Curriculum:
The Academic Program
The core of the academic program is oral and written language, reading and mathematics in the primary grades, with science and social studies taking on greater importance beginning in grade three. In grades 6 - 8, a departmental program is in place for instruction. Physical education, fine arts and computer classes are part of the required weekly program for grades K - 8.
An advanced math program is available for students in grades 5 - 8 who meet the 94% requirement in Terra Nova and final grades and who give evidence of an above average IQ.
Enrichment, remedial help and support of students with mild learning disabilities is available on a limited basis as determined by need and availability. To be served by the learning disabilities teacher, a formal testing must be on record.
For further details of the curriculum for each grade, please select a grade from the right column.
Religious Education
Religion and prayer, as taught in our school, is a way of life, not merely one other subject. The religion class lays the foundation for the formation of attitudes and the building of principles upon which the child will base his/her life.
The Religion curriculum is enhanced and supported by such practices as:
- beginning and ending the school day with prayer
- celebrating liturgy for First Friday at the 9:30 a.m. Mass
- encouraging parents to join in school and parish liturgical celebrations
- attending class mass on Tuesdays and Thursdays
- preparing for reception of sacraments and the feast of Easter with special days of retreat
- conducting workshops for parents to help them better understand the commitment their children are making when they receive the Sacraments
- providing monthly times of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
- praying the Stations of the Cross with students during Lent
- providing devotions to Mary and the saints
- encouraging students to contribute to charitable and missionary endeavors
All students are required to attend religious instruction and attend liturgical and para-liturgical services and share in the prayer-life of the community.
The spiritual realities taught in school must also be incorporated into the shared family activity. A child needs to see parents and relatives as examples and supporters of their implementation of Christian principles. The liturgical and sacramental life which a child learns and experiences in school must be enhanced by the family as they attend Holy Mass and share a personal faith life. Parents are expected to see that their children attend Sunday Mass regularly and receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Parents of other faith traditions are likewise expected to attend Church services with their children.
Pre-Kindergarten
Our Pre-K program strives to provide a creative learning environment in a relaxed, informal and fun atmosphere. Our program is developmental in nature with a religious emphasis in all areas: social, emotional, physical and cognitive. We hope to instill in each child a sense of curiosity, creativity and a love for learning that will set a pattern of life.
Our curriculum emphasizes development in language skills, pre-math skills, number concepts and motor skills. The children participate in activities involving play, stories, songs, games, art, cooking, science experiment and music. Our classroom is planned with learning centers, in which the children can move around freely and learn by doing.
Kindergarten
In a warm, caring, risk-free environment, the kindergarten teachers model and manifest Catholic beliefs, values, and attitudes. Young children are encouraged to develop a positive image of themselves and to respect others as they begin to live the Gospel Message.
Religion - The Kindergarten religion program stimulates the young children to express their relationship with the Lord through spontaneous prayers. Concrete language and gestures are encouraged to deepen the meaning of the prayer experience. Hand-on activities, songs, dramatizations, fingerplays, stories and liturgies provide opportunities to our students to develop a relationship with God.
Mathematics - Math involves the relationships between numbers, objects and shapes. Students develop strong basic skills in the areas of numbers, numeration and operations of whole numbers to 10, measurement including time, days and calendar, and problem solving and applications including money.
Language Arts - In Kindergarten, children consistently develop and integrate all five elements of the communication cycle such as listening, speaking, reading, writing and handwriting.
First Grade
Religion - Our religion series is based on a spiral curriculum. The pillars of this spiral curriculum correspond to the four books of catechism: Creed (what we believe), Sacraments (celebrating what we believe), Commandments (living what we believe) and Prayer (responding to what we believe). Our main focus will be: the Trinity, baptism, salvation, love and basic prayers.
Mathematics - We will concentrate on basic addition and subtraction facts through 20. The students will be taught basic Math concepts through the following skills: Problem solving and logical reasoning, place value for 2 and 3 digit numbers, odd and even numbers, skip counting, fact families for addition and subtraction, meaning of multiplication as repeated addition, fractions as equal parts, measurements of time, length, volume, capacity and general area, calculator skills, visual interpretations of graphs and diagrams and counting and estimating money from one cent to one dollar.
Reading - Our reading program is geared toward the emergent reader. Students are taught specific skills that will help them learn how to read with understanding. These skills include: comprehension, reading for enjoyment, vowel digraphs, plurals, suffixes, root words, multiple meaning words, contractions, synonyms, antonyms, elements of a story, main ideas, inferential meaning, draw conclusions, determine setting, plot and characters, sustained silent reading, and writing book reports and letters.
Phonics - Students learn Short and long vowels, auditory discrimination, medial consonants, compound words, inflectional endings, consonant digraphs and blends, and final /y/ as a vowel.
Spelling - We develop and expand each student's vocabulary, dictionary, proofreading and writing skills simultaneously. We begin with ten spelling words per week and will move to twelve spelling words and dictation sentences.
Handwriting - We continue refining the printing skills. The effort and time each student puts into their handwriting will be directly reflected in the assessment of each subject's work.
Second Grade
Religion - The religion program for second grade centers on the Church as a community of God's people. This community is formed through the sacraments of Baptism, strengthened through the Eucharist and reconciled through the Penance. The children, through class instruction, testing, and participation in liturgies, will learn and experience First Reconciliation and Eucharist. Throughout the year there is an emphasis on participation at Mass to help get ready for First Communion. They celebrate the different seasons of the Church: Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter and Pentecost. This allows the children to realize how time and seasons effect our relationship with God and others.
Mathematics - The second grade Math program stresses the fact that Math plays a big part in everyday activities. Problem solving is emphasized daily using logical reasoning in addition and subtraction word problems. Number facts through 20 are drilled for rapid recall. Some of the skills taught are regrouping in both operations; counting money using all coins and one dollar bills; telling time in 5 minute increments; comparing numbers using < and > signs; completing patterns; identifying geometric shapes; using a number line; distinguishing odd and even numbers; using tables and graphs to obtain information; naming place value positions through 100; understanding fractions; and multiplying by 1, 2, 5, and 10.
Reading -In second grade, reading is presented as a pleasurable activity. Some definite skills taught involve vocabulary, phonics (vowels, consonants, digraphs, homonyms, antonyms, synonyms), decoding words, word building, comprehensive, main idea/details, character analysis, setting, problem solving, grammar structures, writing styles, author's purpose, oral reading and other skills to help the children function in today's world.
Spelling - Basic words are taught and tested in the beginning of second grade. The spelling curriculum is then expanded to include harder words, words relating to certain subjects, words about literature, and our catholic faith.
English - In second grade basic grammar is introduced. The students are taught to identify the four kinds of sentences (telling, asking, exclaiming and commanding); parts of speech (nouns, verbs, adjectives, pronouns and adverbs); rules of capitalization; parts of a letter; using the correct writing pieces collected in portfolios; identifying the topic, main idea and details in paragraphs; subject and predicate; expository writing (book reports, invitations, thank you notes and paragraphs); and identifying rhyming words. Poetry is introduced.
Penmanship - The Palmer Method is used in both manuscript and cursive writing. Manuscript is reviewed and used until second quarter when cursive handwriting is introduced and taught the rest of the year. Neatness and legibility are always emphasized.
Science - Science is a minor subject in second grade. General grades are given (E, G, S, NI, U) based on tests and projects. Major topics covered are the ocean, dinosaurs, solar systems, weather, magnets and matter.
Social Studies - Second grade focuses on communities. The importance of rules and laws, being a good citizen, and how we celebrate national holidays are studied. Map skills taught include cardinal directions, map keys, recognizing land and water forms, familiarity with a globe, and knowing basic geography terms.
Third Grade
The St. James third grade curriculum provides in-depth opportunities for intellectual, social, emotional and spiritual development of each child.
Religion - Our solid religion program nurtures faith, hope and love in students and supplements their development of Christian attitudes and values. During the year, the students study Catechism, Scripture, Bible stories, the Sacraments of vocation, Reconciliation, Eucharist and the Commandments. The students learn to be conscious of God's presence and guidance in their lives and develop habits that deepen their faith.
Mathematics - The Houghton Mifflin Mathematics series was adopted in 2003-2004. This series uses a systematic step-by-step approach to developing mathematics concepts and skills. The focus is on problem solving and reasoning. Key components include: memorization of addition , subtraction and multiplication facts, place value, money and time, addition and subtraction regrouping, multiplication/ division concepts and facts, geometry, measurement, data and probability, and fractions and decimals.
Reading - The Houghton Mifflin Reading series is comprehensive and cross curricular. It includes links to science, social studies, careers, art and technology. The genres of adventure, traditions, trickster tales, fantasy, realism and biography are explored. These themes teach skills such as: reading strategies, decoding, comprehension elements, vocabulary, spelling, grammar, information and study skills, fluency and listening. The theme-writing process includes student writing and a Model and Reading-Writing Workshop.
Spelling - A Reason for Spelling, is the foundation for learning to spell. Each week begins with a scripture verse, followed by a theme story that develops the principles found in that verse. The students identify spelling patterns which strengthens phonemic awareness. The students write dictated words to complete sentences. This strengthens their word usage, context skills and maintenance of spelling skills. Through daily lessons, challenge words and other word forms, the students are encouraged to master high frequency words.
English - Third grade English is an exploration of the world through the spoken and written word. The major areas of study include: writing, grammar, correct usage, mechanics, dictionary and library skills, speaking and listening skills and literature. Good composition skills are developed. Students learn the steps of re-writing, revising, proofreading and publishing.
Penmanship - The third grade students improve their penmanship skills using A Reason For Writing, also a Scripture based text. The students are encouraged to improve their penmanship by exhibiting correct formation, spacing, slant, capitalization, punctuation and readability.
Phonics - This is the final year of phonics as a dedicated subject. Phonics reinforces reading, writing, listening, speaking and spelling skills. The thematic units cover: consonant s-variant and digraphs, blends; short and long vowels; syllables; compound words; y as a vowel; r-controlled vowels, vowel digraphs, dipthongs; contractions; suffixes, prefixes, multi-syllabic words; synonyms, antonyms, homonyms; and dictionary skills.
Science - The MacMillan McGraw Hill Science text provides topics that include study of: living things grow and change; relationships of living things; the solar systems; geology; and forces and simple machines. Super Science Magazine and Science projects provide enrichment to the program.
Social Studies - The curriculum includes study of: map skills (scale, key, compass directions, timelines, graphs), latitude and longitude, communities (cities and states), farms (cotton, rice, dairy, cattle ranches), community services and workers, government (local) and holidays.
Fourth Grade
Religion - The fourth grade religion program focuses on the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, learning prayer and Mass rituals, supplement units on Advent, Lent, Saints and Feast Days and the Sacraments of Reconciliation.
Mathematics - The fourth grade Math covers multiplication and division facts, multiplying double and triple digits, long division, introduction of fractions, adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators and unlike denominators, introduction of Geometry, and logical thinking strategies to problem solving.
Spelling - Weekly lessons focus on specific skills such as consonant sounds, short-vowel sounds, long-vowel sounds, suffixes, prefixes, vowel digraphs, irregular plurals, possessives and contractions.
Reading -Comprehension, oral reading skills, poetry, play reading, library skills, and independent reading are developed in fourth grade.
English - Various writing activities, letter writing skills, learning the writing process, proofreading, nouns, verbs, direct objects, adverbs, adjectives and handwriting is the focus of the English program.
Science - The fourth grade students study units of Plants and Animals, Weather, Oceans of Air, and Earth's Oceans. There is a focus on study skills and note taking.
Social Studies - The topics of Regions of the Earth, Our Country's Land, The People of the United States, Geography of the Northeast, Southeast, Middle West and South West -long ago and today are studied. There is a focus on study skills and note taking.
Fifth Grade
Religion - The fifth grade religion program focuses on the Seven Sacraments, the Mass (all of the parts in detail), Works of Mercy, prayer and worship, integration of prayer and good works in all areas of life, and the Rosary recitation and the four sets of the mysteries.
Mathematics - The fifth grade Math covers addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of whole numbers, fractions and decimals, measurements (metric and customary), Geometry, problem solving and applications, an introduction to statistics, probability and Algebra, and place value.
Spelling - The fifth grade uses this skill throughout every curriculum area; and continue to learn to spell new words and review words that are familiar in everyday usage.
Reading - Comprehension skills, word attack skills and vocabulary are developed.
English - Grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation are a focus.
Creative Writing - Five steps of the writing process, use of imagination in writing paragraphs, poems and acrostics are taught.
Penmanship - Cursive writing is emphasized by reviewing the formation of all lower and upper case letters and continuous practice in writing.
Science - The fifth grade studies patterns, cycles and systems in Life Science (vertebrate, invertebrates, human body, classification of living things and structure of plants); and patterns, cycles and systems in Earth Science (oceanography and ecosystems).
Social Studies - The United States history is our focus: settling the Americas, Europeans coming to America, the English Colonies, the American Revolution, the Constitution, the Civil War, changes in the West, the rise of Modern America and looking to the future; Canada and Latin America; Geography of the United States; and Georgia history: key people, places, and events in the state (The highlight of this topic is the Georgia Day Parade - the study of a famous Georgian, the making of a banner depicting the life story, marching in parade dressed in the colonial costumes makes studying Georgia history very exciting!).
Sixth Grade
Religion - The sixth grade biblical scholars go on a wonderful journey into the Old Testament, traveling with God's chosen people. First, our journey teaches us that God is speaking to us today through the Hebrew Scripture and that we are all on a spiritual journey to God's Promise Land. Next, we construct spiritual ID plaques, spiritual backpack, miniature scrolls, etc. for our travels and delve into the everlasting stories told in our Holy Bible. Then, we live and breathe the Good News of the Christian Scripture. Finally, sixth grade students learn to understand that 'True Love' means to bring another especially themselves closer to Jesus, the Perfect Revelation, and that Prayer is our invitation for Jesus to enter into our lives.
Mathematics - Our sixth grade math whizzes develop and master many concepts and techniques. First, sixth graders dive into real life problem solving mysteries to evaluate each like a true detective. They develop the 'Trial and Err' method and the E. A. 'Poe' technique. Next, they brainstorm algebraic expressions, frequency tables and decimal problems. Then, our geometric researchers construct angles using protractors. They learn to find the areas and perimeters of different geometric figures. Finally, they learn to evaluate fractions of many shapes and sizes.
Science - Our sixth grade scientists explore, experiment and perform many hands-on activities to ensure the most efficient way to learn the many old concepts and new ideas of our world. First, they analyze and critically think about Isaac Newton's 3 Laws of Motion. Next our sixth grade engineers electrify our classroom with models of currents and circuits. They demonstrate their knowledge of moving electrons. Then, our sixth grade meteorologists diagram and label weather maps. They learn to record data to be used in charts and graphs. Finally, they learn the Scientific Method process to record data in journal and to analyze the results obtained in the experiments.
English - Students will work in the Loyola series, Voyages in English Text and workbook. Level F enhances Grammar with grade level Science, Social Studies, Language Arts and Character Education. Instruction and reinforcement of grammar, syntax and mechanics are designed to help students build comprehensive skills applicable to other subject areas. Research skills on the Internet is correlated with instruction on the Dewey Decimal, the Guides to Periodicals and Biographical information. Profiles of multicultural role models are studied to enrich student's lives.
Vocabulary - Sadlier Oxford's Vocabulary Workshop, level A will introduce the students to the content of an enhanced edition of word study and sentence structure.
Reading - Students will study the Houghton Milton series. They study themes that focus on stories of triumphs, relating life skills of which they will be able to apply to their own world of experience. Class instruction and interaction entails poetry, drama and skills development, maintenance and assessment.
Social Studies - McMillan/ McGraw-Hill, The World Past and Present/ East and West focuses on the regions of the world. This series stresses on history, geography, citizenship and humanities. Students will study the five themes of geography and the ancient civilizations through modern times.
Seventh Grade
Religion - The students will continue to develop their personal and spiritual growth in the Catholic faith through a teaching process which emphasizes understanding reflection, and conversation. Students will be drawn more deeply into the sacramental life of the Church by becoming more involved with a variety of prayer and worship. Students will explore the New Testament, venture into the beginnings of Church history, and learn to carry God's Word off into everyday life by focusing on integrating the Ten Commandments into their family life. Texts used: Church History: A course on the the People of God by Sadlier-Oxford, New Testament: A course on Jesus Christ and His Disciples by Sadlier-Oxford and Family Life by Benziger.
Mathematics - Students will work in the Glencoe series, Mathematics, Applications and Connections Course 2. Review of previous skills will continue throughout the year. The students will be introduced to new concepts such as order of operations, integers, basic equations and square roots. Evaluation will be in the form of homework, quizzes, participation and tests.
English - Students will work in the Loyola series, Voyages in English, Course 7. Review of previous skills will be maintained through instruction, and new skills will be introduced involving pronouns, nouns, prepositions, adjectives, verbs, conjunctions, adverbs and interjections. The students will also continue to be refined, including work in prewriting, proofreading and revisiting. The students will gain experience with many genres of writing including poetry, creative writing, informative writing, fables and persuasive writing. Assessments will be in form of quizzes, tests, participation and homework.
Literature - Students will work in the Prentice Hall series, Literature: Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes. Genres covered will include drama, short series, nonfiction, poetry and folk tales. Reading will take place both during class and independently. Classes will involve group discussion, focusing on themes, vocabulary and plot development. Assessment will be in forms of participation, homework, quizzes, tests, and essays.
Life Science - Students will continue to build their knowledge of science by developing an understanding of the world around them through content and practice of skills. Students will gain an understanding of the major themes devoted to the science of life. Text used: Life Science by McGraw Hill. These themes include change over time, homeostasis, stability and Ecology. Students will participate in hands-on activities which promote various problem solving skills. Evaluation will be in the form of homework, classwork, quizzes, tests, labs and participation.
American History - The purpose of this course is to cover prehistory until 1877 in America, helping students of all abilities to master core American History content. Text used: The American Nation by Prentice Hall. The contents will be delivered through text, transparencies and skill mastery. This will enable the students to turn information into meaning through instruction, continuous reinforcement and application.
Eighth Grade
Religion - The purpose of this class is to prepare the eighth grade for the Sacrament of Confirmation, which include the gifts and the fruits on the Holy Spirit. Texts used: Liturgy and Worship by Sadlier, Morality by Sadlier and Jesus Send Your Spirit. There will be a review of the prayers, symbols, rituals and sacraments of the Church. They will also study the liturgical seasons, Mary and the saints. In addition to this, they cover Christian morality with regards to sin, conscience, commandments and virtues. The eighth grade will be responsible to assist in the preparations of Friday Masses.
Mathematics - Students will work in the Glencoe series, Mathematics, Applications and Connections Course 3. Review of previous skills will continue throughout the year (in more detail and on a more challenging level). The students will be introduced to new concepts such as consumer math, more advanced geometric concepts and functions. Emphasis will be on weaving algebraic reasoning into the curriculum. Evaluation will be in the form of homework, quizzes, participation and tests.
English - Students will work in the Loyola series, Voyages in English, Course 8. Review of previous skills will be maintained through instruction, and new skills will be introduced involving pronouns, nouns, prepositions, adjectives, verbs, conjunctions, adverbs and interjections. The students will also continue to expand their vocabulary through Sadlier-Oxford's Vocabulary Workshop, Level C. Writing skills will continue to be refined, including work in combining clauses, word substitution, and using creative tools for writing such as similes, metaphors and alliteration. The students will gain experience with many genres of writing including business and social letters, comparison and contrast and descriptive, expository and persuasive paragraphs. Assessments will be in form of quizzes, tests, participation and homework.
Literature - Students will work in the Prentice Hall series, Literature: Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes. While many genres may be covered, emphasis will be on drama and short series. Four novels will be covered during the year. Although there will be some time for in class reading of the novels, most reading will be done independently followed by quizzes and in class discussion. Assessment will be in forms of classwork, participation, homework, quizzes and tests.
Earth Science - Students will continue to build their knowledge of science by developing an understanding of the world around them through content and practice of skills. Students will gain an understanding of the major themes devoted to the science of earth. Text used: Earth Science by McGraw Hill. These themes include energy, patterns of change, scale and structure, and systems and interactions. Students will participate in hands-on activities which promote various problem solving skills. Evaluation will be in the form of homework, classwork, quizzes, tests, labs and participation.
American History - The purpose of this course is to cover the period of American History from the Civil War to the present. Text used: The American Nation by Prentice Hall. There will be a clarification in an understanding of our nation's heritage of unity and determination in times of crisis, instilling the fore values of democracy, free enterprise and the rule of law. Students will explore concepts of freedom and justice through primary sources and the benefits and challenges of living in an open and tolerant society.
Art
Art Education as SJS teaches children to recognize that Art is a universal visual language that can be learned and expressed by all children. Art Education is cumulative instruction in content, knowledge and skills.
Grades K, 1 and 2: Study artists such as Paul Klee, Georges Seurat and Henri Mattise; study skills: cutting, drawing and painting; study varied art and craft projects using fine motor skills to improve development; introduction of primary and secondary colors and shapes; and explore the use of various art mediums. Grading system using E, G, S, NI and U based on respectful behavior, cooperation during class time and completion of assignments.
Grade 3 and 4: Study artists such as Tao-Chi, Mary Cassatt and Pablo Picasso; emphasis on elements of design, use of color; and projects may include drawing, portrait painting, pinch & coil clay pots, Chinese brush painting.
Grade 5 and 6: Study artists such as Paul Cezanne, Vincent Van Gogh and Leonardo DaVinci; emphasis on principles of design, color and light; and projects may include oil painting, scratch art, chalk pastel still life and decoupage.
Grade 7 and 8: Study artists such as Alexander Calder, Georgia O'Keefe and Andy Warhol; emphasis on design and abstraction; and projects may include mobils, copper etching and oil pastel drawing.
Computer
PK - Students begin with computers already logged on and programs are loaded. They learn to use the mouse and keyboard to create simple documents and complete worksheets. They learn to use computer commands such as Save, Copy and Paste. They also learn to use some computer vocabulary, correct typing of name and educational software. Creative Writer 2 software is used for word processing.
Grades K - Students begin and end each class on the computer desktop. They learn to open the software and their files; produce simple documents or complete already saved documents; and work on computer vocabulary, basic hardware names, typing skills and an educational software. Emphasis is on moving the cursor, editing, copying and pasting between documents, and allowing creativity by highlighting and changing font and color. Students are walked through the steps for saving and retrieving their work in a file on the network. Creative Writer 2 software is used for word processing.
Grade 1 - Students begin and end each class on the computer desktop. They produce longer documents or add more to already saved documents. Emphasis on moving the cursor, editing, copying and pasting between documents, and allowing creativity by highlighting and changing font and color. Students learn to save and retrieve their work in a file on the network and to change filenames. They build on computer vocabulary, basic hardware and typing skills and educational software. They are walked through the steps for printing to the correct printer. Creative Writer 2 software is used for word processing.
Grade 2 - Students learn to begin with log on to the computers and to end with saving to their personal drive. Their work is longer and requires more creative writing to complete the assignments. They continue to build on computer vocabulary, basic hardware and typing skills and educational software. Creative Writer 2 software is used for word processing.
Grade 3 - Students continue to log on the computers and save to their personal drive. They start to use the Print Preview function for checking their work before printing. They are introduced to Windows (the different bars, icons and commands) and to the new features of Word. They learn to use Windows Explorer and to right click the mouse to move their information to the Completed folder. Emphasis is on word processing used to reinforce classroom subjects. They continue to build on computer vocabulary, basic hardware and typing skills and educational software. Students work with Creative Writer 2, Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Publisher and Paint.
Grade 4 - Students continue to log on the computers and save to their personal drive, and to use the Print Preview function for checking their work before printing. Students are required to maintain a notebook. They are required to edit documents to go into this folder and they are given instruction sheets to complete their assignments. Emphasis is on word processing skills (formatting and correcting their work). Students are introduced to basic concepts in Paint and spreadsheets. They learn to copy from Word and paste into Publisher. They continue to build on computer vocabulary, basic hardware and typing skills and educational software. Students work with Creative Writer 2, Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Publisher and Paint.
Grade 5 - The upper grade students continue to use all skills taught in the lower grades. Students are required to maintain a notebook. They are required to edit documents to go into this folder and they are given instruction sheets to complete their assignments. Emphasis is on word processing skills (used for classroom research projects). Students learn to create a newspaper using their skills of copying from Word and pasting into Publisher. They continue to build on word processing and spreadsheets skills, computer vocabulary, basic hardware and typing skills and educational software. Students work with Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Publisher and Paint.
Grade 6-8 - The upper grade students continue to use all skills taught in the lower grades. Students are required to maintain a notebook. They are required to edit documents to go into this folder and they are given instruction sheets to complete their assignments. Emphasis is on word processing skills and the use of internet for classroom research projects. Students learn to create a newspaper using their skills of copying from Word and pasting into Publisher. They continue to build on word processing and spreadsheets skills, computer vocabulary, basic hardware and typing skills and educational software. Students work with Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Publisher and Paint.
Grade 8 - In addition to the above, they create a power point slide show.
Physical Education
SJS Physical Education Program offers a variety of activities for all of our students and expect them to actively participate in each activity. The students' final grade comes from points earned for participation and conduct.
Grades PK - 4th: Building a Foundation - Grades Pre-K through 4 represent the earliest age at which children are introduced to a wide range of skill themes and movement concepts.
- Locomotor skills - running, hopping, skipping, galloping, chasing, fleeing and dodging
- Nonmanipulative skills - turning, twisting, rolling, balancing, transferring weight, jumping and landing, stretching and curling
- Manipulative skills - throwing and catching, kicking and punting, dribbling, volleying and striking with implements
- Movement Concepts of Location (self-space/general space), Direction (up/down, forward/backward, right/left, and clockwise/counter-clockwise), Level (low/medium/high), Pathways (straight/curved/zigzag) and Extensive (large/small and far/near)
Grades 5th - 8th: Exploring Possibilities - Grades 5 through 8 focuses on exposing students to a broad array of content area designed to stimulate interest in lifetime and health - enhancing activities such as Volleyball, Badminton, Floor Hockey, Circuit Training, Ultimate Frisbee, Basketball, Ultimate Football, etc.
Spanish
Spanish students review previously learned material and integrate new material presented during each class period.
Primary Grades PK - 2: Students will learn the Spanish alphabet and recognize the simple words associated with alphabet. They will learn the colors, numbers (1-20), shapes, days of the week and the months of the year, greetings and simple children's songs. They will learn to recite prayers such as 'Our Father', 'Hail Mary', etc. in Spanish.
Elementary Grades 3 - 5: Students will learn the alphabet with word association, number counting (1-50), colors, shapes, days of the week, months, seasons and telling time. They will learn many common expressions used in the target languages with in the Hispanic countries. Students at this level will be begin to read short passages for comprehension in content and to learn basic grammar. They will have some common knowledge on Spanish-speaking countries and their culture. They will continue to recite prayers such as 'Our Father', 'Hail Mary', etc. in Spanish.
Intermediate Grades 6 - 8: Students will start conjugating regular and irregular verbs. Expand Spanish vocabulary and grammar skills. They will read passages for comprehension in content and answer questions about the content. They will learn about culture and traditions in Spanish-speaking countries. They will continue to recite prayers such as 'Our Father', 'Hail Mary', etc. in Spanish.