Core Curriculum Areas
Mathematics
Our pre-school math program places the focus on early numeracy skills and laying the foundation for growing mathematicians. In Kindergarten through 4th grade, we use a program called enVisions 2020. This program progressively builds on student knowledge to encourage them to think about how they are solving a math problem. Students use additive and multiplicative reasoning as well as practicing fluency with facts, but do not rely on memorization of formulas to solve mathematical problems. Our 5th-8th grade students currently use a program designed through the Vermont Mathematics Initiative. Eighth grade students consistently enter higher level math classes in high school based upon the high school math placement assessment.
English Language Arts
English Language Arts (ELA) includes the learned skills of listening and speaking and the explicitly taught skills of reading and writing, These skills allow us to communicate our thoughts and ideas to others
Pre-K (ages 3-5 years)
- Follows the guidance of The Vermont Early Learning Standards with developmentally appropriate play-based strategies to develop a foundation for learning to read and write.
- Uses BUILDING BLOCKS FOR LITERACY ®, Teaching Strategies Gold (TSG) and Handwriting Without Tears to develop language skills with attention to social and emotional development.
- Exposes children to phonological awareness that develops the foundation to grasp the Alphabetic Principle: the understanding that the sounds of the language are represented by letters or a combination of letters.
- Develops basic comprehension skills through shared book reading strategies
- Associates sounds of the English language with letter representations
K-3 ELA
- Uses Wilson Language Learning System Fundations- Wilson Language to promote phonics, spelling and handwriting.
- Applies a Balanced Literacy Approach incorporating Luck Calkins, Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop, guided reading groups, strategy groups, whole class read alouds, shared reading and writing, interactive reading and writing.
- Provides literacy intervention to supplement classroom instruction for struggling students.
- Promotes spelling patterns learned in Fundations. Grade Two uses WORDS THEIR WAY and Grades 3-8 build grammar and vocabulary with Sadlier’s texts.
4-8 ELA
- Reads novels, current event publications, historical documents, and a plethora of other literate sources.
- Supports student development of an extensive vocabulary to effectively use words to express thoughts, knowledge, and incorporate a deep comprehension across all subjects.
- Builds writing skills through essays, poetry and research papers. Students enter local, state and national writing contests, often placing among the top three entries.
Science
St. Monica – St. Michael School follows a spiral curriculum that is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards. The focus is on developing understanding of the world around us through earth science, physical science, and life science. Students in Pre-K -Grade 8 build knowledge through STEM activities and other hands-on learning. Students are encouraged to think like engineers to problem solve and experiment new ideas.
The school hosts an annual STEAM open house night for families to participate in various levels of difficulty and styles of activities in each classroom.
Religion
Our school welcomes students of all faiths with all students participating in religion classes daily. We teach the beliefs and history of the Catholic Church based upon a vertically aligned curriculum. These values are also taught in a way that is relevant to all our students – from learning about and dressing like a Saint on Halloween, to being stewards of the earth and greening up our community, to being altar servers, readers and gift bearers at School Mass. The school starts each day with a schoolwide prayer and gathers each Wednesday for School Mass, where the priest often engages our students in thought provoking questions during the homily. Catholic second graders prepare for and receive First Reconciliation and First Communion and Catholic 6th graders prepare for and receive Confirmation.
Social Studies
The inclusion of Social Studies in the curriculum from primary to secondary classes signifies the importance of the subject and the role it plays in a student’s life. Social Studies is incorporated in the school curriculum through a combination of subjects – History, Geography, Cultural Studies, Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology, etc. Grades 4-8 vertically align social studies through the Houghton Mifflin Holt Social Studies Program.
Through studying Social Studies, students learn to live in a society, interact with individuals belonging to different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, adapt to various situations and circumstances, and also adhere to certain societal norms in order to lead a peaceful and productive life.
Additional Curriculum Areas
Music
Our young musicians start with songs that emphasize following directions and working together in our classroom space with a lot of time for movement and exploration of our voices. Songs are based on seasons or themes the students are learning about in their classrooms. Students then add on to these concepts through the use of classroom instruments with more focus on beat vs rhythm as well as beginning notation symbols and solfege vocal singing. (use of hand signs to guide the voice, the body and the mind to move together). Older elementary students add the use of the school xylophones and then recorders to begin playing and experiencing traditional music notation. These instruments allow for individuals to be reading and performing alone and working together as a group. Grades 4-8 students each have the opportunity to learn a traditional band instrument, sing in chorus and perform in Drama club. Classroom music for older students covers a wide range of topics like Composers/musical time periods, world music, digital music, bucket drumming, different musical careers and science/ music concepts like the effect of music on the brain.
Spanish
Students from Pre-K through Grade 8 receive Spanish instruction. Research demonstrates that there are many benefits to exposing children to a second language and the younger they are the better. Spanish is taught with developmentally age appropriate strategies. In Pre-K through Grade 3, children learn through songs, movement, games, stories and comprehension questioning. Grades 2 and 3 build on that by incorporating some reading and writing. Young language learners are able to comprehend through listening much more than they are able to speak. Students in Grades 4 and 5 build on their learning with dialogues and guided worksheets. Grades 6-8 are introduced to grammar and vocabulary topics with a focus on conversational development. When students transition to high school, many are well prepared to go directly into Spanish level II.
Physical Education
Our PE program emphasizes social emotional learning and developing a lifelong love of physical activity. We use SPARK PE, a research-proven curriculum in all classes, Pre-K through Grade 8, to develop gross motor and sport-specific skills as well as physical fitness. SPARK PE aligns with the SHAPE (Society of Health and Physical Educators) America National Standards and Grade-Level Outcomes. Students in grade 4-8 participate in the FitnessGram physical fitness assessment at least once a year to track their growth and monitor school-wide trends in aerobic capacity, flexibility and muscular strength and endurance.
PE field trips have included Sunrise Gymnastics, cross-country skiing at Stowe Mountain Resort, snowshoeing, swimming, and disc golf.
Computers and Technology
We have a 1:1 technology program for students in grades K-8 as they are assigned a tablet or Chromebook for school-based use. Grades 2-5 participate in weekly computer classes and technology is integrated into all K-8 classes. Our youngest students focus on learning parts of a desktop computer and mouse skills, while our older students use Google Drive to create spreadsheets, presentations and artwork. All grade levels practice proper keyboarding technique and learn internet safety and computer etiquette.
Title I Literacy Intervention
The Title I Literacy Intervention program funded by the Consolidated Federal Program Grant with funds managed through the local public school system (LEA) is designed to increase reading skills. The program is staffed by a reading interventionist and includes pre-reading, decoding, language and vocabulary, and comprehension. Students will increase confidence, fluency, and develop a love of reading.
Art
The art program encourages creative expression through a variety of media and techniques. Pre-k through Grade 8 follows national core art standards and combines elements of art and principles of design in a sequenced art program.
Star 360 Assessment
Renaissance Star 360 is a comprehensive nationally normed assessment that SMSM uses to assess student progress and direct teacher instruction in Early Literacy, Reading and Math. Star 360 is aligned with national and state expectations and may be given throughout the year to determine student learning. The assessment is simple enough for a Pre-K student to take on a tablet but complex to assess for high school preparedness for our 8th graders.