Elementary
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Our Elementary Curriculum
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Kindergarten Curriculum
Kindergarten Overview
Religion
An emphasis is placed on Catholic virtues as well as the importance of sharing, caring, and loving. Religious activities include singing songs, reciting prayers, completing faith-based workbook pages, participating in craft activities, and learning about feast days and religious holidays.
Reading and Language Development
Kindergarten uses Into Reading by HMH for reading and Wilson for Handwriting and Phonics, a program that establishes a solid foundation of phonemic awareness and letter recognition skills. Students are guided through the stages of sound development, which then transition into the blending of sounds necessary for reading and writing words. Both curriculum series foster the students’ education in the areas of grammar, vocabulary, writing, and emergent reading skills. The program also includes leveled readers, which will be assigned to the students individually based on their unique strengths and weaknesses.
Mathematics
The Kindergartners use the University of Chicago Everyday Math program. The students learn by using concrete objects to represent numbers, compare quantities, create and extend patterns, match and identify shapes, and sort objects. The series provides students with countless manipulatives and hands-on approaches to problem-solving.
Social Studies
The Social Studies curriculum assists the students in recognizing their community, as well as their individual roles within it. The students will participate in units that relate to historical events, holidays, American traditions, and influential leaders. Kindergarten also does a Map unit in the Spring. Additionally, the students receive and work with a weekly Scholastic magazine that covers current events.
Physical Education and Motor Skills
St. Isaac Jogues strives to enhance children’s physical fitness and well-being by teaching various motor skills appropriate to their grade level. Our program also enhances self-direction, self-esteem, and cooperative behavior through individual and group experiences. The physical education units include ball and agility games, manipulative skills (bean bags, kicking, hopping, etc.), jump roping, running, scooter activities, recreational games,
Art
Our Preschool art program is designed to inspire creativity and self-expression in our young students. Through hands-on activities, like painting, sculpting, and mixed media, the children will explore new materials and techniques. Each session begins with a literary connection or theme, allowing children to express their thoughts and feelings while developing fine motor skills.
Music
Kindergarten music is designed to ignite a love for music and foster creativity in young learners. Through engaging activities, children will explore the fundamentals of music, including rhythm, melody, and dynamics. Each class features singing, movement, and instrument play, allowing students to express themselves while developing listening skills and coordination. We incorporate a variety of musical genres and cultures to broaden their appreciation of music. By the end of the year, children will confidently perform simple songs and collaborate on group musical projects, laying a strong foundation for a lifelong passion for music.
Information Skills-Library
Information skills include reading fiction and non-fiction picture books and early reader texts during weekly library visits. Students take turns choosing a symbol and selecting the books on that topic which will be read aloud in class. Students learn where various books are shelved in the library and self-select books for checkout with an emphasis on early reader texts.
Technology Skills
Technology is incorporated to enhance the unique learning ability of each student. The kindergartners use a variety of leveled literacy and numeracy apps throughout the week. Most apps used in school offer students the opportunity to log in from their own devices at home, thus encouraging seamless academic growth both inside and outside the classroom. Each student has an iPad and headphones, which stay in school. The iPads are used during whole-group instruction, small-group lessons, and one-on-one sessions. Additionally, students learn basic iPad usage and safety skills.
STEM-Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics
Through Story-based STEM, kindergarten students apply STEM knowledge, creativity, skills, and habits of mind, and discover that trying different approaches and solutions is an essential part of the learning process. The students discover how engineers influence their lives. Students apply newly acquired knowledge and skills as they collaborate and utilize the design process to define the problem, sketch, build using available materials, test, and reflect on their designs.
Kindergarten students learn STEM principles through storytelling and problem-solving. They learn it is “ok” to make mistakes and learn from them. Kindergarten students also learn coding in its simplest form and apply coding skills to various projects.
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1st Grade Curriculum
ReligionStudents will learn through prayer, stories, activities and discussion about the Catholic faith. Catholic values are discussed and integrated in all subject areas. Concepts include a study of:- saints;
- Sacraments;
- Holy Family;
- Holy Spirit, the church and Mass;
- liturgies;
- apostles;
- Loving God; and
- Jesus our Shepherd.
Language Arts
Students will develop skills to enhance their reading and writing. Concepts include a study of:- phonemic awareness;
- initial and final consonants;
- blends and endings;
- long and short vowels;
- alphabetical order;
- sight words;
- compound words;
- word families;
- opposites;
- Zaner Bloser handwriting;
- complete sentences;
- phonetic spelling;
- punctuation and capitalization;
- parts of speech;
- following directions;
- listening skills; and
- group discussion.
Literature
Students will develop fluency, comprehension and interpretation of written information, use correct spelling and punctuation and communicate well in speech and in writing. Concepts include a study of:- vocabulary;
- comprehension;
- main idea;
- oral reading;
- predicting outcomes;
- details;
- sequential order;
- context clues;
- conclusions;
- independent reading;
- dictionary skills;
- fiction and nonfiction; and
- poetry.
Mathematics
Students will acquire a knowledge of mathematics and the ability to apply math skills to solve problems through the use of their text book, activities and hands-on experiences. Concepts include a study of:- identifying, writing and order numbers 0-100;
- addition and subtraction of numbers up to 20;
- place value;
- calendar;
- patterns;
- graphs;
- estimation;
- geometry and fractions;
- time;
- money;
- measurement;
- problem solving; and
- introduction of two digit adding/subtracting.
Social Studies
Students will develop an awareness of people around them. Concepts include a study of:- Native Indians;
- Christopher Columbus;
- rules and laws;
- where people live – communities, cities, suburbs & farms;
- our country and neighboring countries; and
- our changing world.
Science
Students will use hands-on experiences to understand science in the physical and natural world. They learn through observing, predicting, questioning and explaining. Concepts include a study of:- sinking and floating;
- magnets;
- weather;
- animals and behavior;
- plants and flowers;
- sound and light; and
- Earth.
Physical Education
Physical fitness and well being will be encouraged by learning and exploring activities that affect a healthy lifestyle. Concepts include a study of:- motor movement;
- manipulative skills;
- parachute;
- simple recreational games;
- small group activities;
- team sport skills; and
- cooperative group games.
Art
Students will have the opportunity to express themselves in various art forms. Concepts include:- recognizing and defining elements of design including line, shape, color & patterning, portraiture & textural art;
- drawing;
- painting;
- working within the color wheel;
- being introduced to book illustrators and featured artists, Alexander Calder and Claude Monet;
- introduced to African art; and
- using iPads.
Music
Students will have the opportunity to participate in music activities and to develop an appreciation for music. Concepts include a study of:- group singing;
- musical notes and rhythmic patterns; and
- various types of musical instruments and elements.
Information Skills
Information skills include in-depth study of a topic using a variety of fiction and non-fiction picture books and early readers to obtain information. Units on fairy tales/fractured fairy tales; picture book biographies and poetry are included. Students read and tally their books from the Monarch list, voting in February. Several authors are studied in depth. Students will:- differentiate between fiction & nonfiction titles and learn locations in the library;
- identify title, author and illustrator;
- discuss development of character and plot over course of a series; and
- self-select books for checkout with emphasis on early chapter books at appropriate reading levels.
Technology Skills
Use of technology is an integral part in our curriculum. In order to maximize student learning, it is incorporated in the classroom by our faculty for the purpose of instruction and assessment. Students are provided opportunities within the curriculum to incorporate technology through the use of iPads with a variety of apps to enhance the following skills:- reading;
- word processing;
- graphing and data recording;
- graphic designing;
- online encyclopedia and database researching;
- art skills;
- guided internet activities;
- computer vocabulary, etiquette & competency;
- keyboard familiarity; and
- use of curriculum related software.
STEM
The Project Lead The Way Launch Interdisciplinary Curriculum is designed for first grade students to apply STEM knowledge, creativity, skills, and habits of mind, and discover that trying different approaches and solutions is an essential part of the learning process. Engineering design in first grade introduces students to “problems” as situations that people want to change. They can use tools and materials to solve simple problems, use different representations to convey solutions, and compare different solutions to a problem and determine which one was best. Emphasis is on thinking through the needs or goals that need to be met, and which solutions best meet those needs and goals. Through scaffolded learning activities, first grade students apply newly acquired knowledge and skills as they work as part of a team and utilize the design process to define the problem, sketch, build using available materials, test, and reflect on their designs.
Elements and skills of our Project Lead The Way Launch curriculum for First Grade include:- The PLTW First Grade Curriculum includes four modules that bring learning to life: Light and Sound, Light: Observing the Sun, Moon, and Stars, Animal Adaptations, and Animated Storytelling;
- The PLTW Curriculum is aligned with the Next Generation Learning Goals and Standards for First Grade;
- team collaboration/Communication/ Leadership skills;
- inquiry- rich content that links reading, communication,and science in every activity;
- problem-based-, project-based, and inquiry-based learning and team collaborative decision-making;
- academic concepts are coupled with real world problems;
- student develop understandings of light and sound, and design a model to solve a design problem;
- students explore and learn about a variety of animal and plant adaptations for survival, and combine all of their knowledge to solve a design problem;
- students explore both storytelling and animation by combining fundamental ideas in computer science and story-building skills to produce an animated story;
- students learn how to identify and describe patterns of the sun, moon, and stars and record data;
- use scientific inquiry investigations in each module;
- organize and maintain an engineering notebook;
- reason abstractly, quantitatively, and logically to solve a problem;
- use appropriate tools strategically;
- learning is measured through PLTW rubrics and assessments which use performance-based formative assessments and summative, content based specific assessments;
- STEM lab; and
- PLTW online curriculum, iPads, and videography.
Resource and Speech/Language Pathology
St. Isaac Jogues School provides on site speech/language and resource services. Curriculum is child specific and designed to meet needs in reading, math and communication skills if prescribed.
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2nd Grade
Religion
Students will learn through stories, activities, Scripture, prayer, discussion, and reflection about the Catholic faith. Catholic values are discussed and integrated into all subject areas. Concepts include a study of:- God’s laws of love (The Ten Commandments);
- preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation;
- preparation for the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist;
- how Jesus Christ is with us in the seven sacraments;
- how Catholics are called to serve God in different ways;
- parts of the Mass;
- seasons of the Liturgical year
- selected saints;
- Our Blessed Mother; and
- introduction to the rosary.
Language Arts
Students will use correct spelling and punctuation and communicate well in speech and written word. Concepts include a study of:- phonics decoding;
- spelling instruction and practice;
- parts of speech;
- building vocabulary;
- continuation of Zaner Bloser handwriting practice; and
- basic mechanics of writing: complete sentences, capitalization, punctuation, paragraph writing and editing.
Reading
The goal of our reading program is to develop the student’s ability to read with fluency and to comprehend and interpret written text of various genres. Concepts include a study of:- text comprehension strategies and skills: main idea, sequencing, context clues, inferencing, predicting and drawing conclusions.
Mathematics
Students will acquire a knowledge of mathematics and the ability to apply math skills to solve problems through the use of text, extended activities, and hands-on experiences. Concepts include the study of:- number patterns;
- place value to 1,000;
- money;
- addition and subtraction of 1, 2 and 3 digit numbers, both with and without regrouping;
- problem solving;
- data analysis;
- time;
- customary and metric lengths; and
- geometric shapes and equal shares.
Social Studies
Students will develop an awareness and understanding of their world, primarily their own community and our country. Concepts include a study of:- rules, rights and responsibilities of both government and citizens;
- history and time (past, present and future);
- explorers, Native Americans and pilgrims;
- consumers, goods and services;
- American scientists, artists and inventors; and
- maps and globes.
Science
Students will use critical thinking skills to observe, predict, question and explain the world around them. Concepts include a study of:- life science: living things, plants, animals, the body and habitats;
- earth science: earth resources, weather, fossils, space and the sun;
- physical science: matter, energy, force and sound; and
- earth, space and technology.
Physical Education
Physical fitness and well being will continue to be encouraged by learning and exploring activities that affect a healthy lifestyle. Concepts include a study of:- change of direction and speed;
- kicking, throwing, walking, marching, balancing, jumping, etc.; and
- team sports skills are introduced; and
- simple games and small group activities which challenge students and foster creativity.
- ball and agility games;
- manipulative skills (bean bags, kicking, throwing, trapping, rolling, etc.);
- movement (walking, marching, marking, hopping, etc.);
- parachute;
- long and short rope jumping;
- team sports; and
- and recreational games.
Art
Students will draw and paint using a variety of materials such as pencils, crayons, chalk, oil pastels, marker, tempera and watercolor. Concepts include:- recognizing and defining elements of design, including line, shape, color, value and texture;
- being able to recognize and distinguish between 2-D and 3-D works of art, and building art exhibiting relief;
- exploring techniques in watercolor, markers and tempera;
- being introduced to feature artists Grandma Moses and Jim Dine, and book illustrator Beatrix Potter; and
- using iPads.
Music
Students will have the opportunity to participate in music activities and to develop an appreciation for music. Concepts include a study of:- identifying the sound of a variety of instruments;
- recognizing and performing musical notation; and
- singing in groups.
Information Skills
Information skills include emphasis on the Caldecott Award-winning books. Illustrations are studied for their technique and impact on meaning. Students consider possible alternatives for plot resolution and use adjectives to describe various plot developments. Students read narrative non-fiction and discuss historical context. Students read Monarch books and discuss genre for various titles. Students will:- predict outcome based on evidence presented in text and identify main idea;
- discuss similarities and connections to other books read;
- further consider differences between fiction and non-fiction;
- learn traits of non-fiction texts, including bibliography and author’s notes;
- participate in a poetry unit, with discussion of literary terms such as alliteration; and
- self-select books for checkout with consideration of reading across variety of genres.
Technology Skills
The use of technology is an integral part of the second grade curriculum. In order to maximize student learning, technology is incorporated into the classroom for the purpose of instruction and assessment. Students are provided opportunities within the curriculum to incorporate technology through the use of iPads with a variety of apps to enhance the following skills:- reading fluency and comprehension;
- gathering data on the internet using teacher directed websites;
- completing research on the internet using “kid-safe” search engines;
- keyboard familiarity;
- graphic designing;
- art skills;
- technology vocabulary, etiquette and competency; and
- use of curriculum related software.
STEM
The Project Lead The Way Launch Interdisciplinary Curriculum is designed for Second grade students to apply STEM knowledge, creativity, skills, and habits of mind, and discover that trying different approaches and solutions is an essential part of the learning process. Engineering design in second grade introduces students to “problems” as situations that people want to change. They can use tools and materials to solve simple problems, use different representations to convey solutions, and compare different solutions to a problem and determine which one was best. Emphasis is on thinking through the needs or goals that need to be met, and which solutions best meet those needs and goals. Through scaffolded learning activities, second grade students apply newly acquired knowledge and skills as they work as part of a team and utilize the design process to define the problem, sketch, build using available materials, test, and reflect on their designs.
Elements and skills of our Project Lead The Way Launch curriculum for Second Grade include:- The PLTW Second Grade Curriculum includes four modules that bring learning to life: Materials Science: Properties of Matter, Materials Science: Form and Function, The Changing Earth, Grids and Games;
- The PLTW Curriculum is aligned with the Next Generation Learning Goals and Standards for Second Grade;
- team collaboration/Leadership skills;
- inquiry- rich content that links reading, communication,and science in every activity;
- problem-based-, project-based, and inquiry-based learning and team collaborative decision-making;
- academic concepts are coupled with real world problems;
- student investigate and classify different kinds of materials by their properties, and apply their knowledge to solve a design problem;
- students investigate the different forces that shape the earth and design solutions to limit the impact of erosion;
- students explore combined mathematics and computers, and investigate numerical relationships while learning about sequence and structure required in computer programs;
- students learn how to think computationally about problem;
- organize and maintain an engineering notebook;
- reason abstractly, quantitatively, and logically;
- use appropriate tools strategically;
- learning is measured through PLTW rubrics and assessments which use performance-based formative assessments and summative, content based specific assessments;
- STEM lab; and
- PLTW online curriculum, iPads, and videography.
Resource and Speech/Language Pathology
St. Isaac Jogues School provides on site speech/language and resource services. Curriculum is child specific and designed to meet needs in reading, math and communication skills.
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