry, measurement and reference frames, patterns, functions, and algebra. On a daily basis, students review previous daily homework, mental math and math message, practice the lesson through whole class discussion or activity, and reinforce lessons through journal pages. Homework includes a daily Homelink, practice of multiplication facts, and review for cumulative unit tests. In fourth grade, students explore geometry, organizing data, multiplication, decimals, big numbers, division, fractions, perimeter/area, percent, symmetry, weight/volume/capacity, and rates. Students continue to have nightly home links and parents are encouraged to practice the division flash cards with their child. Fifth graders explore number theory, estimation and computation, geometry, division, fractions, decimals and percent, data interpretation, adding and subtracting fractions, exponents, and negative numbers, fractions and ratios, coordinates, area, volume, capacity, algebra, volume, probability, ratios, and rates. Students have a daily study link assignment.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION & HEALTH
- Demonstrate control when performing combinations and sequences in locomotor, non-locomotor, and manipulative motor patterns.
- Identify the principles of movement (e.g. absorption and application of force, equilibrium)
- Identify and apply rules and safety procedures in physical activities.
- Identify offensive, defensive, and cooperative strategies in selected activities and games.
- Describe the benefits of maintaining a health-enhancing level of fitness.
- Demonstrate the relationship between movement and health-related fitness components (e.g. running/cardio respiratory, tug-of-war/strength).
- Accept responsibility for their own actions in group physical activities.
- Use identified procedures and safe practices without reminders during group physical activities.
- Work independently on task until completed.
- Work cooperatively with a partner or small group to reach a shared goal during physical activity.
- Demonstrate strategies for the prevention and reduction of communicable and non-communicable diseases (e.g. practicing cleanliness, making good food choices).
- Describe and compare health and safety methods that reduce the risks associated with dangerous situations (e.g. wearing seats belts and helmets, using sunscreen).
- Identify basic body systems and their functions (e.g. circulatory, respiratory, and nervous).
- Differentiate between positive and negative effects of health-related actions on body systems (e.g. exercise, diet, drug use).
- Identify physical, mental, social, and cultural factors affecting growth and development of children (e.g. nutrition, self-esteem, family and illness).
- Identify stages in growth and development (e.g. stages in the life cycle from infancy to old age).
- Identify causes and consequences of conflict among youth.
- Describe key elements of a decision-making process.
- Describe situations where refusal skills are necessary (e.g. pressure to smoke, use alcohol and other drugs).
Grading - Students' grades are based on their preparedness for class (i.e. having their uniform shirt, shorts, and shoes) and participation during class.
ART
Objectives include an appreciation of beauty in the world of art and level appropriate Introduction to Elements and principles of color, pattern, line, composition, texture, movement, shape, space, balance, and value.
MUSIC
Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the following musical topics:
- Liturgical Music
- Rhythm (meter, syncopation, symbols)
- Melody (pitch, definitions)
- Timbre (combination)
- Expression (tempo, dynamics)
- Form (theme, definitions)
- Harmony (texture, chords, countermelody)
- Style (patriotic, descriptions)
SPANISH
The objective for Spanish is to have early exposure to the Spanish language. The approach is fun and engaging. Students master greetings, commands, polite words, colors, shapes, numbers, parts of the body, calendar, weather, alphabet, animals and family. Students learn basic prayers in Spanish as well. This is taught through song, prayer, and review.
TECHNOLOGY
All technology will be utilized within the context of the regular classroom curriculum. Skills to be developed and topics to be incorporated include Internet safety, basic computer literacy, keyboarding, spreadsheets, and presentation software. Students in the primary academy also have weekly STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) classes, where they utilize the tools and technology of the STEAM Lab and learn to problem solve collaboratively.