First through Third Grade
Students in the primary grades develop skills that will provide them with the tools to engage in deeper thinking abilities as they move from one grade level to the next. Teachers engage the students in projects, activities, role play, presentations, experiments, etc., which enhance their learning and encourage the desire to learn.
In addition to their regular math classes, students in the primary grades have an additional 10 minute math period built right into their daily schedule. This time is utilized to help the students memorize their math facts. It is our goal that they will no longer be counting on their fingers to figure out their math facts. All children in first through third grades utilize IXL Learning.
Scroll down to view our curriculum in these areas:
- First Grade Curriculum
- Second Grade Curriculum
- Third Grade Curriculum
- First through Third Religion, Art & Music
- Physical Education 1-2
- Physical Education 3
First Grade Curriculum
Language Arts
| Handwriting - Manuscript focusing on proper formation |
| Oral Language (Speaking, Listening, Discussion) – Presentation of both written and oral projects – Demonstration of the ability to follow instructions – Identification of details in oral stories |
| Reading – Demonstration of phonemic awareness focusing on decoding and encoding skills and proficiency in sight words – Demonstration of the ability to read themed literature, phonetic stories, and non-fiction texts with an emphasis on phonics skills, comprehension strategies and vocabulary |
| Writing – Introduction to the Narrative and Expository styles of essay writing – Utilization of proper punctuation, capitalization, parts of speech, word forms, and spelling based on phonics patterns – Demonstration of organization of main ideas and details in writing assignments |
Math
| Data/Statistics – Reading Venn diagrams – Graphs and tables – Identifying outcomes |
| Geometry/Measurement – Plan and solid shapes – Linear and liquid measurement – Telling time to five minutes – Money – Calendar – Weight – Temperature |
| Math Procedures – Symbolic notation – Addition and subtraction facts to 13 |
| Number Sense and Operations – Numbers to 500 – Greater than/less than – Place value – Fractions – Problem solving using addition and subtraction – Algebraic equations and patterning |
Science
| Earth Science – Study of the relationship of the moon, sun and Earth – Weather and seasons – Natural resources – Caring for God’s creation |
| Life Science – Plants and animals – How needs are met – Functions of parts |
| Physical Science – Properties of and changes in matter – Force and motion – Magnets – Sound |
Social Studies
| Community Life – School, family and neighborhoods – Past and present – Using graphs and tables |
| Our Country – Citizenship – American values – Christian beginnings – Leaders – Holidays – Symbols – Historical figures – Geography |
| Our World – Cultural study of various countries – International day – Taking care of God’s creation (natural resources) – Map skills focusing on cardinal directions, key and scale |
| Other Focus Areas – Economics – Needs and wants – Goods and services – Emphasis on how God provides for our needs |
Second Grade Curriculum
Language Arts
| Handwriting – Demonstration of mastery in the ability to successfully write using manuscript |
| Oral Language (Speaking, Listening, Discussion) – Memorization of Bible verses – Presentation of both written and oral book reports and research projects – Demonstration of the ability to follow instructions – Identification of details in oral stories |
| Reading – Application of reviewed phonics skills – Application of word study skills – Demonstration of the emphasis on fluency, comprehension strategies and skills, and vocabulary development – Demonstration of the ability to read and comprehend tall tales, fairy tales, multicultural folk tales, realistic folk tales, realistic fiction and non-fiction |
| Writing – Focus on developing the writing process – Daily integrated writing, spelling focus words and phonetic words – Focus on punctuation and capitalization – Recognizing word forms, sentence types and parts of speech – Introduction to the 6 criteria: Oral development, Organization, Support, Sentence structure, Word choice, Mechanics |
Math
| Data/Statistics – Read and interpret tables and graphs – Identify outcomes – Geometry measurement – Geometric shapes – Symmetry – Value of money and coins – Measuring length and temperature – Telling time |
| Math Procedures – Addition and subtraction facts to 18 – Multiplication facts 0 to 5 |
| Number Sense and Operations – Numbers to 1,000 – Greater than/less than – Place value – Fractions to 1/8 – Addition and subtraction with regrouping |
Science
| Earth Science – Recognizing the changes on Earth, the Sun and its family |
| Life Science – Study of plants and living things including the life cycle – Categorizing animals, how their needs are met, and how they grow and change |
| Physical Science – Study of matter and energy, the effects of light on objects |
| Science Processes – Use of observation skills, measurement instruments and experimentation skills |
Social Studies
| Computer Assisted Instruction – Using the Internet |
| Economics – Need for income – Jobs – Interdependence of consumer and producer |
| Government – Laws, leaders and Washington D.C. |
| Map Skills – Physical map – Bar graphs |
| Multi-cultural Groups – Native Americans – African Americans – Immigrants |
| Our Earth – Geography – Seasons |
| Our Past – Spanish – Pilgrims – Presidents Washington and Lincoln |
| Relationships – Family and friends – Communities – Emphasis on geographical, social, economic and civic aspects |
Third Grade Curriculum
Language Arts
| Handwriting – Development of daily competent utilization of cursive writing |
| Oral Language (Speaking, Listening, Discussion) – Presentation of both written and oral book reports and research projects – Demonstration of the ability to give and follow verbal instructions – Identification of details in stories |
| Reading – Demonstration of successful word study skills – Effective application of phonics skills – Demonstration of fluency and accuracy – Application of a variety of comprehension strategies – Introduction to strategic vocabulary development, decoding base words, compound words, prefixes and clues found in context – Understanding of different genres |
| Writing – Continuation of focus on further development of the writing process – Introduction to editing – Application of spelling strategies – Recognizing word forms, sentence types and parts of speech – Introduction to various types of writing – Introduction to dictionary and thesaurus skills – Effective use of sentence structure – Application of the Writing Process: Prewriting, Drafting, Revising, Proofreading & Publishing |
Math
| Mathematics – Number sense and operations – Patterns – Relationships – Beginning algebra – Data – Statistics – Probability – Geometry and measurement – Number facts – Computation with whole numbers and decimals – Conversion of measurements – Mastery of multiplication facts through 12 – Introduction of division – Basic problem solving and mental computation – Introduction of fractions and decimals – Introduction of multi-step word problems – Telling time – Using money |
Science
| Earth Science – Weather – Rock Types – Natural versus unnatural changes |
| Life Science – Plant life cycle – Animal habitats and basic needs |
| Physical Science – Cycles on Earth and in space – Forces in motion – States of matter – Energy – Nature of Science – Hands-on experiments |
Social Studies
| Community Life – Citizenship |
| Geography – Land forms |
| Government – Local and national governments |
| Other Focus Areas – Economics – Historical American figures |
Religion
At Conn-Area Catholic School our main focus is teaching our children to be “Centered in Christ.” From preschool through sixth grade, our goal is to have each child build a greater relationship with Jesus. We want them to make his teachings the focus of every decision they make so that when they become the leaders of the future, he will be the guidance they turn to for direction.
For more information, we encourage you to view the Diocesan Religion Curriculum.
Art
Art is a wonderful way to express your thoughts and feelings. It is an opportunity to think in a different way, as the children consider color, texture, shape, contrast, content, and style. It taps into a different part of the brain. We look forward to developing the program even further for our students.
Music
Music is a must in the elementary school. We believe music has such a wonderful impact on student learning that we provide our students with music classes twice a week. Children learn basic music skills, as well as singing, playing the bells, and acting as cantors at the Masses. The children are involved in two musical productions – an Advent/Christmas Program and a Spring Musical Program. All grade levels from preschool through sixth grade are involved.
Physical Education First & Second Grade
Physical education for students in kindergarten through second grade include different activities that promote motor skills and students’ physical well being. Some of the focus areas include:
| Fine Motor – Throwing, catching and striking (Hand-eye coordination skills): Over/underhand, Balls, Bean bags – Ball handling: Dribbling, Shooting, Passing – Kicking: Stationary and moving ball, Trapping and receiving |
| Gross Motor – Jumping and landing – Skipping – Balance – Fitness games and relays – Jump roping – short rope – Parachute activities |
| Presidential Fitness Training & Testing – Individual fitness evaluation. Fitness components include: Strength, Flexibility, Cardiovascular endurance, Exercise/fitness games |
| Specific and Creative Movement – Lovomotor and non-locomotor skills – Spatial awareness – Balancing – Effort action – Games |
Physical Education Third Grade
Physical education for students in third through sixth grades expands upon and refines the skills learned and practiced in kindergarten through second grade physical education classes, and adds new activities like team sports and cooperative games.
| Christ-like Behavior |
| Cooperative Games – Cooperation – Team building – Trust |
| Fine Motor – Throwing, catching and striking (Hand-eye coordination skills): Over/underhand, Balls, Bean bags – Ball handling: Dribbling, Shooting, Passing – Kicking: Stationary and moving ball, Trapping and receiving |
| Gross Motor – Jumping and landing – Skipping – Balance – Fitness games and relays – Jump roping |
| Presidential Fitness Training & Testing – Individual fitness evaluation. Fitness components include: Strength, Flexibility, Cardiovascular endurance, Exercise/Fitness games |
| Specific and Creative Movement – Locomotor and non-locomotor skills – Spatial awareness – Balancing – Games |
| Team Sports – Basketball – Volleyball – Two/Four square – Kickball – Whiffle ball |
