Austin Catholic Schools-Austin, Minnesota

First Grade

Curriculum Highlights

Religion: Austin Catholic School first graders will learn about creation, Trinity, Jesus, God's Church, God's love, and seasons of Church Year. In addition, our students have the opportunity to enhance their spiritual learning through weekly Mass participation and daily prayer.

Weekly Mass: First Grade Students will attend weekly Mass. All students are given opportunities to participate in the liturgy of the Mass as each grade takes responsibility for planning the various Masses.
Jesus Teaches Us About God's Love
We Are Followers of Jesus
We Belong to the Church
We Celebrate and Live Our Faith
Benziger Family Life Services: Which centers around five themes; God's gift of Family, Self, Life, Love and Community.

Reading: Your child will learn to read with understanding and critical thinking, to participate in guided reading, to read with expression, and learn about books through exposure to different authors and illustrators. Language Arts skills are developed through the use of journaling using development spelling, VOWAC spelling, talking in a complete sentence, writing a complete sentence, using capital/small letters properly, using possessives and story/poetry writing. First grade students may participate in the Accelerated Reading program.

Math: Our students will learn number skills, fractions, money, geometry and measurement, time and calendar, temperature, and linear measure.

Social Studies: The following six themes are taught in first grade;

Citizenship: Rules and laws guide people to live safely and be responsible citizens.
Places: People live in many different locations. Where people live affects the way they live.
Our Country: We learn about our country through its symbols, heroes, and holidays.
Change: In many ways, people today are the same as people who lived long ago. But the way people live has changed over time.
People: Although Americans may have come from different backgrounds, they share some beliefs.
Markets: People trade goods and services with each other. They make choices about how to spend their money.

Science:

Life Science

Life cycles of plants

Life cycles of animals

Environments for living things/basic words

Places to live

Earth Science

Earth

Natural resources

Weather, seasons, and the sky

Physical Science

Matter

Energy (heat, light and sound)

Motion/magnets

Library:

Library etiquette
Story Structure/Story Predicting/questioning
Learn to self select appropriate books
Fiction vs. Non-fiction
Practice book vocabulary

Second Grade

Our goal in second grade is to help your child meet and excel in high levels of academic standards. Our second graders learn to be focused as they expand their knowledge base and increase their faith by preparing to receive two very important sacraments: the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Sacrament of First Holy Communion.

Curriculum Highlights

Religion: As a second grader, your child's religious education will have special emphasis on sacrament preparation for Reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist. Second graders will study:

Weekly Mass-Second Grade Students will attend weekly Mass. All students are given opportunities to participate in the liturgy of the Mass as each grade takes responsibility for planning the various Masses.
Jesus Christ is With Us Always
Jesus Calls us to Penance and Reconciliation
Jesus Gives Himself in the Eucharist
We Live Our Catholic Faith
Benziger Family Life Series: Which centers around five themes; God's gift of Family, Self, Life Love and Community

Language Arts: Your child's language arts skills will be enhanced by developing the following areas:

Phonics/decoding skills
Comprehension skills and strategies
Information and study skills
Spelling
Vocabulary
Grammar usage and mechanics
Writing Process

Math: Second graders will gain skills in:

Numeration
Concepts of whole number operations
Whole number computations
Fractions and decimals
Money
Geometry and spatial relationships
Measurement
Data analysis and statistics
Probability
Algebra functions

Social Studies: Second graders at Austin Catholic Schools have the enjoyment of participating in the Austin Junior Police Program. Your second grade student will study community and state governments, citizenship, maps and globe skills, Native American history, world cultures, and human/capital resources.

Science:

History and Nature of Science

Scientific World View

Scientific Inquiry

Physical Science

Motion

Earth and Space Science

Earth Structure and Processes

Life Science

Interdependence of Life

Flow of Matter and Energy

Human Organism

Library:

Library etiquette
Story Structure/Story Predicting/Questioning
Alphabetizing
Begin learning library skills

Third Grade

What makes our third grade special? We work together as a team to build community within our classrooms and across the school. We learn to help those in need. We learn to be kind and help out as needed. We concentrate on working and playing in a Christ-like way.

Curriculum Highlights

Religion: The third grade students use the Sadlier text titled, We Believe: We are the Church.

Unit 1-Jesus gives Us the Church
Unit 2- We are Members of the Church
Unit 3- The Church Leads Us in Worship
Unit 4- We are Called to Discipleship

The Curriculum is supplemented with:

Good News for Children: a weekly Gospel series that provides lessons on the scriptures, traditions, and teaching of the church. It allows children the opportunity to reflect on their lives in light of the Sunday Gospel.
Benziger Family Life Series: Which centers around five themes; God's gift Family, Self, Life, Love and Community.
Weekly Mass: Third grade students will attend weekly Mass. All students are given opportunities to participate in the liturgy of the Mass as each grade takes responsibility for planning the various Masses.

Language Arts: Our students will engage in the reading process and will understand, respond to, analyze, interpret, evaluate, and appreciate a wide variety of genre including fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.

Use word recognition analysis and fluency
Acquire, understand, and use new reading, speaking, and listening vocabularies through instruction and independent reading
Apply strategies for comprehending written material
Use of table of contents, glossary, guide words, dictionary, encyclopedia
Use of phonics, syllabication, word structure, and meaning to spell independently
Speak clearly, accurately, and fluently using appropriate delivery for a variety of purposes. Students will demonstrate appropriate listening behaviors in small and large group situations
Write legibly in both print and cursive for various purposes and will use various forms of writing (journaling, letters, and poetry, thank-you notes, descriptive and narrative).

Math: Third grade students will expand their knowledge and challenge themselves in the areas:

Numeration
Fractions
Decimals
Operations and computations
Patterns
Functions and algebra
Data
Geometry
Measurement and reference frames

Social Studies: Your child will gain map and globe skills, study continents and oceans, living in the desert, forest or grasslands, Native Americans, Aztecs, government, Washington D.C., and fire safety.

Science: Austin Catholic Schools third graders will further their knowledge of plants, animals, matter, energy, machines, life, sound, the changing earth, planets, weather, the human body, and nutrition.

Library:

Library etiquette
Continue library skills
Structure/predicting/questioning
Story Structure/Story Predicting/Questioning
Alphabetizing
Begin learning library skills

Fourth Grade

Curriculum Highlights

Religion: The fourth graders use the Sadlier text titled, We Believe: We Meet Jesus in the Sacraments. Each chapter's unique teaching of faith is modeled in each lesson under three headings: We Gather; We Believe; We Respond. Woven into these three headings are four faith statements, which guide reading and discussion. Seven major themes of Catholic social teaching, the catechism of the Catholic Church, Scripture, and Rites of the Catholic Church, saints and Catholic profiles, feasts, devotions, prayers, and practices are incorporated into each unit. There is also the opportunity for students to share what has been learned with their families by sharing the "Family Page" at the conclusion of each chapter.

Unit 1- Growing with Jesus Christ
Unit 2- Commandments Help Us to Love God
Unit 3- Commandments Help Us to Love others
Unit 4- We are called to Holiness

Jesus
Conscience
Penance
Reconciliation
Eucharist
Holiness
Discipleship
Saints
Stewardship
Church History
Community Service Projects
Prayers
The Rosary
The Beatitudes
The Ten Commandments
Corporal Works of Mercy
Spiritual Works of Mercy
Stations of the Cross
The Seven Sacraments
Benziger Family Life Series: Which centers around five themes; God's gift of Family, Self, Life, Love and Community
Weekly Mass- Fourth grade students will attend weekly Mass. All students are given opportunities to participate in the liturgy of the Mass as each grade takes responsibility for planning the various Masses.

Language Arts:

Sentence Structure
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Capitalization and Punctuation
Pronouns
Adverbs and Prepositions
Writing a Personal Narrative
Writing a Research Report
Writing to Express and Opinion
Writing to Persuade
Writing Instructions
Listening and Speaking Strategies
Building Vocabulary
Research and Study Strategies
Test-Taking Strategies
Using Technology
Writer's Tool
Guide to Capitalization, Punctuation, and Usage
Spelling Guide
Diagramming Guide
Thesaurus

Meeting Your Child's Needs: Individual student needs will be met through a variety of components offered with the Houghton Mifflin program. Three learning levels tailored to compliment individual learning styles are offered with all lessons and texts. The writing units contain writing rubrics with analysis for three different levels of skills. An example of a student-writing rubric can be found on page 352 in the fourth grade student text and page 381 in the fifth grade student text. The language arts program strives for individual success. Each student is a rare book full of marvelous information and ideas to share. Combined, all of those rare books create an entire set of encyclopedias.

Reading: Houghton Mifflin reading is based on research conducted by many respected university professors, reading consultants, and a phonetic consultant from around the country. It is standards-lesson format. The five key areas are: Phonemic Awareness; Phonics; Comprehension; Vocabulary; Fluency. Each anthology consists of six themes.

Grade 4: Anthology is Tradition with the following themes:

Theme 1: "Journey" - a focus on mysteries
Theme 2: "American Plays" - a focus on plays
Theme 3: "That's Amazing!"
Theme 4: "Problem Solving: - a focus on poetry
Theme 5: "Heroes" - a focus on Pourquoi tales
Theme 6: "Nature: Friend and Foe"

Six reading strategies are worked with throughout the year. Students learn to apply all strategies to every selection they read before, during, or after reading or a combination. The six strategies are: Predict/Infer; Phonics/Decoding; Monitor/Clarify; Question; Evaluate; and Summarize.

Math:

5/4 Saxon Math Scope and Sequence

Numbers and Operations

Measurement

Geometry

Algebra

Statistics, Data, Analysis, and Probability

Problem-Solving Strategies

Mathematical Reasoning

Real-World Connections

Communications

Manipulatives

Technology

Social Studies:

United States Geography
United States Government
United States Economy
Neighboring Countries
Location of the 50 states and their capitols
State research project
Skills in geography are enhanced by the use of Desk Top Maps
Explore current events using the Time for Kids news magazine

Science:

Hands-on investigations introduce each new lesson

Life Science- Looking at Ecosystems

Earth Science- Earth's Surface

Physical Science- Forces and Motion

Computer:

Computer courtesy and etiquette
Computer components and basic knowledge
Computer vocabulary
Keyboarding skills (10wpm)
Word Processing Basics
Resizing and formatting objects
Online safety
Using the Internet to search for subjects
Finding Websites of the Week (WOW)
Navigating through websites to obtain information
Setting backgrounds
Paint basic

Fifth Grade

Curriculum Highlights

Religion: The fifth graders use the Sadlier text titled, We Believe: We Meet Jesus in the Sacraments. Each chapter's unique teaching of faith is modeled in each lesson under three headings: We Gather; We Believe; We Respond. Woven into these three headings are four faith statements, which guide reading and discussion. Seven major themes of Catholic social teaching, the catechism of the Catholic Church, Scripture, and Rites of the Catholic Church, saints, and Catholic profiles, feasts, devotions, prayers, and practices are incorporated into each unit. There is also the opportunity for students to share what has been learned with their families by sharing the "Family Page" at the conclusion of each chapter.

Unit 1: Jesus Christ Shares His Life with Us
Unit 2: Confirmation and Eucharist
Unit 3: The Sacrament of Healing
Unit 4: We Love and Serve as Jesus Did

The Curriculum is supplemented with:

Prayers
The Ten Commandments
The Rosary
Bible Research
Family Life
Benziger Family Life Series: Which centers around five themes; God's gift of Family, Self, Life, Love and Community
Weekly Mass-Fifth grade students will attend weekly Mass. All students are given opportunities to participate in the liturgy of the Mass as each grade takes responsibility for planning the various Masses.

Language Arts:

Sentence Structure
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Capitalization and Punctuation
Pronouns
Adverbs and Prepositions
Writing a Personal Narrative
Writing and Research Report
Writing to Express an Opinion
Writing to Persuade
Writing a Story
Writing to Compare and Contrast
Listening and Speaking Strategies
Building Vocabulary
Research and Study Strategies
Test-Taking Strategies
Using Technology
Guide to Capitalization, Punctuation, and Usage
Spelling Guide
Diagramming Guide

Grade 5: Anthology is Expeditions with the following themes:

Theme 1-"Nature's Fury" - a focus on tall tales
Theme 2- "Give It All You Got" - a focus on poetry
Theme 3- "Voices of the Revolution:
Theme 4- "Person to Person"- a focus on plays
Theme 5- "One Land, Many Trails" - a focus on autobiography
Theme 6- "Animal Encounters"

Math:

6/5 Saxon Math Scope and Sequence
Numbers and Operations
Measurement
Geometry
Algebra
Statistics, Data, Analysis, and Probability
Problem-Solving Strategies
Mathematical Reasoning
Real-World Connections
Communication
Manipulatives
Technology

Social Studies:

Our Nation's Geography
Native Americans
The Age of Exploration
The First Colonies
13 Colonies Research Project
The Revolutionary War
The Constitution
The Civil War
Skills in geography are enhanced by the use of Desk Top Maps
Explore current events the Time for Kids news magazine

Science: Hands on investigations introduce each new lesson

Earth Science:
The Solar System and Beyond
Processes that Change the Earth

Life Science:
Processes of Living Things

Physical Science
Building Blocks of Matter

Computer:

Keyboarding Skills (15 WPM)
Microsoft Word-More Advanced use of the toolbars
Microsoft Excel-Chart Making, Basic Formula Use
Using the Internet- More advanced ways of searching
WebQuest-Group Projects using the Internet/PowerPoint
Finding Websites-Website of the Week

1st - 5th Grade Enrichment

1st - 3rd Grade Enrichment

Accelerated Reader
Personal reading selection at the appropriate reading level is the key to accelerated reader: The students take computer-generated tests on the book read and receive points. The points translate into awards or certificates. The purpose is to instill a love of reading for enjoyment and understanding of what is read.

Art
Elements and principles of art are taught at this level. Exploring and experimenting with various methods and materials is an important part of all art studies. They will learn to recognize and understand vocabulary and concepts. Students will learn about various artists and their styles, culture, and heritage. Creative problem solving, creativity, and responsible use of tools is promoted and encouraged.

Character Education
Austin Catholic Schools utilized the FISH! Philosophy which is a motivational, character-building program that encourages children to participate in four areas of character development: Be There! Choose Your Attitude! Play! Make Their Day!

Computer
Introduction to computer basics using a mouse and computer games to enhance classroom learning. By second semester of first grade, your child will begin to learn typing skills. Many education computer games/activities are used to enhance your child's academic skills.

Kidstime After School Program
Kidstime is a child-care program designed to provide quality after-school care for elementary school-aged children attending Austin Catholic Elementary School. For the students, Kidstime is a time to form friendships, have fun, relax, and discover hobbies, all in a safe and supervised school environment.

Lab Rats
This is an after school Science Club. It centers on hands-on, science enrichment program for the students. The club will meet each month after school on Wednesdays in three sections, one for first through third grades, one for fourth through fifth grades, and one for sixth through eighth grades. The classes will last until 3:30 for elementary children. Each month, the students will explore topics more in depth than we are able to do in standard classes. Groups will be limited to 24 students, so there will be a sign-up time. It will cost each student $1.00 each month to cover the cost of supplies used. The program will start in the month of October. Watch for more information in the monthly newsletters.

Matchbox Children's Theatre
Each year, our children in grades K-3 attend three special student performances by the Matchbox Children's Theatre during their school day. These performances are always fun and full of energy. The children enjoy these opportunities to experience the "performing arts."

Music
Music classes meet twice a week for a total of 60 minutes. Lessons are based on the Orff & Kodaly methods. These methods center on the use of concepts as building blocks. Activities include singing culturally diverse folk songs, studying and listening to different compositions by a wide range of composers, movement to music, instrument playing, vocal explorations, and hands-on music involvement, etc. Students are involved in a Christmas and spring show every year.

Physical Education
Physical education always begins with a prayer to remind us of all the gifts we have been given and ask God to help the many less fortunate children.

Goals for Grades 1, 2, 3, Physical education include:

To enjoy playing activities with classmates, to experience the feeling of success through practice and determination, and to be a good sport in winning or losing.
Develop an appreciation for fitness. Warm ups include all motor skills, (ex. running and push ups, hand weights routine with running, etc.)
Ball Skills as they relate to team sports, partner practice. (Ex. soccer various kicking skills- using lower baskets for lay up shooting).
Lead up games for many team sports, contest using skills and competition.
Tumbling mat skills at the appropriate level. Balance beam, fitness challenges.
Rhythms- dance skills (ex. polka, step aerobatics)
Small activities- individual small equipment for challenges (ex. juggle sticks) Grades one, two and three are very eager for a challenge and appreciate praise when they have accomplished a new skill.

Spanish
In lower elementary, students will learn to appreciate and enjoy the Spanish language. They will learn basic vocabulary like numbers, colors, days of the week, month of the year, animals, seasons, weather, etc. The emphasis, at this stage, will be on listening and speaking. As they progress, we will introduce some reading and writing. The students will learn through many avenues like music, movement and stories.

Student of the Month
A child is nominated each month by teachers to become the student of the month. This is a student who best demonstrates the characteristics of our FISH Philosophy.

VOWAC (Grades K-2nd)
The goal of VoWac is to give children tools to sound out words and spell correctly. In each session, auditory, visual, and kinesthetic activities are used to include various learning types. Each letter sound is written and read by itself. Later these sounds are blended to form syllables and then words. Various elements of language are taught. These include consonants, vowels, diagraphs, blends, and diphthongs. Students learn to put sounds together for words, syllable types, root words, and affixes. Children learn about the rules that make the English language. They also learn the words that follow no rules. This knowledge carries over to reading and spelling and writing. Visual Phonics is used daily in connection with VoWac. Students' hands become a daily tool for learning. This program addresses language in a structured, sequential, and cumulative pattern.

4th-5th Grade Enrichment

Accelerated Reader
This is an incentive program that; beginning with the 4th & 5th grades, awards points achieved by reading books. There are point clubs that have specific values to me met. Awards are given on the points accumulated. Families can help by reading with their students each night and asking questions about the books to help with the comprehension needed for total points on the tests.

Art
In upper elementary, students will learn to coordinate their hands and minds using different media, technique, and processes to communicate ideas, experiences, and stories in their art work. Students will form their compositions using the elements and principles of art. They will select and use subject matter, symbols, and ideas to communicate meaning. They will look at the art of others, respond to it and evaluate it, also review and modify their own work.

Band and Orchestra
Band and orchestra is a musical option offered to 5th graders through the Austin Public Schools. After selecting an instrument to play, students attend group practice and lessons one or two times a week. They use their their talents to perform at least 2 concerts during the school year.

Birding Festival
Each spring, the fifth grade goes to the Hormel Nature Center for a bird watching and pond study field trip. This is the culmination of many months of work on Art and Language Arts projects about birds in Minnesota. Each student chooses a bird, draws a picture of that bird, and completes a research project about the bird. These projects are then submitted to the Oak Savanna Birding Festival and judged for quality. The field trip concentrates on why birds are here or not here in Minnesota at certain times of the year. Students discuss adaptations, learn birdcalls, and practice bird behaviors. The fifth graders also use binoculars to identify many species of birds at the nature center in a fun-filled half-day experience.

Character Education
Austin Catholic Schools utilizes the FISH! Philosophy which is a motivational, character-building program that encourages children to participate in four areas of character development: Be There!- Choose Your Attitude!- Play!- Make Their Day!

Community Service

Cards to Troops
Boxtops for Education
Baptism cards for churches
Food collection
Youth Link
Pennies for Patients
UNICEF
Jean Day Proceeds to service organizations

Geography Bee

Students in grades 4-8 participate in a Geography Bee that is sponsored by the National Geographic Society. It is designed to encourage the teaching and learning of geography.

Homework Club

Homework Club is offered 2 times a week to students in grades 4 & 5. It provides an opportunity for the students to work on homework in a quiet environment with teachers available to answer questions in all subject areas. Homework club lasts until 3:30 and is supervised by the 4 & 5 team of teachers.

Library

Skills in grades 4-5 are:

Fiction versus nonfiction
Card catalog
Reference materials such as encyclopedia, dictionary, atlas, thesaurus, etc.
Dewey Decimal Classification
Genres of literature such as historical fiction, poetry, biography, realistic fiction, etc.

These skills are introduced in grade 4, practiced and reinforced in grade 5.

Math Masters

Math masters is a mathematics challenge competition for 6th graders. Competition teams are chosen with the purpose of challenging the students to use higher level thinking skills and problem solving strategies. The students compete as individuals and in teams.

Music

In upper elementary, music classes meet twice per week. Progressive lessons expand upon previously explored concepts. Music at this level explores composition, notation, and music history while creating advanced vocal and instrumental ensembles. Students are involved in a Christmas and spring concert each year.

Clover Choir

All 4th and 5th grade students are invited to participate in Clover Choir. This is an extra-curricular ensemble which meets before school once a week for 45 minutes. This choir performs at Christmas and in the spring concert. There are other performance possibilities throughout the year including participation in honor choirs and the Winona Elementary Choral Festival.

Physical Education

During physical education class, your child will understand the importance of physical fitness while learning the rules of etiquette of various sports and games. We emphasize sportsmanlike conduct in all of our activities. It is our objective to promote a positive learning environment while in competitive situations guiding our students to be Christian in their attitudes both in and out of the gym.

Science Fair

Fourth through fifth graders are encouraged to create a science fair type project. Each student will present the project to the class and those interested students will have their projects judged on a competitive basis for the regional science fair. All projects will be graded on use of the scientific method and presentation.

Spanish

Communication is the primary goal in Spanish class, so a special emphasis will be placed on listening and speaking. As the students progress in their knowledge, more writing and reading will occur, especially in grades 4 & 5, you can expect your child to learn to:

Listen to and comprehend basic conversational Spanish.
Speak with simple words and phrases with communication
Read short stories and other simple texts.
Write vocabulary words and some beginning sentence structure.
Say the Lords Prayer and read Bible versus in Spanish
Understand some of the culture behind the Spanish language
Identify basic vocabulary like: colors, numbers to 100, clothing, family members, days of the week, months of the year, weather, time, Spanish-speaking countries and more.

Spelling Bee

Students in grades 5-8 compete for a chance to go to the regional spelling bee in Rochester, Minnesota.

Student of the Month

A child is nominated each month by teachers to become the student of the month. This is a student who best demonstrates the characteristics of our FISH Philosophy.

Chess Club

This is an after school club that meets on 3 Wednesday of the month to learn the game and strategies behind the game of chess. The goal of chess club is to introduce the students to the game of chess as well as patience, sportsmanship, logical thinking and problem solving skills. The culmination of the club is a tournament with the eventual crowning of a Chess Club Champion. They meet until 3:30 for grades 4 and 5.

Lab Rats

This is an after school Science Club. It is a hands-on, science enrichment program for the students. The club will meet each month after school on Wednesdays in three sections, one for first through third grades, one for fourth through fifth grade, and one for sixth through eighth grades. The classes will last until 3:30 for elementary children. The elementary students will meet in the ACES third floor science lab. Each month, the students will explore topics more in depth than we are able to do in standard classes. Groups will be limited to 24 students, so there will be a sign-up time. It will cost each student $1.00 each month to cover the cost of supplies used. The program will start in the month of October. Watch for more information in the monthly newsletters.


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Home Page Welcome Daily Announcement News and Events Calendar/Lunch Menu Academics Athletics Activities Gifting and Giving Foundation	Elementary First Grade Second Grade Third Grade Fourth Grade Fifth Grade Enrichment First Grade Curriculum Highlights Religion: Austin Catholic School first graders will learn about creation, Trinity, Jesus, God's Church, God's love, and seasons of Church Year. In addition, our students have the opportunity to enhance their spiritual learning through weekly Mass participation and daily prayer. Weekly Mass: First Grade Students will attend weekly Mass. All students are given opportunities to participate in the liturgy of the Mass as each grade takes responsibility for planning the various Masses. Jesus Teaches Us About God's Love We Are Followers of Jesus We Belong to the Church We Celebrate and Live Our Faith Benziger Family Life Services: Which centers around five themes; God's gift of Family, Self, Life, Love and Community. Reading: Your child will learn to read with understanding and critical thinking, to participate in guided reading, to read with expression, and learn about books through exposure to different authors and illustrators. Language Arts skills are developed through the use of journaling using development spelling, VOWAC spelling, talking in a complete sentence, writing a complete sentence, using capital/small letters properly, using possessives and story/poetry writing. First grade students may participate in the Accelerated Reading program. Math: Our students will learn number skills, fractions, money, geometry and measurement, time and calendar, temperature, and linear measure. Social Studies: The following six themes are taught in first grade; Citizenship: Rules and laws guide people to live safely and be responsible citizens. Places: People live in many different locations. Where people live affects the way they live. Our Country: We learn about our country through its symbols, heroes, and holidays. Change: In many ways, people today are the same as people who lived long ago. But the way people live has changed over time. People: Although Americans may have come from different backgrounds, they share some beliefs. Markets: People trade goods and services with each other. They make choices about how to spend their money. Science: Life Science Life cycles of plants Life cycles of animals Environments for living things/basic words Places to live Earth Science Earth Natural resources Weather, seasons, and the sky Physical Science Matter Energy (heat, light and sound) Motion/magnets Library: Library etiquette Story Structure/Story Predicting/questioning Learn to self select appropriate books Fiction vs. Non-fiction Practice book vocabulary Second Grade Our goal in second grade is to help your child meet and excel in high levels of academic standards. Our second graders learn to be focused as they expand their knowledge base and increase their faith by preparing to receive two very important sacraments: the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Sacrament of First Holy Communion. Curriculum Highlights Religion: As a second grader, your child's religious education will have special emphasis on sacrament preparation for Reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist. Second graders will study: Weekly Mass-Second Grade Students will attend weekly Mass. All students are given opportunities to participate in the liturgy of the Mass as each grade takes responsibility for planning the various Masses. Jesus Christ is With Us Always Jesus Calls us to Penance and Reconciliation Jesus Gives Himself in the Eucharist We Live Our Catholic Faith Benziger Family Life Series: Which centers around five themes; God's gift of Family, Self, Life Love and Community Language Arts: Your child's language arts skills will be enhanced by developing the following areas: Phonics/decoding skills Comprehension skills and strategies Information and study skills Spelling Vocabulary Grammar usage and mechanics Writing Process Math: Second graders will gain skills in: Numeration Concepts of whole number operations Whole number computations Fractions and decimals Money Geometry and spatial relationships Measurement Data analysis and statistics Probability Algebra functions Social Studies: Second graders at Austin Catholic Schools have the enjoyment of participating in the Austin Junior Police Program. Your second grade student will study community and state governments, citizenship, maps and globe skills, Native American history, world cultures, and human/capital resources. Science: History and Nature of Science Scientific World View Scientific Inquiry Physical Science Motion Earth and Space Science Earth Structure and Processes Life Science Interdependence of Life Flow of Matter and Energy Human Organism Library: Library etiquette Story Structure/Story Predicting/Questioning Alphabetizing Begin learning library skills Third Grade What makes our third grade special? We work together as a team to build community within our classrooms and across the school. We learn to help those in need. We learn to be kind and help out as needed. We concentrate on working and playing in a Christ-like way. Curriculum Highlights Religion: The third grade students use the Sadlier text titled, We Believe: We are the Church. Unit 1-Jesus gives Us the Church Unit 2- We are Members of the Church Unit 3- The Church Leads Us in Worship Unit 4- We are Called to Discipleship The Curriculum is supplemented with: Good News for Children: a weekly Gospel series that provides lessons on the scriptures, traditions, and teaching of the church. It allows children the opportunity to reflect on their lives in light of the Sunday Gospel. Benziger Family Life Series: Which centers around five themes; God's gift Family, Self, Life, Love and Community. Weekly Mass: Third grade students will attend weekly Mass. All students are given opportunities to participate in the liturgy of the Mass as each grade takes responsibility for planning the various Masses. Language Arts: Our students will engage in the reading process and will understand, respond to, analyze, interpret, evaluate, and appreciate a wide variety of genre including fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Use word recognition analysis and fluency Acquire, understand, and use new reading, speaking, and listening vocabularies through instruction and independent reading Apply strategies for comprehending written material Use of table of contents, glossary, guide words, dictionary, encyclopedia Use of phonics, syllabication, word structure, and meaning to spell independently Speak clearly, accurately, and fluently using appropriate delivery for a variety of purposes. Students will demonstrate appropriate listening behaviors in small and large group situations Write legibly in both print and cursive for various purposes and will use various forms of writing (journaling, letters, and poetry, thank-you notes, descriptive and narrative). Math: Third grade students will expand their knowledge and challenge themselves in the areas: Numeration Fractions Decimals Operations and computations Patterns Functions and algebra Data Geometry Measurement and reference frames Social Studies: Your child will gain map and globe skills, study continents and oceans, living in the desert, forest or grasslands, Native Americans, Aztecs, government, Washington D.C., and fire safety. Science: Austin Catholic Schools third graders will further their knowledge of plants, animals, matter, energy, machines, life, sound, the changing earth, planets, weather, the human body, and nutrition. Library: Library etiquette Continue library skills Structure/predicting/questioning Story Structure/Story Predicting/Questioning Alphabetizing Begin learning library skills Fourth Grade Curriculum Highlights Religion: The fourth graders use the Sadlier text titled, We Believe: We Meet Jesus in the Sacraments. Each chapter's unique teaching of faith is modeled in each lesson under three headings: We Gather; We Believe; We Respond. Woven into these three headings are four faith statements, which guide reading and discussion. Seven major themes of Catholic social teaching, the catechism of the Catholic Church, Scripture, and Rites of the Catholic Church, saints and Catholic profiles, feasts, devotions, prayers, and practices are incorporated into each unit. There is also the opportunity for students to share what has been learned with their families by sharing the "Family Page" at the conclusion of each chapter. Unit 1- Growing with Jesus Christ Unit 2- Commandments Help Us to Love God Unit 3- Commandments Help Us to Love others Unit 4- We are called to Holiness Jesus Conscience Penance Reconciliation Eucharist Holiness Discipleship Saints Stewardship Church History Community Service Projects Prayers The Rosary The Beatitudes The Ten Commandments Corporal Works of Mercy Spiritual Works of Mercy Stations of the Cross The Seven Sacraments Benziger Family Life Series: Which centers around five themes; God's gift of Family, Self, Life, Love and Community Weekly Mass- Fourth grade students will attend weekly Mass. All students are given opportunities to participate in the liturgy of the Mass as each grade takes responsibility for planning the various Masses. Language Arts: Sentence Structure Nouns Verbs Adjectives Capitalization and Punctuation Pronouns Adverbs and Prepositions Writing a Personal Narrative Writing a Research Report Writing to Express and Opinion Writing to Persuade Writing Instructions Listening and Speaking Strategies Building Vocabulary Research and Study Strategies Test-Taking Strategies Using Technology Writer's Tool Guide to Capitalization, Punctuation, and Usage Spelling Guide Diagramming Guide Thesaurus Meeting Your Child's Needs: Individual student needs will be met through a variety of components offered with the Houghton Mifflin program. Three learning levels tailored to compliment individual learning styles are offered with all lessons and texts. The writing units contain writing rubrics with analysis for three different levels of skills. An example of a student-writing rubric can be found on page 352 in the fourth grade student text and page 381 in the fifth grade student text. The language arts program strives for individual success. Each student is a rare book full of marvelous information and ideas to share. Combined, all of those rare books create an entire set of encyclopedias. Reading: Houghton Mifflin reading is based on research conducted by many respected university professors, reading consultants, and a phonetic consultant from around the country. It is standards-lesson format. The five key areas are: Phonemic Awareness; Phonics; Comprehension; Vocabulary; Fluency. Each anthology consists of six themes. Grade 4: Anthology is Tradition with the following themes: Theme 1: "Journey" - a focus on mysteries Theme 2: "American Plays" - a focus on plays Theme 3: "That's Amazing!" Theme 4: "Problem Solving: - a focus on poetry Theme 5: "Heroes" - a focus on Pourquoi tales Theme 6: "Nature: Friend and Foe" Six reading strategies are worked with throughout the year. Students learn to apply all strategies to every selection they read before, during, or after reading or a combination. The six strategies are: Predict/Infer; Phonics/Decoding; Monitor/Clarify; Question; Evaluate; and Summarize. Math: 5/4 Saxon Math Scope and Sequence Numbers and Operations Measurement Geometry Algebra Statistics, Data, Analysis, and Probability Problem-Solving Strategies Mathematical Reasoning Real-World Connections Communications Manipulatives Technology Social Studies: United States Geography United States Government United States Economy Neighboring Countries Location of the 50 states and their capitols State research project Skills in geography are enhanced by the use of Desk Top Maps Explore current events using the Time for Kids news magazine Science: Hands-on investigations introduce each new lesson Life Science- Looking at Ecosystems Earth Science- Earth's Surface Physical Science- Forces and Motion Computer: Computer courtesy and etiquette Computer components and basic knowledge Computer vocabulary Keyboarding skills (10wpm) Word Processing Basics Resizing and formatting objects Online safety Using the Internet to search for subjects Finding Websites of the Week (WOW) Navigating through websites to obtain information Setting backgrounds Paint basic Fifth Grade Curriculum Highlights Religion: The fifth graders use the Sadlier text titled, We Believe: We Meet Jesus in the Sacraments. Each chapter's unique teaching of faith is modeled in each lesson under three headings: We Gather; We Believe; We Respond. Woven into these three headings are four faith statements, which guide reading and discussion. Seven major themes of Catholic social teaching, the catechism of the Catholic Church, Scripture, and Rites of the Catholic Church, saints, and Catholic profiles, feasts, devotions, prayers, and practices are incorporated into each unit. There is also the opportunity for students to share what has been learned with their families by sharing the "Family Page" at the conclusion of each chapter. Unit 1: Jesus Christ Shares His Life with Us Unit 2: Confirmation and Eucharist Unit 3: The Sacrament of Healing Unit 4: We Love and Serve as Jesus Did The Curriculum is supplemented with: Prayers The Ten Commandments The Rosary Bible Research Family Life Benziger Family Life Series: Which centers around five themes; God's gift of Family, Self, Life, Love and Community Weekly Mass-Fifth grade students will attend weekly Mass. All students are given opportunities to participate in the liturgy of the Mass as each grade takes responsibility for planning the various Masses. Language Arts: Sentence Structure Nouns Verbs Adjectives Capitalization and Punctuation Pronouns Adverbs and Prepositions Writing a Personal Narrative Writing and Research Report Writing to Express an Opinion Writing to Persuade Writing a Story Writing to Compare and Contrast Listening and Speaking Strategies Building Vocabulary Research and Study Strategies Test-Taking Strategies Using Technology Guide to Capitalization, Punctuation, and Usage Spelling Guide Diagramming Guide Meeting Your Child's Needs: Individual student needs will be met through a variety of components offered with the Houghton Mifflin program. Three learning levels tailored to compliment individual learning styles are offered with all lessons and texts. The writing units contain writing rubrics with analysis for three different levels of skills. An example of a student-writing rubric can be found on page 352 in the fourth grade student text and page 381 in the fifth grade student text. The language arts program strives for individual success. Each student is a rare book full of marvelous information and ideas to share. Combined, all of those rare books create an entire set of encyclopedias. Reading: Houghton Mifflin reading is based on research conducted by many respected university professors, reading consultants, and a phonetic consultant from around the country. It is standards-lesson format. The five key areas are: Phonemic Awareness; Phonics; Comprehension; Vocabulary; Fluency. Each anthology consists of six themes. Grade 5: Anthology is Expeditions with the following themes: Theme 1-"Nature's Fury" - a focus on tall tales Theme 2- "Give It All You Got" - a focus on poetry Theme 3- "Voices of the Revolution: Theme 4- "Person to Person"- a focus on plays Theme 5- "One Land, Many Trails" - a focus on autobiography Theme 6- "Animal Encounters" Six reading strategies are worked with throughout the year. Students learn to apply all strategies to every selection they read before, during, or after reading or a combination. The six strategies are: Predict/Infer; Phonics/Decoding; Monitor/Clarify; Question; Evaluate; and Summarize. Math: 6/5 Saxon Math Scope and Sequence Numbers and Operations Measurement Geometry Algebra Statistics, Data, Analysis, and Probability Problem-Solving Strategies Mathematical Reasoning Real-World Connections Communication Manipulatives Technology Social Studies: Our Nation's Geography Native Americans The Age of Exploration The First Colonies 13 Colonies Research Project The Revolutionary War The Constitution The Civil War Skills in geography are enhanced by the use of Desk Top Maps Explore current events the Time for Kids news magazine Science: Hands on investigations introduce each new lesson Earth Science: The Solar System and Beyond Processes that Change the Earth Life Science: Processes of Living Things Physical Science Building Blocks of Matter Computer: Keyboarding Skills (15 WPM) Microsoft Word-More Advanced use of the toolbars Microsoft Excel-Chart Making, Basic Formula Use Using the Internet- More advanced ways of searching WebQuest-Group Projects using the Internet/PowerPoint Finding Websites-Website of the Week 1st - 5th Grade Enrichment 1st - 3rd Grade Enrichment Accelerated Reader Personal reading selection at the appropriate reading level is the key to accelerated reader: The students take computer-generated tests on the book read and receive points. The points translate into awards or certificates. The purpose is to instill a love of reading for enjoyment and understanding of what is read. Art Elements and principles of art are taught at this level. Exploring and experimenting with various methods and materials is an important part of all art studies. They will learn to recognize and understand vocabulary and concepts. Students will learn about various artists and their styles, culture, and heritage. Creative problem solving, creativity, and responsible use of tools is promoted and encouraged. Character Education Austin Catholic Schools utilized the FISH! Philosophy which is a motivational, character-building program that encourages children to participate in four areas of character development: Be There! Choose Your Attitude! Play! Make Their Day! Computer Introduction to computer basics using a mouse and computer games to enhance classroom learning. By second semester of first grade, your child will begin to learn typing skills. Many education computer games/activities are used to enhance your child's academic skills. Kidstime After School Program Kidstime is a child-care program designed to provide quality after-school care for elementary school-aged children attending Austin Catholic Elementary School. For the students, Kidstime is a time to form friendships, have fun, relax, and discover hobbies, all in a safe and supervised school environment. Lab Rats This is an after school Science Club. It centers on hands-on, science enrichment program for the students. The club will meet each month after school on Wednesdays in three sections, one for first through third grades, one for fourth through fifth grades, and one for sixth through eighth grades. The classes will last until 3:30 for elementary children. Each month, the students will explore topics more in depth than we are able to do in standard classes. Groups will be limited to 24 students, so there will be a sign-up time. It will cost each student $1.00 each month to cover the cost of supplies used. The program will start in the month of October. Watch for more information in the monthly newsletters. Matchbox Children's Theatre Each year, our children in grades K-3 attend three special student performances by the Matchbox Children's Theatre during their school day. These performances are always fun and full of energy. The children enjoy these opportunities to experience the "performing arts." Music Music classes meet twice a week for a total of 60 minutes. Lessons are based on the Orff & Kodaly methods. These methods center on the use of concepts as building blocks. Activities include singing culturally diverse folk songs, studying and listening to different compositions by a wide range of composers, movement to music, instrument playing, vocal explorations, and hands-on music involvement, etc. Students are involved in a Christmas and spring show every year. Physical Education Physical education always begins with a prayer to remind us of all the gifts we have been given and ask God to help the many less fortunate children. Goals for Grades 1, 2, 3, Physical education include: To enjoy playing activities with classmates, to experience the feeling of success through practice and determination, and to be a good sport in winning or losing. Develop an appreciation for fitness. Warm ups include all motor skills, (ex. running and push ups, hand weights routine with running, etc.) Ball Skills as they relate to team sports, partner practice. (Ex. soccer various kicking skills- using lower baskets for lay up shooting). Lead up games for many team sports, contest using skills and competition. Tumbling mat skills at the appropriate level. Balance beam, fitness challenges. Rhythms- dance skills (ex. polka, step aerobatics) Small activities- individual small equipment for challenges (ex. juggle sticks) Grades one, two and three are very eager for a challenge and appreciate praise when they have accomplished a new skill. Spanish In lower elementary, students will learn to appreciate and enjoy the Spanish language. They will learn basic vocabulary like numbers, colors, days of the week, month of the year, animals, seasons, weather, etc. The emphasis, at this stage, will be on listening and speaking. As they progress, we will introduce some reading and writing. The students will learn through many avenues like music, movement and stories. Student of the Month A child is nominated each month by teachers to become the student of the month. This is a student who best demonstrates the characteristics of our FISH Philosophy. VOWAC (Grades K-2nd) The goal of VoWac is to give children tools to sound out words and spell correctly. In each session, auditory, visual, and kinesthetic activities are used to include various learning types. Each letter sound is written and read by itself. Later these sounds are blended to form syllables and then words. Various elements of language are taught. These include consonants, vowels, diagraphs, blends, and diphthongs. Students learn to put sounds together for words, syllable types, root words, and affixes. Children learn about the rules that make the English language. They also learn the words that follow no rules. This knowledge carries over to reading and spelling and writing. Visual Phonics is used daily in connection with VoWac. Students' hands become a daily tool for learning. This program addresses language in a structured, sequential, and cumulative pattern. 4th-5th Grade Enrichment Accelerated Reader This is an incentive program that; beginning with the 4th & 5th grades, awards points achieved by reading books. There are point clubs that have specific values to me met. Awards are given on the points accumulated. Families can help by reading with their students each night and asking questions about the books to help with the comprehension needed for total points on the tests. Art In upper elementary, students will learn to coordinate their hands and minds using different media, technique, and processes to communicate ideas, experiences, and stories in their art work. Students will form their compositions using the elements and principles of art. They will select and use subject matter, symbols, and ideas to communicate meaning. They will look at the art of others, respond to it and evaluate it, also review and modify their own work. Band and Orchestra Band and orchestra is a musical option offered to 5th graders through the Austin Public Schools. After selecting an instrument to play, students attend group practice and lessons one or two times a week. They use their their talents to perform at least 2 concerts during the school year. Birding Festival Each spring, the fifth grade goes to the Hormel Nature Center for a bird watching and pond study field trip. This is the culmination of many months of work on Art and Language Arts projects about birds in Minnesota. Each student chooses a bird, draws a picture of that bird, and completes a research project about the bird. These projects are then submitted to the Oak Savanna Birding Festival and judged for quality. The field trip concentrates on why birds are here or not here in Minnesota at certain times of the year. Students discuss adaptations, learn birdcalls, and practice bird behaviors. The fifth graders also use binoculars to identify many species of birds at the nature center in a fun-filled half-day experience. Character Education Austin Catholic Schools utilizes the FISH! Philosophy which is a motivational, character-building program that encourages children to participate in four areas of character development: Be There!- Choose Your Attitude!- Play!- Make Their Day! Community Service Cards to Troops Boxtops for Education Baptism cards for churches Food collection Youth Link Pennies for Patients UNICEF Jean Day Proceeds to service organizations Geography Bee Students in grades 4-8 participate in a Geography Bee that is sponsored by the National Geographic Society. It is designed to encourage the teaching and learning of geography. Homework Club Homework Club is offered 2 times a week to students in grades 4 & 5. It provides an opportunity for the students to work on homework in a quiet environment with teachers available to answer questions in all subject areas. Homework club lasts until 3:30 and is supervised by the 4 & 5 team of teachers. Library Skills in grades 4-5 are: Fiction versus nonfiction Card catalog Reference materials such as encyclopedia, dictionary, atlas, thesaurus, etc. Dewey Decimal Classification Genres of literature such as historical fiction, poetry, biography, realistic fiction, etc. These skills are introduced in grade 4, practiced and reinforced in grade 5. Math Masters Math masters is a mathematics challenge competition for 6th graders. Competition teams are chosen with the purpose of challenging the students to use higher level thinking skills and problem solving strategies. The students compete as individuals and in teams. Music In upper elementary, music classes meet twice per week. Progressive lessons expand upon previously explored concepts. Music at this level explores composition, notation, and music history while creating advanced vocal and instrumental ensembles. Students are involved in a Christmas and spring concert each year. Clover Choir All 4th and 5th grade students are invited to participate in Clover Choir. This is an extra-curricular ensemble which meets before school once a week for 45 minutes. This choir performs at Christmas and in the spring concert. There are other performance possibilities throughout the year including participation in honor choirs and the Winona Elementary Choral Festival. Physical Education During physical education class, your child will understand the importance of physical fitness while learning the rules of etiquette of various sports and games. We emphasize sportsmanlike conduct in all of our activities. It is our objective to promote a positive learning environment while in competitive situations guiding our students to be Christian in their attitudes both in and out of the gym. Science Fair Fourth through fifth graders are encouraged to create a science fair type project. Each student will present the project to the class and those interested students will have their projects judged on a competitive basis for the regional science fair. All projects will be graded on use of the scientific method and presentation. Spanish Communication is the primary goal in Spanish class, so a special emphasis will be placed on listening and speaking. As the students progress in their knowledge, more writing and reading will occur, especially in grades 4 & 5, you can expect your child to learn to: Listen to and comprehend basic conversational Spanish. Speak with simple words and phrases with communication Read short stories and other simple texts. Write vocabulary words and some beginning sentence structure. Say the Lords Prayer and read Bible versus in Spanish Understand some of the culture behind the Spanish language Identify basic vocabulary like: colors, numbers to 100, clothing, family members, days of the week, months of the year, weather, time, Spanish-speaking countries and more. Spelling Bee Students in grades 5-8 compete for a chance to go to the regional spelling bee in Rochester, Minnesota. Student of the Month A child is nominated each month by teachers to become the student of the month. This is a student who best demonstrates the characteristics of our FISH Philosophy. Chess Club This is an after school club that meets on 3 Wednesday of the month to learn the game and strategies behind the game of chess. The goal of chess club is to introduce the students to the game of chess as well as patience, sportsmanship, logical thinking and problem solving skills. The culmination of the club is a tournament with the eventual crowning of a Chess Club Champion. They meet until 3:30 for grades 4 and 5. Lab Rats This is an after school Science Club. It is a hands-on, science enrichment program for the students. The club will meet each month after school on Wednesdays in three sections, one for first through third grades, one for fourth through fifth grade, and one for sixth through eighth grades. The classes will last until 3:30 for elementary children. The elementary students will meet in the ACES third floor science lab. Each month, the students will explore topics more in depth than we are able to do in standard classes. Groups will be limited to 24 students, so there will be a sign-up time. It will cost each student $1.00 each month to cover the cost of supplies used. The program will start in the month of October. Watch for more information in the monthly newsletters.
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