Why I Like St. Joe's:
[by the First Grade class]
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Copyright © 2010
Saint Joseph School of Downers Grove
[by the First Grade class]
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Copyright © 2010
Saint Joseph School of Downers Grove
Text: Harcourt Storytown Series, McGraw-Hill Math Series adapted in 2003, plus Math Their Way Series. The Joliet Diocese has set 33 challenging math standards for kindergarten. The early goal is to count and read numerals from one to 100. By the end of the school year, the children will be successful in addition, and understanding the process of subtraction. They also study graphing, measuring, telling time, recognizing sets and recognizing coins. The children often use manipulatives (objects) for counting and estimating.
Text: McGraw-Hill Reading Series. This program uses phonics-based techniques of blending, where children sound out each letter. The objectives are to develop enthusiastic/avid readers, energetic thinkers and active writers.
Text: Harcourt Religion Publishers’ Call to Faith. Religion is incorporated in daily lessons, and the students work on developing and enhancing Christian behaviors of respect, friendship and responsibility. In addition, the children prepare for each weekend’s Gospel readings by using the Promise Newsletter. The newsletter, used in every grade at St. Joseph, helps students place their faith in modern-day situations. They also attend the school Mass once a month with their 5th grade buddies. The entire school makes the sign of the cross before and after reciting the daily prayers of the Our Father and Hail Mary.
Text: Scott Foresman Science [adapted in 2005]. The students focus on life science, such as the characteristics of living things, and physical science, such as exploring the senses and the way things move. They also study Earth science, including the sky and human body. Kindergarteners participate in monthly science experiment days, during which parents come in to help with simple experiments done in small groups.
The students work on these skills daily. The goals are letter recognition and formation of upper- and lower-case letters.
The entire class goes to the library and gym once a week. Each week, half of the students attend music class while the other half attends art lessons; the groups alternate weeks. The Kindergarteners sing and perform in the St. Joseph Christmas concert and spring VIP Show.