St. Mary School is centered on the Gospel of Jesus Christ and focuses on both academic excellence and personal growth. We welcome all students between the ages of pre-school through eighth grade who seek to learn and grow in a caring, Christian environment. Our students develop to be lifelong learners who comprise 21st century skills, such as collaboration and teamwork, creativity and imagination, critical thinking and problem solving. This will prepare them for a successful future and help them to become active and caring members of their communities.
Here are some highlights of our grade 1-5 curriculum:
First Grade During a typical day in First grade, students have many opportunities to learn in different ways throughout the day. They practice skills in small groups, individually, and whole group. Writing Workshop allows children to take pieces of writing through the publishing process, and take pride in their written words. Social Studies and Science are exciting opportunities to explore the world around us through books, technology, discussion, and hands-on experiments. Religion is integrated throughout our entire day, as well as during specific focus times each day. A big difference in the transition to First grade from Kindergarten is how students strengthen their reading and phonics skills. They start differentiated spelling tests for the first time. We also have math homework and practice reading at night. In math, students move into more mental math, write out and visualize number sentences, and also use hands-on manipulatives. First grade also takes turns doing morning prayer during the announcements and hosting Mass. In May, first grade hosts the May Crowning. First graders work on becoming more independent and responsible.
Second Grade The Second grade grows closer to Jesus and loves him more as they prepare for the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. We are a partner with the Holden Arboretum's Growing Students in Science program. Once a week, second grade students work with their 5th grade prayer partners on projects of their choosing during Genius Hour.
Third Grade Third grade is an exciting year to learn about business and money! The students will receive their own check book and earn money throughout the year. Also, in order to stay in the class, they will have to pay bills. The students will learn how to write and balance their own checkbooks. Our third graders will be entrepreneurs! They will come up with their own product to sell to the class, and also a creative marketing plan. There will be a few lemonade/cookie business days later in the year. We set up stands during lunch and The Learning Fair. The students will price their lemonade and allocate the monies they receive.
Fourth Grade In Fourth grade we spend a great deal of time learning two-digit by two-digit multiplication, long division and more in-depth learning about fractions. We learn about the state of Ohio. Native American groups that settled here, inventors from Ohio and important Ohio symbols. 4th graders learn about the Ten Commandments and Beatitudes. We complete many STEM related activities and participate in the Extreme Games Invention Contest.
Fifth Grade The Fifth grade year provides an opportunity for the students to study more comprehensively many of the skills and concepts acquired in the previous years. We focus on inferences, details, and seeking to solve real world problems through STEM projects and Genius Hour. DARE is an essential part of our health curriculum as well as Operation Keepsake. We focus on the sacraments and our call to be church for one another. Together we work and learn to accept one another through the Shield and STAND program that are implemented across the curriculum.
If you wish to receive more detailed information about the curriculum guide for grades 1-5 provided by the Diocese of Cleveland, please contact our office.
