Kindergarten through Sixth Grade
Language Arts
Our language arts curriculum embraces the thematic approach while building a literature- based program. It is through actual literary selections, fiction and non-fiction, that children gain insights into themselves as well as the society in which thy live. We want our children to be able to understand and accept differences found in all of us. As our children read extensively and intensively they experience literature and have the opportunity to reflect on this personal experience. Our children have the opportunity to respond within the social community of the whole classroom or to respond through solitary reflection in journal writing. Children learn best how to write from exposure to good authors. As our children explore the authors’ craft using the writing process, it becomes the basis of study for them and they learn to create their own literary texts.
We understand the value of phonics instruction. Our phonics instruction is presented in different modalities so that all children have access to this important reading tool. Our teachers are readers and writers who will provide a rich environment helping our children to be active readers and writers engaging in inquiry, discovery, and intellectual stretching. Our teachers are guides in creating new literary experiences for our children in collaboration with the children. Together they, both teachers and children, grow through the literary experience.
Mathematics
As our children learn and grow mathematically, they will employ investigation strategies to meaningful problems, individually and in cooperative groups while using appropriate technology.
Our teachers coach students and help them to develop their own problem-solving strategies. Our children share ideas for developing a plan and implementing the plan with classmates. Our teachers will have to ask thoughtful, leading questions at times to help the children generate and adopt productive strategies. The classroom is an arena where problems are constantly posed by the teacher and/or created by the children and then solved by using time-proven strategies and developing new ones.
Social Studies
Our children study history, geography, economics, and civics content, which are intentionally challenging and support the idea of preparing our children to become effective and responsible citizens. Our social studies curriculum is literature based. It is through literature, both fiction and non-fiction, that our children will gain personal insight into the past, present, and future.
Science
We want our children to understand science as it connects them to all aspects of life such as society, nature, and fundamental effects and applications of energy, the earths dynamic systems, life processes, the diversity and continuity of living things, natural resources, and the universe. We want our children to be able to understand and use effectively the scientific method and technological knowledge about ecosystems in order to make informed decisions about the use of natural resources. Our science activities are linked to literature and other curricular areas. Our science curriculum offers units integrating life, earth, and physical sciences. Most learning is through hands-on experiences. Textbooks and trade books are used increasingly as the child’s knowledge increases.
Instructional techniques for all students include:
- Developing observation skills using the senses to obtain information about properties of objects or events.
- Providing various means for collecting data.
- Providing opportunities to classify objects or events according to common properties.
- Fostering inferential thinking by forming interpretations and expectations of observed occurrences and collected data.
- Developing communication skills verbally, through writing and visually through models, graphs, charts, pictures, and diagrams.
- Developing measurement skills by comparing an object or an event to a unit of measure, size, volume, area, mass, weight, or temperature.
- Use of numbers to quantify data by applying skills such as ordering, counting, adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing.
- Providing opportunities to experiment with controlled and manipulated conditions.
- Practicing health and safety habits studied in the curriculum.
- Practicing ecological habits studied in the curriculum.
- Integrating science with other parts of the curriculum where and whenever possible.
Art
The art classroom experience involves many media such as papier-mache, clay, painting, and drawing. The program provides experiences for our children that involve thinking, seeing, feeling, and sensing, which result in concrete self-expression. The program also provides our children an awareness of form, texture, color, shape, and beauty. Coupled with classroom art experiences, outside sources come into the school to aid in the children’s awareness of other art forms and cultures. The art experiences supplement the ongoing curriculum at all levels.
Music – Literature Based Programs
Music and books complement one another. Our music program is one of musical links: we join books and recordings together to create a rich environment for our children.
Our students will read books and listen to music. Then engage in discussion and activities illustrating the images and feelings the two shares. Children will also be exposed to music theory, rhythm, pitch, duration of notes, and instrument families will be covered.
“Music is a wonderful kind of magic. It can make people cry, jump or dance. It makes them remember a day in the country or even a special ice-cream cone. Sometimes music ‘paints a picture’ in the imagination as people listen quietly or sing along. Music can also tell a story.” (Weil, The Magic of Music)
Curriculum Policy Overview
We want our children to grow into socially responsible and effective citizens. We want our children to make connections between everything they learn and the community within which they live. Therefore, at the core of our curriculum is the belief that all God’s creatures are worthy of respect and are connected in the same sacred circle of life.
Our elementary school offers curriculum programs for kindergarten through sixth grade. Tuition discounts are available for younger siblings.