 Lourdes has a well-rounded curriculum that follows all state and inter-diocesan guidelines.
Universal Pre-Kindergarten
Pre-Kindergarten The basic idea in the Montessori philosophy of education is that every child carries unseen within him/her the person he/she will become. Dr. Montessori felt that the goal of early childhood education should not be to fill the child with facts from a pre-selected course of studies, but rather to cultivate his/her own natural desire to learn. In the Montessori classroom this objective is approached in two ways: first by allowing each child to experience the excitement of learning by his/her won choice rather than by being forced: and second by helping him/her to perfect all his natural tools for learning so that his/her ability will be at a maximum in future learning situations. This technique of learning involves the following avenues of development: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics, Social Studies and Science. Our Lady of Lourdes Pre-Kindergarten is a modified Montessori program, adopting and implementing much of the philosophy of the Montessori Method and making use of the basic Montessori lessons, materials and program sequence and development.One of our major goals in the Pre-Kindergarten is to create an atmosphere for learning that will dispose the child at his/her own speed, according to his/her own capacity and in a non-competitive atmosphere during his/her first school years. The time between three and five years of age is when a child most easily learns the ground rules of human behavior and this concept is basic for our program.
Kindergarten Kindergarten at Our Lady of Lourdes School is a learning wonderland! Each day abounds with countless integrated learning activities to enhance the Diocesan and NYS curriculums. Our classroom environments are full of colorful concept pictures to enhance learning, activity areas, an audio visual center, a computer center, a reading area, learning games, and more. Students learn to work together in a cooperative setting as they build knowledge in many key areas. They attend classes in Physical Education, music, and library. Computers are used in the classrooms. Our students participate in a music recital. Each Kindergarten class presents a holiday play for our families at Thanksgiving or at Christmas. Through our daily calendar activities, students learn counting skills, patterning, even and odd numbers, days of the week, months of the year, adding and subtracting in fun ways. Students learn to tell time, create graphs, compare and contrast, identify and count money, count using tally marks, identify equal parts, measure objects, and so much more. We share many exciting stories, explore different authors and illustrators, and students share personal responses through their own illustrations and dictations; then eventually they write some of their own ideas to share. Students learn about characters, setting, story plots, and story endings. There are lots of ways to learn to recognize new words as they begin to read.Reading is integrated throughout the curriculum. Students learn about many themes that relate to their lives through concepts taught in health, science, social studies, and most importantly in development of their spiritual life. In Religion, students learn about our loving God, and the life of his son Jesus. We help our students build a personal relationship with Jesus, as they learn about His special life through bible stories, music, films, prayers, and projects. Our students participate in prayer services and masses. They are well prepared for presenting their own special prayer service at the end of the school year.
First Grade First grade's emphasis is the area of ELA, particularly Literacy. Literacy is the foundation of all learning. Math, Social Studies, Science, and Religion, all rely on literacy to accomplish their objectives. Literacy is achieved through teacher read aloud books, shared reading, and independent reading. Decoding techniques include phonics, spelling, and sight word recognition. Mathematics covers addition and subtraction to 10, and problem solving. Social Studies explores the community with special emphasis on wants and needs. In Science we learn about keeping our bodies healthy, the seasons and weather, magnetism and how plants grow In religion we explore our relationship with God and his son, in preparation for the Sacraments of second grade. All of this is done through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and by looking to Christ as our model.
Second Grade Second grade at Our Lady of Lourdes School is a special year for the children in that they prepare for the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist. During the year the children learn many prayers, learn to say the rosary, listen to and respond to scripture readings, learn about saints, and learn about special times of the Catholic calendar. They participate in two liturgies and two prayer services particularly the May Crowning. In Social Studies the children concentrate on Neighborhood and Communities. They learn to read maps, use the globe, and about land and water forms of the Earth. They complete many projects on Black Americans, the states, the presidents and complete time lines. In Science, the children learn about living and non-living things, dinosaurs, animals and their classifications including endangered animals. Other skills such as magnets, matter, health and the four food groups, weather, and plants are taught in second grade. In Mathematics the children learn to add and subtract one to three digit numbers with regrouping, place value, money, time, shapes, patterns, calendar, and begin to multiply and divide. The children use manipulatives such as lock blocks, pattern blocks, place value blocks, money, clocks, hundreds charts, number lines, and calculators when learning their skills. We concentrate on Four Square Writing in second grade in teaching the children the four kinds of sentences and correct grammar. The children learn to complete KWL charts, Venn diagrams, and book reports. Spelling and dictionary skills such as guide words and alphabetical order are important skills. The children read out of a literature based basal reader and is supplemented with trade books. Phonics is taught everyday. Keyboarding is the important computer skill taught in second grade although the classroom computers are also used for research. Events that the children participate in are: live productions of Scrooge and Junie B. Jones at the Stanley Performing Arts Center, many liturgies and prayer services, a dance marathon, and an end of the year community picnic.
Third Grade Third grade is a pivotal year for students in many ways. One essential way is that it is a transitional grade; students are no longer primary students but now are considered intermediate students. Emphasis in third grade is to make students competent and confident in study and test taking skills. We are building on K-2 skills and introducing students to higher level thinking skills. The second essential way in which it becomes transitional is through the student's realization that they are an intricate part of a global society, in which they can become in valued with, and even make a difference. The students acknowledge that although they come from various cultures, they are woven together through shared experiences. It is through this curriculum theme that third graders receive study skills, test taking skills, skills in reading, listening and following directions in all content areas as they prepare for New York State testing.
Fourth Grade Welcome to the wonderful world of 4th grade, where academics are not hard, but challenging! This is the grade where students learn to challenge their brains, to nourish their brains, and to work to their utmost potential! We take on the challenge of the New York State Tests with determination and confidence! We improve our minds by going to practice classes after school. And, believe or not, we go to "Saturday Boot Camp" to get ready for the ELA state test. Our motto is "WE CAN DO IT"! The best part is that we have fun doing it! Three very special bears go home to help us to write, think about God, and learn about New York State history. Our pride in our country is shown when we honor our Veterans by performing a Veteran's Day program for our school. We also send Veterans valentine cards to make them feel special. Reaching out to the elderly with our very special friendship club is heartwarming. We visit a nursing home once a month to bring our love and care to the elderly. Above our academics, there is our love for God. We share our feelings, our thoughts, and our ideas to learn as much as we can about Him. We pray for those in need. We reach out to our school, our families, and our community to spread the Good News. Our Happy Birthday Baby Jesus Party shows we know the true meaning of Christmas. Our visits to our heart room show that we cherish special time with Jesus. Yes, we are the fourth grade! We are spiritual, we are motivated, we are God's children!
Fifth Grade Experience fifth grade at Our Lady of Lourdes sharing in many different learning opportunities. Every fall students participate in a program entitled "Art and Life During the American Revolution." This consists of classroom instruction and a visit to Munson Williams Proctor Institute. Yearly, the students are given an opportunity to join a country wide essay contest sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Prizes and a reception are given to the winners. Along with teaching the NYS curriculum students are also given preparation for the NYS Social Studies test taken In November. In Science and technology the students do many hands on experiments and activities. When studying food chains they dissect owl pellets and reconstruct the rodent skeleton. The children also do research on a particular biome. When completed they design a model and use Power Point to create a a slide show presentation demonstrating what they have learned.In the Spring another exciting event is the Living Stations. The fifth graders reenact the Stations of the Cross for the entire school. This is always a favorite among the children.
Sixth Grade As we welcome our students into the sixth grade, we offer them the opportunity for academic, social, physical, and spiritual growth. We plan activities that will continue to develop the skills and concepts taught in previous grades. These activities also serve as a bridge to junior high school, easing the students' transition to the seventh grade The teachers, Mrs. Docherty and Ms. Wojcik, "share" the two homerooms equally. Often, the two homerooms interact as one class for prayer services, projects, and celebrations. A variety of curriculum-based projects fill the year. One of the first projects in the Fall is the Family Rosary Project for which students join with their families to create beautiful and unique rosaries which encourages them to discuss their faith at home. Our second family project is the Advent Project which gives families time to discuss and display symbols of their family's preparation for Christmas. A favorite team project is the Linx Vehicle Project. Students use saws, drills, and wood to assemble wind-powered cars that they have designed based on their study of simple machines. We travel back in time for the study of ancient civilizations, both in the Social Studies curriculum as well as through many historical fiction books linked to the curriculum.The children work together to prepare liturgies and prayer services. One of the highlights of the year is the Passover Seder that the sixth grade prepares for themselves and their families. As their time at Lourdes comes to an end, the sixth graders design, write, and organize a yearbook. For all they have been given while here, the yearbook is their gift back to the Lourdes School Community. The year ends with a wonderful family picnic and a beautiful Graduation Liturgy followed by a reception in the school. |
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| Our Lady of Lourdes School | 11 Barton Avenue | Utica, NY | ph 315-732-4374 | fax 315-738-9720 |