KINDERGARTEN
KINDERGARTEN
Students
enrolled in St. Vitus School's Kindergarten have the option of attending the
half-day or full-day program. An aide assists the teacher on a daily
basis. The children are given the opportunity to share and work
independently where they can further develop spiritually, socially, emotionally
and physically.
A monthly
calendar enhances the communication between the teacher and the parents.
The Kindergarten program builds upon the skills presented in the Pre-K program.
The children participate in the school's weekly Friday liturgies. Religion
is more than a subject. It is a way of life instilling morals, values and
virtues. The children are taught to respect themselves, others and their
property.
Reading
readiness is focused on knowing the alphabet, letter sound recognition,
beginning printing and reading skills, sign language, and journal writing.
Literature is introduced by listening to an anthology of stories.
The students are given hands-on experience with
manipulatives in math, which includes number recognition, shapes and patterns,
graphing and beginning addition and subtraction. Students also have thorough
science, social studies, health and safety, and Spanish programs.
The
Kindergarten students work on the computer program for individualized progress
in reading and math. The Kindergarten students also participate on a
weekly basis in physical education, music, library, computer and art classes.
GRADES 1, 2, & 3
Grades 1, 2,
and 3 are self-contained classes with exception of Physical Education and Music.
Other classes taught are Computer, Library, Art, and World Language:
Spanish. Grades 2 and 3 also
attend swimming classes at the YMCA once a week for a nine week time period.
RELIGION
: Our curriculum includes learning about the Mass,
Sacraments, Bible teachings, saints, and Sacramental preparation.
We emphasize living as a Catholic Christian.
Prayers are taught at the appropriate age level.
Liturgies and prayer services are an integral part of the learning
process at all levels. Children
attend Mass weekly. First Friday
liturgies are planned by all grade levels.
Integrated
Language Arts:
Science:
Through instruction and hands-on activities, the students are led
to a greater awareness of the power
and majesty of God’s creations as they learn about plants, animals, the earth,
matter, weather, water cycle, and simple machines.
Social
Studies:
Our Social Studies curriculum emphasizes people, neighborhoods,
and communities in our world. The
students acquire a basic knowledge of mapping skills, geography and history.
Students are repeatedly given practice in the use of the concepts, following their instruction, so they retain them and develop a solid foundation on which to confidently build their mathematical skills. New lessons are presented daily with an emphasis on review as a guided practice.
Grades
4, 5, and 6- Includes spelling, vocabulary, reading, creative writing, and
poetry. Correct grammar,
punctuation, and spelling are stressed for the language arts classes, and also
for the rest of the curriculum. Students
use technology daily to enhance their projects.
Additional projects include puppetry, group work, oral and written book
reports as well as multi-sensory presentations.
Grades
7-8- Includes spelling, vocabulary, reading, creative writing, and poetry.
Correct grammar, punctuation and spelling are stressed across the
curriculum. Students use technology
to enhance their projects. Some of
these projects include: group work,
oral and written book reports, public speaking, role plays, debates, research
papers, and school wide presentations.
The
Social Studies curriculum incorporates the study of History, Geography,
Economics, Critical Thinking Skills, Map and Globe Skills, Charts and Reference
Skills, and Current Events. When
possible, students are enriched with field trips.
Students
in the fourth grade study the regions of the
Students
in the fourth and eighth grades also do a unit on Pennsylvania History.
SCIENCE 4-8
The science program at St. Vitus School is strongly based on hands-on experimentation and technology. The use of data analysis, display, research and presentation is incorporated into the curriculum to enhance student understanding and participation. The students utilize the latest technology such as the Power Point, Smart Board, Windows on Science, and various software programs to culminate and share knowledge.
Concepts explored at the various levels include: cellular basis of life, life processes, classification and organization of living things, genetics and evolution, health and nutrition, body systems, life cycles, ecology and conservation, atomic structure of matter, weather and climate, Earth science, and properties of matter.
All groups use techniques
and devices so that students understand that music speaks to everyone in unique
ways. Students are taught concepts
and skills through experience, imitation, identification, labeling, practicing,
and reinforcement. An understanding
of music is built through singing, listening, signing, movement and creations.
Students become familiar with cultural diversity using multicultural
materials and recordings. Vocal
techniques are learned by using consistent vocal skills.
Sacred music is taught so that children are active participants in the
children’s masses. Rhythm, melody,
tone color form, texture and style are incorporated into the music classes with
each successive year expanding on these concepts.
Grades 4-8 feature components are the orchestra, concert music, and
classical composers.