CURRICULUM AND METHODS
The curriculum at St. Rose of Lima School provides a child - centered learning environment employing a balance of self-discovery and teacher planned activities. Our program encourages the spiritual, physical, emotional, and academic growth of each child in a supportive atmosphere, created by a caring, dedicated, administration and staff. Assessment at St. Rose is one that includes but is not limited to standardized tests and other traditional methods of assessment. Report cards are distributed three times a year and parent conferences are held twice during the year. The use of teacher observation, rubrics, as well as, teacher-made tests provide other means of daily assessment. In March the students take the Terra Nova Tests of Basic Skills. On these tests, in the areas of reading, language, mathematics, science, and social studies, the school's percentile is in the high average range.
Early
Childhood
Preschool
The objectives of the
preschool are met through the children's study of God in the world around them,
the use of arts and crafts, music, finger play, stories, learning center
activities, group games, and outdoor play. The three year old program helps the
children to become more independent and to develop good social skills, while the
four year old program provides a readiness for kindergarten.
Kindergarten
The kindergarten program
affords each child an individual education. Teachers utilize a variety of
teaching techniques.
Religion
The students are taught
prayer, Bible stories, and to model Christ-like actions in their daily lives.
Special emphasis is placed on Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter.
Language Arts
The children develop
skills for writing, listening, speaking, word recognition, vocabulary building,
and reading readiness.
Mathematics
The students are
introduced to concrete and semi-concrete activities in problem solving, number
operations, algebra, measurement, and geometry.
Social
Studies /Science
The pupils are taught the
uniqueness of communities and the wonders of nature through hands-on activities.
Other
Subjects
The students attend Spanish, art, music, physical education, science lab,
library and computer class on a weekly basis.
Primary
Grades (1 - 3)
Religion
In the first grade the children become aware of God as Creator and are
introduced to the concept of the Trinity. Using
the foundation established in kindergarten, the children continue to grow and
deepen their understanding of the Bible and prayer.
The second graders prepare to celebrate the sacraments of Reconciliation
and Eucharist. The third grade
learns about respect for creation, the teachings of Jesus, and the Ten
Commandments.
Language
Arts
In the primary grades the students are taught pre-reading, reading, and
post reading strategies which develop the reading process.
As they build their vocabulary the children begin to write letters and
are introduced to writing that describes, informs, entertains, and persuades.
Through writing, the children continue to develop their knowledge of
spelling, parts of speech, and punctuation.
Mathematics
In
first, second, and third grade the children develop an understanding of problem
solving using the operations of addition, subtraction, and multiplication. The
concepts of algebra, measurement and geometry are introduced.
Social
Studies and Science In
social studies the primary children study communities, resources, maps, globes,
and directions. In science the
children study animals, plants, weather, and the properties of matter.
The third grade children further explore heat, light, sound, machines,
and the solar system.
Other
Subjects
The primary curriculum is
enhanced with opportunities for growth and self-expression through physical
education, art, and computer technology. Music
class, Spanish, science lab and an introduction to band through the use of
recorders, along with library are held weekly.
Intermediate
Grades (4-5)
Religion
In fourth grade, while the
students continue their study of Jesus and the Ten Commandments, they begin to
study the Beatitudes. The fifth
grade program, using the fourth grade knowledge as a foundation, includes the
study of the Mass, the sacraments, and the value of prayer in daily life.
Language
Arts The
language arts program in fourth and fifth grade is literature based.
The fifth grade, building on fourth grade skills, focuses on synthesizing
information, drawing conclusions, making inferences, story mapping, grammar, and
writing summaries. Process writing
is further developed in fourth and fifth grades through the writing of
compositions, book reports, and poetry. The
concept of portfolios as an organizational tool is introduced in fifth grade.
Mathematics
In mathematics, building
on the primary skills, the intermediate pupils use and apply the four operations
for whole numbers, decimals, fractions, and mixed numbers.
While continuing the study of algebra and geometry, students incorporate
the use of calculators in their daily work.
Social
Studies While
the fourth grade reviews map skills, globe skills, and geography, the emphasis
is on New Jersey. The fifth grade
further develops the five themes of geography and introduces the study of
American history, Canada and Latin
America.
Science
The science program in
fourth and fifth grade is a study of general, physical, and life science. The
science lab provides an exciting hands-on experience for the children.
A highlight of fifth grade science is the D.A.R.E. program.
This program affords the children an opportunity to interact with a local
police officer, who discusses self-esteem and peer pressure.
The officer employs a "say no approach" to drugs, alcohol, and
tobacco.
Other
Subjects In
fourth and fifth grade ample opportunity for growth and self expression
continues through the children's participation in music, physical education,
art, computer technology, science lab, Spanish, and library. The intermediate
children may participate in band (all instruments), and junior chorus.
Middle
School (6 - 8)
Religion
In sixth grade the students relate the Old Testament to the New Testament
and begin preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
The seventh grade continues preparation for Confirmation, and studies
Jesus, his life and times. The
eighth grade students study church history and culminate their study of
Confirmation with the reception of the sacrament.
Language
Arts
The curriculum in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade, like the fourth
and fifth, is literature based. The
curriculum builds on the same skills while developing an even deeper
understanding of comprehension, synthesizing, analyzing, drawing conclusions,
and making inferences. The children
study different genre: short story, novel, non-fiction, drama, and poetry. The
portfolio system continues in grades six, seven, and eight.
The portfolio continues to be an organizational tool where students keep
track of their grades, set goals for reading and writing, self-assess, and focus
on turning weaknesses in reading and writing into strengths.
Parental involvement is noted through a parent response form.
The writing process is also continued in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades.
The focus in the seventh and eighth grades is the writing of a unified and
coherent essay in different formats: persuasive, compare – contrast, and
expository. The eighth graders
conclude their study of writing with the production of a research paper.
Mathematics
In sixth, seventh, and eighth grade, while the pupils continue to review
basic functions, the program's emphasis is the study of pre-algebra, algebra,
and geometry. Individual needs are
met, either through classroom instruction or in an accelerated mathematics
program.
Social
Studies
In sixth grade the students continue the study of the five themes of
geography, examine the development and contributions of ancient civilizations
and acquire an overall view of the history of the Eastern
Hemisphere. The seventh grade
studies American history from Colonization to the Civil War. The eighth grade
continues studying American history, beginning with the period of Reconstruction
and culminating with present day world events. Civics is introduced as a subject
at this time.
Science
The Middle School science
curriculum encompasses concepts in life science, earth science, and physical
science. The principles of the
scientific method are employed as a means of investigating problems and testing
hypotheses. Correct use of
laboratory equipment (scales, microscopes, chemicals) is stressed while
providing the opportunity for individual and group discovery through
experimentation.
Other
Subjects
The enjoyment of art, music, physical education, computer technology and
Spanish is a continuing experience for the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades.
Homework Policy
Homework is given in all grades to provide practice in certain skills and to provide the opportunity of working independently. Students are expected to complete the assigned homework daily. Students are expected to spend approximately the following amount of time on homework:
Grade 1 15 - 20 minutes
Grade 2 - 3 30 minutes
Grade 4 45 minutes
Grade 5 - 6 60 minutes of written work and study
Grade 7 - 8 45 minutes of written work and 45 minutes of study