Kindergarten

Language

Phonics and Reading: Our major objective is to understand all letter names and their corresponding sounds. We learn to distinguish rhyming words, determine short and long vowel sounds, work on beginning, middle and ending sounds in words, and begin to blend sounds to make words. We also begin to read and comprehend text across our curriculum.

Writing: First we have to develop fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination to hold a pencil and the physical act of forming letters and numerals. We move from making letters to putting them together to make words we understand, then on to making sentences to share our thoughts.

Math

Our major objective is to understand the sequence and quantity of numbers 1 – 20, including numeral recognition and counting. We focus on basic math concepts such as patterns, addition, subtraction, measuring, sorting and graphing.

Social Studies

We talk about rules and why they exist. We study major geographic features such as the Equator, North and South Poles, land and water regions on a map and globe, and our state of Kansas. And we learn to say the Pledge of Allegiance and to recognize the flag.

Science

We focus on the five senses, major body parts, parts of plants, animal characteristics and weather.

Special Activity

Our Kindergarten Bell Choir provides our students with an opportunity to develop mentally and physically. While they are producing music and having fun, they learn to focus, attend to task, recognize colors, concentrate, learn patience and control, and coordinate their body movements.

First Grade

Language

Reading: Our major objective is to have all students acquire and enhance their reading skills through phonics, spelling and reading lessons.

English: First grade focuses on identifying nouns and verbs, beginning writing skills, and enhancement of listening and speaking skills.

Math

First-grade math continues the students' acquisition of number knowledge with addition, subtraction and money skills. We also develop their problem-solving skills and apply them to real world situations.

Social Studies

We teach the students about their membership in God’s family. We also focus on Kansas history through the study of pioneer and Indian homes and lifestyles. The students learn about the major holidays throughout the year.

Science

First grade focuses on God's creations, especially plants, animals, weather and matter. We also develop their ability to conduct scientific inquiry while acknowledging that God is present in all we think, do and say.

Special Activity

Each spring we celebrate that God has made us for Himself and that Baptism has made us members of God's family. We do this through studying and examining our own Baptism and celebrating through our Baptismal Renewal Mass. This is an important stepping stone, setting the foundation for Reconciliation and First Communion in second grade.

Second Grade

Language

Reading: In second grade we focus on learning to read for pleasure, and we help the students move past simply decoding words.

English: Beginning with correct sentence structure, we move toward paragraph writing and on to story writing.

Math

We build on what the students have learned in first grade, moving on to addition and subtraction with multiple digits and regrouping. We learn money counting with coins and bills, telling time, fractions and symmetry.

Social Studies

In second grade, we focus on our role as members of a community, we learn map skills, and we discuss the difference between wants and needs.

Science

Our main focuses are the Solar System, life cycles, and the concepts of light and sound energy.

Special Activity

We study the country of Italy by locating it on a map or globe, discuss Vatican City and the pope, watch a video about life in Italy, make Italian flags and learn Italian words. The culmination is an Italian luncheon at school, which the children's families are invited to attend.

Third Grade

Language

Reading: The students continue to develop their phonetic awareness, but they also become more comfortable readers. They begin to read to learn instead of learning to read.

English: The students use journals, write letters, make cards, and continue to develop their writing conventions.

Math

Students are immersed in Math using many of the subject areas. They continue to develop all the basic practical applications as well as problem solving. Third graders work weekly on Accelerated Math.

Social Studies

We explore the landmarks and historical sites of Kansas City with books, the Internet, and all-day field trips. We also participate and celebrate holidays and ceremonies of cultural groups around the world.

Science

The focus for third grade is to plan and conduct a simple investigation. We involve the students in physical science, life science and earth science.

Special Activity

In Science, the students are involved in a Chick Embryology Unit. They learn the structure of the avian egg and are involved in a month-long experiment of incubating eggs and caring for the chickens after hatching.