Nativity Language Arts Philosophy
- The teachings and lived traditions of the Catholic faith.
- The celebration of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, Reconciliation and Confirmation.
- The Bible as it relates to everyday life.
- The development of morals based on our Catholic faith.
- The value of praying personally, communally and liturgically.
- Their experience with the Church’s social teachings.
Third and Fourth Grade
- To develop competency in reading using the phonetic skills taught at that grade level.
- To demonstrate emergent comprehension skills.
- To communicate and express themselves through oral and written language.
- To develop an appreciation and excitement for books through reading, listening and writing activities.
- To apply reading skills to other curriculum areas.
- To experience a variety of reading genre: fiction, non-fiction, poetry, fables and fairy tales.
- To develop fluency and expression in reading by applying word attack skills.
- To develop both literal comprehension (being able to read for main ideas, recognizing supporting details and an ability to use contextual clues) and inferential comprehension (being able to draw conclusions not specifically stated).
- To become knowledgeable about and develop a respect for diversities of people and opinions of others by reading and discussing a wide range of appropriate materials.
- To develop an excitement and enthusiasm for reading that will result in reading becoming a life-long activity.
- To apply reading skills in all curriculum areas.
- To experience poetry, fiction, non-fiction, fables, fairy tales, biographies, autobiographies, and current events.
Fifth and Sixth Grade
- To develop both literal comprehension (reading for main ideas, recognizing supporting details, identifying context clues) and inferential comprehension (analyzing and evaluating).
- To use skills to identify, pronounce, and understand new vocabulary.
- To use research skills to help access, organize, and relate information.
- To apply reading skills across the curriculum.
- To recognize the characteristics of a variety of reading materials (fiction, and non-fiction) and a variety of authors.
- To appreciate the activity of reading as a life-long source of enjoyment, information and creative expression.
Seventh and Eighth Grade
- To appreciate a variety of genres, authors, and literary styles (poetry, historical fiction, biographies, newspapers, periodicals, young adult fiction, non-fiction, plays, short stories, etc.).
- To understand author’s intent (through study of vocabulary, tone, inferences, facts, opinions, and literary devices).
- To use reading skills independently.
- To make connections between reading and students' daily lives.
- To prepare for future high school reading and competency tests.
- To produce written and oral responses to reflect reading comprehension.
- To read books that value people of both genders, all ages, and from various cultures.
Nativity Spelling Philosophy
We believe in the importance of correct spelling in students' daily work. The teachers will help the students understand the editing process as a means for identifying words that are spelled incorrectly.Our goals for the handwriting program at Nativity School include:
Nativity Handwriting Philosophy
- Consistent expectations of correct spelling in all content areas.
- Emphasis on self-correction at appropriate grade levels.
- Use of peer editing when appropriate.
The emphasis of the handwriting program at Nativity School is focused on a balance between correct form and legibility.
Our goals for the handwriting program at Nativity School include:
- Consistent expectations regarding acceptable work.
- Provide students with more activities related to transference.
- A commitment to consistent practice.
Kindergarten: Introduction to letter formation.
First Grade: Introduction and practice of letter formation.
Second Grade: Reinforcement of correct letter formation.
Third Grade: Introduction to cursive formation.
Fourth Grade: Reinforcement/Practice of cursive formation.
Fifth Grade: Practice of cursive.
Nativity Math PhilosophyOur goals for each student at Nativity School are:
Grade Level Scope and Sequence
- To become actively involved in the exploration and learning of mathematics concepts.
- To apply problem solving skills to real life experiences.
- To develop critical thinking skills through problem solving experiences.
- To make connections and apply mathematics to their daily lives.
- To think and communicate their ideas using mathematical language.
- To develop analytical and logical reasoning skills.
- To be prepared for a successful secondary school mathematical experience.
Grades 3 and 4
- Counting pattern, building and identification
- Place Value
- Addition and subtraction through 20
- Introduction to telling time
- Introduction to money
- Geometry - geometric shapes
- Basic Measurement
- Graphing
- Introduction to fractions
- Problem Solving
- Communication
Grade 5 and 6
- Focus on Multiplication and Division (fact families)
- Gain mastery of time and money
- Introduction to decimals
- Introduction to factoring
- Introduction to ratios
- Fractions
- Estimation
- Measurement
- Problem Solving
- Data Collection (graphs, charts, etc.)
- Communication
Grade 7: Pre-Algebra
- Estimation/Mental Math
- Fractions
- Decimals
- Integers (positive and negative numbers)
- Pre-Algebra
- Order of operations and writing expressions
- Geometry
- Measurement
- Ratios - Proportions - Percents
- Statistics, Graphing, Probability
- Problem Solving
- Communication
Grade 8: Algebra
- Understand and use number ideas
- Understand and use variables as replacements for numbers
- Compute with integers and rational numbers
- Write and solve algebra equations using addition and multiplication
- Demonstrate recognition of common geometric shapes
- Determine measurements of polygons and angles by using measuring instruments or formulas for computing perimeter, area, and volume
- Use the concepts of ratio, proportion, and percent
- Apply learned problem solving strategies
- Locate points on the coordinate system
- Display data on various types of graphs
Nativity Science Philosophy
- Compute with integers, decimal fractions, and common fractions
- Write and solve algebra equations with one or two variables
- Use the mathematical properties
- Use formulas for problem solving
- Add, subtract, multiply and divide polynomials
- Factor trinomials
- Graph lines on the coordinate system
- Add, subtract, multiply and divide algebraic fractions
- Solve algebraic percent problems
- Add, subtract, multiply and divide radicals
- Solve quadratic equations
- Problem solve in each content area
- Use life-skill mathematics
Third through fifth grade our goal for each student is to:
- Become actively involved in learning science through a thematic approach.
- Experience science that is realistic, exciting, and connected to their daily lives.
- Develop a desire to investigate the world around them.
- Have opportunities for hands-on exploration.
- Think and communicate scientifically.
Sixth through eighth grade our goal is for each student is to:
- Develop an awareness of, and gain an appreciation about, specific areas of science.
- Be introduced to, understand and apply the scientific method.
- Experience success in their introduction to physical, life and earth science.
- Explore science using hands-on experiences with real objects.
- Think and communicate scientifically.
- Make connections from scientific discovery to their daily lives.
Nativity Social Studies Philosophy
- Communicate scientifically in written and verbal form.
- Demonstrate their ability to use scientific equipment properly.
- Successfully apply the scientific process by:
- recording information based on data and observations of investigations
- drawing conclusions that help correlate lab experiences to current content
- Develop and apply the skills necessary for independent research.
- Make connections from scientific discovery to their daily lives.
Third through fifth grade our goal for each student is to:
- Become actively involved in learning social studies through a thematic approach.
- Develop a desire to appreciate different cultures in our world past and present.
- Have cross curricular experiences to enhance social studies learning.
- Introduce map and globe skills.
Sixth through eighth grade our goal for each student is to:
- Gain an awareness of and information about geography, history, current events and cultures.
- Experience success in their introduction to geography, history, current events and cultures.
- Explore the areas of social studies through reading, hands-on projects and discussions.
- Make connections from their community to the global community.
- Foster curiosity about and connections to local, national and global issues.
- Develop an understanding of how cultural influences affect the way we interact and relate to the world around us.
- Learn about the decision-making process necessary to participate in a democratic society.
- Learn the importance of taking an active role in their world (locally, nationally, internationally).
- Through the use of technology, literature and lecture the students will be exposed to global communities and understand how all people are interconnected.
- Prepare students to live in a world of tremendous challenges and rapid changes.
Nativity Specialist Curriculum
Nativity Spanish Philosophy
We believe that the study of the Spanish language and culture will foster a broader understanding and appreciation of our ever increasing multi-cultural community and world.Our goal is for the students to complete a program during 6th, 7th and 8th grades that is equivalent to the first level of high school Spanish. Students who excel are encouraged to begin second level or higher in their first year of high school.
Our goal for each middle school student is to:
Nativity Music and Visual Art Philosophy
- Express themselves meaningfully using both the written and verbal language.
- Develop the skills necessary for beginning conversational Spanish.
- Understand and apply the rules of grammar to the Spanish language.
- Become aware of the culture and geography of the Spanish-speaking countries.
Our goal for each student in art is to:
- Develop performance skills through singing and playing Orff instruments.
- Understand musical theory and notation by performing songs and instrumental pieces which utilize the theory concepts being taught.
- Develop an understanding and appreciation of a variety of musical
- Styles and cultures by singing, playing, and listening to a wide range of music.
- To be exposed to a basic history of music.
Nativity Physical Education Philosophy
- Develop artistic appreciation by viewing works of art.
- Develop an understanding of a particular media and artistic concepts.
- Develop skills in drawing and painting, color mixing, and clay construction.
- Demonstrate their understanding of the five basic elements of art (line, shape, color, texture, value) in the production of works of art.
- Complete projects which exhibit individual creative interpretations.
- To develop skills in visualization.
Kindergarten through first grade our goal for each student is to:
Second through third grade our goal for each student is to:
- To perform and identify locomotor skills (skipping, jumping etc.).
- Demonstrate the importance of safety, getting along with others and good sportsmanship.
- To develop and identify their individual space awareness.
- Comprehend the rules of the activities presented in the curriculum.
Fourth and fifth grade our goal for each student is to:
- Identify locomotor and non-locomotor skills (stretching in place etc.).
- To actively participate individually or in cooperative group settings.
- To integrate their learned skills into game situations.
- To be responsible for keeping score during activities.
- Understand and demonstrate appropriate reactions to winning and losing.
- Consistently demonstrate fair play and good sportsmanship.
Middle school, our goal for each student is to:
- To incorporate physical activity into every day living.
- To play cooperatively and fairly.
- To keep accurate score and measurements during activities.
- Understand and demonstrate appropriate reactions to winning and losing.
- To demonstrate knowledge of specific rules and strategies in game situations.
- Consistently demonstrate fair play and good sportsmanship.
* Nativity School also as an extensive athletic program governed by our athletic policy.
- To consistently demonstrate fair play and good sportsmanship.
- To know and understand the rules of the sports covered in the curriculum.
- Follow all safety guidelines to help maintain a safe learning environment.
- Recognize & appreciate that students develop physical skills at different rates.
- Develop the skills necessary for participation in some life long physical activities,
Our goal for each student in the K-6 Library Curriculum is to:
- Use the computer catalog to identify and locate desired materials.
- Develop introductory research skills through retrieval, interpretation, and evaluation of information by accessing reference material:
- print and software
- periodicals
- world wide web
- Understand the organization of Nativity’s collection (Dewey Decimal System).
- Reinforce an appreciation for literature and set a foundation for a lifelong love of learning.
Our goal for each student in the K-5 computer curriculum is to:
- Develop basic computer skills including: using a mouse, keyboard layout, saving work, and opening and closing programs.
- To use typing tutorial to learn basic keyboarding skills.
- Develop word processing skills including: creating documents, cutting, pasting, formatting, and adding original graphics to work.
- Reinforce math, reading, and problem solving skills through the use of interactive software.
- Demonstrate the ability to use multi-media software to create slide shows containing original graphics, word processing and sounds.
Our goal for each student in the 6-8 computer curriculum is to:
- To reinforce typing and word processing skills.
- Demonstrate the ability to create a database and use it to organize and sort information.
- Demonstrate the ability to create a spreadsheet using formulas.
- To use multi-media software to present a different perspective on varied subjects.
- To use Hypercard as a simple programming tool to create moving pictures.
- To use graphic software to learn simple concepts in layout design.
- To use computers as a tool to enhance cross-curricular learning in Spanish, Art, Social Studies, Math and English.