Grade 1 and 2

The first graders have daily lessons focused on fundamental Catholic beliefs. Children are introduced to God as the Creator of all things. They learn that God is all-loving, all- powerful, all-holy, and all knowing. Students are taught that each person is created in God's image and has dignity and value. Students learn to care for themselves and other people and things God created. Participation in mass and prayer as a school community is an integral part of school experience.

 

A primary goal of first grade is to develop successful, strong readers. Reading, writing, spelling, listening, and speaking activities give students opportunities to build their literacy skills. The curriculum is implemented using a phonics and literature based approach.

The goal in writing is to develop an easy flow of language by using correct capitalization, punctuation, and proper spelling of high frequency words. Knowledge of the parts of speech further enhances the ability to write well written sentences.

 

The development of number sense is a critical goal of the first grade math curriculum. Students are taught sets, patterns, graphs, numbers, and numeration. In geometry, students learn to recognize plain and solid shapes. Students use various units of measure, learn the values of money, and learn to tell time. Knowledge of addition and subtraction facts to 12 is expected by the end of the first grade year. An important aspect of a successful math curriculum is providing proper motivation and teaching in a positive environment.

 

 

Social Studies

In Second grade we place an emphasis on fluent reading, and reading with enunciation and inflection, at each child’s own level. The more fluent children become at one level, the more likely they are to become fluent at the next. Children need to be able to read words at each level effortlessly before they’ll really comprehend what they read.

 

Mathematics concepts become more complex in second grade. Children can order, group numbers, and work with numbers far greater than those they can physically count. They’ll have more practice with skills and concepts introduced in first grade, such as skip counting and mastering addition facts from zero to twelve (without the use of finger counting). They’ll learn to add and subtract two-digit numbers, and to understand the meaning of multiplication and division.  Teachers will introduce the first half of the “times table” up to the number five. 

 

Second graders will be asked to use what they know to make predictions and find patterns in the natural world. They learn about the Earth and its natural resources, and how people use these resources to get energy. They look at how the Earth changes over time and how we learn about the history of the Earth through fossils. They may do a deeper study of the life cycles of plants and animals. 

 

In second grade, children broaden their knowledge of the world. Students learn about the people and places of their local communities and regions, and compare them to other communities and regions.Children may be given more responsibility to resolve conflicts with their classmates. They will be expected to have a deeper understanding of the importance of rules and their role in helping people get along.