Curriculum Highlights > Holy Family Catholic School

Curriculum Highlights

PREK 3 CURRICULUM

Language Arts:

Mastery of capital letter recognition
Introduction to lower case letter recognition
Introduction to letter sounds
Nursery Rhymes
Songs
Finger plays
Daily story time

Pre-writing skills:

Tracing lines
Connect the dots
Begin practicing writing his/her name
Begin tracing letters

Math:

Counting Rote numbers: Mastery 1-10, Introduction 1-20
Mastery of shape Recognition
Mastery of color Recognition
Daily Calendar
Days of the week
Months of the year
Introduction to the concept of yesterday, tomorrow, and today
Patterns
Recognize opposites
Recognize matching

Science/Nature:

Daily weather
Seasons
In February the children make biodegradable birdfeeders and discuss how weather affects different animals
In April the children will plant seeds and watch them sprout and grow

Fine Motor Skills Development:

Introduction to snipping paper with scissors
Spring semester - cutting objects w/scissors
Gluing
Painting
Holding pencils/crayons in the correct form

Large Motor Skills Development:

Stretching during circle time
Introduction to various muscles
Running
Jumping
Playing

Social Development:

Using manners
Learning to share
Taking turns
Developing listening skills
Following instructions
Talking at appropriate times

Religion:

Daily Prayers – Hail Mary, Our Father, Guardian Angel Prayer, Sign of the Cross, Prayer before meals
Daily Pledge
Weekly Religion Lesson based on Old and New Testament stories with a craft/activity that enhances the lesson

PREK 4 CURRICULUM

Religion

Sign of the Cross
Our Father
Old and New Testament Bible stories

Language Arts

Nursery Rhymes
Fairy Tales
Letters of the Alphabet
Short vowel sounds
Consonant sounds
Consonant-vowel blends
Writing letters on lined paper

Math

Shapes
Numbers 1-20
Patterns – identify and produce
Simple graphing
Counting
Problem solving
Time and money

Social Studies and Science

Transportation
American symbols
Famous People
Farms
Christmas traditions around the world

Science

Dinosaurs
Animals
Plants
Bugs
Solar System
Planets

KINDERGARTEN PROFILE

Language

Know all the consonants and short vowel sounds
Know how to combine 3 letter words (w/short vowels) to create words
By the end of the year the children will know 70-80 common sight words
In October, begin short beginning readers: BOB BOOKS and books from Starfall (visit Starfall.com to view these.)
On lined paper, begin to write sentences from board to paper and dictate sentences to the children using their sight words. Work on using capital letters, spacing between words and ending sentence punctuation.
Use poetry, songs, and traditional stories and bible stories in reading and language area

Religion

Learn and know how to make the Sign of the Cross
Prayers: Our Father; Hail Mary
Bible stories: Jonah, Noah, Moses and the Ten Commandments, The Easter Story, The Birth of Jesus
Participate in various service projects
Learn to live the Way of Christ and make good choices.

Math

Recognize and write numbers 0-100
Count by 5’s, 10’s and 2’s
Know odd/even numbers
Sorting and graphing by size, color and shape
Distinguish between left/right
Patterns and sequencing
Time to the hour (1^st semester); to the half hour (2^nd semester)
Money: recognize and count pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters
Number stories, number pictures, and number problems
Addition and subtraction problems (doubles, +1, +2, +0)
Geometric shapes: cone, cylinder, sphere, and cube
Measuring using standard and non standard items

Social Studies and Science

Weather/ Seasons
Our 5 senses
Animals and their habitats
Our 7 Continents
Texas, our state
Manners
Health /Fitness/good eating habits
Solar System
Fire Safety
Living/Non living things
Direction—Left/right
North/South/East/West
Community Worker

Computer

Teach:

Parts of computer
How to operate computer
Keyboarding
Grouping
Incorporate reading skills
Incorporate Math skills
Using word program to type sight words

Objectives:

Identify computer as a machine that helps people work, play and help with school work.
Teach correct computer technology: mouse, monitor, keyboard, etc...
Demonstrate how to treat computer with respect, care and use correctly.
How to respect others work.
Discuss how to use Word: change font size, single space, double space, print, etc...
Teach how to log on different programs and the Internet.

FIRST GRADE PROFILE

Language Arts

Houghton Mifflin Journeys Reading series
Phonics
Comprehension strategies and skills
Vocabulary
Sight words
Writing process and skills
Parts of speech and punctuation
Spelling strategies

Math

Saxon Math level 2
Addition/Subtraction/Multiplication
Geometry
Fractions
Patterns
Time
Money
Measurement

Religion

Christ Our Life series
Basic prayers
Mass order and etiquette
Scripture
Church celebrations
Trinity
Baptism
Salvation
Love

Science

Science Fusion
Animals
Magnets
Solar System
Energy
Motion

Social Studies

Civics
History
Economics
Geography

SECOND GRADE PROFILE

Language Arts

Houghton Miffline Journeys Series
Fluency
Comprehension
Vocabulary
Parts of speech
Complete sentences
Spelling strategies
Book reports

Math

Saxon Math level 3
Addition/Subtraction/Multiplication/Division
Geometry
Fractions
Patterns
Time
Money
Measurement

Religion

First Reconciliation
First Eucharist
Host Mass in May

Science

Energy
Life Cycles
Magnets
Matter
Soil
Weather
High Touch, High Tech

Social Studies

We Learn in Many Ways
Learning About Communities
Living in Groups
Communities of Long Ago
Communities
Our Country Today
Holidays People Celebrate

THIRD GRADE

Religion

Focus on main truths Catholics believe expressed in the Creed
Students learn about and are involved in activities related to the seasons of the Church Year, including Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter
Plan and participate in all school Mass, attend weekly Mass and monthly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Math Saxon Math Intermediate 3

Review addition and subtraction fact families and use them in computation
Learn multiplication and division facts
Continue study of fractions, decimals, geometry, and probability

Language Arts

Reading Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Journeys Series

Read a variety of literature, including expository writing, fantasy, biography, nonfiction, and historical fiction
Develop and reinforce comprehension strategies including main idea, compare and contrast, cause and effect, summarizing, fact and opinion

Vocabulary/Spelling

Weekly vocabulary units focusing on meanings, application and relationships to other words.
Weekly spelling lists that are from weekly vocabulary units

English

Types of sentences
Parts of speech
Punctuation
Write answers in complete sentences
Research and write informative reports
Write descriptive paragraphs with topic and supporting sentences

Handwriting

Formation of cursive letters

Social Studies

Communities and their likenesses and differences, their history, and natural resources,
Use and read maps
Study of local, state, and national governments

Science

Plants and animals, ecosystems, habitats and food chains.
Properties of Matter
Forms of Energy
Rocks

FOURTH GRADE

English:

Parts of speech
Recalling information
Cause and effect
Fact and opinion
Correct grammar in oral communication
Sequence of events
Dramatic activities using verbal and nonverbal communication
Basic sight vocabulary
Classify words that share a common meaning
Synonyms and antonyms
Become familiar with etymology of words
Capitalization
Punctuation
Writing Process
Handwriting

Reading:

Seek out and enjoy printed books of varied interests
Set a purpose for reading
Read silently for an increasing amount of time
Summarize a story
Use prior knowledge to anticipate meaning
Follow plot and development in stories
Identify genres

Math:

Number concepts – relations, operations and computation
Problem solving /logic
Patterns/functions
Probability/statistics
Measurement /geometry

Science:

cell theory
Simple and complex organisms
The human body
Environment/ecology
Weather
Principles of chemistry

Social Studies:

Map skills
Regions of the US
Texas history

Religion:

Recognizes the revelation of God
Recognizes creation as a sign of God’s power
Abraham and the chosen people/Moses and the Exodus
God’s covenant with us
Salvation
Presentation of the Lord/Finding of Jesus in the Temple
Sermon on the Mount
How Jesus continues in the church today
Nicene Creed
Hierarchy of the church
Sainthood/Events in the life of Mary
Identifies the 4 major categories of prayer
Family life instruction
Formation of conscience/Morality based on God’s laws
Sin and Forgiveness/ Grace
Social Issues

FIFTH GRADE

Language Arts: Our focus in 5^th grade is continued development of grammar and writing skills including:

Correct mechanics usage and recognition.
Development and expansion of writing techniques including expository, persuasive, narrative, comparison/contrast, and research.
Organizational strategies for writing.
Complete sentence and paragraph structure and appropriate word choice.

Reading: Comprehension, listening, and speaking reinforcement and techniques are incorporated throughout the year. We include works of fiction, nonfiction, drama, tales, articles and poetry. In addition, outside class reading is mandatory in the form of the Accelerated Reading program.

Vocabulary: Study and understanding of how focus words are used correctly in context, as parts of speech, and appropriate synonyms and antonyms for them.

Math: In 5^th grade, we reinforce and expand basic arithmetic skills such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Much of the focus of our year is expansion in this area using fractions and decimal numbers. Some other target areas include:

Science: Several areas in Life Science and Earth Science are explored including:

Cell theory and the study of the human body and its systems
Plants and the understanding of photosynthesis
Earth’s processes
Conservation/preservation of resources
Weather and climate
Ocean processes
An expanded exploration of our solar system and the universe

Social Studies: We focus on the history, geography, and government of the United States and our interactions with other people and nations. Some areas of focus are:

Prehistory of our continent
Native American origins
Our nation’s early Europeans
Expansion
Slavery
America’s wars including an expanded look at World War II
Recent history

In addition, area field trips enhance our curriculum. The Monnig Meteorite Gallery at TCU is explored along with the planetarium at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History as we learn about our solar system and universe. In Social Studies, we coordinate our study of the Civil War with our visit to the Texas Civil War Museum. Trips to Bass Hall, and theatrical, dance and choral performances add to our fine arts appreciation.

SIXTH GRADE

English:

Parts of speech
Recalling information
Cause and effect
Fact and opinion
Correct grammar in oral communication
Sequence of events
Dramatic activities using verbal and nonverbal communication
Basic sight vocabulary
Classify words that share a common meaning
Synonyms and antonyms
Become familiar with etymology of words
Capitalization
Punctuation
Writing Process
Handwriting

Reading:

Seek out and enjoy printed books of a varied interest
Set a purpose for reading
Read silently for an increasing amount of time
Summarize a story
Use prior knowledge to anticipate meaning
Follow plot and development in stories
Identify genres

Math:

Number concepts – relations, operations and computation
Problem solving /logic
Patterns/functions
/geometry

Science:

cell theory
Simple and complex organisms
The human body
Environment/ecology
Weather
Principles of chemistry

Social Studies:

Map skills
Regions of the US
Texas history

Religion

Recognize the revelation of God
Recognize creation as a sign of God’s power
Abraham and the chosen people/Moses and the Exodus
God’s covenant with us
Salvation
Presentation of the Lord/Finding of Jesus in the Temple
Sermon on the Mount
How Jesus continues in the church today
Nicene Creed
Hierarchy of the church
Sainthood/Events in the life of Mary
Identify the 4 major categories of prayer
Family life instruction
Formation of conscience/Morality based on God’s laws
Sin and Forgiveness/ Grace
Social Issues

SEVENTH GRADE

Math

Operations with fractions and decimals
Integers
Fraction, decimal and percent relationships
Ratios, rates, and proportions
Exponents
Measurement
Geometry
Patterns and rules
Graphing in a coordinate plane
Displaying and analyzing data
Probability
Equations and inequalities

Science

Focus on Earth Science
Composition of matter
Rocks and minerals
Weathering and erosion
Earthquakes and volcanoes
Plate tectonics
Weather and climate
Astronomy
Humans and the environment

History

Focus on Texas History
Geography of Texas
Exploration and settlement of Texas
American colonization in Texas
Texas as a Republic
Texas and the United States
Industries of Texas
Texas government

English

Grammar – usage, capitalization, punctuation
Composition – process of writing, business letters, compositions (narrative, descriptive, expository, persuasive), weekly journals
Vocabulary – correct usage, synonyms, antonyms, connotation, root words

Literature

Novels – one every three weeks
Oral Tradition – tales, fables, Greek mythology
Short Stories – setting, character, plot
Nonfiction – autobiography, biography, essay
Poetry
Drama
Literary Terminology
Critical and Creative Writing
Sustained Silent Reading – daily
Accelerated Reading
Library – weekly

Religion

Focus on Jesus
Prayer – daily scripture reading, meditation, journal
Service – monthly letters to senior citizens, filling church bulletins
Liturgy – weekly Mass, monthly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

EIGHTH GRADE

Math

Algebra I
Rational numbers
Variables and function patterns
Exponents and exponential functions
Solving equations
Solving inequalities
Graphing functions
Linear equations and graphs
Systems of equations and inequalities
Polynomials and factoring
Quadratic equations and functions
Radical expressions and equations
Rational expressions and functions

Science

Focus on Physical Science
Energy and Motion
Work and simple machines
Atomic structure and chemical bonds
Chemical reactions
Waves, light, and sound
Electricity and magnetism

History

Focus on U.S. History to 1877
Discovery and exploration of the U.S.
Life in the English colonies
The American Revolution
U.S. Government – citizenship and the Constitution
Industrial growth in the U.S.
The Civil War and Reconstruction
Current events

English

Grammar – usage, capitalization, punctuation
Composition – process of writing, business letters, compositions (narrative, descriptive, expository, persuasive), weekly journals
Vocabulary – correct usage, synonyms, antonyms, connotation, root words

Literature

Novels – one every three weeks
Greek mythology
Short Stories – setting, character, plot
Nonfiction – autobiography, biography, essay
Poetry
Drama
Literary Terminology
Critical and Creative Writing
Sustained Silent Reading – daily
Accelerated Reading
Library – weekly

Religion

Focus on Church
Prayer – daily scripture reading, meditation, journal
Service – monthly letters to senior citizens, filling church bulletins, Catholic Charities
Liturgy – weekly Mass, monthly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Kindergarten

Development of elementary motor skills and coordination is the major goal. Play and group games are used as tools to assist skill development and physical fitness. Basic skills of run, jump, hop and skip are taught. Jump rope is accomplished with both a double rope and single rope by the end of the year.

1st Grade

Development of elementary motor skills and coordination is the major goal. Play and group games are used as tools to assist skill development and physical fitness. Jump rope is accomplished with both a double rope and single rope by the end of the year. Presidential Physical Fitness Test is used to evaluate.

2nd Grade

The program expands on the fundamentals learned in grade one. Activities focus on hand-eye and eye-foot coordination. Also incorporated in the program are basic sports skills, square dancing, and physical fitness. Presidential Physical Fitness Test is used to evaluate.

3rd Grade

The program builds on the skills developed in the previous years. The students are also given their first school experiences in team sports as lead-up games are developed for the following: baseball, basketball, soccer, volleyball. Presidential Physical Fitness Test is used to evaluate.

4th Grade

The program at this level incorporates gross and fine motor skills, previously learned in earlier grades, into sports situations. Students participate in the same sports, in a modified manner that middle school teams play. Aerobic-fitness activities are performed on a regular basis; Presidential Physical Fitness Testing is used as an evaluation.

5th Grade

The program at this level incorporates gross and fine motor skills, previously learned in earlier grades, into sports situations. Students participate in the same sports that middle school teams play. These sports would be volleyball, basketball, soccer and softball. Aerobic-fitness activities are performed on a regular basis; Presidential Physical Fitness Testing is used as an evaluation.

6th Grade

The program at this level incorporates gross and fine motor skills, previously learned in earlier grades, into sports situations. Students will participate in volleyball, soccer, badminton, bowling, basketball and dance. Aerobic-fitness activities are performed on a regular basis; Presidential Physical Fitness Testing is used as an evaluation. Health and body concepts are covered in class.

7th Grade

8th Grade

COMPUTER

First Grade

Learn how to use a computer
Educational games-Software and Internet
Introduce keyboarding

Second Grade

Introduce Microsoft Word applications
Introduce Information Literacy (Internet Research)
Continue building keyboarding skills

Third Grade

Continue building keyboarding skills with emphasis on accuracy and speed
Information Literacy
Expand Microsoft Word knowledge
Introduce Microsoft Publisher creating a card
Introduce Microsoft PowerPoint creating a diagram slide on a World Record

Fourth Grade

Begin typing short sentences in keyboarding
Expand Information Literacy skills
Introduce Microsoft PowerPoint creating a 4 slide presentation

Fifth Grade

Begin keyboarding for improved speed of 20 wpm
Introduce Microsoft Excel creating spreadsheets and charts
Learn the rules of Netiquette
Expand knowledge in all Microsoft Office programs

Sixth Grade

Continue keyboarding for improved speed of 22 wpm
Learn Microsoft Office terminology
Learn Internet terminology
Expand knowledge in all Microsoft Office programs
- Microsoft Publisher-create a brochure and a “Lost Pet” flyer

Seventh Grade

Continue keyboarding for improved speed of 25 wpm
Learn important people in the History of Computers
Learn and create a timeline of the History of Computers
Expand knowledge in all Microsoft Office programs
- Microsoft PowerPoint-create a presentation on a decade
- Microsoft Publisher-create a 13^th birthday invitation

Eighth Grade

Continue keyboarding for improved speed and accuracy
Expand knowledge in all Microsoft Office programs
- Microsoft Excel-Create spreadsheets using formulas and functions
- Microsoft Publisher-create a HFCS school brochure

Microsoft PowerPoint-Create an “All About Me” presentation.

SPANISH PROFILE BY CLASS

Kindergarten
-introduced to the Spanish language through Prayers, Songs, and Group Activities
-Introductions and Greetings, the Numbers from 0 to 10, basic Colors, the names of common Classroom Objects, Family words, Food and Drinks, and Clothing

First Grade
- expand their knowledge of Spanish through Prayers, Songs, and Group Activities
- Introductions, Greetings, and Polite Words, the Numbers from 0 to 20, Colors, Classroom Objects, Food, Clothing, the Face, Family, and Animals
- introduced to the Spanish Alphabet and begin writing simple words

Second Grade
- expand their knowledge of Spanish through Prayer, including the Our Father and Hail Mary, and Songs
- Learn basic expressions, the Numbers from 0 to 39, Days of the Week, Classroom Objects, Clothing, Food, the Body, the Family, and the House

- Introduced to the use of the words Tú and Usted and will be taught to use Verbs and Adjectives

-continue learning the Spanish Alphabet and begin writing simple sentences

Third Grade
- expand their knowledge of Spanish through Prayer, including the Our Father and Hail Mary, and Songs
- expand their learning of Basic Expressions, the Numbers from 0 to 59, Days of the Week, Classroom Objects, Months, Gender, the Body, Face and Emotions
- expand their use of the words Tú and Usted, learn about Singular and Plural, and Definite/Indefinite Articles

writing sentences and will be introduced to basic reading

Fourth Grade
- expand their knowledge of Spanish through Prayer (including the Our Father and Hail Mary), the Pledge of Allegiance and Songs
- Greetings and Dialogue, the Numbers from 0 to 100, Days of the Week, Classroom Objects, Months and Seasons, Gender, the Body, and Mealtime
- use Dialogue while learning about Plurals of Nouns, Gender of Nouns, Possessive Adjectives, and Diminutives

- watching Spanish movies to learn word recognition and listening skills

Fifth Grade
- expand their knowledge of Spanish through Prayer (including the Our Father and Hail Mary), the Pledge of Allegiance and Songs
- begin learning Frequently Used Expressions, Tell Time, Sports, Sizes, Shapes, and Transportation
-Frequently Used Expressions while learning about Occupations and Possessive Adjectives, Antonyms, Prepositions, Subject Pronouns, and Regular/Irregular Verbs
- watch Spanish movies to improve word recognition and listening skills while writing a sentence about what they hear.

Sixth Grade
- Culture
- develop, reinforce, and refine proficiency in listening , speaking, reading, writing, and culture
- write complete sentences using correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation
- Spanish movies to improve word recognition and listening skills while writing a sentence about what they hear
- Word of the Day program to expand vocabulary

Seventh Grade
- continue to develop, reinforce, and refine proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, writing, and culture
- develop written and oral communication skills through interactive classroom activities while learning to use proper grammar
-continue watching Spanish movies to improve word recognition and listening skills while writing multiple sentence paragraphs about what they hear
-continue the Word of the Day program to expand vocabulary

Eighth Grade
-continue to develop, reinforce, and refine proficiency in listening , speaking, reading, writing, and culture
- continue developing written and oral communication skills through interactive classroom activities and exercises while learning to use proper grammar
- continue watching Spanish movies to improve word recognition and listening skills while writing a short story about what they hear
-continue the Word of the Day program to expand vocabulary

MUSIC

Kindergarten and First Grade

Different voices: inner, talking, whispering, singing and calling
Sounds in our world
Perform steady beat
Classical, patriotic, religious, and seasonal music literature
Use of variety of classroom instruments
Identify loud, soft, quarter, eighth and whole notes and quarter rest
Perform in our Christmas program in December

Second Grade

Recognize sounds as being soft, loud, fast, slow, high and low.
Classical, patriotic, religious, and seasonal music literature
Review loud, soft, quarter, eighth and whole notes and quarter rest
Begin time signatures, form of music and accompaniment on simple instruments
Learn different parts of the orchestra
Perform in our Christmas program in December

Third Grade

Learn the notes on the staff
Begin study of chords, phrases, polyrhythms
Classical, patriotic, religious, and seasonal music literature
Perform in our Christmas program in December
Play autoharp and spend at least one quarter playing recorders

Fourth Grade

Steps, leaps, repeats and melodic/rhythmic patterns and sequences
Review of time signatures; theme and variation
Classical, patriotic, religious, American folk songs and seasonal music literature
Perform in our Christmas program in December
Learn major and minor scales

Fifth Grade

Sing canons and have major parts in the December Christmas program
Introduce guitar chords, I IV V
Write simple melodies, learn conducting patterns
Classical, patriotic, religious, American Indian and songs from other cultures
American Folk Songs

Sixth Grade

First quarter all 6^th Grade students choose a band instrument and play throughout the first quarter
In the second quarter, students may choose to continue in band or go to the general music class.
In general music, 6^th grade plays simple bell pieces, reviews notes and rhythms, and works on a STOMP routine to perform in the Spring program.
They also receive teaching in music history, covering how music has evolved from Ancient times to the Present.

Seventh and Eighth Grade

Students may choose to play in the school band or join a general music class. If in band, they perform twice a year, once at Christmas and once in the spring program. Band students are also encouraged to play in the school masses on Thursday mornings.

If the student chooses to attend general music class, they will:

Learn hand chime pieces and perform several times a year in church and at school functions and programs.
Those who show an interest will work on solo and ensemble vocal pieces.
Study music history, covering how music has evolved from Ancient times to the Present.
Prepare a major spring musical with singing, dancing and acting.

LIBRARY

PreK 3

Introduce picture books.

PreK 4

Differentiate between author and illustrator.

Kindergarten

Learn parts of book
Learn procedures for checking out books.
Learn how to care for books.

First Grade

Learn Fiction v. Non-fiction.

Second Grade

Learn key word searches.
Learn how to take an Accelerated Reader test.
Learn how to find fiction books.

Third Grade

Introduce different genre.
Learn about Dewey Decimal system.
Learn how to use a dictionary.

Fourth Grade

Introduce advanced searches, including Boolean operators.
Learn about adaptations of materials.

Fifth Grade

Introduce methods of evaluating resources.

Sixth Grade

Learn differences between primary and secondary sources.
Learn about copyrights.

Seventh Grade

Introduce different bibliography styles.

Eighth Grade

Learn about ISBN.
Learn about Socratic discussion.

ART PROFILE BY GRADE

1st Grade:

Develop and use art vocabulary
Learn basic elements of art (line, shape, color, texture)
Learn uses of different art materials

2^nd Grade:

Continue learning elements of art and recognize characteristics
Continue art vocabulary
Begin exploring artists and their different styles

3^rd Grade:

Continue art vocabulary
Continue elements and principles of art
Continue exploring artists and their different styles

4^th Grade:

Art vocabulary
Elements and principles
Learn about different artistic styles and movements

5^th Grade:

Art vocabulary
Elements and principles
Styles, movements, historical/cultural influences

6^th Grade:

Art vocabulary
Elements and principles
Styles, movements, historical/cultural influences
Techniques/ different media

7^th Grade:

Elements and principles
Techniques/ different media
Interpretation of different artworks

8^th Grade:

Elements and principles
Techniques/ different media
Interpretation of different artworks