Elementary (Grades 1-4)

First grade begins the formal grading of subjects, (Religion, Math, and the English Language Arts.) Students formally learn to write, and handwriting is also graded. Our students really focus on the Lord’s Prayer and proudly  (and loudly) prays this during Mass! The subjects are taught in accordance with the Archdiocesan Guidelines an the Commonwealth of PA Common Core State Standards. Students participate in both academic and social centers, and sight words begin to take over the classroom! Academic applications are introduced on iPads as technology is introduced to the students.  Students also participate in Art, Physical Education and Library classes. A special part of our science classroom includes our pet frog!

Second grade brings our students closer to Jesus when they learn about and celebrate Reconciliation and receive the Eucharist for the first time! Our students continue to build upon their reading and math skills. Writing activities build upon themes, such as our “Donut Writing.” This example teaches persuasive writing; the students create their own donut flavor and design, and “sell” it to their group.  The group then selects their donut flavor and creates reasons that their donut should be sold to a popular donut shop.  Students create a persuasive writing piece focusing on their donut details, and the culminating activity is a real donut treat in which students decorate their own donuts! Students use Chromebooks for technology and applications for different classes.  Other subjects involve cooperative learning and hands-on activities, and the use of computers.

The Third grade curriculum focuses on the Archdiocesan guidelines built upon the Commonwealth’s Common Core Curriculum.  Core content in Religion includes the introduction of Sacraments, Saints, Holy Days of Obligation, and the three Persons of the Blessed Trinity. Math concepts focus on addition/subtraction/ multiplication and division concepts which are applied to other skills in mathematics, such as fractions and geometry. The English Language Arts content incorporates library and technology skills to assist in research.  Safe use of technology is introduced. Fiction, Non-fiction stories, and poetry are used to help develop reading and writing skills in the classroom.  Science and Social Studies readings are integrated into the ELA curriculum and content areas.  The Next Generation Science Standards  are used to align science content with literacy skills and problem solving in mathematics. Social Studies introduces our students to Geography, (Globes and maps), Humans/Environment, Communities and cultures, Government, and Cultural movement and change. 

Fourth Grade Religion introduces guidelines for living a good Christian life, such as The Ten Commandments, Beatitudes,

Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy, while referencing scripture. The Liturgical year is developed as we experience them in each Church season. The importance of Sunday is stressed, as well as the summaries of Mary’s feasts and lives of the saints. Different forms of prayer are introduced.  Math continues to build on addition, subtraction, multiplication and division concepts, mixed operations, and working with larger numbers within geometry, fractions, and problem solving.

ELA content expands fiction and non-fiction by exploring realistic fiction, including biographies.  Students learn about stories from various cultures such as fables and folktales, among other genres.  Different types of writing styles are developed, such as How To paragraphs, poems, descriptive paragraphs, persuasive writing, and writing letters.  Science introduces body systems, plants, the earth and planets, and utilizes the STREAM components in the classroom, while Social Studies focuses on Pennsylvania. Students in all grades learn Patriotic songs and present them to our Veterans.