Curriculum

Religion

The purpose of the Religion program at Mercymount is to provide students with a knowledge and love of Jesus Christ and to deepen their faith in the Catholic Church. Using the standards set forth by the Diocese of Providence and the Sisters of Mercy, students learn about their faith through Scripture stories and Mercymount’s religious education program. 

Students will: 

• Learn traditional prayers 
• Practice Christian values of faith, charity, honesty, love and mercy 
• Attend prayer services and Mass on the Holy Days
• Share in the collections for the poor and those in need

Language and Literacy 

The purpose of the Language program at Mercymount is to provide students with the tools and strategies necessary to become lifelong learners. Through speaking, listening, reading and writing, students will become articulate, effective communicators with a deep appreciation for the written word.

Students will:

• Listen to stories to learn new information, develop vocabulary and appreciate literature 
• Express themselves using painting, drawing and writing materials 
• Display listening skills and identify and express feelings 
• Demonstrate an awareness of print concepts 
• Identify and produce rhyming words 
• Recognize letters of the alphabet

Mathematics

The purpose of the Mathematics program at Mercymount is to provide students with well developed mathematical skills. The Pre-Kindergarten Math program is designed to provide young children with an introduction to the most basic of mathematical concepts, and to make them aware of how these concepts are at work in their everyday life.

Students will: 

• Engage in early math concepts, counting, matching,
• Become familiar with a simple graph 
• Count by ones and match quantities, with numerals 
• Compare sets using appropriate language 
• Identify, describe and reproduce patterns 
• Sort and classify objects 
• Name, describe, sort and draw two-dimensional shapes 
• Write and identify numbers

Science

The purpose of the Science program at Mercymount is to encourage students to understand the world around them by using their senses to observe and gather information. The Prekindergarten science program is designed to help the students to understand the world through experiments and hands-on activities

Students will: 

• Begin to understand the effect that people have on their environment 
• Apply science knowledge and skills to solve problems 
• Describe and communicate observations through drawings and graphs
• Identify properties of objects and classify according to these properties 
• Make predictions and plan investigations

Social Studies

The Pre-Kindergarten Social Studies program is designed to help the students understand that they are part of a family and a larger community. Through this recognition, they will become aware of the need for rules, rights and responsibilities. 

Students will:

• Know the important rules of the classroom 
• Verbalize “place names” such as their address, and familiar places in the community 
• Understand their role and value as a member of the classroom community 
• Demonstrate an awareness of time (yesterday, today, tomorrow)
• Show an awareness and appreciation of the similarities and differences among people

Creative Arts

The purpose of the Creative Arts program at Mercymount is to provide students a vehicle for expressing their ideas and feelings. Through visual arts, drama, music and movement, children will enhance their creativity, a critical skill for later success.

Students will:

• Create art using a variety of media
• Participate in pretend play
• Re-enact familiar stories
• Explore a variety of music and musical instruments

Social and Emotional

Students will:

• Learn acceptable group behavior (i.e. sharing) 
• Learn to relate with peers and adults 
• Learn awareness of other’s feelings
• Develop self confidence · create a good self image (positive reinforcement) 
• Learn to communicate their feelings in socially acceptable ways 
• Learn self-help skills to become independent of parental help · listen when others are speaking
• Develop the ability to control impulses 
• Show persistence in tasks
• Participate in finding solutions to conflicts

Spanish

• All students are able to individually formulate their own personal prayer in Spanish. 
• They learn Spanish songs as a medium to hear the correct pronunciation of Spanish words, as a means for utilizing the language, and for simple enjoyment.
• Each grade develops a Spanish beginner's vocabulary.
• Emphasis is made on pronouncing Spanish sounds and syllables correctly.
• Grade Pre-K students learn basic greetings, questions, and responses, 10 colors, numbers 1-10, common animals, classroom objects, and family words.
• They also learn simple food, clothing, and community items.

Religion

• Kindergarten students will learn about the life of Jesus and the important events that occurred by reading stories from the New Testament.
• Discover that they are unique gifts of a loving God and how they can continue to follow God’s words in their own lives.
• Have many opportunities to participate in liturgies, Saints days and Holy days.
• Learn the basic prayers for their level, and will also experience other ways to pray (through song, picture, guided meditation and praying the Rosary.)

Language Arts

• Kindergarten students will master the letters of the alphabet - knowing the names and sounds of all letters.
• Master recognition of high frequency sight words.
• Learn and master a variety of decoding and encoding skills and strategies.
• Develop comprehension skills through various oral and written exercises.
• Develop writing skills as they learn the process of writing using a combination of phonetic spelling and known sight words.
• ELA instruction is presented through whole group lessons/activities and is differentiated in small group and/or one-on-one instruction to ensure each child is receiving instruction on his/her own level.

Mathematics

• Kindergarten students will explore mathematical concepts such as positional terms, shapes, sorting and classifying, patterns, and matching.
• Count, recognize, write and compare numbers 0--20.
• Explore measurement, money, time, and addition and subtraction.
• Math activities are experienced through whole group instruction, hands-on activities using manipulatives and cooperative learning. Our math activities are directly related to everyday situations in the children’s lives, making math realistic, practical, and purposeful.

Science

• Kindergarten students are exposed to the wonders of Science and develop critical thinking skills by being encouraged to ask questions, make predictions, test, observe, record and discuss their discoveries.
• Science experiments can be whole group, but most are open-ended hands-on experiments in which the children make and share personal discoveries.
• Students are exposed to Scientific Inquiry, Life, Earth and Physical Sciences
• Problem solving skills are strengthened through a variety of STEAM challenges.

Art

• Materials and Techniques:
  • Drawing using crayon, color pencil, oil pastels, using line, color, shape, texture
  • Painting using watercolor, acrylics, mixing colors to create new colors Construction with scissors and glue, creating collage
  • Sculpting with clay, learning form, space
• Subjects:
  • Personal environment, animals & nature, home & family, favorite things, seasons

Computer

• Computer Literacy:
  • Using Software Applications: formatting of text, insert, delete, save, open, print, right click
• Microsoft Office Word: compose, edit, and revise a variety of documents, clipart
• KidPix
• Instructional Software Use: (Ex. Math Essentials, Millie’s Math House, Reader Rabbit)

Library

• Become familiar with the Library Media Center (LMC)
• Observe LMC rules and regulations Handle LMC materials properly
• Borrow LMC materials using correct procedures
• Locate picture and beginning-to-read books
• Become acquainted with various genre of literature

Music

• Sing alone and with other, on pitch and in rhythm, a varied repertoire of music
• Sing ostinatos, and partner songs while keeping a steady beat
• Become acquainted with various musical terms and symbols.

Physical Education

• Physical Fitness:
  • To be able to perform physical skills at the basic level
  • To demonstrate an understanding of what activities are exercise.
• Individual Sports:
  • To perform to the best of their ability the skills needed to play the sport
• Team Sports:
  • To be able to perform physical skills at the basic level.
  • To understand the concept of teamwork.

Spanish

• All students are able to individually formulate their own personal prayer in Spanish. 
• They learn Spanish songs as a medium to hear the correct pronunciation of Spanish words, as a means for utilizing the language, and for simple enjoyment.
• Each grade develops a Spanish beginner's vocabulary.
• Emphasis is made on pronouncing Spanish sounds and syllables correctly.
• Grade K students learn basic greetings, questions, and responses, 10 colors, numbers 1-10, common animals, classroom objects, and family words.
• They also learn simple food, clothing, and community items.

Religion

• First grade students will learn what Jesus taught us about the love God has for us.
• Children will focus on how we gather in church to worship God and celebrate the sacraments.
• Children will understand that Jesus taught us to show love for God, ourselves, and others.
• Children will pray in different ways alone and with others and will pray the Lord’s Prayer as Jesus taught us to do.
• Children will learn to share God’s love in their families and parishes.
• Children will spread the Good News of Jesus CHrist through simple acts of love and caring.

Mathematics

• First grade students will develop number sense skills such as odd and even, greater than, less than, and ordinal numbers.
• Recognize and write and compare numbers 0-120.
• Develop fluency in addition and subtraction facts 0-12.
• Create and discuss data collection through graphing. 
• Explore time, money, measurement, and fractions.
• Study geometric shapes and learn appropriate vocabulary.
• Introduction to addition and subtraction of double digit numbers.

Language Arts

• First grade students will master effective phonics skills and sight word vocabulary to become successful readers.
• Learn and master a variety of decoding skills such as word families, chunking in addition to a variety of reading strategies.
• Learn and master encoding skills (writing and spelling) through journal writing, individual vocabulary notebooks and word work activities.
• Develop comprehension skills and fluency through a variety of genres.
• Students develop meaningful writing skills by exploring different  types of writing such as opinion,  persuasive, and narrative.
• ELA instruction is presented through whole group lessons/activities and is differentiated in small group or one on one instruction to ensure that each student is receiving instruction at his/her level.
• Students are encouraged to become independent readers by selecting books at their independent reading level and progress is monitored via Accelerated Reader.

Science

• First grade students develop a curiosity and interest in science by making personal connections to the world around them.
• Topics studied include but are not limited to: 
• 5 senses 
• Air and weather
• Magnets
• Fire safety
• Life cycles highlighted with the incubation of chick eggs in the classroom

Social Studies

• First grade students will explore and discuss current events, customs, and holidays from around the world.
• Students will explore the 50 states of our country.
• Develop map skills. 

Art

• Materials and Techniques:
  • Drawing using crayon, color pencil, oil pastels, using line, color, shape, texture
  • Painting using watercolor, acrylics, mixing colors to create new colors
  • Construction with scissors and glue, creating collage
  • Sculpting with clay, learning form, space
• Subjects:
  • Personal environment, animals & nature, home & family, favorite things, seasons

Computer

• Computer Literacy
  • Using Software Applications: formatting of text, insert, delete, save, open, print, right click
  • Microsoft Office Word: compose, edit, and revise a variety of documents, clipart
• Instructional Software Use:  (Ex. Kid Pix, Reader Rabbit)
• Internet Use

Library

• Review and reinforce Kindergarten objectives
• Become acquainted with I-Can-Read and easy chapter books
• Learn the parts of a book and other library terms
• Become acquainted with various genre of literature
• Distinguish between fiction and nonfiction books
• Locate nonfiction books

Music

• Sing expressively with appropriate dynamics and diction
• Perform easy rhythmic and melodic patterns solo/tutti on classroom instruments
• Become acquainted with the musical scale

Physical Education

• Physical Fitness:
  • To be able to perform the physical skills with some degree of proficiency.
  • To be able to verbalize what exercise is and why it is needed
• Individual Sports: To perform to the best of their ability the skills needed to play the sport
• Team Sports: To be able to perform the physical skills with some degree of proficiency.  To display the use of teamwork to achieve a goal.

Spanish

• All students are able to pray as a class the basic prayers of the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be and to individually formulate their own personal prayer in Spanish. 
• They learn Spanish songs as a medium to hear the correct pronunciation of Spanish words, as a means for utilizing the language, and for simple enjoyment.
• Each grade develops a vocabulary to a minimum of 100 words times their grade level (100 words plus).
• Emphasis is made on pronouncing Spanish sounds and syllables correctly and on learning how to communicate using routine questions and responses of everyday life.
• Grade 1 students learn basic greetings, questions, and responses, colors, numbers 1-20, common animals, and simple food and clothing items.
• They also learn words related to the face, classroom, family, and community, and begin to visualize these words.

Religion

• Illustrate basic understanding of the Church and our roles within the Catholic community
• To understand the teachings of the Bible and prayer
• Demonstrate the importance of the seven sacraments, with an emphasis on Penance and Reconciliation and Eucharist
• Understand and practice the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy

Mathematics

• Demonstrate an understanding of abstract mathematical concepts
• Develop a number sense, read and write numbers up to 999
• Add and subtract two and three-digit numbers with and without regrouping, both horizontally and vertically
• Solve multi-step word problems
• Read and interpret various data displays and solve problems using, tables, pictographs, bar graphs, and circle graphs
• Identify geometric solids and plane figures and their properties
• Find the value of a group of coins and bills
• Read and interpret a calendar and to tell time to the quarter hour and in 5-minute intervals
• Identify unit and non-unit fractions, and compare and order fractions
• Measure length using nonstandard and standard units

Language Arts

• Demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, and comprehension skills
• Develop effective oral and written communication skills
• Employ a variety of listening skills and strategies
• Fluently read texts of various genres for multiple purposes

Science

• Use Foss Kits to foster hands-on investigations of “Pebbles, Sand, and Silt” and “Balance and Motion”
• Discover concepts of physical science including states of matter, gravity, and magnetic forces
• Understand and identify animal adaptations

Social Studies

• Identify the five main bodies of water and the seven continents
• Use cardinal and intermediate directions on a map
• Express an understanding of the context of neighborhoods and communities
• Explore real life experiences focusing on economic and civic learning, concepts relating to neighborhood life today and long ago, exposure to neighborhood life in rural, urban and suburban areas, as well as, neighborhoods/communities in other countries and/or cultures

Handwriting

• Students will enhance their language development by reviewing the proper manuscript stokes for all lowercase and uppercase letters
• Students will improve brain development by learning the proper way to form all lowercase and uppercase cursive letters
• Students will write in cursive by the end of the school year

Art

• Materials and Techniques:
  • Reinforce previous skills, drawing, painting, sculpting, constructing. Add,
  • Weaving with fabric, Papier Mache, Chalk Pastels
  • Learn about, begin to identify, famous artists & their works/style
  • Begin to identify aesthetic qualities (mood, feelings, ideas) as well as balance & repetition in works of art
• Subjects:
  • Community, environment, other cultures, famous artists, favorite things, self, seasons.

Computer

• Computer Literacy
  • Microsoft Word: formatting of text, insert, delete, save, open, print, right click
  • Microsoft Office Excel: Spreadsheets, charts/graphs
• Instructional Software Use:  (Ex. Math Essentials, Kid Pix)
• Internet Use
• Keyboarding

Library

• Review and reinforce skills taught in Grade One
• Recognize parts of a book and library terms
• Become acquainted with various genre in literature (fables)
• Locate general reference sources (encyclopedia, dictionary)

Music

• Perform independent instrumental parts while other students sing repetitive songs Improvise short songs and instrumental pieces using a variety of sound sources
• Create short songs on Orff instruments within specified guidelines
• Become acquainted with basic music theory

Physical Education

• Physical Fitness:
  • To be able to perform the physical skills with some degree of proficiency.
  • To be able to verbalize what exercise is and why it is needed.
  • To describe what cardiovascular exercise is and to understand how it benefits them
• Individual Sport:
  • To perform to the best of their ability the skills needed to play the sport
• Team Sport:
  • To be able to perform the physical skills with a good degree of proficiency.
  • To display the use of teamwork to achieve a goal.

Spanish

• All students are able to pray as a class the basic prayers of the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be and to individually formulate their own personal prayer in Spanish. 
• They learn Spanish songs as a medium to hear the correct pronunciation of Spanish words, as a means for utilizing the language, and for simple enjoyment.
• Each grade develops a vocabulary to a minimum of 100 words times their grade level (200 words plus).
• Emphasis is made on pronouncing Spanish sounds and syllables correctly and on learning how to communicate using routine questions and responses of everyday life.
• Grade 2 students learn basic greetings, questions, and responses, colors, numbers 1-39, days of the week, common pets and animals, and simple household, food and clothing items.
• They also learn words related to the face and body, classroom, family, and community. 
• They begin writing Spanish sentences incorporating articles, nouns, verbs and adjectives, and responding to simple commands.

Religion

Mathematics

Language Arts

We use a Writing Workshop model to plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish our writing pieces. Writing units that we cover include Personal Narratives, Persuasive essays, Research Biographies, Poems, Fantasy Stories, and Realistic fiction. Everyday we take turns sharing our writing in an “Author’s Chair” format. We celebrate our “published” piece of writing in creative ways from campfire stories to poetry cafes! On “Creative Writing Fridays,” we take a break from the workshop model to explore other genres of writing.

Reading

Students will develop a variety of reading comprehension strategies from making predictions, inferences, and connections to asking questions and synthesizing information. Main idea, author’s purpose, cause and effect, sequencing, etc. are taught in a variety of genres. We will complete numerous novel studies with the books- Because of Winn Dixie, Mr. Popper’s Penguins, Stuart Little, Stone Fox, and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, as well as a non-fiction and poetry unit. 

Science

The year starts with the Human Body and includes various hands-on activities, such as making a model of the digestive system and play-doh brains. From there, we move to a unit on Magnetism and Electricity. Students will build simple circuits that result in a running motor. We explore the Water cycle and properties of water. We use the FOSS kits for hands-on labs.  

Social Studies

Children will read, interpret and analyze data from maps. We will explore human-environment interactions and how humans impact the environment in many different ways. We will define what a community is while learning about laws, rules, and consequences. The students will work collaboratively to design their own town, develop appropriate laws and even create a 3D model of their town.

Handwriting

Children are taught their cursive writing using the Zaner-Bloser Method.

Art

• Materials and Techniques:
  • Reinforce previous skills, drawing, painting, sculpting, constructing.
  • Weaving with fabric, Papier Mache, Chalk Pastels
• Learn about, begin to identify, famous artists & their works/style
• Begin to identify aesthetic qualities (mood, feelings, ideas) as well as balance & repetition in works of art
• Subjects:
  • Community, environment, other cultures, famous artists, favorite things, self, seasons.

Computer

• Computer Literacy
  • Using Software Applications: formatting of text, insert, delete, save, open, print, right click, copy, paste, spell checker, page setup, print preview, printing options, page orientation, add and remove toolbars, shortcut keys, graphics, alignment, margins, text boxes, help
• Microsoft Office Word: compose, edit, and revise a variety of documents, clipart, wordart, text wrapping, numbering
• Microsoft Office Excel: Spreadsheets, charts/graphs
• Microsoft Office Publisher: Greeting Cards
• Microsoft Paint
• Instructional Software Use:  (Ex. Kid Pix)
• Ethical Use of Technology (Covered in Library Classes)
• Using Technology for Research (Covered in Library Classes)
• Internet Use
• Keyboarding

Library

• Review and reinforce skills taught in Grade Two
• Locate nonfiction and reference resources
• Use the RILINK (Rhode Island Library Information Network for Kids) catalog
• Become acquainted with various genre of literature (Tall Tales)
• Become familiar with the Dewey Decimal Classification system
• Learn how to search topics on the internet

Music

• Read whole, half, dotted half, quarter and eighth notes and rests ¾ and 4/4 time
• Read music on a treble clef staff
• Play a recorder

Physical Education

• Physical Fitness:
  • To be able to perform the physical skills with some degree of proficiency.
  • To be able to verbalize what exercise is and why it is needed.
  • To describe what cardiovascular exercise is and to understand how it benefits them
• Individual Sport:
  • To perform to the best of their ability the skills needed to play the sport
• Team Sport:
  • To be able to perform the physical skills with a good degree of proficiency. To display the use of teamwork to achieve a goal.

Spanish

• All students are able to pray from memory the basic prayers of the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be and to formulate their own personal prayer in Spanish. 
• They learn Spanish songs as a medium to hear the correct pronunciation of Spanish words, as a means for utilizing the language, and for simple enjoyment.
• Each grade develops a vocabulary to a minimum of 100 words times their grade level (300 words plus).
• Emphasis is made on pronouncing Spanish sounds and syllables correctly and on learning how to communicate using routine questions and responses of everyday life.
• Grade 3 students learn basic greetings, questions, and responses, colors, numbers 1-59, days of the week, months of the year, common pets and animals, and simple household, food and clothing items.
• They also learn words related to the face and body, emotions, classroom, family, and community, and how to respond to simple commands.
• They learn the gender and number rules for writing sentences in Spanish and the correct placement of articles, nouns, verbs and adjectives within these sentences.

Religion

• Fourth grade students grow in their faith and relationship with God by exploring the questions:
  • What do we believe?
  • How do we celebrate what we believe?
  • How do we live what we believe?
  • How do we become what we believe?
  • Why and how do we celebrate the Church year?
• Through the learning around these essential questions, the students grow as disciples of Jesus who not only know their faith, but live it each day. 

Mathematics

Science

• Life Science- study of life cycles of seeds and plants
• Geology- study of rocks and minerals
• Astronomy- study of the Sun, Moon, and the stars

Social Studies

• Citizenship
• Culture
• Economics
• History
• Geography
• Government
• Science, Technology, and Society
• Social Studies Skills (map skills, outlining, summarizing, etc.)

Art

• Materials and Techniques:
  • Reinforce all the above, adding identification of different periods of art, observing/understanding symbolism used in different cultures, and how art reflects and records history in various cultures. Students will build upon their visual art vocabulary, form, value, space, rhythm, proportion.
  • They will study foreground middle & back-ground, as well as the use of positive and negative space.
• Subjects:
  • Other cultures, famous artists, space, mythology, personal objects, family, nature.

Computer

• Computer Literacy
  • Using Software Applications: cut, copy, paste, spell checker, page setup, print preview, printing options, page orientation, add and remove toolbars, shortcut keys, page numbering, graphics, alignment, margins, headers and footers, text boxes, help
• Microsoft Office Word: compose, edit, and revise a variety of documents, clipart, bulleting, wordart, text wrapping, numbering, headers
• Microsoft Office Excel: Spreadsheets, charts/graphs, Formulas and functions
• Microsoft Office Publisher: Greeting Cards, brochures
• Microsoft Office PowerPoint: Text, graphics, motion clips, Internet images, transitions, animations
• Image Editing: Digital camera, Microsoft Paint
• Instructional Software Use:  (Ex. Kid Pix)
• Ethical Use of Technology (Covered in Library Classes)
• Using Technology for Research (Covered in Library Classes)
• Internet Use
• Keyboarding

Library

• Review and reinforce skills previously taught
• Locate nonfiction and reference resources
• Use the RILINK (Rhode Island Library Information Network for Kids) catalog
• Locate information in general reference resources
• Become acquainted with various genre of literature (myths, legends)
• Learn how to evaluate websites
• Review study skills and searching skills

Music

• Identify and understand the characteristics of the 4 instrumental families and be able to name instruments by sight
• Critique performances and compositions
• Create songs on Orff instruments within specified guidelines

Physical Education

• Physical Fitness:
  • To be able to perform the physical skills with some degree of proficiency.
  • To be able to verbalize what exercise is and why it is needed.
  • To describe what cardiovascular exercise is and to understand how it benefits them
• Individual Sport:
  • To perform to the best of their ability the skills needed to play the sport
• Team Sport:
  • To be able to perform the physical skills with a good degree of proficiency. To display the use of teamwork to achieve a goal.

Spanish

• All students are able to pray from memory the basic prayers of the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be and to formulate their own personal prayer in Spanish. 
• They learn Spanish songs as a medium to hear the correct pronunciation of Spanish words, as a means for utilizing the language, and for simple enjoyment.
• Each grade develops a vocabulary to a minimum of 100 words times their grade level (400 words plus).
• Emphasis is made on pronouncing Spanish sounds and syllables correctly and on learning how to communicate using routine questions and responses of everyday life.
• They refine their grammatical skills to read, write and comprehend stories, dialogs and other miscellaneous writings, and to translate them from one language to the other.
• Grade 4 students learn how to talk about activities they like and don't like to do, describe themselves and others, and to talk about school related things.
• They learn how to identify and conjugate Ar verbs, to express agreement and disagreement, and identify and use basic parts of speech to form sentences.
• Students demonstrate their understanding of the Spanish language by initiating and responding to basic classroom and school commands.

Religion

Students will:

• Ask “Who is God?” “How do we know about God?” and “How can I deepen my faith?”
• Study the Seven Sacraments, recognize how we encounter Jesus in the Sacraments, and identify  special symbols and actions used in each Sacrament.
• Appreciate the Bible as the Word of God and know how to correctly find a specific biblical reference.
• Become familiar with the main parts of the Mass and the purpose within each part.
• Know the different liturgical seasons.
• Be challenged daily to be the presence of Jesus in their world.

Mathematics

Students will:

• Recognize and read numbers from the thousandths to the billions place
• Divide fluently with two or more digits
• Utilize all four operations with decimals, fractions and mixed numbers.
• Calculate area, perimeter and volume of different objects
• Find the mean, mode, medium and range of data
• Apply different strategies to solve problems, and persevere in solving them.
• Recognize and classify different geometric shapes.
• Properly use protractors to measure angles

Language Arts

• Listening

  • Students will develop effective listening skills by:
    • Using appropriate social skills in classroom discussions and conversations
    • Recalling information and summarizing
    • Identifying point of view and author’s purpose
    • Selecting important information for note taking

• Speaking

  • Students will develop effective oral communication by:
    • Utilizing clear, effective speech to communicate ideas
    • Using clear speech patterns and correct pronunciation of words

• Reading

  • Students will become fluent readers and be able to read a variety of materials with understanding by:
    • Continuing to refine techniques in oral reading
    • Continuing to develop strategies for comprehension of reading material
    • Continue to refine skills in reading for details and research purposes

• Writing

  • Students will develop the ability to effectively express ideas and transmit information through written language by:
    • Continuing to develop the ability to clearly communicate thoughts and ideas in complete sentences
    • Writing effectively in a variety of formats
    • Continuing to develop ability in creative writing of all types
    • Continuing to expand written vocabularies
    • Continuing to develop the ability to use the writing process

• Grammar

  • Students will further their understanding of the use of:
    • Nouns
    • Pronouns
    • Adjectives
    • Adverbs
    • Verbs
    • Prepositions
    • Conjunctions
    • Interjections
    • Sentences
    • Punctuation
    • Capitalization
    • Diagrams

Science

• Life Science

  • Characteristics of living things
  • Growth and adaptation of living things
  • Respiration, excretion, and reproduction
  • Proper use and care of microscope

• Physical Science

  • Matter, chemical vs physical changes to matter, and solutions vs compounds
  • Use and preservation of natural resources
  • Newton’s Laws of Motion and different forms of energy

• Earth Science

  • Types of celestial bodies, revolution of planets around the sun, relative distance
  • Solar system Biology, and characteristics of planets and atmospheres
  • NASA technology, engineering, and research tools

Laboratory experiences, lab report writing, and monthly nature journaling skills are practiced.

Social Studies

With a focus on North American history and exploration, students will examine:

• The Geography of the Western Hemisphere
• People and Culture of the Western Hemisphere
• European Explorations
• Settlements in North America
• Colonization and Conflict
• Declaration of, and fighting for, Independence

Art

• Materials and Techniques:
  • Reinforce previous skills, adding identification of different periods of art, observing/understanding symbolism used in different cultures, and how art reflects and records history in various cultures. Students will build upon their visual art vocabulary, form, value, space, rhythm, proportion.
  • They will study foreground middle & back-ground, as well as the use of positive and negative space.
• Subjects:
  • Other cultures, famous artists, space, mythology, personal objects, family, nature.

Computer

• Computer Literacy
• Using Software Applications: cut, copy, paste, spell checker, page setup, print preview, printing options, page orientation, add and remove toolbars, shortcut keys, page numbering, page breaks, graphics, alignment, margins, headers and footers, text boxes, help
• Microsoft Office Word: compose, edit, and revise a variety of documents, clipart bulleting, wordart, text wrapping, ordering, thesaurus
• Microsoft Office Excel: Spreadsheets, charts/graphs, Formulas and functions
• Microsoft Office Publisher: Greeting Cards, Newsletters
• Image Editing: Adobe Photoshop
• Instructional Software Use:  (Ex. KidPix)
• Ethical Use of Technology (Covered in Library Classes)
• Using Technology for Research (Covered in Library Classes)
• Internet Use
• Keyboarding

Library

• Review and reinforce skills previously taught
• Use the RILINK (Rhode Island Library Information Network for Kids) catalog
• Locate information using various reference sources both print and non-print
• Review how to evaluate websites
• Review study skills and searching skills

Music

• Obtain knowledge of various composers and historical periods in music
• Identify and understand the characteristics of instruments of other cultures
• Use standard notation to record music ideas and compose original compositions

Physical Education

• Physical Fitness:
  • To be able to perform the physical skills with some degree of proficiency.
  • To be able to verbalize what exercise is and why it is needed.
  • To describe what cardiovascular exercise is and and relate it to everyday activities
• Students will be able to play a team game displaying the following skills with proficiency:
  • Running
  • Throwing
  • Dribbling
  • Passing
  • Guarding
  • Goal keeping
  • To demonstrate teamwork and fair play during a game.
  • To play the game effectively

Spanish

• All students are able to pray from memory the basic prayers of the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be and to formulate their own personal prayer in Spanish. 
• They learn Spanish songs as a medium to hear the correct pronunciation of Spanish words, as a means for utilizing the language, and for simple enjoyment.
• Each grade develops a vocabulary to a minimum of 100 words times their grade level (500 words plus).
• Emphasis is made on pronouncing Spanish sounds and syllables correctly and on learning how to communicate using routine questions and responses of everyday life.
• They refine their grammatical skills to read, write and comprehend stories, dialogs and other miscellaneous writings, and to translate them from one language to the other.
• Grade 5 students learn how to talk about foods and beverages, describe what people and things are like, and to talk about activities that they do in and out of school.
• They learn how to identify and conjugate Er and Ir verbs in the present tense, when and how to use the verbs ser, estar and ir, and how to ask questions.
• Students demonstrate their understanding of the Spanish language by creating short stories/dialogs in Spanish and translating those of their classmates.

Religion

• Ask "How does God reveal Himself to us?" "How has God shown faithfulness throughout history? and "How am I asked to be in a covenant relationship with God?"
• Grow in understanding of God’s self-revelation through his creation, through the Bible, and in his Son, Jesus.
• Learn about the Israelites, their enslavement, the Exodus, and God's faithfulness to them.  
• Learn that the Old Testament Covenants, the message of the prophets and the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises of the Messiah, is the foundation for their understanding of the New Covenant revealed in Jesus.  

Mathematics

• Operations and expressions with rational numbers
• Algebraic expressions and equations
• Ratio and Proportional Relationships
• Percents
• Measurement
• Geometry -  perimeter, area, surface area and volume
• Statistics and probability - Data Displays

Science

• Light and Vision
• Sound and Hearing
• Classification of Living Organisms
• Viruses and Simple Organisms
• Animal Life
• Plant Life
• Ecology
• Earthquakes and Volcanoes

Language Arts

• Review the basic parts of speech
• Exhibit progression toward mastery in identification and correct use of all parts of speech
• Demonstrate routine writing through journal and response questions
• Study letter writing including greeting, content and closing
• Focus on the 6 Traits of Writing with emphasis on voice, word choice, organization, fluency and the use of grammar, spelling and punctuation
• Further develop research skills by using technology
• Develop basic skills in proofreading their own work and the work of their peers
• Understand the basics of writing a research paper including all parts and presentation of information
• Continue to expand their written and oral vocabularies through various exercises, weekly quizzes and oral presentation.

Literature

• Dissect the elements of Plot using
  • Short Stories
  • Novels
  • Characterization
• Recognize author’s purpose/ message
• Distinguish between fact and opinion
• Make predictions
• Read poems according to punctuation
• Determine cause and effect
• Understand elements of a drama

Social Studies

• To learn how to use a primary source and why they are important.
• Identify and apply the five themes of geography to the cultures studied
• Analyze the developments that led to the rise of early civilizations
• Describe the geography and cultures of major civilizations
  • Fertile Crescent- Mesopotamia, Babylonia, Assyria, Hebrews
  • Ancient Egypt and Nubia
  • Ancient China
  • Ancient India and Persia
  • Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome
  • Medieval Europe
  • Russia - Beginnings to Communism
• Investigate major developments that led to the renaissance
• Map Asia, Europe, and Africa

Spanish

• All students are able to pray from memory the basic prayers of the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be and to formulate their own personal prayer in Spanish. 
• They learn Spanish songs as a medium to hear the correct pronunciation of Spanish words, as a means for utilizing the language, and for simple enjoyment.
• Each grade develops a vocabulary to a minimum of 100 words times their grade level (600 words plus).
• Emphasis is made on pronouncing Spanish sounds and syllables correctly and on learning how to communicate using routine questions and responses of everyday life.
• They refine their grammatical skills to read, write and comprehend stories, dialogs and other miscellaneous writings, and to translate them from one language to the other.
• Grade 6 students learn how to talk about home life identifying rooms, chores and articles found in their homes, and to express their shopping preferences and plans. 
• They learn about stem changing verbs, the present progressive tense, and the preterite tense of Ar verbs.
• Students demonstrate their understanding of the Spanish language by preparing a Spanish lesson to teach younger students.

Religion

• Ask “Who is God?” “Who is Jesus?” How is Jesus Christ alive in the Church today?" and “How does the Church live as the body of Christ?”
• Study the Creed and Divine Revelation
• Focus on Jesus in the Gospels and and through Church teaching
• Grow in understanding of the sacraments and the liturgy
• Focus on Catholic social doctrine and vocations
• Be challenged daily to be the presence of Jesus in their world.

Mathematics

• Operations and expressions with rational numbers
• Algebraic expressions, equations and inequalities
• Ratios, proportions, and percents
• Linear equations and functions
• Patterns
• Two and Three dimensional Geometry
• Statistics and Probability
• Introduction to Polynomials

Science

• Forces and Pressure
• Human biology
• Systems of the body
• Disections
• Work and Energy
• Machines
• The Atmosphere

Language Arts

• Exhibit mastery in identification and correct use of all parts of speech in written communication
• Demonstrate routine writing through journal and response questions
• Develop writing skills for a variety of purposes
• Demonstrate their ability to identify various writing styles and begin to exhibit their own particular writing style
• Exhibit mastery in proofreading skills for their own work and other’s work
• Demonstrate their knowledge of writing a research paper and present such information to their peers using presentation techniques
• Continue to expand their written and oral vocabularies through various exercises, weekly quizzes and oral presentations

Literature

• Dissect the elements of Plot using
  • Short Stories
  • Novels
• Evaluate author’s message
• Mood
• Atmosphere
• Moral of the story
• Understand bias in literature
• Envision setting and action in a play
• Create dialogue
• Identify genre and its elements
• Make inferences and predict future outcomes
• Apply rules for public speaking to oral presentations

History

• Identify the nations that claimed land in North America
• Identify the colonies that formed and what led to their founding
• Analyze the structure of American Society
• Interpret all major American documents (Declaration of Independence, Constitution)
• Analyze the Federal System
• Examine how and why Political Parties developed
• Identify major events in the development of the U.S. up to and including reconstruction
  • American Nationalism
  •  Jacksonian Democracy
  • The Cotton Kingdom
  • Progress in Industry and Communications
  • Westward Expansion
  • Recognize the causes and results of the Compromise of 1850 and The Kansas- Nebraska Act
  • Lincoln’s election after the break-up of the Democratic Party
  • The Civil War
  • Reconstruction
• Map North America
• Pass the immigration test

Spanish

• All students are able to pray from memory the basic prayers of the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be and to formulate their own personal prayer in Spanish. 
• They learn Spanish songs as a medium to hear the correct pronunciation of Spanish words, as a means for utilizing the language, and for simple enjoyment.
• Each grade develops a vocabulary to a minimum of 100 words times their grade level (700 words plus).
• Emphasis is made on pronouncing Spanish sounds and syllables correctly and on learning how to communicate using routine questions and responses of everyday life.
• They refine their grammatical skills to read, write and comprehend stories, dialogs and other miscellaneous writings, and to translate them from one language to the other.
• Grade 7 students learn how to describe places, to talk about events and what people and do, and to express opinions.
• They learn how to conjugate and utilize properly Ar, Er and Ir verbs in the present, past and future tenses.
• Students use dramatization to manifest their understanding of the Spanish language.

Religion

• Ask "How do we nourish God's gift of faith?" "Who are our ancestors in faith?" "How can the Church's heritage give us hope?" and "What does it mean to be Catholic?"
• Study Catholic morality
• Study Church history
• Focus on Church history with an emphasis on social teachings
• Grow in understanding of the teachings and Tradition of the Catholic Church 

Mathematics

• Solving Algebraic equations and inequalities
• Relations and Functions
• Solving and graphing linear and quadratic equations and functions
• Solving Systems of linear equations and inequalities
• Operations and factoring with polynomials
• Rational expressions and equations*
• Radical Expressions and equations*
• Ratios, Proportions and Trigonometry*

* Honors Class Curriculum

Science

• Electricity
• Magnetism
• Electromagnetic
• Waves
• The Atom
• The Periodic Table
• Combining Atoms
• Chemical reactions
• Heredity
• Cells

Language Arts

Students will:

• Exhibit mastery of their ability to identify various writing styles; students will demonstrate their own particular writing style through various writing assignments
• Demonstrate routine writing through journal and response questions
• Learn how to formulate a thesis statement
• Demonstrate their proficiency in writing and researching reports; students will also demonstrate their ability to present research information to classmates and adults
• Continue to expand their written and oral vocabularies through various exercises, weekly quizzes and oral presentations
• Exhibit mastery in oral communication and presentation on various topics
• Become familiar with various testing strategies and develop ways of demonstrating knowledge

Literature

• Read longer works in a variety of styles
• Respond to levels of meaning in poetry
• Identify sequence of events in a novel and analyze characters in depth
• Evaluate a novel through critical review
• Develop and accept multiple interpretations of a text

History

• List the Progressive reforms introduced on the state and local levels and the reasons for their introduction. Awakening of American Imperialism
• Describe how immigration impacted the U. S.
• Relate how issues from the past may impact decisions made today.
• Analyze the Election of 1912.
• Examine the Square Deal, The New Freedom
  • Tariff reform
  • Compromising the trust issue
  • Federal trade Commission
  • Labor and The Antitrust laws
  • Wilson’s Social Justice
  • WWI
  • Treaty of Versailles
• Analyze how the U.S. became a world power
• Evaluate the New Deal
• Develop an understanding of major events in the 20th century (Great Depression, WWII, Cold War, Civil Rights and involvement in the Middle East)
• Discuss Current Events
• Map the Continents (political maps)

Spanish

• All students are able to pray from memory the basic prayers of the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be and to formulate their own personal prayer in Spanish. 
• They learn Spanish songs as a medium to hear the correct pronunciation of Spanish words, as a means for utilizing the language, and for simple enjoyment.
• Each grade develops a vocabulary to a minimum of 100 words times their grade level (800 words plus).
• Emphasis is made on pronouncing Spanish sounds and syllables correctly and on learning how to communicate using routine questions and responses of everyday life.
• They refine their grammatical skills to read, write and comprehend stories, dialogs and other miscellaneous writings, and to translate them from one language to the other.
• Grade 8 students learn to talk about classroom objects, activities, and rules, and other extracurricular and daily activities.
• They learn how to conjugate and utilize properly Ar, Er and Ir verbs in the present progressive, past imperfect, and past preterite tenses.
• Students manifest their understanding of the Spanish language by applying their acquired knowledge to real life situations.