Curriculum Summary
Reading/Language Arts
- Develop an understanding of the relationship between oral and written language
- Recognize capital and lower case letters of the alphabet
- Associate letters with their sounds
- Begin to integrate letter sounds into words
- Use comprehension techniques including prediction, sequencing, drawing conclusions, comparisons
- Learn to write letters and numerals correctly
- Develop listening skills
- Acquire an awareness of other cultures and their gifts
- Express ideas orally, in writing, through art and dramatic play
Mathematics
- Distinguish between objects and sort according to various criteria
- Identify plane shapes
- Recognize and create pattern designs
- Be introduced to simple measurements
- Create and interpret graphs
- Recognize numerals 1-30 and show groups representing these numerals
- Develop order/sequencing skills
- Explore simple addition and subtraction through several problem-solving strategies
- Explore beginning division through "fair shares"
- Solve problems using data from a story
- Math concepts are resented through hands-on, concrete experiences and are further through other classroom activities and computer games
Science
- Experience a variety of sensory activities and identify the body parts involved with each sense
- Classify and compare matter according to different criteria
- Observe how animals and plants grow and change through a variety of experiences
- Collect, organize and compare daily weather conditions, describe seasonal changes and climates, and explain safety precautions during severe weather
- Observe how matter changes using weather and food as examples
- Identify the basic food groups and how they fit into the pyramid for good health
- Explore and demonstrate personal hygiene and safety issues
- Hands-on activities will be the focus
- An important purpose of science at this age is to encourage and enhance the child’s natural sense of wonder by offering many opportunities to explore God’s beautiful world. Activities and units may vary.
Religion
- Develop an awareness that we are all God’s children, a part of God’s family
- Gain and appreciation of oneself and others, and the special gifts God has given to each of us
- Discover nature in the world around us and relate it to God’s goodness
- Participate in activities and celebrations related to the liturgical seasons and special feasts
- Learn about God and Jesus through discussion, prayer, song, and appropriate Bible stories
- Grow in the realization that God’s love for us in unfailing and everlasting
Social Studies
Many social studies units and goals are integrated into science, religion and language arts. Lessons which have special emphasis include those in which children will:
- Explore their personal identity
- Explore their family identity
- Practice decision making
- Examine how we relate to others around the world
- Learn about basic health and safety
Social Development
- Treat oneself and others with respect
- Learn to work and play well independently and in groups
- Develop confidence in oneself and our ability to try new things
- Accept responsibility for one’s actions and work