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Primary
The Kindergarten through third grade curriculum at Saint Simon strives to offer
a challenging program to help the children be the best that they can be in
all aspects of their lives. Our curriculum meets and exceeds the standards
put in place by the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. We are dedicated to fostering
the Catholic faith in each child. Each class will be responsible for planning
and preparing at least one school wide Mass. Our students area also actively
involved in integrated, multi-level instruction, hands-on projects, presentations,
field trips, developmentally appropriate activities and more. Some of the
programs we use to support and enhance our curriculum are: The Building Blocks
and 4 Blocks Literacy Model, Accelerated Math, and Accelerated Reader. Technology
is integrated into the curriculum on a daily basis. Spanish is also offered
to the students each week. We feel we are preparing our students for the
future by giving them many opportunities for student-directed learning in
which they are communicating with others, working as part of a team, and
using technology. These are all skills they will need to have in the future.
Intermediate
At the Intermediate grade level, fourth through sixth grades, the content area
subjects become increasingly important. Core subject areas are enhanced by
teacher expertise. Reading skills and strategies continue to be taught, and
the writing process is emphasized. The Accelerated Math Program supplements
ability groups in math classes. Our goal is to teach to the individual child,
adapting and supplementing curriculum when appropriate.
Middle School
The Middle School Curriculum prepares the student for high school success.
All subjects are departmentalized. Math classes are ability-grouped in order
to offer algebra. Spanish is offered daily. Science is laboratory-based giving
the students the opportunity to see first hand the results of their experiments.
Social Studies explores World and American History along with map skills. English
class includes the fundamentals of basic grammar that are vital to being a
successful writer, and a theme-based literature program. Religion covers the
Creed, New Testament, Church History, and Morality. The teachers work together
on many projects and find their many years of teaching experience an asset
when working with the Junior High students.
Resources
Saint Simon provides a full resource program for students with mild learning
disabilities. This service includes the initiation of testing for disabilities,
service to qualified students and follow-up testing. Resource is available
to students in grades K-8.
Sacramental Preparation
As partners in your child’s faith formation, we work together with parents
of second graders to celebrate the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist.
Families gather for evening sessions and work along with teachers in preparing
children for these special sacraments. First Reconciliation is typically celebrated
in early December and First Eucharist in the spring.
Saint Simon’s Office of Faith Formation offers other opportunities
for those children who would like to become members of our Catholic
community, or for older students who have not yet celebrated the
sacraments of Reconciliation or Eucharist.
Social Services/F.O.C.U.S.
School social workers are the link between home, school, and community. As
members of the educational team comprises of teachers, administrators, and
parents, school social workers promote and support students’ academic and
social success by providing specialized services. For example, the F.O.C.U.S.
initiative (Focus on Children’s Unlimited Strengths) is a developmental asset
model to ensure our programs are giving children the support and skills they
need to become successful adults.
Technology as a Tool
At Saint Simon, technology is used as another tool for learning. Various technologies
are incorporated as a regular part of the ongoing curriculum. Students have
opportunities to use a variety of software, including mulitimedia and presentation
software (HyperStudio, PowerPoint, Kid Pix Studio, etc.), drawing and painting
software (Kid Pix Studio, Microsoft Draw, etc.), and instructional software
(IBM courseware, Accelerated Reader, Accelerated Math, etc.). Students also
have numerous opportunities to learn how to use CD-ROMs for getting information,
and for educational games and activities. They get experiences in using a
scanner to scan drawings and photographs, and learn to use digital cameras
to take digitized pictures to be used in various classroom activities. Students
at Saint Simon use distance learning, as they utilize various web sites to
explore and learn more about the topics we are studying, take part in “key
pal” projects with students all over the world, and communicate with others
through video-teleconferencing. At Saint Simon, technology is most certainly
another tool for accessing, gathering, analyzing, and communicating information.
Specials
Specials are a highlight in the students’ day! Art will inspire each child
and instill in them a desire to create an appreciation for the creations of
others and a passion for lifelong learning. What did Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven
have in common? How many children did Bach have? What instruments plays the
duck in Peter and the Wolf? These are just a few of the questions that are
explored in music class. Students will sharpen their keyboarding and typing
skills and how to access other enrichment software. Math Pentathlon games encourage
problem solving, logic, reasoning, spatial relationships and strategies based
on grade levels and abilities. PE offers students the opportunity to develop
life-long fitness. Specials are organized by quarter and are a part of each
student’s daily schedule.
4 Block Literacy Model
Children do not all learn in exactly the same way, and as committed educators
at Saint Simon, our approach to literacy should acknowledge those differences.
The 4 Block Literacy Model uses a variety of instruction to support all children.
The 4 Blocks that are used each day are Guided Reading, Self-Selected Reading,
Writing, and Working With Words. Guided Reading exposes the children to a
wide variety of literature with a focus on comprehension. Self-Selected Reading
allows students the opportunity to read books they choose, and that are at
their own instructional level. The Writing block develops writing skills
through mini-lessons where the teacher models skills and strategies for students
to then apply to their own daily writing. Working With Words utilizes interactive
lessons to build phonemic awareness. The 4 Block Literacy Model meets the
diverse needs of all children in their literacy instruction.
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