BMCS CURRICULUM GUIDE PK-5

Bishop McNamara Catholic School is a vibrant, warm and welcoming community centered upon the teachings of Jesus Christ.

curriculum guide

Our dedicated teachers prepare your child to

pk3–5th grades

grow to his/her greatest

Inspiring a lifelong love of learning and giving.

ministry to help students

Our school is a place where the students learn from each other, from their environment, and through educational experiences —it is a place where childhood dreams exist.

potential, both spiritually and academically. It is our recognize, foster, and exhibit their role in carrying out our Catholic values and traditions.

Bishop McNamara Catholic School provides an exceptional learning

BMCS Bradley Site 247 N. Center Ave. Bradley, IL 60915 815-933-8013 BMCS Bourbonnais Site 324 E. Marsile St. Bourbonnais, IL 60914 815-933-7758

environment that develops critical thinking skills through a variety of learning opportunities.

The strong community, high academic standards, and celebration of the Catholic faith are the reasons parents choose Bishop McNamara Catholic School as a wise investment for their child.

FAST FACTS BMCS Bourbonnais School Hours PK3 Full Day: 7:45am - 2:45pm Half Day: 7:45am- 11:15am PK4 - 5th Grade 7:45am - 2:45pm

BMCS Bradley School Hours PK3 Full Day: 8:10am - 3:00pm Half Day: 8:10am - 11:30am PK4-5th Grade 8:10am - 3:00pm

Hot Lunch/ Daily Snack

There is a hot lunch program available to all students. Orders are placed every two weeks and paid for through our FACTS Family Portal. Students may bring in a daily snack as indicated by classroom teacher.

Uniforms

Students in grades K-5th wear uniforms that vary by gender and season. School uniforms are purchased through Lands End Uniform Shop.

Extended Day

The Extended Day program is available to all families on days we are in session. Extended Day services are available before school beginning at 6:30 am and after school until 5:30 pm. On days where we have an early dismissal, Extended Day begins at the time of dismissal.

Parent Ambassadors Parent volunteers are welcome! All parent ambassadors/volunteers are required to complete a VIRTUS/Protecting God’s Children course before volunteering in the school.

Upon completion you may volunteer in your child’s classroom or at any school sponsored event.

Important Documents Required for Enrollment Online Enrollment Application found in FACTS • Birth Certificate • Physical and Dental Exams per Illinois State Law • Vaccination Records and/or Immunization Objection Form

pre-kindergarten 3 Philosophy The 3-year-old Pre-Kindergarten program promotes exploration within both a structured and nurturing learning environment.

Our child-centered program promotes and supports inquiry and exploration, as well as social-emotional development. Children are met where they are in their development, and they develop intellectual curiosity as they unfold their God-given gifts.

admission Requirements In order to enroll in our 3-year old Preschool program, your child must be: • 3 years old by September 1 • fully potty trained

Daily Curriculum Includes • count, compare, read, and write numbers to 10 • develop self-care skills (getting dressed, putting shoes on, and washing hands) • correctly begin to print his/her name • develop independence and social skills through play and structured classroom activities • recognize basic colors and shapes • exhibit Christian behavior by helping and caring for others • engage in active play using gross motor skills (jumping, throwing, climbing)

weekly educational experiences • Music Class • PE Class • Art Class • Visit to School Library

pre-kindergarten 4 Philosophy The 4-year-old Pre-Kindergarten program allows children to engage their hearts and minds in their learning every day. The program is designed to meet the developmental needs of children through purposeful play and inquiry-based exploration.

Students in our 4-year-old program begin working on age appropriate academics that will prepare them for Kindergarten.

admission Requirements In order to enroll in our 4-year old Preschool program, your child must be: • 4 years old by April 1 • fully potty trained

Daily Curriculum Includes

• count, compare, read, and write numbers to 20 • sort objects by traits like color, shape, and size • religion (daily prayer, Bible stories, crafts and prayer experiences) • recognize number, letters and colors • name uppercase and lowercase letters • fine motor skills through classroom activities • work independently • develop skills for problem solving and decision making through social experiences • exhibit Christian behavior by helping and caring for others

weekly educational experiences • Music Class • PE Class • Art Class • Technology Class • Journal Writing • Visit to School Library • Prayer Buddies at Mass

kindergarten Religion

Students learn through stories, activities, prayer, and reflection about the Catholic faith and how we can be better followers of Jesus.

Mathematics

Develop beginning math skills through the use of hands-on experiences, problem solving and application.

• compare numbers • understand addition and subtraction • identify and describe shapes • analyze, compare, create, and compose shapes

Reading / Language Arts

Instruction is adapted to sequential and comprehensive, and is adapted to meet individual differences.

• phonemic awareness • sight words • grammar • spelling • vocabulary • peer questioning and discussion • exposure to writing • listening skills • reading fluency • public speaking • poetry • partner discussions

Science

Students learn through observing, predicting, questioning, and explaining.

• trial and error experiments • study of plants and animals and how they adapt to their environment • weather patterns • forces and interaction • speed • light and sound

Social Studies

Students will focus on the study of society and the relationship of individual members within a community.

weekly educational experiences • Music Class • PE Class • Art Class • Technology Class • Journal Writing • Math / Reading RTI • Visit to School Library • Prayer Buddies at Mass

1st grade Religion

Students learn through stories, activities, prayer, and reflection about the Catholic faith and how we can be better followers of Jesus.

• attending weekly mass • celebrating liturgical holidays • working with prayer buddies • service projects for our community

Mathematics

Highlights include adding and subtracting numbers up to 30, solve basic word problems with the help of drawings, objects, and equations.

• developing understanding of addition, subtraction, and strategies for addition and subtraction • developing an understanding of whole number relationships and place value, including grouping in tens and ones • understanding of linear measurement and measuring lengths as iterating length units • reasoning about attributes of, and composing and decomposing geometric shapes.

• tell and write time • mathematical vocabulary

weekly educational experiences • Music Class • PE Class • Art Class • STEM Lab

• Technology Class • Math / Reading RTI • Visit to School Library • Prayer Buddies at Mass

Reading / Language Arts Instruction is adapted to sequential and comprehensive, and is adapted to meet individual differences.

• recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence and grammar rules • apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words • read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension • build vocabulary • writing for a variety of purposes and audiences • guidelines for being a good listener

Science

Students learn through observing, predicting, questioning, and explaining.

• trial and error experiments • life cycle of plants and animals • patterns of sun, moon and the stars • sound and vibration • uses of light and sound in communication

Social Studies

Students will focus on the study of society and relationship of individual members within society.

The students focus on • awareness of local & world communities • relationships among communities • meeting needs through goods and services

2nd grade Religion

Know and understand the basic teachings of the Catholic Church. Understanding of Gospel readings, discuss Bible stories, and begin to develop devotion to Mary and to the saints in their personal prayer life.

Students prepare for the sacraments of reconciliation of first communion.

Mathematics

Develop the mental habits of precise, inquiry, and reasoning. Students continue with more sophisticated approaches to addition and subtraction and begin understanding the patterns leading to multiplication.

• extending understanding of base –ten notation • building fluency with addition and subtraction • using standard units of measure • describing and analyzing shapes • work with time and money • mathematical vocabulary

Social Studies

Students will focus on the study of society and relationship of individual members within society. The students will focus on • rules and responsibilities to help promote order and safety • community projects • learning important symbols, events, and people in history • learn about wants versus needs • introduction to basic geography and the use of maps and globes.

Reading / Language Arts Gain more skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Continue to build an understanding of the connection between sounds, letters, and words. Enhance skills in using word roots to help figure out the meaning of new words.

• decode words for better reading fluency • recognize and read gradeappropriate sight words using norm-referenced assessment lists • read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension • emphasis on using convention of the English Language • narrative, opinion/persuasive, informative writings • public speaking

Science

Students learn through observing, predicting, questioning, and explaining.

• Trial and error experiments • The study of plants and animals how they use sunlight and water to grow • Function of plants and animals in dispersing seeds or pollinating plants • Diversity of life in different habitats • Study of Earth systems • Study of Matter • Heating and Cooling

weekly educational experiences • Music Class • PE Class • Art Class • STEM Lab • Technology Class • Math / Reading RTI • Visit to School Library • Prayer Buddies at Mass

3rd grade Religion

Know and understand the basic teachings of the Catholic Church. Recognize that the Creed reveals the fundamental teachings of the Catholic Church. Share understanding of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Accept the example of Mary and of the saints as models for daily living.

Mathematics

Mastery of fact families in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

Use this information, to be able to solve two-step word problems and equations.

• developing understanding of multiplication and division and strategies for multiplication and division within 100 • developing understanding of fractions, especially unit fractions • developing understanding of the structure of rectangular arrays and of area • describing and analyzing two-dimensional shapes • solve problems involving measurement and estimation of intervals of time, liquid volumes, and masses of objects • mathematical vocabulary

Reading / Language Arts • identify the meaning of most common prefixes and suffixes • decode multi-syllable words • read grade-appropriate irregularly spelled words • daily exposure to writing • emphasis on using convention of the English language • narrative, opinion/persuasive, informative writing • guidelines for being a good listener • public speaking

Science

Students learn through observing, predicting, questioning, and explaining.

• study of plants and animals • life cycles • ecosystems • heredity and environment • species variation • world climate • electricity and magnets

Social Studies

Students will focus on the study of society and relationship of individual members within society.

The students will focus on • rules and responsibilities to help promote order and safety • learning about democracy and rules and laws governing the lives of people • voting and purpose of political offices • learning important symbols, events, and people in history • learn about wants versus needs • introduction to basic geography and the use of maps and globes.

4th grade Religion

Continue to develop devotion to Mary and to the saints in their personal prayer life. Spread the Gospel message by joyfully sharing our faith and our practices with others. Demonstrate etiquette and reverence while actively participating in liturgical celebration.

Mathematics

Developing understanding and fluency with multi-digit multiplication, and developing understanding of dividing to find quotients involving multi-digit dividends • fraction equivalence, addition and subtraction of fractions with like denominators, and multiplication of fractions by whole numbers • geometric figures can be analyzed and classified based on their properties, such as having parallel sides, perpendicular sides, particular angle measures, and symmetry • problem solving • measurement and conversion • mathematical vocabulary

Social Studies

Focus on the study of society and relationship of individual members within society.

• geographical regions of the United States • gain an understanding of the physical characteristics, features, natural resources, history, and climate of these regions • basics of democracy —local, state, and national governments

Reading / Language Arts • know and apply grade-level

phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words • main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details • interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively and explain how the information contributes to an understanding of the text in which it appears • author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text • integrate information from two texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably • read and comprehend informational texts, including religion, history/social studies, science, and technical texts, appropriately complex for the individual student • know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words

Science

Learn through observing, predicting, questioning, and explaining.

• trial and error experiments study of plants and animals • internal and external structures to support survival, growth, behavior and reproduction • sensory function as it relates to brain processing and response to information • natural energy and fuel speed and energy • conversion of energy from one form to another • amplitude and wavelength light reflection

5th grade Religion

Express appreciation for Jesus’ gift to us by being kind, by being generous, and of service to others. Develop a right relationship with God, others and self.

Incorporate the virtues (faith, hope, charity, prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance) into their lives.

Continue to develop devotion to Mary and to the saints in their personal prayer life.

Mathematics

Continuing to build fluency with addition/ subtraction, multiplication/division, integers and fractions • developing understanding of the multiplication of fractions and of division of fractions • extending division to 2-digit divisors, integrating decimal fractions into the place value system • developing understanding of operations with decimals to hundredths, and developing fluency with whole number and decimal operations • analyze patterns and relationships • convert like measurement units within a given measurement system • developing understanding of volume graph points on the coordinate plane to solve real-world and mathematical problems • classify two-dimensional and threedimensional figures into categories based on their properties • mathematical vocabulary

Reading / Language Arts • determine a theme of a story • compare and contrast two or more

characters, settings, or events in a Reading / Language Arts story or drama, drawing on specific • details identify thetext meaning of most in the know and apply grade-level phonics •Reading common prefixes and suffixes / Language Arts and word analysis skills in decoding

•Instruction decode multi-syllable is adapted towords sequential words • read grade-appropriate irregularly and comprehensive, and is adapted • determine the meaning of words spelled words phrases as they are used in a text, toand meet •individual daily exposure tolanguage writing including figurative differences. combined knowledge of all ••• use emphasis on using convention of recognize the distinguishing letter-sound correspondences, the English language features of a sentence and syllabication patterns, and • morphology narrative, rules opinion/persuasive, grammar to read accurately informative writing unfamiliar multisyllabic words in • apply grade-level phonics and out of context • context guidelines for being a good and word analysis skills in with sufficient accuracy and • read listener decoding words fluency to support comprehension public speaking read with sufficientliterature accuracy and comprehend ••• read representing variety of genres and fluencya to support that is reflective of diversity and comprehension complex for the • appropriately build vocabulary individualwill student Students learn through

Science

• writing for a variety of

observing, questioning, Science purposes predicting, and audiences and explaining.

Learning through • guidelines forobserving, being a predicting, questioning, and explaining.

• good studylistener of plants and animals error experiments •• trial life and cycles of plants and animals •• study ecosystems • ecosystems interactions, energy and •Students heredity and environment through dynamicslearn species variation movement of matter among plants, ••observing, predicting, animals, decomposer, and the •questioning, world climate and explaining.

• environment electricity and experiments magnets • trial and error • Earth’s place in the universe life cycle of plants and animals and energy •• speed andof stability •• motion patterns sun, moon and • gravitational the stars force energy from sun on the study willthe focus •Students

Science

Social Studies

• sound and vibration

of society and relationship of •individual uses of Studies light and sound Social members withininsociety.

Focus on the study society communication The students willoffocus onand relationship of individual members • rules and responsibilities to help within society. order and safety civic and personal responsibilities of •promote Students will focus on the study • students learningand about democracy and adults society and relationship ofrules about democracy and •oflearning rules and laws governing the lives and laws governing the lives of people individual members within society. of people learning aboutfocus the Bill to ••The students onof voting and purpose ofRights political outline and protect the rights of • offices awareness of local & world citizens communities learning importantofsymbols, the importance the •• learn events, and in history • Declaration relationships among ofpeople Independence and and USwants Constitutions • Illinois learn about versus needs communities •• Westward introduction to through basic geography meeting expansion needs good • Civil andWar the use of maps and globes. services world geography and its • understand effects on society • understand political, economic, and social systems

Social Studies

SPECIALS Bishop McNamara seeks to educate the whole child; body, mind and spirit by offering classes to develop those special areas.

art

The Art curriculum fosters curiosity about materials and process while providing a strong foundation in visual art. Students are encouraged to develop their own artistic voice using a variety of materials such as oil pastels, paint, clay, and fibers, providing a creative outlet that is both joyful and challenging.

Lessons share the art of cultures from around the world.

Music

Active listening, movement, singing and playing instruments are various ways students engage with music. Discovery, exploration and improvisation are at the heart of what we do, encouraging and guiding students to develop an appreciation for beauty, awareness of culture, and understanding of music as a vehicle for self-expression and an essential element of community.

PE

Designed to develop both small and large locomotor skills, PE instills an appreciation of a variety of physical activities and games.

Individual skills are taught and practiced, and then introduced within the context of an age-appropriate game. Students develop their own individual skills while gaining an appreciation for their role as a member of a team. Good sportsmanship is stressed in every area of concentration.

Technology

Students will use a variety of media and technology resources for directed and independent learning activities. Students will learn to navigate online educational applications, recognize basic technology components and vocabulary, use letters and keys on the keyboard and learn and practice the basics of internet safety.

stay connected Communication is an essential element for a positive educational experience.

There are several tools to ensure parents are well informed and have an open line of communication with our school regarding updates and reminders, emergency notifications, student and family data, attendance and tracking student grades.

• Email Messaging: Sent to current families for important updates and reminders.

• Text Messaging: Sent as an additional way of communicating urgent information, school updates, and important reminders.

• Tuesday Folder Portals: In an attempt to go green, we have implemented a portal on our website for updated informational flyers for our upcoming school events and fundraiser events for Bishop McNamara.

• Weekly Classroom Newsletters • BMCS APP: The Bishop McNamara Catholic School app provides parents, students, and faculty members with all the information they need in one place, conveniently accessed and formatted specifically for consumption on their mobile devices.

follow us!

Follow BMCS Online: Be sure to “like” Bishop McNamara Catholic School on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@Bishop McNamara) and Instagram (@bishopmcnamara).

Our school website is www.bishopmac.com.

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