Each of the core disciplines has its role to play in the building up of the whole child and each has its own more specific set of objectives for the different stages at which it is being taught. Quite simply, the Trivium; grammar, logic and rhetoric stages, matches the development of the student's brain. At each stage there are things we want children to know, things they ought to be able to do, and habits, dispositions, or aptitudes they ought to have acquired or be acquiring. Considering these in detail and in light of the general objectives of each subject, and considering each subject in light of the overall end, teachers in specific subjects and at specific stages can see how each stage builds upon the previous stage, how their work contributes to the ‘finished product’, and how they can tailor specific classes and methods to serve these ideals more effectively.
Our curriculum is divided into developmental and historical segments. See our K-8 Model for more details.
Kindergarten: In the Beginning
Grade 1: The Cradle of Civilization Part I
Grade 2: The Cradle of Civilization Part II
Third Grade: Ancient/Medieval Year
Fourth Grade: Modern/American Year
Fifth Grade: Ancient/Medieval Year
Sixth Grade: Modern/American Year
RELIGION
Joyful introduction to God’s love in the Catholic faith; Bible stories; memorize 18 catechism questions; Mass, Blessed Mother and saints; English and Latin prayers; memorize Bible verses; virtues; corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Seton.
MEMORY WORK
Learning through age-appropriate engaging songs, games, and hands-on tracing and activities; children delight in these activities as they master important information and facts. Days of the week, months of the year, days in the months; continents and oceans; and much more.
LANGUAGE ARTS
Explicit phonics along with multi- sensory, direct and Socratic instruction (Orton-based method); master all 70 phonograms; recognize and recite all letters of the alphabet; blend sounds into words; begin reading; comprehension skills and reading strategies; readers; classic literature; speaking and listening skills. Spell six new words a day. Weekly presentations. Text: Spell to Write and Read or Saxon
Introduction to manuscript method. Students form the 26 letters of the alphabet as they study the first 26 phoneme/grapheme relationships (phonograms) through dictated oral instructions using 8 checkpoints: 2, 10, 8 and 4 on a clock face.
Introduce sentence structure; begin the study of grammar and syntax by analyzing original simple sentences using direct instruction; show and tell.
To foster a capacity to remember and sustain attention and cultivate a love for what is noble and high, each day teachers read great works of literature (e.g., children‘s versions of Homer) to students over the course of a number of days. These texts are read slowly, with the teacher pausing to explain or discuss difficult phrases and ideas, so that children improve their own vocabulary and begin to discover the wonders of language and the power of big ideas. They are encouraged to place themselves imaginatively within the historical period to understand how that culture thought about the True, the Good, and the Beautiful, and the nature of God and man.
What Would Plato Do? Socratic discussions teach students to begin questioning and discussing stories, pictures, fables, or proverbs according to four rules: 1. Read the text carefully. 2. Listen to what others say and don‘t interrupt. 3. Speak clearly. 4. Give others your respect.
Students memorize, recite, and narrate poems daily; public speaking practice each day, and once a month in front of the entire school assembly.
MATH
Count, read and write numbers from 1- 100; counting by ones, twos, fives and tens; addition, subtraction; two-step problem solving; concepts and terms of orientation; sequence; shapes, colors, calendar, money; measurement; temperature; telling time to the quarter hour, half hour and hour;
HISTORY/GEOGRAPHY
Learning through living books and fun activities, students are introduced to figures and events in ancient, medieval, modern, and American history. Relationships between people in a community, a country, and the world; geography; community helpers; rules and laws; Family and Bible history, and Catholic saints and other heroes are integrated throughout the various time periods and cultures.
TIMELINE
An engaging timeline song introduces children to the important names and events of history which they will encounter in further depth in future years.
SCIENCE/HEALTH
Four seasons; five senses; health; plants; animals; seashore; magnetism; hygiene and proper nutrition; simple hands-on experiments; intro to scientific method.
LATIN
Introduction to Latin prayers and hymns.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Fitness testing at the beginning and end of year; daily exercise and stretching; running; ball-handling skills; games; master motor skills such as skipping, running, and hopping; participate in individual and team sports. Exemplary Physical Education Curriculum.
MUSIC
Introduction to vocal skill development through the singing of sacred hymns, and patriotic and folk songs. Four-year cycle includes appreciation, history, theory, and practice. Emphasis is on classical and sacred music. A sacred hymn is sung daily, and nine hymns are mastered each year. Daily exposure to classical music. Classical Kids Series, Music Masters series.
ART
Various crafts involving cutting, pasting, painting, coloring and drawing; exposure to great works of art and artists.
LIBRARY
Visits to the library; basic introduction to title, author, and illustrator.
FIELD TRIPS