All Religion classes are taught in full accord with the Magisterium of the Catholic Church.
Our preschool and kindergarten classes get weekly Catechesis of the Good Shepherd classes (CGS). CGS is a montessori based curriculum that allows our students to enter the mystery of the Eucharist by first learning the names of the articles used on the altar and then through the most important gestures including the preparation of the chalice, the epiclesis and offering, and the sign of peace. Through the experience of seeing these gestures, presented one by one, the Mass emerges as the Sacrament of the Gift. The child becomes acquainted with the historical character of the liturgy through the events of the Last Supper, Christ’s death, and His resurrection.
The curriculum in grades K-2 introduces the Blessed Trinity, well-known stories from sacred scripture, and the sacramental life of the Church, culminating in 1st Reconciliation and Holy Communion. There is also an emphasis on who we are in relation to our creator, revealing the beauty of the fact that we are children of God. Special emphasis is put on virtue while learning about God and when we recognize and practice virtue we become more like Him.
The 3rd grade class uses a combination of Image of God Series, Bible reading studies, and essential Bible stories that bring out the Catholic faith. We look at how to act as an image of God in our everyday life. The students learn the traits that bring them closer to God.
Our 4th, 5th, and 6th grade classes use the Sophia Press Curriculum called Spirit of Truth. This curriculum focuses on learning about the Old testament, and Gospels, Saints, sacraments, commandments, and liturgical seasons.
In grades 7-8, we continue to use the Spirit of Truth curriculum the religion curriculum covers what we believe as Catholics, including Sacred Scripture, the Holy Trinity, Jesus as the Son of God and Messiah, His public ministry, Passion, death, Resurrection and Ascension, the Kingdom of God and his plan of creation and salvation, and the Church as the Body of Christ. We also spend time on the Sacraments, prayer, liturgy, how we worship, and the Catholic Social Teachings. We learn how to respond to our call to Holiness as we live our faith by following Christ’s teachings, making good and moral choices, doing good works, and loving as Jesus teaches us. We spend time integrating the Truths of the faith while studying current events. We inspire our students to be leaders in a culture that is becoming increasingly secular and work to reveal to them the beauty of the human person.
In addition the 7th and 8th graders learn about the dignity of all human beings and the beauty of chastity through the Theology of the Body for Middle School Students by Ascension Press.
The Singapore Math company was founded on the belief that students and educators should have access to the highest quality math curriculum. The Singapore Math® method was introduced to the U.S. and beyond (U.K., Middle East, Australia) almost twenty years ago, and they remain committed to sourcing and creating the best educational products available.
Dawn and Jeffrey Thomas started Singapore Math in their garage in 1998 shortly after moving back to the U.S. from Singapore, where their daughter attended local schools through the first grade. They were dissatisfied with the math materials used at her new elementary school and supplemented her schoolwork with the textbooks they brought from Singapore. They soon realized that they had an excellent resource on hand and should share it with other parents and educators.
Interest in the products that they introduced to the American market grew steadily through successful school adoptions and word-of-mouth. Since those early years, the Singapore Math® method has become an established part of the national and international conversation about math education.
We are proud to be using this approach in Kindergarten – 6th grade. In 7th and 8th grade, we use Pre-Algebra(Larson), Algebra or Geometry depending upon the academic ability of the student. Grades 7 and 8 are split into developmental groups of standard and accelerated.
Click HERE to learn more about the curriculum.
Grades K-2 use the Superkids reading program which best supports the standards we have adopted. The program incorporates reading, spelling, and language arts all into one, thus offering multiple means of representation for important concepts.
Click HERE for more information on Superkids.
In 3rd grade, they are using the Junior Great Book Series. They are emphasizing classic stories, fables, and folktales. Every week, they are performing a Socratic seminar using a chosen story from the week.
Grade 4 uses the Voyages in English textbook by Loyola Press. Areas of study include writing skills, grammar skills, parts of speech, speaking skills, and spelling. We study literature through reading novels and poetry.
In the 5th grade, they use the textbook called: Junior Great Books – 5 Book One: Honesty, Self- Respect, Fitting In by Great Books Foundation. They are also reading several novels throughout the year, such as: The Year of the Panda by Miriam Schlein, Sadako and 1000 Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr, Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell, Holes by Louis Sacher, and Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster.
Middle School English
In grades six through eight proper grammar, usage and mechanics are major focus areas. The eight parts of speech, along with proper word usage and mechanics are taught, practiced, and reinforced in both their speaking and writing. Another area of focus is different types of writing that includes but is not limited to: descriptive, expository, narrative, persuasive, response to literature, research paragraphs and essays. All formal writing follows the six-step writing process wherein prewriting, drafting, revising, editing and proofreading, publishing and reflecting are utilized. Weekly spelling work and tests are also part of the English curriculum.
Middle School Literature
Sixth through eighth grades use the Voyages in English textbook by Loyola Press . Each grade studies one novel each trimester. The novel studies increase critical reading skills, comprehension and vocabulary, and provide opportunities for students to further their understanding and application of the literary elements. In sixth grade we read Mara, Daughter of the Nile (McGraw); A Christmas Carol (Dickens) and The Bronze Bow (Speare). Seventh graders read The Witch of Blackbird Pond (Speare); Across Five Aprils (Hunt) and The Giver (Lowry). Eighth graders read The Red Badge of Courage (Crane); To Kill a Mockingbird (Lee) and The Westing Game (Raskin).
We also use the Accelerated Reader program within our classrooms. Students make choices of books they would like to read based upon their STAR reading level, and point goals are made and reached as part of their literature grade.
Kindergarten through Second Grade uses Core Knowledge Sequence for instruction. A few topics taught throughout the year include Movement (pushes/pulls/magnets); the Sun, Moon, Stars; Human Body Systems; and Plant and Animal Survival. Primary grades also follow the Scientific Method throughout their weekly project based experiments.
Grades 4th and 5th does work in Earth and Space Science, Physical Science, Life Science. We use the Amplify science curriculum which was developed at Cal Berkeley. We make sure our standards align with the Minnesota Science Standards. Students work in the text, investigate concepts in the laboratory, and link what is learned to other aspects of their education.
Middle school science follows a 3 year cycle for curriculum to ensure our students hit most national standards. The 3 classes our middle school students receive are Physical science, Earth science, and Life science. The curriculum we use is from BJU Press and follows our Christian viewpoint on God and creation of His Universe.
The middle school classes are based on observation and discovery. Students perform many of their learning tasks in groups and in laboratory sessions, both outdoors and in the lab. All of this is done under the direction of the teacher.
**St. Raphael Catholic School has made significant investments in the area of technology over the past number of years. We strive to stay current in the areas where technology integrates with critical academic formation. Grades K-2 share a cart of iPads for Educational App use. Grades 3-5 have a similar cart of Google Chromebooks. We also have 1:1 Chromebooks for students in grades 6-8 which they loan from the school and can take home to work on schoolwork. Technology is now built into all of our middle school curriculum where they will use Chromebooks in conjunction with some class assignments.
In grades K-2, history is incorporated into the Superkids reading program through the Superkids Magazine. During this time our students will learn about many influential historical figures like the Presidents of the United States, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and many other great historical figures. In addition, our Kindergarten, first and second grade students will use Scholastic Magazine to address current events, social science topics. This non-fiction magazine addresses topics such as cooperation, community, and respect for self and others.In 3rd grade, we use The Story of Civilization (The Ancient World) curriculum by Catholic publisher Tan Books. The students will study about “the Ancient Times” – from the Earliest nomads to the Last Roman Emperor. Our students are also introduced to Socratic seminars in which students share their thoughts and wrestle with complex themes and ideas of the historical stories they read about.In 4th grade, our students concentrate on the regions of the United States and US Geography. Our students will learn the different regions of the United States, while incorporating topics of citizenship and government, economics, mapping skills, cause and effect, geography and human connections to US history.In 5th Grade, students will continue their study of Geography with Historical themes. Specifically, students will look at the World Geography and cover places that have had the most influence on our nation. Units covered are Central America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. During the 3rd Trimester our 5th graders will also study Early Minnesota History and the foundations of the Minnesota Territory and the Minnesota Dakota War along with the foundation of Minnesota as a state. 6th Grade HistoryIn 6th Grade, students will study Ancient World History. This course is designed to expand students’ knowledge base on the roots of Western Civilization. In order to understand the current world and nation students live in, they must know how Western Civilization began and how it has developed over the last 4,000 years. Students will also find connections between the role Divine Providence has played in the beginnings of Western Civilization and its development.Objectives:* Students will achieve greater competence in world history knowledge.* Students will understand that the world has a unified chronology, and that the development of societies and historical eras have an impact on their lives today.* Students will understand why history has to be investigated, and that world history has influenced our “cultures,” today.* Students will make connections on how world history has impacted their lives today.* Students will work with and develop their skills in creating background essays, as well as using primary source readings, handouts, maps, and illustrations.* Students will read and write about history and experience interactive activities that help develop Social Studies Skills: critical reasoning, inquiry-based research, and deliberation.7th Grade HistoryIn 7th Grade, students will study American History. This course is designed to expand student’s knowledge base of United States history. In order to understand the nation students live in they must know how and why the United States began and how it has developed into the beacon of freedom and the shining city on the hill for the world.Objectives:* Students will achieve greater competence in American history knowledge.* Students will understand the chronology of U.S. history and how its concepts of freedom and capitalism developed over time.* Students will understand that the U.S. has a unique culture and has been influenced by many cultures.* Students will work with and develop their skills in create background essays, as well as use primary source readings, handouts, maps, and illustrations.* Students read and write about U.S. history and experience interactive activities that help develop Social Studies Skills: critical reasoning, inquiry-based research, and deliberation.8th Grade HistoryIn 8th Grade, students will study Civics. This course is designed to expand students’ knowledge base on United States Civics. In order for our Republic to survive, students must understand core-founding principles of this nation such as freedom, liberty, democracy, rule of law, and citizenship. Students will discover and study the founding documents such as the Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, The Bill of Rights, as well as historical documents such as Magna Carta, Thomas Paine’s Common Sense. Students will be able to study the philosophers of history that influenced our Republic. Students will also be able to visit the Minnesota State Capitol and the Minnesota State Supreme Court.Objectives:* Students will achieve knowledge of the founding documents.* Students will understand the ins and outs of the Three Branches of government and each branch’s responsibility.* Students will understand why civics has to be investigated, and how to preserve the Republic and their rights and freedoms granted by God and the U.S. Constitution.* Students will understand the U.S. election process.* Students will understand how philosophers Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Baron de Montesquieu, Niccolò Machiavelli, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, John Adams, George Washington, Adam Smith, and Edmund Burke influenced American government.* Students will read and write about civics and experience interactive activities that help develop Social Studies Skills: critical reasoning, inquiry-based research, and deliberation.* Students will understand the Rule of Law and how that relates to the Ten Commandments.* Students will understand the U.S. Court system and how they function.
Coming soon.
Coming soon.
Coming soon.