Saint Mary School is anchored in Catholic faith, values
and proven academic excellence. We inspire students to be lifelong learners and servant leaders of our
local and global community.
The Language Arts Curriculum is offered through an integrated approach based on the six themes in our Language Arts Program, StoryTown (Harcourt School Publishers). StoryTown is a research-based, developmental program that engages students through the use of high-quality fiction and non-fiction selections. Instruction is sequentially based and moves the children through a process of direct instruction, modeling, guided practice, and application. Ongoing formal and informal assessments are valuable in identifying when skills have been mastered or if intervention through additional instructional support is necessary. The technology component of this program, Splash into Phonics, offers opportunities to reinforce phonics skills and high frequency words. The following skills are addressed in our Language Arts Curriculum:
Our Language Arts curriculum follows the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks which incorporate the Common Core State Standards.
Skills and concepts are presented in our Math Curriculum using a variety of methods to help students become confident thinkers and problem solvers. Engaging direct instruction lessons are combined with fun, hands-on learning activities to help the children build a strong foundation in math. In First Grade we use the Houghton Mifflin Math Program and supplement it with teacher-created and commercially-prepared materials, games, and manipulatives. The following math concepts and skills are introduced:
Our Mathematics curriculum follows the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks which incorporate the Common Core State Standards. The Frameworks include additional Massachusetts standards and features that clarify and enhance the Common Core State Standards.
The integration of Science, Social Studies and Religion is constant throughout the year. Through hands-on activities, literature, and real-life experiences, students explore many different areas. Technology will be used to reinforce skills, writing and projects.
Our Science Curriculum is based on the Massachusetts and the National Science Education Standards. Resources which include The Scott Foresman Science Program, Internet sources and supplemental books offer science content and hands-on activities. The Science Curriculum is developed to focus on building an awareness of the natural world and observation of patterns of change. Our curriculum will include:
Our Social Studies Curriculum is organized around eight strands: History; Geography; Economics; Government; Citizenship; Culture; Science, Technology and Society; and Social Studies Skills. Our curriculum follows the curriculum set forth by the Archdiocese of Hartford. The content is correlated to the National Council for the Social Studies Standards. The Macmillan McGraw-Hill program teaches the importance of freedom and patriotism and pays tribute to the values of our country. The Grade One program is based on the following Big Idea questions:
Essential Question:
How is technology affecting the learning process?
Technology is integrated across the curriculum in Grades PreK-8.
The following is a sampling of technology use and is subject to change based on new applications and curriculum.
Students in Grade 1 use desktop computers in their classroom. Grade level software and appropriate websites are used to enhance their curriculum.
During weekly technology classes, students are introduced to our wireless computer lab and the laptop computer. Students are taught how to handle the laptop, turn it on, use the mouse pad and buttons, to close down all applications, and turn the laptop off. First graders use Paint App to become familiar with maneuvering the mouse. Students are also taught how to access the Internet using the laptop computer to visit sites that support their math and language arts curriculum. Students are introduced to coding using www.code.org
Listening skills and following directions are an integral part to success in technology class.