St. Catherine of Siena Parish School

READING
The goal for — grade is to teach the students how to respond to what they have read. Strategies used to teach this are looking for details; asking questions during the reading; pausing and checking for understanding; identifying the most important parts of a selection; predicting outcomes; making generalizations; and evaluating
the stories. Students begin doing these tasks orally and then more to responding in writing.

RELIGION
Sacraments are signs of the loving presence of Jesus with us now. Baptism, Confirmation, Reconciliation, and Eucharist are the main sacraments studied. The Liturgical seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter are also studied, as well as Saints and Holy Days.

SPELLING
The goal is to help students become lifelong spellers, rather than just “Friday’s test” spellers. Instruction includes skills in phonics, word origins, spelling rules and usage. Through everyday writing and word study, students learn to spell correctly in writing and improve reading.

WRITING
The curriculum is designed to build skills and confidence. Students write stories (both fiction and non-fiction), paragraphs, poems, journals, research reports, and letters.

MATH
Students use Everyday Mathematics, a program guided by standards set by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). This program offers students a broad background in mathematics. Students are encouraged to work from, and to continue to, develop their own mathematical thinking. They focus on making sense of the situations the class investigates while practicing basic skills and facts in a meaningful context.

SCIENCE
Science is also used as a vehicle to integrate literature, writing, and study skills.

SOCIAL STUDIES
The main theme of the Social Studies curriculum is that of community. The students learn about types of communities and how people in these communities meet their needs. The communities discussed range from the smallest family group to our global community. Social Studies is used as a vehicle to integrate literature, writing, and study skills. Map and globe skills, as well as a unit on the cultures, resources, and geography of Kenya using the StoryPath Social Studies program are taught in conjunction with studying communities, as a focal point for the social studies program.

SPECIALISTS
Art: 60 minutes — once a week
Music: 30 minutes — twice a week
Spanish: 30 minutes — twice a week
PE: 30 minutes — twice a week
Library: 40 minutes — once a week
Technology: 45 minutes — once a week