Lower School (K-5)

Kindergarten focuses on the basic foundational skills that students will use throughout the grades at Notre Dame Elementary. For many children, kindergarten is their first experience in a structured classroom. Students get individualized attention through our low student to teacher ratio and small group instruction tailored to their learning needs. We create a caring community where students can grow into little citizens of the world

Math

The kindergarten math curriculum aligns with the common core standards centering much of our learning on number sense, adding and subtracting, measurable attributes and shapes. We learn this content through engaging activities and strengthen our learning through math centers at the end of the week.

• Counting and Cardinality: counting to 100, writing numbers
• Operations and Algebraic Thinking: adding and subtracting within 10, decomposing numbers, fluently add and subtract within 5 Number and
• Operations in Base Ten: place value
• Measurement and Data: describe measurable attributes, classify objects into categories
• Geometry: naming and comparing 2D and 3D shapes
• Curriculum program: Envision by Savvas

Science

Students participate in hands on investigations focusing on the world around us. During the spring, we hatch chicks, in our classroom, to get a first hand experience of what animals need to survive.

• Solids, liquids and gases

• Animals

• Land, air and water

• Curriculum program: McGraw Hill and other resources

Language Arts

Kindergarten language arts combines knowledge of phonics, reading strategies, comprehension skills and conventions to build the groundwork for student reading. Through the use of guided reading, students are taught at their own level so students get the challenge or support they need.

• Reading Comprehension - characters, setting, main idea

• Phonics - letter sounds, blending sounds to make words

• Conventions - sentences, verbs, nouns, adjectives

• Writing Literacy centers - sight words, listen to reading (through iPads - Raz-kids), fine motor development

• Leveled, guided reading

• Curriculum program: MyView by Savvas and Fountas & Pinnell leveled guided reading books 

Social Studies

Our program focuses on what it means to be a citizen in the big world around us. We discuss community helpers, our state and country and life now and long ago.

• How to be a good citizen

• Symbols of the United States

• Understanding that history relates to people in the past

• Curriculum program: Impact by McGraw Hill

 

First grade is centered on creating a lifelong love of learning while building upon academic and social foundations that were introduced in Kindergarten. We foster student independence through engaging, inquiry-based lessons as well as strengthen social-emotional learning skills through collaboration in the classroom.

Math

The first grade math curriculum, aligned with the common core standards, focuses on deconstructing processes in basic operational thinking including addition and subtraction. Students will solidify knowledge in the areas of operations and algebraic thinking, measurement and data, place value, and basic geometry in a whole-class setting as well as small group and individual work periods.  

• Operations and Algebraic Thinking: representing and solving addition and subtraction problems and increasing fact fluency.

• Number and Operations in Base Ten: counting to 120, comparing two-digit numbers, identifying tens and ones.

• Measurement and Data: tell and write time, represent and interpret data, measure various objects.

• Geometry: distinguish and compose two-dimensional shapes using their respective properties.

• Curriculum program: Envision by Savvas

Science

Students will use hands-on activities as well as inquiry-led discussion to explore various concepts in the areas of physical, life, and earth sciences.

• States and properties of matter: solid, liquid, gas

• Plants and animals

• Weather

• Curriculum program: McGraw Hill and other resources

Language Arts

The first grade language arts curriculum incorporates a variety of strategies as part of a balanced literacy program to help students to develop into strong readers. There is a central focus on leveled reading groups in order to meet the needs of all students.  

• Literacy centers (interactive and engaging practice with spelling words, listening to books using ipad technology, and journal writing)

• Leveled, guided reading

• Curriculum program: MyView by Savvas and Fountas & Pinnell leveled guided reading books 

Social Studies

Through the use of engaging activities and relevant connections to their daily life, first graders will explore the world around them, specifically focusing on their place in time and space.

• Rights and responsibilities in relation to citizenship

• Different aspects of geography including maps, models, cardinal directions, and knowledge of the seven continents and five oceans.

• Symbols, icons, and traditions of the United States

• Curriculum program: Impact by McGraw Hill

Religion

The first grade religion curriculum has a strong focus on the life and teachings of Jesus as well as how to carry them out in everyday life. Students will also learn basic prayers and participate in activities that teach the foundations of the Catholic Church.

Second grade is a year of immense growth, both academically and socio-emotionally. Students strengthen language arts and math skills in small, leveled-learning groups, with a focus on reading comprehension and applying Common Core mathematics strategies. Students learn how to be more independent both in the classroom and among peers, with a focus on developing problem-solving strategies. Second grade is also an important year spiritually, as our students receive both the sacraments of Penance and Reconciliation and First Eucharist. 

Math

Students will build upon foundational math skills learned in Kindergarten and 1st grade, and extend their knowledge of operations and algebraic thinking, using base-ten operations to evaluate numbers, measuring using standard units and generating data based on measurements, and analyzing geometric shapes and their attributes. Students will work as a whole class or in small, leveled groups to complete math activities.

Students will:

• Represent and solve addition and subtraction word problems
• Fluently add and subtract numbers up to 20
• Determine whether numbers are even or odd
• Understand, analyze, and compare numbers using place value
• Measure using standard units, and interpret data obtained while measuring
• Tell time to the 5 minutes
• Solve word problems involving money
• Reason with shapes and their attributes
• Curriculum program: Math Expressions (Houghton Mifflin)

Science

​Student-led, inquiry-based discovery is used to explore and discuss various concepts in physical, life, and earth sciences. This is an example of our of our hands on experiments in animation. 

Students will:

• Use simple tools to observe, describe, analyze, and sort solid earth materials and learn how the properties of the materials are suited to different purposes in the Pebbles, Sand, and Silt module.

• Observe the life cycles of insects and plants,and compare the stages exhibited by each species to reveal patterns in the Insects and Plants module.

• Explore the way objects balance, investigate rolling objects, and study the properties of magnets in the Balance and Motion module.

• Curriculum program: FOSS Science Kits

Language Arts

The second grade language arts curriculum uses focuses on grammar, phonics and spelling, reading strategies, and comprehension skills on a whole class and small group basis, in order to strengthen students’ reading skills and also examine a variety of texts more deeply. Students are assessed using the Fountas & Pinnell assessment program, and placed into reading groups with similar-level peers.

Students will:

• Read and analyze literature in units of literature study based on theme.

• Learn a phonics and grammar skill each week to coincide with our literature focus of the week.

• Study different genres and vocabulary words, which also are derived from the story of the week.

• Participate in literacy centers (interactive practice with spelling words, listening to leveled-books using Kindle technology, peer partner reading, and creative writing)

• Leveled reading in small groups with guided teacher instruction

• Curriculum program: Scott Foresman Reading Street (Pearson) and Fountas & Pinnell leveled guided reading books 

Social Studies

Second grade students will study a broad variety of concepts in Social studies, including families now and long ago, the land around us, government, using land for resources, the economic market, and heroes throughout history.

Students will:

• Trace their family history through study of our text in class, and also through an at-home family history project.

• Discover different types of land in the Unites States, and learn how to use maps to navigate this land

• Explore the structure of local, state, and national government

• Learn about the functions of our national and worldwide economy through our “class store” marketplace project

• Write biographies to accompany a study of heroes in American history

• Curriculum program: Reflections (Harcourt)

Religion

Our curriculum focuses on the ways in which Jesus shares in God's life. We study Jesus' life and discuss how he is with us always through our faith. We briefly study the seven sacraments, with an emphasis on Penance and Reconciliation and Eucharist. Students will learn about and participate in these two sacraments, also, during the second grade year.  

Students will: 

• Study passages from the Bible and connect learning to their own lives.

• Learn Mass responses and prayers

• Examine sin and forgiveness through our learning about Penance and Reconciliation before receiving the sacrament for the first time.

• Learn about the meaning of the sacrament of Eucharist through a specialized curriculum called the "Gold Book", and receive the sacrament after completing this study.

• Curriculum program: Sadlier's We Believe

 

The third grade is a year of transition out of the early primary grades and into upper elementary. Students practice responsibility for their own education. Third graders are given planners, which they use to map out their homework for the week and keep track of important dates and events. Third graders practice routines like book clubs, a reading group that meets weekly and analyzes literature. These routines are not only educational, but prepare them for the rigors of school work in the upper grades.

Math

The third grade math curriculum is aligned with the common core standards. Students develop multiple strategies to understand and use common math concepts. Students will:

• Learn and memorize multiplication facts

• Use strategies to solve multiple step word problems

• Work with geometric shapes to find perimeter and area

• Explore fractions and equivalence

Language Arts

Reading: Students are assessed individually on fluency, accuracy, and comprehension using the Fontas and Pinnell system. They are then placed in literature groups based on that assessment, and together we analyze elements of literature. Students will:

• Write down vocabulary, find definitions, and discuss the meaning within the reading selection

• Share opinions on character, author’s purpose, predictions, plot, etc.

• Help each other to find understanding of difficult passages

Writing: Students use graphic organizers to help structure their ideas. We then follow a writing process (rough draft/edit/final draft) to publish meaningful, legible sentences and paragraphs. Students will:

• Write complete sentences and structured paragraphs

• Complete multiple types of assignments (book report, research report, persuasive writing, etc)

Social Studies

​The third grade utilizes California history and growth as a means to study many different social topics. We learn about geography, human use of resources and environment, Native Americans, community growth, government and citizenship, and economics.  We make learning fun by completing many projects during the year that enhance our understanding of California and our place in it.

Science

​Students in third grade are introduced to science material with hands-on exploration activities. We explore physical science, life science, and earth science. Some topics include energy, matter, adaptations, habitat, the Sun, and the Moon. 

Fourth grade is a year of transition and growth, in which we focus on becoming more responsible not only in our schoolwork, but in building and maintaining friendships and relationships with our peers.  Students in 4th grade collaborate with peers on group projects more frequently and meet with their book clubs several times a week.  As the work and expectations increase, the students will learn to manage their time and work more independently as they build more confidence.  In 4th grade, students will have the opportunity to learn and practice presentation techniques. They will also learn to become more detailed and proficient readers, writers, and speakers in all subject areas, completing most projects and assignments, with the use of their Chrome books, on Google Docs and Google Slides.

Math

The 4th grade math curriculum is aligned with the common core standards. Students work on developing strategies used for solving real world problems. Students will:

• multiply, divide, add, and subtract multi-digit numbers

• develop and understanding of fraction equivalence,  add a subtract fractions with like denominators and multiply fraction by whole numbers

• understand that geometric figures can be classified based on properties (parallel or perpendicular sides, symmetry, etc.)

Science

Students in 4th​ grade are introduced to science material with hands-on exploration activities in the areas of solid earth, environments, and magnetism and electricity.

Language Arts

Reading: In 4th grade, each student is individually assessed on their overall reading level (fluency, accuracy and comprehension) using the Fountas and Pinnell assessment program.  Students focus on elements of literature in leveled self -run literature reading groups and through guided instruction. Students will:

• keep thinking tracks and focus on elements of literature in their book clubs and during us of our Reading Street Program.

• keep vocabulary spirals with each week’s vocabulary words which include the word, definition, synonym, antonym, part of speech and sentence to show their understanding of the word.          

Writing: In 4th grade, students work on becoming more detailed and structured writers, while expanding our understanding of the writing process. Students will:

• follow the writing process timeline (prewrite, rough draft, revise/edit & publish).

• compose detailed multi-sentence paragraphs.

• compose 5-paragraph essays.

• complete several writing assignments (biography report, poetry book, etc.)

• conference with teachers (one on one) on a weekly basis.

Social Studies

4th grade students will explore California history.  Some areas of focus include:

• ​The Land and early people of California (California Indians, mission life, etc.),

• ​The road to statehood, growth and development such as transportation and communication, the Gold Rush, and government.

​Students will complete several individual research projects and group projects throughout the year, which will be presented in front of the class. 

Religion

4th grade students will focus on The Ten Commandments, Advent, Lent, Easter, and growing our relationship with God and Jesus Christ

The fifth grade curriculum continues to build upon the previously acquired skills to solidify each student’s academic mastery, so they will be well prepared for the next phase of their school career. Throughout the year, students are challenged to reach new levels of achievement and become positive members of their school community.  There is an emphasis on independence, self-reliance, and work habits while continuing to meet each individual’s needs and nurturing each student’s curiosity through the use of creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving. ​

Math

The math program focuses on the common core standards. Specifically, students focus on developing their fluency with fraction operations, division algorithms, decimal operations, and calculating volume. Students will:

• Use questioning, modeling, and exploring to master math methods and strategies.

• Use daily “Math Talk” in order explain their methods and, in turn, become more fluent in them.

• Participate in intervention, on-level and challenge differentiation activities in order to support the classroom needs.​

Science

The major areas of study are life science, physical science, and earth science. Some key concepts are human body systems, mixtures and solutions, the solar system, and the water cycle. Students will:

• Be  introduced to new science material with hands-on exploration activities.  

• Reinforce content with reading, vocabulary development, and class discussion

Language Arts

Reading

In reading, the focus is on the development of mutliple reading skills, including making inferences, analyzing character and setting, and identifying central themes. Student reading levels are used to guide instruction and provide interventions. Reading skills are taught using both literary and informational texts. Students will:

• Be assessed in order to monitor their reading progress through the use of the Fountas and Pinnell reading assessment system.

• Develop core reading skills  through the use of read alouds, independent reading, comprehension practice, and leveled guided reading groups.

• Participate in novel-based reading through the use of student-led literature circles.

​Writing

Students expand their writing skills to write a variety of multi-paragraph essays. Students will:

• Compose expository, opinion, narrative, essays.

• Develop writing skills through the use of the writing process, pre-writing, drafting, and revision skills.

• Further develop language skills, such as grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and vocabulary.

• Become proficient with Google applications, including google Docs and Slides

Social Studies

The Social Studies curriculum covers United States history; some key points that are covered are Native American regions, explorers, English colonies, and the American Revolution. Students will:

• Participate in peer teaching, project-based lessons, and research projects.

• Reinact and present on the important events and people of the American Revolution.

Religion

The curriculum focus is on the Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church: baptism, penance, communion, confirmation, matrimony, holy orders, and anointing of the sick. Students will:

• Learn the Rites of Passage are through the use of class discussions, exploration of scripture, and project-based learning.