Our primary grades are 1 and 2. Students proudly begin to wear uniforms and travel from class to class. They write daily homework assignments to go home in the organizational tool called the “copybook”. Children work cooperatively at learning centers and grow in personal responsibility. Open-ended questioning encourages critical thinking. Excitement and pride builds with each skill mastered.
Religion
The children grow in their realization of what it means to be a member of God’s family. Welcomed into God’s family by the sacrament of Baptism, many of the students, in their second grade year, will be nourished by God’s love through reception of the sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation in their local parishes.
Reading/Language Arts
The children in the primary grades develop into independent readers who enjoy reading various genres of literature. A reading program guarantees a systematic progression of foundational skills in the area of phonemic awareness, word structure, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. Children learn the steps in the writing process and have numerous creative opportunities to express their thoughts in writing. Formal spelling and grammar programs enrich the writing experience. Frequent oral sharing of written work develops confidence in speaking before an audience.
Mathematics
Students follow a math texbook a grade above their current grade. Simple addition, subtraction and problem-solving skills advance to more complicated computations, multiplication and word problems. Children learn beginning elements of algebra and geometry. Manipulatives continue to provide opportunities for hands-on learning. The highlight of the week is Friday when students have the opportunity to “shop” in the classroom “store.” The children are concentrating on purchasing, but are also making critical choices as to price, value, spending and saving.
Science
The scientific method is the foundation of all endeavors. Students pose questions, make hypotheses, observe and draw conclusions. Hands on experiments stimulate students’ natural curiosity about the world around them as they learn by doing. Nothing excites the students more than the observing incubated eggs hatch into chicks during an integrated project with social studies.
Social Studies
Children explore and celebrate the differences and similarities in families and cultures while participating in a Mexican Posada and a Chinese New Year feast. Students compare and contrast ways of life today with life one hundred years ago. This inquiry comes alive through a visit to Fosterfields, an historical farm from the turn of the 19th century.
Physical Education
Physical education instruction develops muscular coordination, physical fitness and a lifelong enjoyment of sports and games.
Art
In the visual arts, the children are given a variety of experiences in many different media in order to strengthen their skills and abilities. As the child’s confidence and skills grow, new materials and challenges are introduced. The curriculum goes from a formalist approach in the lower primaries to cross-discipline integration in the older grades. Aesthetics and art appreciation are also extremely important in the total development of the student’s creative process.
Music
Lower School students participate in a general music class of active music making, and in an age-appropriate chorus. Classroom music uses the Orff Schulwerk approach, in which children sing, move, play pitched and unpitched percussion instruments and recorders; as well as listen, analyze, improvise and compose. Aspects of theory and music literacy are part of the instruction. All students in Grades 1 to 6 participate in the Christmas Concert and at least one other performance during the year incorporating music, movement and drama. Often these performances represent a cross-discipline experience. In addition, students prepare and sing liturgical music for school liturgies.
Drama
In creative drama classes, the children explore, enjoy and share new ways of self-expression through movement, pantomime, storytelling, puppetry, improvisation, and small and large group performances. The folklore of many countries provides the core curriculum for the primary grades. All grades participate in creative dramatics throughout the year and are involved in the creation of their own videotaped commercial which is self-developed, written, directed and produced! In the winter and spring, the students celebrate their talents in both our Christmas and spring concerts.
Dance
In dance, the children are encouraged to develop basic movement skills and body awareness through artistic expression. Introducing the children to ballet, modern, jazz and choreography techniques, they begin to appreciate different forms of dance and music. Students are shown how dance can also be a sport. Developing theatre skills and etiquette, social skills, good health, cultural awareness and a sense of history complete the dance experience. Through in-class exercises and performance opportunities, the children develop a positive sense of self and interest in the field of dance beyond the dancers on stage.
World Language
The World Language program at Oak Knoll is designed to enable students to communicate meaningfully in another language at an age-appropriate level. We seek to broaden our students’ understanding of and appreciation for other cultures and nationalities. Lively games, activities and songs reinforce the acquisition of oral and visual vocabulary and encourage students to speak in French or Spanish. Students continue to broaden their vocabulary with an emphasis on speaking and pronunciation. Simulations of real life experiences encourage conversational skills.
Computer
Elements of art and aesthetics are integral to the first grade computer curriculum. Through creating art on the computer, children become more proficient with use of the mouse, ease with the keyboard, knowledge of basic operations and understanding of the keyboard as a tool. In second grade the new computer software and applications aid in the study of animal habitats. Students conduct research using approved Web sites, make lists using Max Write (Word), organize their information in Kidspiration and create final reports in Max Show (PowerPoint).
Library
The Bonaventura Library program focuses on two main objectives: the development of information literacy skills necessary for learning in the 21st century and a lifelong love of reading. Children in kindergarten to grade 6 attend regularly-scheduled library classes and visit the library for class projects, for group or independent research or to check out books at any time during the school day.
Children in grade 1 are introduced to the library catalog and conduct simple searches for author, title and subject. They are also introduced to dictionaries and encyclopedias. In grade 2, students begin to really use the reference section. They learn to use keywords to “look it up.” They also begin a simple method of note taking and use these skills to produce simple animal and biography reports.