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Kindergarten

Welcome to Kindergarten!   Here your child will grow and develop both physically and academically.

READING:   The students will identify print both upper and lower case letters.   The students will associate the letters with the sounds.   Using a writing journal, the students will learn to write simple words and sentences.   Students will use inventive spelling; that is a great way to start the writing process!   The students will receive a list of sight words that they should be able to read by the end of the year.  They read many exciting stories, sing songs and dance along.    They learn how to hold pencils, crayons, and scissors correctly and successfully.   Children become confident, skilled, and enthusiastic readers and writers.

RELIGION:   The religion program provides students with age appropriate information based upon the teachings of the church.   The students realize and experience God's wonderful gifts: their families, friends, the world, and most importantly, themselves.

SOCIAL STUDIES:   The students build on personal experiences with their families, school, community, state and country.   The students are taught to understand the difference between wants and needs, rules and rights.   Other areas of interest will be fire safety, holidays and customs, and community helpers.   Guest speakers are always welcome in kindergarten!

SCIENCE:  The science program enables students to make predictions, to observe, and to communicate those observations.   This program encompasses many interesting areas such as the seasons, weather, plants, ocean life, polar places, pond life and germs.   Many of these areas are accompanied by an exciting field trip.

MATHEMATICS:   The math program provides students with a solid foundation in mathematical concepts such as number sense, problem solving, time, and money. Singing songs, using manipulatives, and reciting funny poems help to reinforce childrens' understanding of the concepts.

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READING:   The curriculum focuses on decoding and comprehension skills.   The students are exposed to basic reading skills and an environment rich in literature.   The language component encourages correct sentence structure and grammar.   Spelling words reflect the phonics skills learned the previous week.

MATH:   First grade follows the state standards.   Students gain a knowledge and appreciation of numbers as they learn to add, subtract, use fractions, and learn about time, measurement and money.

SOCIAL STUDIES:   First graders learn about our country, the flag, and the President.  Beginning in the fall, students learn about Native American through readings, projects and field trips.   Throughout the year there are numerous opportunities wherein students are introduced to other cultures.   Many of these cultures are reflected in the diverse makeup of the school.

SCIENCE:   From daily weather observations to an in depth look at the Tropical Rainforest, first graders receive a broad spectrum of scientific skills and knowledge.   Other units include plants, animals, habitats, health and space.

RELIGION:   First Graders learn about Jesus and how he shares his love with us. They learn about, and take part in, Holy Days. They also learn the major stories of Jesus' life and that being part of the Church is much like being a member of a family.  Children read and sing their way through lessons about God's love and forgiveness.   The following prayers are learned: the Sign of the Cross, the Our Father and the Hail Mary.   Students are also exposed to the Stations of the Cross as well as the Rosary.  They have the opportunity to pray together at least four times a day.

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RELIGION:   The curriculum is divided into two main areas of study:  First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.   Children learn basic prayers, parts of the Mass, and about the church year.

MATH:   Bar graphs and pictographs, place value to hundreds, up to 3-digit addition and subtraction, money, telling time, measurement and weight, basic geometry and fractions are covered.

SOCIAL STUDIES:   The curriculum is taught during the first half of the school year.   Children study map and globe skills, holidays, countries and cultures, and diversity. After studying about colonial days, the unit culminates with an International Luncheon.

SCIENCE:   Science is taught during the second half of the school year.   Four units of study are covered: Life Science- including animals, plants, and fossils; Physical Science - including matter, magnets and sound;  Earth Science - including the earth, solar system and weather; and the Human Body - including digestion, nutrition, and dental health.

LANGUAGE ARTS:  Trade books are read at the rate of one per week while integrating reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, spelling, creative writing and phonics skills.   We participate in the Pizza Hut Book It! Program.

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SPELLING:    The fourth graders are given a weekly list for mastery.   The spelling words correlate with the reading program.

READING:   The fourth grade reading curriculum uses a literature based program to promote and integrate reading, writing, discussion, listening and thinking skills.   The program consists of a textbook containing fiction and nonfiction selections, along with a workbook.  Scholastic News Magazine is used to supplement the program.

LANGUAGE:   The curriculum covers grammar, capitalization, punctuation, dictionary and thesaurus use along with writing and editing skills.   Every fourth grader creates a poetry booklet.

RELIGION:   The Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes are studied in fourth grade.  The students learn ways to look within themselves to make good choices and then outwards to others in living through the works of Mercy.

SCIENCE:   The curriculum includes a study of animal adaptation and behavior, the solar system and the human body.

SOCIAL STUDIES:  Studies include regions of the earth, the United States broken down into regions and our nation's government.   It also includes map, graph and thinking skills and building on good citizenship.

MATH:   Addition, subtraction,multiplication, division, whole numbers, money, place value, telling time, geometry, fractions, and decimals are all covered.

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SOCIAL STUDIES:   American history is the main focus.  Studies begin with the first settlers that arrived by crossing the Bering Strait into North America.   The study continues with European explorers of America, the 13 English colonies, Westward Expansion, and the Civil War.   Current events are covered using Scholastic News.

MATH:   The following topics are covered:

*Place value through the billions

*Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of whole numbers  

  and decimals

*Dividing whole numbers with 1 and 2-digit divisors

*Addition, multiplication, and division of fractions

*Measurement

*Geometry

*Ratio, percent, and probability

*Problem solving skills and strategies

READING:   The books chosen for the 5th grade curriculum encompass many different types of literature.   Folk tales, plays, autobiographies, poetry, realistic and historical fiction are a few of the genres studied.   Book reports are assigned once a month.   The following skills are taught using the various reading materials:

*Main idea/details

*Fact/opinion

*Inference

*Predicting outcomes

*Sequence

*Characterization

*Figurative language

*Story elements

*Multiple meanings of words

SCIENCE:   Concepts, principals, and theories related to Space and Technology, Life, Earth, and Physical Science are introduced.   Historical origins as well as current advancements concerning the subjects covered are addressed throughout the school year.

RELIGION:    The curriculum is divided into two areas: one area focuses on the seven sacraments of the Catholic faith, and the other one focuses on relationships with friends, family, and in marriage.   Other areas of study include the feasts and seasons of the liturgical cycle, prayers, and Bible scripture.   Throughout the school year students are encouraged to involve and discuss, with family members, the topics currently being studied.

LANGUAGE ARTS:    English grammar skills and the writing process are integrated into all academic areas of study.   Beginning with the structure of a sentence, the curriculum progresses to identifying parts of speech, developing listening and speaking strategies, and writing various styles of composition.

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MATH:    The following topics are studied: real world use of whole numbers, connecting arithmetic to algebra, decimals, measurement, patterns and number theory and adding and subtracting fractions.   Students learn and apply these concepts in two ways:  traditional approach and project based learning.

READING:  Developing and strengthening reading comprehension and critical thinking skills is the main focus.  Sixth grade students read a variety of literature including novels, short stories and poetry.   Students' understanding is demonstrated in various ways including: creative writing, game board design, oral presentations, and dramatic readings.

LANGUAGE ARTS:   The curriculum is centered around the study of English language mechanics.   It includes the following topics:  grammar usage, essential writing skills, research skills, report writing and communication skills.

RELIGION:   Religious study is divided into two areas, the first is an overview of the Old Testament. There is an emphasis on the main characters and events of the Old Testament and how they influence our own faith story.   The second part of the sixth grade Religion program is Family Life. This includes the study of the development of the adolescent and his/her relationship with families, communities and God.

SOCIAL STUDIES:   The curriculum is two-fold; the first half of the year is the study of basic world geography with an emphasis on the five themes of geography using map and graph skills.   The second book used in the curriculum is Asia and the Pacific Region which is an in depth study of the continent of  Asia and the surrounding area.   The student becomes globally literate studying the geography, history and culture of the regions of Asia.

SCIENCE:   The program is a combination of process skills and directed inquiry as the topics ranging from Life Science, Earth Science and Physical Science are examined.  Learning to keep a lab book using the Scientific Method is also taught.

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SOCIAL STUDIES:   American History, covering the time period between the signing of the Declaration of Independence through the Civil War, is studied.   Other areas of oncentration include: government, citizenship and current events.

RELIGION:   There are two main areas of study.  The first is the New Testament with a focus on Jesus and making him part of your life.  The second area takes a look at the issues of today's world with a focus on making faith-based decisions.   Other areas of concentration throughout they year include:  community service, holy days and learning partners.

MATH:   The program at St. Mark School is leveled, based on performance in earlier years.   The content is the same for all the students but the order and depth of topics may vary.   The curriculum is designed to prepare students for success in high school algebra and geometry.    Integers and algebraic concepts form the cornerstone for this course.   Geometry concepts are integrated when appropriate.   Skills in the use of fractions, decimals, ratios, proportions and percentages are reinforced and strengthened.   Students also participate in a math career fair that helps them understand the role math plays in every career.   Additional activities utilizing math applets from the Internet are incorporated via laptops provided through the Berkshire Wireless Learning Initiative.

READING:   The curriculum helps students to expand reading comprehension and to develop an appreciation for a variety of literary styles and genres.   Students also learn about authors' lives and experiences and how they influenced the authors' works.   This course also helps students to gain an extensive vocabulary and reinforces other language arts skills like spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.  A portion of each class is also dedicated to personal silent reading in an effort to help students acquire an overall enjoyment for reading.   Writing and research skills are reinforced through various Math Career Fair activities.

LANGUAGE ARTS:   The curriculum consists of a basic review of grammar, usage and mechanics.   Emphasis is placed on writing skills.   A monthly research paper is assigned as well as story writing in class.   Students keep a personal journal in class. They can write about topics of their choice..

SCIENCE:   Seventh graders learn about the human body. They study the skeletal, muscular, digestive, circulatory, respiratory, excretory, nervous, endocrine, reproductive and immune systems.   They are asked to research a disease and to do an oral presentation.

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Art

The art program covers the seven main elements of design.  They include:  line, color, shape, space, texture, form and value.  Famous artists as well as art history are also covered.  Students are encouraged to be creative and to support each other.  They are graded on effort, participation and attitude.

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Physical Education

The program follows the Massachusetts State Frameworks.  It develops health skills as well as life skills.  All students learn the basic rules to various games, listening skill development, sportsmanship, teamwork and skills that employ physical and mental alertness.