In an effort to continually strengthen itself, the administration and faculty of SJA are in a constant state of evaluation. The characteristics of the student body and curriculum offered are repeatedly studied to be sure that needs are being met, children are challenged to learn, Gospel messages are being lived, and learning potential is being fulfilled.
Preschool
Learning is all around us- and at St. Joan of Arc, we take advantage of that. Children learn best when they are engaged and interested, and what better way to do that than to have fun while learning? We believe 3, 4 & 5 year olds are very special and should be treated with lots of love and affection.
Grade 1
In first grade at Saint Joan of Arc School, our primary goal is to see each child the way Jesus does, as a unique and precious gift from God. We set a priority on learning about our Catholic Faith. Secondly, we work toward building a strong relationship with parents and caregivers to understand each child’s needs, so that we can help meet the child’s short term spiritual, academic, physical and social goals. We focus on developing strong, foundational Language Arts and Math skills that will serve the child throughout their educational years and beyond. First-graders write for many purposes and about different subjects by composing songs, stories, lists and poems. Your child learns the mechanics of writing, such as penmanship, spelling and sentence structure. They develop their math skills in a number of ways as they learn about computation, measurement, patterns, shapes, time and money.
Grade 2
Second grade is an important year for children both academically and spiritually. They will be receiving Reconciliation in December and First Holy Eucharist in May.
It is exciting that second graders can read independently and can write detailed paragraphs and stories. There is time each day for independent reading and writing across the curriculum. Second-graders continue to learn about money and time. By the end of the year your child should master his/her addition and subtraction facts. Your child will learn to make detailed observations in second-grade science and explore color and learn about the elements and meaning in art. Second-graders become more independent writers by learning different styles and using the writing process. They learn how to spell by learning spelling patterns and words found in their reading. Second-graders are becoming more fluent readers. They are reading chapter books, beginning to do research and learning new strategies to draw meaning from what they read. Second-graders use technology in the classroom and use the Technology Center to learn about a range of subjects.
Grade 3
Third grade is a year of extraordinary growth. It serves as a transitional year during which we leave the primary grades behind and begin to accept the challenges that the intermediate grades present. During this year the children will have new and creative learning opportunities in which they will present research, think critically, and establish a strong base for success at the next level.
Our students will learn how to use their textbooks, become fluent cursive writers, and learn to meet academic challenges.
We work to build confidence, independence, organizational skills, presentation skills, study skills, and research skills.
By the end of the year our third graders have developed many new skills and have gained confidence in themselves as students and classmates. We thoroughly enjoy working with our students as facilitators of this learning throughout this exciting year. In partnership with our students’ parents third grade provides a year of wonderful learning experiences
Grade 4
As children grow in both maturity and spirituality our fourth graders are encouraged to continue on their life journey with an emphasis on responsibility, self-control, accountability, organization, and prioritizing time. Special attention is paid to feasts and seasons, social justice, spirituality, the importance of family prayer, praying the rosary and understanding the Stations of the Cross.
In fourth grade your child reads across subject areas, continues to do research and reads for different purposes. By the end of grade four, students understand large numbers and addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers. They describe and compare simple fractions and decimals. They understand the properties of, and the relationships between, plane geometric figures. They collect, represent, and analyze data to answer questions.
The 4A & 4B classrooms are cheerful, happy places with a nurturing atmosphere, Children’s work is celebrated and displayed, the teachers are enthusiastic and knowledgeable and students are kept stimulated and engaged.
If one word could be considered the most important in fourth grade it would be RESPECT. Respect for ones self and for each other.
Grade 5
Fifth Grade is an exciting year at Saint Joan of Arc! Fifth Graders ends to be obedient, good natured, and fun. They possess a surprising scope of interests. They are capable of increasing independence. At this age children are developing communication skills and becoming more mature. Their listening and responding skills improve and they increase problem-solving abilities. This is the year we begin to prepare for Junior High, and to participate in the school sports where everyone who tries out makes a team and gets to play, We introduce the DARE program increasing their coping mechanisms. We have the additional responsibility of having kindergarten buddies, who we help to make comfortable with the school routine. All in all it’s a fun and exciting year.
Jr. High
Religion
The main emphasis in sixth grade is on the Bible and the study of the Old Testament. Students learn about our Creator and Creation, explore the ways God speaks to us, and explore how we see God through Jesus. Students explore the Old Testament and learn how God reveals himself and his plan of salvation through Scripture. Special emphasis is on the Ten Commandment.
The main focus in seventh grade is the New Testament. Students explore how Jesus is the fulfillment of the law and how he perfectly reveals God the Father to us. Seven Units are the main focus which includes Revelation, Trinity, Jesus Christ, Morality, Church, Sacraments, and The Kingdom of God. Special emphasis is on Jesus as our Role Model, The study of the four Gospels, the seven sacraments, and the Beatitudes are emphasized.
Eighth graders main focus is on the Church and learning about the responsibilities of being a member of the Catholic Church. Lessons dealing with prayer, Church History, learning how the life of Christ is a life of service and justice, stewardship, and how the study of Scripture is helpful to their faith development and how they apply to life/world events are covered.
Twelve weeks are devoted to preparing our eighth graders for the Sacrament of Confirmation. The textbook, Call to Celebrate: Confirmation, is purchased by each student to assist in their Confirmation preparation.
This is also published by Harcourt Religion Publishers and is also used in the Religious Formation Classes at St. Joan of Arc Parish. Special emphasis is placed on the Sacraments of Initiation and how the Holy Spirit is at work in the students’ lives
Math
According to our Holt Mathematics series, middle school mathematic instruction occurs at a critical time in students’ development and must address the needs specific to this period of learning. Throughout this period, students can and should understand mathematical ideas, compute fluently, solve problems, and engage in logical reasoning. Traditional paper and pencil skills are emphasized throughout the program but are supplemented with technology, manipulatives, and math labs.
Language Arts
The English Program for Grades 6, 7, and 8 is divided between grammar study and writing skills. The study of grammar is conducted primarily to further the development of the “life skill”: WRITING. The primary goals of this program are to ensure that all students know the fundamentals of grammar and to utilize this knowledge to write to the best of their abilities.
Literature
The Literature Program for grades 6, 7, and 8 is focused on exposing students to many different types of writing. We read short stories, novels, poetry, newspapers, and biographies. Students will be introduced to a variety of genres and literary techniques. Some examples include characters, plot, conflict, inference, resolution, narrative and many more. This exposure to literature will enhance the student’s usage both written and oral.
Vocab
Throughout junior high, vocabulary study is used to enhance the students’ writing, reading, and test-taking skills. The vocabulary strategies introduced allow students to learn how to use context clues to understand the meaning of hundreds of words. Students complete a series of workbook pages followed by an assessment.
Science
The core science program is built around a solid content base that emphasizes the use of hands-on, inquiry-based activities as well as the development of science process skills. Inquiry-based activities are designed to encourage students to observe, question, theorize and make models. In addition, the science program integrates the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will enhance the success of our students in today’s world as well as in the future.
Social Studies
6th grade: We begin with world civilizations: ancient Greece, Roman Empire, and the Egyptians. The Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Reformation are studied followed by the Revolutions: French, Russian and Industrial and ending with a brief overview of the American Revolution.
7th grade: The focus shifts more on the United States. We start with the founding of the 13 colonies and the causes of the Revolution. A more in depth exploration of the American Revolution than in sixth grade is followed by preparation for the federal and state Constitution test. After the Constitution test the causes of the Civil War and the actual Civil War are studied ending the year with the completion of the Civil War.
8th grade: The goal of the year is to progress thru American history into the early 2000s.
The growth of the USA westward from 1865 to 1914, World War I, the 1920s and the Great Depression is the start. After the Great Depression we move into World War 2, the Holocaust and America’s Civil Rights movement from 1954 to the present. Final the Cold war, the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and early 2000s are studied.
