Fourth Grade

Reading

In fourth grade, we focus on fluency, comprehension and vocabulary development, as well as literature components such as main idea, reading for details, making predictions and inferences, and comparing and contrasting. We use a variety of genres to teach these skills -- mysteries, biographies, poetry and novels.

Math

We use our knowledge of basic facts to extend our skills to long multiplication and division, build problem-solving skills and explore Geometry.

Social Studies

We study various regions of the United States to learn about their unique qualities and to see how they are interdependent.

Science

The topics covered in fourth grade Science include light, sound, electricity, magnets, ecosystems, adaptations, life cycles and body systems. Process and inquiry skills are a major part of the curriculum and are addressed through a variety of experiments and activities.

Special Activity

"Growing" a paper rain forest in the hallway enables us to integrate science concepts such as ecosystems, adaptations, life cycles and animal classification with principles of Catholic Social Teaching, such as care for God's creation and the dignity of the human person.

Fifth Grade

Reading

In fifth grade, we focus on comprehension, developing skills to find meaning in context, expanding vocabulary, and connecting information. We also focus on fluency to help the students read in a meaningful way by utilizing punctuation and peer reading. Students also practice grammar usage along with the writing process and the use of the six traits of writing.

Math

The fifth-grade math curriculum places emphasis on using whole numbers, fractions and decimals in computation and word problem-solving. A variety of estimation strategies are practiced. The concepts of "greatest common factor" and "least common multiple" are introduced. Geometric shapes and solids are studied , including faces, edges, and vertices. Measurement conversion of both the customary and metric system is practiced.

Social Studies

We focus on Native American interaction with European explorers, the growth of the 13 colonies and the causes of the Revolutionary War. We study the development of our government leading to the Constitution of the United States.

Science

The fifth-grade science curriculum includes units of study on weather, force and motion, types of energy and energy transfer, plant characteristics and classification, oceanography, planetary systems and natural disasters.

Sixth Grade

Reading

Listening, speaking and writing are the emphasis. Students write prayers, participate in Readers' Theater and write an I-Search (research) Paper.

Math

We study problem-solving skills, number theory, computation, basic algebra, geometry and data (probabilities and statistics).

Social Studies

We explore the Ancient World (Mesopotamia, Egypt, India and China) through the study of their governmental structures, economic systems and geography.

Science

Students learn how scientific investigations are conducted and how to understand the findings of the investigation. Students then study cells and the importance of respecting life at all stages. Next, we learn about the different body systems and that our body is a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Finally, we learn about the beauty of God's earth by studying the layers of the Earth, plate tectonics, volcanoes and earthquakes.

Special Activity

In sixth grade, we create volcanoes. With this project, we research a famous volcano, create a travel brochure and then present the brochure to the class. This project links our Science, Language Arts and Religion curriculums together.