Supporting Curriculum 2011-2012

Reading Support Program

A Reading Specialist supplements our regular Reading Program for the 1st through 4th Grade. At St. Monica School, It is our belief that instilling and maintaining a strong reading level at a young age is core to the promotion of academic success for each student. We also realize that every student may not learn in exactly the same way. We want to ensure that every student has an opportunity to become a successful reader. Our Reading Support Program uses the same materials from the regular classroom, but may vary the pace of the exercises depending upon each child's need.

Phonics, letter/sound decoding strategies, reading comprehension, and writing skills are the primary focus. Our reading teacher has her own classroom in which to work with small groups of students. Students are referred by the classroom teacher and receive reading support instruction during the regular Reading class period four days per week. If a student reaches a level when they no longer need specialized help, they are rejoined into the regular classroom. In this smaller venue, there is time to perform plays, incorporate artwork and story projects into the reading materials, discuss stories and create new ones through writing exercises. Students work on the skills that will help then to become life-long readers, both for enjoyment as well as for obtaining information. Above all, creativity is encouraged in our Reading Support Program!

Physical Education Program

Students have Physical Education (P.E.) class two times per week. The P.E. Program at St. Monica School encourages students to make physical activity an important part of their everyday lives. The program promotes personal fitness and prepares the students for sports team participation. By guiding students to overcome perceived physical obstacles, we also encourage students to understand the connection between physical fitness and schoolwork, as well as how to prepare oneself for the demands of everyday life by. A strong emphasis is placed on the importance of fair play and respect for others at all grade levels. The P.E. classes focus upon the principles of fairness, sportsmanship, and personal responsibility.

Class activities alternate between physical conditioning exercises, team building exercises, and the participation in traditional games, such as basketball, soccer, baseball, volleyball, and flag football. Students are instructed to perform proper mechanics for traditional games.

Personal fitness and physical conditioning exercises include participation in larger programs. For example, our classes promote training exercises for speed, power, agility, reaction and quickness (SPARQ) throughout the school year. Students also participate annually in "Jump Rope for Heart" and bi-annually in the "President's Physical Fitness Challenge." Students also learn about health matters, nutrition, physiology, and the building of personal character in their PE class.

Music Program

Our music teacher instructs our students in the rudiments of music once a week. Topics for the class include: basic music theory, learning to read rhythm notation, recorder instrumental practice, and choral singing. The primary focus of the younger grades is participation in choral singing. The use of Kodaly folk songs and the emphasis on rhythm patterns is practiced throughout all grade levels. Student in our middle grades are introduced to the use of the recorder. In the upper grades, our music teacher also incorporates "Orff" musical instruments, such as xylophones, and guides the students to perform in ensemble groups. Our Music Program also contributes to the two larger artistic/dramatic productions during the school year, our Christmas Program and our Spring Talent Show.

Connected to the Music Program is the Student Choir, an extra-curricular club, which meets after school to practice. Reflecting our mission as a Catholic school, the Student Choir participates in our monthly Student Masses, bimonthly Sunday Liturgies in St. Monica Church, the annual Christmas program, and the annual Archdiocesan Choir Festival. Along with Music and Singing classes, St. Monica School also offers group piano and guitar class lessons once a week after school. Group piano and guitar lessons are separate from the school curriculum and are available for enrichment at an additional fee.

Art Program

We have a dedicated Art Room where each grade level has Art class once a week. Our students create their art in a "hands on" environment - working with different media, while learning artistic concepts and the foundational principles and elements of design. Our Art Program also expands students' artistic and cultural horizons by incorporating art history into the lessons.

We believe that Art education is an integral part of a well-rounded curriculum. The instruction in Art class provides a rich educational experience, while encouraging creative self-expression. As students progress through the grade levels, they master the basic elements of design and theory, such as perspective, portrait, and color application. Both of our teachers are Artists themselves who nurture students with supportive, yet rigorous critique, which allows each child to develop his or her artistic strengths. Much of the student artwork is proudly exhibited in the classrooms and throughout the school hallways. We are also very proud of our all of our students' participation in various art contests within the larger community.