Enrichment Classes

The Primary School religion program focuses on Jesus as a way to come to know the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Students use the Sadlier We Believe textbooks. They pray and listen to Scripture stories. They are encouraged to find the presence of Jesus inside of everyone. They sing, write, and illustrate in their journals and act out stories from scripture. Students also learn about and celebrate special feast days and seasons of the Church.

First primary girls learn different types of prayer, ways to pray, and traditional prayers. Students learn about the sacrament of Baptism as the initiation into the Christian family. They come to know Jesus as their friend and teacher and learn how to live from Jesus's example. To be like Jesus, students are encouraged to show love and forgiveness, enter into Gospel stories, and learn about the Mass. Second primary students prepare to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. The Mass is studied as a meal, a sacrifice and a celebration. We reenact the Last Supper, recalling that it was the first Liturgy of the Eucharist. First Reconciliation and First Communion are celebrated in the parish to which the family belongs. Third primary focuses on the Church and the role each of us have as members of God's family. The study of related history includes the apostles and the early church, the life, culture and land of Jesus, and Jewish customs. The parts, prayers and actions of the Mass are studied as well as the hierarchy and structure of the institutional Church. Fourth primary girls study virtues as a basis for the formation of a Christian conscience. They learn how virtues are related to the Beatitudes, the Ten Commandments and the lives of Catholic Saints.

ART

In grades prekindergarten through fourth primary, the girls go to the art room for class. Emphasis is on the artistic process rather than the final product. The students are encouraged to explore various artistic media and techniques (drawing, painting, collage, sculpture, printmaking, and ceramics) and to utilize the basic elements of design, as well as their imaginations. They develop an awareness and appreciation of their abilities as they explore and express themselves through various art forms. Famous artists and their work are studied through books, print, and the computer.

COMPUTER STUDIES

Primary School students work with computers in their classrooms to enhance their regular curriculum work, to develop higher order thinking skills, to become self-confident and independent in using the computer as a learning tool.

Students in grades prekindergarten-fourth primary are further instructed once per week in the computer lab located in the main building. In this setting students are introduced to touch-typing and a variety of software programs designed to complement and enrich classroom activities. Topics include: identifying the parts of a computer, basic computer terminology, the location and function of special keys on the keyboard, using the menu, the proper handling and care of software, the use of strategies in educational games, seeing multiple solutions to problems, visual spatial skills, creativity, memory building, basic web design, use of the Microsoft Office suite and much more. Students also use the Internet for research and online activities. They learn how to use search engines effectively and safely.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE

The objective of the foreign language program in nursery through third primary is to broaden the students' understanding of languages and cultures other than our own. Emphasis is on listening and speaking, rather than on reading and writing. The French language and French-speaking countries are the primary focus of the course. Books, films, games, songs, and role-playing are vital components of foreign language learning for young children, and these are an important part of the curriculum.

Introduction to world languages in fourth primary introduces students to the interrelationship of language and culture. Students learn about the families of languages and where those languages are spoken today.

COUNSELING

The developmental approach that considers the nature of human development, including the general stages and tasks that most individuals experience as they mature from childhood to adulthood forms the foundation of the guidance and counseling program. The program centers on the development of positive self-concepts formed through experience and education. Components of the program include socialization skills, group guidance activities, individual counseling, and consultation with parents, faculty, and administration. Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) develop the topics and base their lessons on issues and problems important to each age group.

LIBRARY

A love of reading, storytelling, library skills, and care and use of books are all part of the library program in the Preschool and Primary School. Preschoolers look forward to storytelling time and to acting out nursery rhymes and nursery tales. Finger plays, singing games and activities are all part of their language arts and reading readiness development. Kindergarteners are excited by the new privilege of checking out books to take home and read. The library curriculum is integrated with the classroom curriculum so that the books selected for storytelling reinforce and enhance classroom units and activities.

Beginning research and reference skills are added to the primary library curriculum. In addition to storytelling and reading for pleasure, first and second primary students are introduced to the electronic card catalog, classification, circulation procedures and reference skills. Third and fourth primary students learn to use the library with greater facility and increase their research skills, learning to use the electronic data bases. The library curriculum is integrated with the classroom curriculum so that both storytelling and research coincide and reinforce classroom units and activities.

The Birthday Book Club continues to be enthusiastically received by all the children and provides the best of award-winning and outstanding new books for our collection. The library is most grateful to the parents who present and support the annual Book Fair. The proceeds from the Book Fair enable the school to host author and illustrator visits which are wonderful enrichments to the library program.

MUSIC

In the Preschool, music provides a medium for self-expression through which the child can develop her love of music. The Orff process of teaching music to children includes creative movement, singing games, rhythmic speech and echo response, listening skills, the use of percussion instruments, and improvisation. A musical awareness of instruments, their sounds, the origins of music, and music in society are discussed. Great effort is spent on integrating music with classroom themes.

The goals of the program in the Primary School are to utilize all basic elements of music to gain an understanding of music as a discipline and a means of self-expression. The children incorporate all elements of music to improve their skills in melodic instrument playing, singing, improvisation, music reading, rhythmic response, and ear training. Recorder is introduced at the third and fourth grade level. The awareness of musical instruments and their sounds, composers, and styles of music are included, with a special emphasis on American music history in the spring. Children prepare for liturgies, feast days, assemblies and concerts.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The Preschool and Primary School physical education program offers a wide variety of activities selected according to the developmental needs of each age group. Activities are chosen from the following categories: fundamental movement and motor skills, recreational games, physical fitness games, basic tumbling skills, simple dance, sport skills, and introductory sport activities. Throughout the year special emphasis is placed on body and spatial awareness, skill development, and cooperation and sportsmanship. All physical activities are geared toward developing a personalized active lifestyle.

SCIENCE

Primary School science is taught using the FOSS (Full Option Science System) at all grade levels. Using FOSS provides the students an opportunity to learn real science. FOSS is a collection of activities and experiments that give the students a chance to learn through a hands-on approach. First, second, third, and fourth primary students come to the science lab where they learn about organizing, comparing, communicating, and observing in a scientific atmosphere. First and second primary students focus on life science, physical science, and earth science. Third and fourth primary students focus on the same scientific specialties while also adding scientific reasoning and measurement. Each year in science builds upon the ideas and principles learned the year before with new experiments and knowledge added along the way.


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