Current SMS Families
Our CURRICULUM
Individualized Curriculum for Every Child
St. Mary's Catholic School provides a full-range of educational services for children. From Pre-K to Grade 6 to after-school care, our curriculum challenges students' minds and is individualized for each student--fostering independent thinking and work skills. It even makes piano lessons available during the school day for 3rd-6th graders!
Scroll and read to learn about WHAT we TEACH.
And, as always, feel free to contact us for any questions you might have. We'd love to talk to you.
MATH
SMS uses two proven, innovative Math programs to ensure the success of our students: Math Expressions from Houghton Mifflin and Harcourt for K-4th Grade Students AND the Holt McDougal Math Program for 5th & 6th Graders.
This two-program approach harnesses the power of new as well as traditional tools and methods for teaching and learning mathematics. Following is a bit more about the two programs and what’s taught at the various levels.
K-4th Grade: Math Expressions
WHAT IS IT: A comprehensive curriculum that offers new way to teach and learn math.
WHY IT WORKS: It combines the most powerful elements of standards-based instruction with the best of traditional approaches. The program uses objects, drawings, conceptual language and real-world situations to help students build mathematical ideas that make sense to them.
KINDERGARTEN: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Math Expressions
Unit 1 Unit 1 Understanding Numbers 1-10
Unit 2 5-Groups in numbers 6 to 10
Unit 3 Teen Numbers as Tens and Ones
Unit 4 Partners, Problem Drawings, and Tens
Unit 5 Consolidation of Concepts
LEVEL 2: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Math Expressions
Unit 1 Addition and Subtraction Within 20
Unit 2 Addition Within 200
Unit 3 Length and Shapes
Unit 4 Subtract 2-Digit Numbers
Unit 5 Time, Graphs, and Word Problems
Unit 6 3-Digit Addition and Subtraction
Unit 7 Arrays, Equal Shares and Adding or Subtracting Lengths
LEVEL 4: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Math Expressions
Unit 1 Solve Multiplication and Division Word Problem
Unit 2 Quadrilaterals
Unit 3 Place Value and Multi-Digit Addition and Subtraction
Unit 4 Angles and Polygons
Unit 5 Multi-Digit Multiplication
Unit 6 The Metric Measurement System
Unit 7 Multi-Digit Division
Unit 8 Patterns, Functions and Graphs
Unit 9 Fractions
Unit 10 Three-Dimensional Figures
Unit 11 Decimal Numbers
Unit 12 The U.S. Customary System
5th-6th Grades: Mathematics Holt McDougal
WHAT IS IT: A program that focuses on a deep understanding of math strategies and concepts. It uses traditional as well as digital tools and methods to cover the math standards.
WHY IT WORKS: Because this program is used in the Melrose Public School, it helps ensure success for St. Mary’s students by easing the transition to the 7th grade curriculum.
GRADE 5: Mathematics Holt McDougal (6th grade book)
Chapter 1 Operations and Properties
Chapter 2 Introduction to Algebra
Chapter 3 Decimals
Chapter 4 Number Theory and Fractions
Chapter 5 Fraction Operations
Chapter 6 Data Collection and Analysis
Chapter 7 Proportional Relationships
Chapter 8 Measurement and Geometry
Chapter 9 Integers and the Coordinate Plane
Chapter 10 Functions
GRADE 6: Mathematics Holt McDougal (7th grade book)
Chapter 1 Algebraic Reasoning
Chapter 2 Integers and Rational Numbers
Chapter 3 Applying Rational Numbers (Decimals, Fractions)
Chapter 4 Proportional Relationships (Rates, Ratios, Proportions, Similar Figures)
Chapter 5 Graphs (Coordinate Plane, Slope and Rates of Change)
Chapter 6 Percents (Fractions, Decimals, Percents, Percent of Change, Interest)
Chapter 7 Collecting, Displaying, and Analyzing Data (Mean, Median, Mode, Range, Population Samples)
Chapter 8 Geometric Figures (Lines, Angles, Congruent Figures)
Chapter 9 Measurement and Geometry (Perimeter, Area, Volume)
Chapter 10 Probability
Chapter 11 Multi-Step Equations and Inequalities
SOCIAL STUDIES
Macmillian/McGraw-Hill Social Studies is used by St. Mary’s School. The following content areas are covered in this curriculum.
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Kindergarten: Hello World
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Grade 1: All Together
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Grade 2: People and Places
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Grade 3: Communities
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Grade 4: Our Country and its Regions
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Grade 5: The United States
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Grade 6: Minnesota Geography and History
SCIENCE
St. Mary’s uses Pearson Scott Foresman Science Materials which is built on three levels of inquiry. The levels engage students in activities that build a strong science foundation and help students develop a full understanding of the inquiry process.
1. Directed inquiry: Is where the teacher directs the activity. Students learn process skills and follow step-by-step instructions.
2. Guided inquiry: Is where the teacher guides the activity. Students take ownership of the inquiry process.
3. Full inquiry: Is where the teacher facilitates full inquiry and students take the lead in conducting the experiment. Using a cross-curricular link the students at each grade level are exposed to Life Science, Earth Science, Physical Science, Space andTechnology.
RELIGION
The following Catholic Faith Formation Standards are taught in religion classes.
1st-5th Grade: Alive in Christ
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It mirrors the gradual and relational way God teaches us so we can know Him, His Truth, be guided by the Holy Spirit to respond with faith and love, and accept the gift of new life in Christ.
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It invites children to open their minds and hearts to what God is saying to them in Sacred Scripture, helps them discover what it means to be Catholic in today's world, and gives them the tools they need to live their faith in everyday life.
6th Grade: Old Testament
1. Students will possess skills in using the Bible (find cited scripture, tell Bible stories in their own words).
2. Students will participate in the Sacraments as part of community membership, especially Eucharist and Reconciliation.
3. Students will learn to distinguish between right and wrong and identify the personal consequences of actions.
4. Students will demonstrate an awareness of Justice issues and be of service and mission to others.
5. Students will respond reverently to sacred spaces and times.
READING: BENCHMARK WORKSHOP
Introduced at St. Mary’s School in the Fall of 2019, Benchmark Workshop is a balanced literacy program which integrates various modalities of literacy instruction, which are aimed at guiding students toward proficient and lifelong reading.
The Benchmark Workshop consists of the following:
1. Reader's Workshop
2. Phonics Word Study Workshop
3. Writer's Workshop
4. Technology
5. Professional Development
Reader's Workshop: Provides whole-group mini lessons, leveled texts for small groups, and resources to support independent reading and conferring.
Phonics Word Study: Provides explicit instruction and differentiated practice through authentic reading and writing experiences and multi-sensory activities.
Writer's Workshop: Provides mini lessons on the writing process, craft of writing, and responses to reading with support for small group instruction, independent writing, and conferring.
PIANO LESSONS
Private piano lessons are offered to 3rd to 6th grade students during the school day at St. Mary’s. Kathy Peterson offers this opportunity. Mrs. Peterson’s goal is to teach each child to read music-notes, dynamics, theory, rhythm, etc. Students will be challenged to learn how play in a way that is expressive and musical. Lessons are once a week for half an hour.