3rd - 5th Grade
What Do We Teach?
CCSS standards are used as a foundation for learning targets in all subjects. Religion instruction is derived from the Los Angeles Catholic Archdiocese. Music and PE are taught weekly and integrated throughout all daily instruction.
How Do We Teach?
Instructional methods include a variety of individual, partner, small group and whole group instruction and support. Daily conversations and conferences with, and among students, under teacher guidance, are designed to motivate, engage, and increase learning. We recognize that even in kindergarten students are at different levels of learning and not all are at the same pace. Therefore, we differentiate our instruction to provide all students with an “achievable stretch”. We utilize a lesson design called Core Instructional Methods or CIM. As part of this structure, every lesson has clear, targeted objectives that are shared with students. The teacher provides a mini-lesson from 10 - 15 minutes, then students practice and apply in small groups, pairs and individually. All students are informally assessed for individual learning.
How Do We Know Students Learn?
Assessments are done in consistent and ongoing ways. At these levels, assessments include:
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Informal anecdotal record keeping done by the teacher
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Classroom based assessments (CBAs) and tests
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Rubrics (both student and teacher based
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Report cards
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Writing samples/published pieces – evaluation
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STAR Enterprise online assessments in reading, math, and literacy depending on grade
Literacy
Instruction begins to scaffold to deeper comprehension skills during intermediate grades. Students experience reading more focused selections, mentor texts, multi-media texts, and novels. In Benchmark Advance, thematic units with integrated subject matter help students to read more closely, annotate, find key details and write a summary. Students compare texts and do more in-depth character and plot study. Direct instruction is given in practical reading strategies, while students gain understanding in a variety of genres including literature, biographies, informational text, poetry, fantasy, sci-fi, and opinion writing.Students examine author’s purpose, style and how to show evidence of their opinions.
Writing
Writing is taught using the writing process of “Prewriting, Drafting, Revising, Editing, Publishing”. Areas of concentration are personal and fictional narratives, persuasive essays, letters,, and informational/research reports. Special emphasis is given on the mechanics of writing including capitalization, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure in addition to generating ideas.
Mathematics
is taught using the Envisions program that was introduced in the primary grades. Students are encouraged to use their critical thinking skills in approaching word problems, and use strategic tools to solve numerical expressions. Math lessons include study of concepts in place value, operations (with a special focus on multiplication and long division in 4th and 5ht grades)), fractions, interpreting data, algebra readiness, and geometry. Daily review in previous concepts learned contributes to mastery in mathematical fluency.
Science
instruction provides hands-on activities and exploration to help develop skills of scientific concepts, critical thinking, and vocabulary in areas of physical, life and earth science. Students investigate a variety of topics and learn the steps of the scientific method. They learn to ask questions, make observations, collect data, and formulate hypotheses when conducting experiments.
Social Studies
Third graders study landforms, geography, map skills, Native American cultures, and how early communities formed and differ from today. They learn about fossils and study animals and nature.
Fourth graders study California history and geography through hands-on activities that result in a final Mission Project, presented to the class.
Fifth graders discover the founding of our country, the Thirteen colonies, and the American Revolution.
Religion
is integrated throughout the day. Students will engage in various prayer opportunities, and develop a stronger relationship with God through the Rosary, Scripture, and participating in the liturgical seasons of the Church. Knowledge of the signs and symbols of the Sacraments are strengthened, and students will learn how to model their lives after the saints. Furthermore, these grades work together to lead the school in the Living Stations of the Cross during Lent.
