Lower School Curriculum Guide

Lower School Curriculum Guide for Grades 1-5

2017-2018

DISCOVER YOUR GIFTS. LIVE YOUR SPIRIT.

PORTRAIT OF A LOWER SCHOOL STUDENT

A Lower School student at Visitation Academy: • Lives Jesus according to Gospel values and Salesian spirituality • Shows respect for God’s creation • Is a person of character who understands the importance of serving others • Values and displays excellence in scholarship • Applies knowledge and skills across the curriculum and to real-world situations • Solves problems analytically, logically, and creatively through independent, critical thinking • Is a digital citizen in a global community • Applies effective study skills to academic work • Demonstrates responsibility and self-direction when collaborating with others • Models confident and responsible leadership • Appreciates cultural diversity

ATHLETICS

CLUBS

Bellarmine Speech League (Gr. 5) Book Clubs Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Coding Club Chess Club Girl Scouts Handbell Choir Kids on Stage Liturgical Choir Mass Servers Science Club Student Council

Basketball (Gr. 3-5) Cheerleading Camp (Winter) (Gr. K-5) Girls on the Run Soccer (Gr. K-5) Track (Gr. 1-5) Tennis (Gr. K-5) Volleyball (Gr. 3-5) Sports Camps (Summer) (Gr. K-5)

“BE WHO YOU ARE AND BE THAT WELL.” - ST. FRANCIS DE SALES

ART, MUSIC, PHYSICAL EDUCATION, & MODERN LANGUAGE

The Lower School has a well-established specials curriculum, which includes art, music, physical education, and modern language (French and Spanish). These classes are offered three days in an eight-day schedule cycle.

This curriculum includes signature projects such as creating a blessing cup in preparation for First Holy Communion in art. In music, students prepare for a variety of musical performances, including Grandparents Day, the Christmas concert, and Kids on Stage. In physical education, jump rope is a favorite unit in the Lower School. We integrate a service project with physical activity for the American Heart Association. In modern language, students learn both French and Spanish and participate in many special celebrations such as Las Posadas to celebrate the Christmas holidays in the traditional Mexican way.

TECHNOLOGY Visitation Academy follows the National Education Technology Standards for Students (NETS) as developed by the International Society of Technology in Education (ISTE). Students are taught to be empowered learners starting as early as kindergarten. Students learn what it means to be a digital citizen by using technology appropriately and responsibly. As students get older, research skills are practiced through note taking, outlining, citation, and annotation tools. Students create digital portfolios which allow teachers to chart growth.

The design process allows students to use a variety of technologies to build knowledge and make meaningful connections while solving open-ended problems. An early emphasis on computation skills, including computer programming and coding, allow students to explore and find solutions using various technology applications.

Original creations through blogs, videos, websites, and other online tools let students publish and present content to the community.

FIRST GRADE The first grade curriculum includes many interdisciplinary center activities and hands-on learning, such as recording observations and data in science notebooks. Since it is so important to reach all learners, differentiated instruction is utilized and the curriculum is adapted to each student. Advanced educational materials are used when appropriate to ensure that all of the students are learning to their potential.

Language Arts: The curriculum focuses on developing listening and comprehension skills. Through exposure to various literary genres, including fiction and non-fiction, students learn to identify elements such as main ideas, characters, and setting. Strategies for word analysis are introduced through word study and grammar components.

The writing process includes the application of skills along with sentence and paragraph structure.

Math: Math consists of number awareness and operations. Students are introduced to strategies and models to encourage them to reason both concretely and abstractly. Units of study include place value, measurement, geometric shapes, and fractions. The curriculum incorporates technology and manipulatives to reinforce concepts.

Social Studies: Students will identify the characteristics of communities past and present, as well as identifying communities to which they belong. Students will study American symbols and be introduced to prominent American leaders connected to national holidays. An introduction to government and economics will lay the foundation for further studies.

Science: Using the traditional scientific method as well as the engineering design process, students explore various aspects of life, physical, and earth science. Students learn about the world around them by applying these skills through hands-on investigations and outdoor experiences. Through an inquiry-based approach, students will investigate, analyze data, observe, predict, build models, and communicate their understanding of material.

Students will gain an understanding of life science through the study of changes in organisms over time and the nature of living things. Students will gain an understanding of Earth and space science through the study of earth materials, celestial movement, and weather. Students will gain an understanding of physical science through the study of forces and motion and the properties of materials. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) will be addressed using Engineering is Elementary and Project Lead the Way Curriculum.

Religion: The curriculum focuses on learning about the life of Jesus. Students will develop an understanding about God as our Loving Father and Jesus as the Son of God, our Good Shepherd. Through scripture readings and activities, the students will become more acquainted with our founders, St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal. Through daily prayer, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd presentations, the celebration of special feast days, and participation in Mass, students will ultimately grow in their relationship with God. The students will focus on babies and children in response to our call to serve the needs of others and answer the question: “Who is my neighbor?�

Signature Project: Do A Zoo The students make a zoo come alive in their classroom. They will research and study different animals. They learn about animal classifications and habitats. Using cross-curricular skills, the students will design, build, and program robotic animals for their classroom zoo. In addition, they will become entrepreneurs as they learn about goods and services, decision making, opportunity cost, resources, and producers.

SECOND GRADE The second grade at Visitation Academy includes many milestone activities for our students. Girls celebrate their First Reconciliation and First Eucharist as a class. In the spring, second graders serve as honor guard for the Upper School’s Alumnae Induction and Maypole. Literature comes to life for students as they are introduced to readers’ theatre. Students try their hand at engineering and basic programming in science class using Lego WeDo Robotics.

Language Arts: The curriculum strengthens reading and writing skills previously introduced. Through the use of authentic literature and guided reading, students expand their understanding of literary elements to include plot development, inferences, and predictions. Additional grammar skills, including types of sentences, parts of speech, and writing mechanics, are introduced to enhance and enrich student writing.

Math: The math curriculum provides a more in-depth study of number awareness, including fluency in multiplication and division. Students are also introduced, in a more formal way, to fractions, time, capacity, mass, area, and perimeter. Students construct, analyze, and interpret charts and graphs. The curriculum is supported with manipulatives and practical applications to reinforce understanding.

Social Studies: The social studies curriculum focuses on government. An interdisciplinary unit on presidents and first ladies is a highlight during this year. Students will learn about national landmarks as well as the contributions of innovators who changed our nation.

Science: Using the traditional scientific method as well as the engineering design process, students explore various aspects of life, physical, and earth science. Students learn about the world around them by applying these skills through hands-on investigations and outdoor experiences. Through an inquiry-based approach, students will investigate, analyze data, observe, predict, build models, and communicate their understanding of material.

Students will gain an understanding of life science through the study of changes in organisms over time and the nature of living things. Students will gain an understanding of Earth and space science through the study of earth materials, celestial movement, and weather. Students will gain an understanding of physical science through the study of forces and motion and the properties of materials. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) will be addressed using Engineering is Elementary and Project Lead the Way Curriculum.

Religion: The curriculum culminates with the celebration of the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. Throughout the preparation process, students receive Catechesis of Good Shepherd presentations in conjunction with the curriculum to study the parts of the Mass and learn from parables in scripture. A highlight of the sacramental program is a full day retreat and a trip to the New Cathedral. Throughout the year, students also develop a deeper understanding of the Ten Commandments and the Holy Trinity. Mass, Adoration, prayer services, and special activities enhance their faith formation. The students will focus on veterans and soldiers in response to our call to serve the needs of others and answer the question: “Who is my neighbor?”

Signature Project: Presidential Projects To honor our past presidents, the second grade celebrates Presidents’ Day. Each student selects a president to research and, through electronic and print media, learns about the importance of the presidency and the particular president’s early life. The girls dress like their presidents, fill in a poster with important facts, include a QR code containing a part of a famous speech and the president’s wife’s signature project, and a poster displaying facts. This interdisciplinary project culminates with each student presenting her research to classmates, teachers, and parents.

THIRD GRADE In third grade, students develop critical thinking skills as they progress from learning-to-read toward readingto-learn. Visitation’s accelerated math curriculum encourages students to use concepts they have previously learned to solve real-world problems. Third grade students look forward to further exploring the books they read through book projects and participating in literature circles or book clubs.

Language Arts: Students will use word study and mentor texts to connect their reading with their writing, following the examples and traits of various authors. They will study a variety of fiction and non-fiction literature to enhance their reading comprehension and fluency. They will also use the writing process to organize their thoughts, edit, and revise their writing as they focus on grammar skills and writing mechanics.

Math: The curriculum encourages students to develop problem-solving strategies and use math vocabulary to explain how various problems are solved. Students will learn number concepts such as place value, whole numbers, fractions, and decimals while strengthening their multiplication facts. There is an emphasis on improving computational skills through estimation, working with time and money, measurement, geometry, graphing, and utilizing algebraic models.

Social Studies: Students will develop an understanding of the regions of the United States. As we learn about each state, students will engage in hands-on projects and will use technology to deepen their understanding about the geography and history of each area. Students will also study Missouri’s past and present as they take an indepth look at our state researching and discussing concepts related to government, economics, communities, and famous Missourians.

Science: Using the traditional scientific method as well as the engineering design process, students explore varies aspects of life, physical, and earth science. Students learn about the world around them by applying these skills through hands-on investigations and outdoor experiences. Through an inquiry-based approach, students will investigate, analyze data, observe, predict, build models, and communicate their understanding of material.

Students will gain an understanding of life science through the study of changes in organisms over time and the nature of living things. Students will gain an understanding of Earth and space science through the study of earth materials, celestial movement, and weather. Students will gain an understanding of physical science through the study of forces and motion and the properties of materials. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) will be addressed using Engineering is Elementary and Project Lead the Way curriculum.

Religion: The curriculum emphasizes concern for others by studying saints. Students explore how they can live holy lives and how they can follow the saints’ examples in their own lives. Through daily discussions, prayer, and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd presentations, students deepen their relationship with God. There are many opportunities to grow in their faith as they attend Mass, Reconciliation, prayer services, and Adoration. The students will focus on the hungry in response to our call to serve the needs of others and answer the question: “Who is my neighbor?”

Signature Project: The Pioneer Experience As the students continue to learn about the history of Missouri, they will discover the contributions of the pioneers in our state. What was life like for these brave families who risked everything to create a better life?

Students will immerse themselves in language arts and STEM-based activities that will bring them to a greater understanding of how the pioneers traveled, cared for their families, and sustained their homesteads.

FOURTH GRADE Fourth grade is a time of growth in privileges and responsibilities. Students have their own lockers and receive letter grades for core curriculum areas. In the classroom, students participate in literature circles and complete more projects where students use their research skills and creativity to bring curriculum to life. Students also have the opportunity to participate in a wide array of extra-curricular activities such as Science Club, Liturgical Choir, Chess Club, and Student Council.

Language Arts: The goal of the curriculum is to continue to nurture a love of reading and writing. Using strategies such as word study, critical thinking, and literature groups to support previous learning, students develop improved communication skills. Students demonstrate their knowledge through projects and oral presentations.

Math: The curriculum is comprised of daily problem-based lessons and explorations. Students learn the elements of an advanced curriculum including operations with fractions and decimals, measurement, and geometry. In class projects, games and activities enhance the learning experience and deepen understanding of mathematical concepts.

Social Studies: The fourth grade social studies curriculum emphasizes an understanding of our nation prior to 1800. As part of these studies, students develop an awareness of Native American settlements through the establishment of the United States. Units of study include governance, major historical events, and significant people of the past. Students engage in hands-on projects and collaborative discussions to deepen their understanding of the development of our nation.

Science: Using the traditional scientific method as well as the engineering design process, students explore various aspects of life, physical, and earth science. Students discover the building blocks of our world while focusing on the impact of humans on our environment. Strong focus is placed on asking questions, planning investigations, making observations, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions as well as communicating this information to others.

Religion: The curriculum directs students to explore their faith through daily prayer experiences, scripture readings, personal reflection, and shared intentions. Emphasis is placed on church teachings, including the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, and the Great Commandment. The study of our founders, St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal, provides a yearlong focus on Salesian virtues. Through worship and sacraments, students cultivate their personal relationship with God. The students will focus on the homeless in response to our call to serve the needs of others and answer the question: “Who is my neighbor?�

Signature Project: Bonkers for Birds Students participate in a cross-curricular language arts and visual art project to study a native Missouri bird.

During the unit, students are visited by a park ranger from the Army Corps of Engineers. Students independently research the class bird and write a report while creating a two-dimensional art project using a medium of choice.

FIFTH GRADE Fifth grade marks a transition to increasing independence. Students are empowered with more ownership of their learning and organization. Girls switch classrooms throughout the day, experiencing multiple teachers and enhancing their curricular experience and relationships with faculty. All of this is done under the watchful eye of the homeroom teacher who collaborates closely with all teachers to ensure a positive experience for each girl.

Opportunities to develop personal interests increase through activities like the Bellarmine Speech League and National Geographic Geography Bee. Language Arts: The curriculum combines reading and writing to further develop both oral and written communication skills. Knowledge of language and its conventions is used to produce coherent and detailed writing pieces for various purposes and audiences. The understanding of literary genres and elements is enhanced through extensive reading and collaborative discussions. This year marks a transition to more in-depth and independent study of literature.

Math: The math program utilizes daily problem-based lessons and explorations. Students are presented the foundation of a first-year middle school mathematics program, including determining characteristics of numbers, collecting and interpreting data, and determining and analyzing patterns. In addition, students expand upon basic computation strategies to expand their knowledge of decimals, fractions, and percentages while creating and solving equations for a variety of real-world situations.

Social Studies: The curriculum further develops awareness of how historical events have shaped our present.

A study of the establishment of the United States through the modern era is explored through research, primary document analysis, projects, and presentations. Government, civic responsibility, and global awareness are also addressed through a financial literacy (Junior Achievement’s Biztown) unit and current event studies.

Science: Using both the scientific method and the engineering design process, students explore, build, and discover various aspects of life, physical, and earth science. Through the study of matter, students identify and measure materials and test how materials interact with each other. In addition, students explore how solids, liquids, and gases in our environment affect all living things. Strong focus is placed on asking questions, planning investigations, making observations, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions as well as communicating this information to others.

Religion: The curriculum consists of an in-depth study of the seven sacraments. Students participate in liturgies and celebrate the sacraments throughout the year. Students also cultivate their faith through leadership opportunities such as becoming altar servers, preparing Living Stations for the Lower School community, and leading Mes Amies assemblies. The call to Live Jesus through leadership allows the students to understand God’s grace and to deepen their relationship with Him. The students will focus on the environment in response to our call to serve the needs of others and answer the question: “Who is my neighbor?”

Signature Project: Experiential Learning Through an experientially-based program, fifth grade students discover how organisms interact in various ecosystems. Students will visit on-campus outdoor learning spaces, including the greenhouse and Sr. Isabel’s Nature Trail, in addition to off-site visits to the Litzsinger Road Ecology Center. The goal of the program is to enhance observational skills, promote understanding of the scientific process, and expand student learning beyond the classroom.

“BE WHO YOU ARE AND BE THAT WELL.” -ST. FRANCIS DE SALES

CATHOLIC | INDEPENDENT COED MONTESSORI EARLY CHILDHOOD TODDLER-K | ALL-GIRLS 1-12