Lower Form
- Kindergarten
- Grade 1
- Grade 2
- Grade 3
- Grade 4
Middle Form
- Grade 5
- Grade 6
- Grade 7
- Grade 8

Grade 4

Literature Hide

TEXTBOOKS

Because of Winn-Dixie, Island of the Blue Dolphins, By the Great Horn Spoon!, and various literature selections to be used during the spring literature circles

OBJECTIVE

The students will:

Read with fluency, accuracy, expression, and appropriate intonation.
Use a dictionary and thesaurus as learning tools.
Develop a grade-appropriate vocabulary including knowledge of root words, affixes, and homonyms.
Increase accuracy in grammar, spelling, and English language conventions.
Strengthen comprehension by using self-monitoring strategies.
Compare and contrast information.
Distinguish between cause and effect and fact and opinion
Explore genre, literary elements, and literary devices (figurative language).
Create expository, narrative, and literature-response multiple paragraph compositions that are organized with topic sentences and supporting paragraphs.
Read and write poetry
Write legibly in cursive.
Conduct research using reference texts and on-line resources and paraphrase information in a written report.
Edit and revise drafts of written compositions.
Write summaries.
Effectively present information orally and in writing, and ask thoughtful questions.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

Reading rate and fluency
Vocabulary development
Comprehension
Literary response and analysis
Writing strategies and applications
Written and oral English language conventions
Listening and speaking strategies

GRADING POLICY

Grades are based on the quality of written assignments, completion of assignments, homework performance, class participation, in-class activities and projects, and quiz scores.

HOMEWORK POLICY

Approximately thirty minutes of Literature and Language Arts homework is assigned daily.

Language Arts Hide

TEXTBOOKS

Because of Winn-Dixie, Island of the Blue Dolphins, By the Great Horn Spoon!, and various literature selections to be used during the spring literature circles

OBJECTIVE

The students will:

Read with fluency, accuracy, expression, and appropriate intonation.
Use a dictionary and thesaurus as learning tools.
Develop a grade-appropriate vocabulary including knowledge of root words, affixes, and homonyms.
Increase accuracy in grammar, spelling, and English language conventions.
Strengthen comprehension by using self-monitoring strategies.
Compare and contrast information.
Distinguish between cause and effect and fact and opinion
Explore genre, literary elements, and literary devices (figurative language).
Create expository, narrative, and literature-response multiple paragraph compositions that are organized with topic sentences and supporting paragraphs.
Read and write poetry
Write legibly in cursive.
Conduct research using reference texts and on-line resources and paraphrase information in a written report.
Edit and revise drafts of written compositions.
Write summaries.
Effectively present information orally and in writing, and ask thoughtful questions.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

Reading rate and fluency
Vocabulary development
Comprehension
Literary response and analysis
Writing strategies and applications
Written and oral English language conventions
Listening and speaking strategies

GRADING POLICY

Grades are based on the quality of written assignments, completion of assignments, homework performance, class participation, in-class activities and projects, and quiz scores.

HOMEWORK POLICY

Approximately thirty minutes of Literature and Language Arts homework is assigned daily.

Mathematics Hide

TEXTBOOKS

Everyday Math Program.

OBJECTIVE

The students will:

Demonstrate computational fluency.
Be able to use their logical thought process and computational skills to solve critical thinking problems.
Be able to use their mathematical skills in practical, everyday experiences.
Engage in hands on math activities.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

Algorithms and Procedures
Coordinate Systems and other Reference Frames
Exploring Data
Functions, Patterns, and Sequences
Geometry and Spatial Sense
Measures and Measurement
Numbers, Numeration and Order Relations
Operations, Number Facts, and Number Systems
Problem Solving and Mathematical Modeling

GRADING POLICY

The following will be used in assessing process:

Homework
Test Scores
Written Assignments
Class Work
Class Participation
Overall Effort

HOMEWORK POLICY

Homework will be assigned at the end of each math class. There will be approximately 20 minutes of homework each night (Monday through Thursday).

Social Studies Hide

TEXTBOOKS

California, Adventures in Time and Place and Geography by Houghton-Mifflin, Missions by Interact, and various primary and secondary historical sources

OBJECTIVE

The students will:

Further develop map skills.
Become familiar with the regions and the environment of California.
Study the Native Americans of California.
Study the European exploration of California
Investigate Spanish California and the Mission system.
Study and become familiar with Mexican culture and its influence in California.
Explore the Gold Rush and its impact on the State and its people.
Study California’s growth during the Twentieth and Twenty-first Centuries.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

California’s geography and climate
Native Americans of California
Europeans who explored California
Spanish California
Mexican California
Gold Rush
Statehood
Growing and building California

GRADING POLICY

Assessment is based on evaluation of written assignments, homework, class participation, and test scores, and performance on other in-class assignments.

HOMEWORK POLICY

Homework will be due each Social Studies class. There will be approximately 30 minutes of homework per assignment.

Science Hide

TEXTBOOKS

Addison-Wesley: Destinations in Science.

OBJECTIVE

The students will:

Learn scientific concepts and develop inquiry skills.
Engage in activities that investigate and analyze science questions.
Use multiple process skills; manipulation, cognitive and procedural.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

Plants
Geology
Electricity and Magnetism
Puberty and Nutrition

GRADING POLICY

Assessing student progress will be based on homework performance, test scores, written assignments, class work, class participation, and overall effort.

HOMEWORK POLICY

Homework will be assigned at the end of each Science Class.
There will be approximately 30 minutes of homework per assignment.

International Languages Hide

FRENCH

TEXTBOOKS

There are no required textbooks for this class.

OBJECTIVE

The students will:

Master elementary sounds of French.
Play games and sing songs to enhance use and retention of French.
Review basic greetings, numbers, the alphabet, colors, and vocabulary.
Review family members, days of the week and months, body parts, clothing, and animals.
Learn commands, weather, and professions.
Gain a basic appreciation for other cultures.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

Basic greetings.
Communication based.
Topics include the schoolroom, the house, the family, table settings, and animals.
Emphasis on oral expression, aural comprehension, and retention of vocabulary.

GRADING POLICY

Assessment is based on progress through participation, effort, and grasp of vocabulary.

HOMEWORK POLICY

There is no formal homework for this class.

SPANISH

TEXTBOOKS

There are no required textbooks for this class.

OBJECTIVE

The students will:

Master elementary sounds of Spanish.
Play games and sing songs to enhance use and retention of Spanish.
Learn basic greetings, numbers, the alphabet, and vocabulary.
Learn family members and days of the week.
Gain a basic appreciation for other cultures.
Take ownership of learning and individual progress.
Actively participate in class in the target language.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

Basic greetings.
Numbers, the alphabet, and family members.
Days of the week.
Emphasis on oral expression, aural comprehension, and retention of vocabulary.

GRADING POLICY

Assessment is based on progress through participation, effort, and grasp of vocabulary.

HOMEWORK POLICY

There is no formal homework for this class.

Religion Hide

TEXTBOOKS

This Is Our Faith: Parish Program.

OBJECTIVE

The students will:

Learn about the Beatitudes, Great Commandment, and Ten Commandments.
Recognize circumstances when a moral choice must be made.
Learn that the Holy Spirit helps us know what is good.
Learn that we gather at the Eucharist to celebrate our unity and help it grow.
Master common prayers and precepts.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

A choice to make such as choosing what is just.
The Great Commandment.
Beatitudes of Justice and Peace.
The Ten Commandments.
Unity through Reconciliation and the Eucharist.

GRADING POLICY

Evaluation is based on the following criteria: individual participation, group participation, performance on class assignments and projects, effort, and teacher observation.

HOMEWORK POLICY

Most work will be completed in class. There will be occasional homework assignments.

Art Hide

TEXTBOOKS

There are no required textbooks for this class.

OBJECTIVE

The students will:

Develop knowledge and understanding of the importance of physical activity.
Develop proficiency in physical skills.
Develop vigor, endurance, strength, and body control, and motor skills.
Learn agility in order to maintain a state of physical fitness.
Develop safety awareness in all physical education activities.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

Sports with team games.
Cooperative and new games.
Skill development games in volleyball, soccer, hockey, and basketball
Rhythm, dance, and basic movement skills.
Gymnastics.
Physical fitness and health.

GRADING POLICY

Grades rely heavily on participation, effort, and sportsmanship.

HOMEWORK POLICY

There is no homework for this class.

Music Hide

TEXTBOOKS

There are no required textbooks for this class.

OBJECTIVE

The students will:

Gain a deeper awareness of using the voice and body as a musical instrument.
Continue to learn and perform a repertoire of folk songs and dances.
Learn musical concepts and notation through songs and musical games.
Read and write music appropriate to the level..
Use the computer for music writing purposes.
Continue to play the recorder to reinforce music reading skills.
Use musical elements to improvise, compose simple musical parts.
Develop attentive listening skills and aural memory.
Gain an appreciation for classical music and live performances.
Participate or perform in the classroom or in assemblies.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

Expanded and sequential coverage of musical elements and notation.
Use of folk materials as basic repertoire.
Folk and traditional songs of America and other countries.
Seasonal material.
Songs that integrate with units in social studies or science.
Music of great composers.
Use of the recorder to reinforce music reading.
Use of percussion instruments to complement or accompany singing.
Use of instruments for guided composition and improvisation.

GRADING POLICY

Students are evaluated through their active participation and performance in all music activities such as singing, movement, reading, writing, and playing instruments and attentive listening.