Core Subjects
 

English/Writing


English instruction involves much review. This is not indicated in this curriculum overview, in most instances.

1 Write 3-5 sentence stories, reports, journal entries; Write simple letters. Study statements vs. questions; Begin to spell within writing.
2 Grammar: Kind, structure of sentences involving parts of speech: nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs. (English, MacMillan)
3 Grammar: Sentence structure, Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives, Adverbs. Letter Writing. Weekly, Bi-Weekly Writing which is self-edited, teacher edited, rewritten, often illustrated. Writing Portfolio maintained and evaluated each trimester. (English, MacMillan)
4 Grammar: Nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs. Composition: Complete sentences, paragraphs, topic sentences, friendly letters, parts of a story. (English, Silver Burdett, Ginn)
5 Grammar instruction, writing units, oral speeches. (English, Silver Burdett, Ginn)
6 Writer's Workshop: Personal/Expressive Writing, Observation, Description, Narrative, Literary Writing, Informative Writing, Reports. Writer's Handbook: Process, Style, Academic Skills. Grammar and Usage. (The Writer's Craft, McDougal, Littell, Vocabulary Workshop, Sadlier Oxford)
7 English/Literature Class Writing Component: compositions, creative pieces. Emphasis on logical presentation, revision, editing, responding to literature. Vocabulary study. (The Writer's Craft, McDougal, Littell, Vocabulary Workshop, Sadlier Oxford)
8 English/Literature Class Writing Component: Emphasis on expository writing, answering essay questions, creative writing, responding to literature. (The Writer's Craft, McDougal, Littell, Vocabulary Workshop, Sadlier Oxford)

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Math


Grades 1-6 use Addison Wesley Mathematics. Grades 7-8 use University of Chicago Mathematics Project.

1 Counting-ones and tens to 100, by fives to 50, by twos to 30; Addition, Subtraction facts to 18 (mastery to 12); Place Value-tens and ones; coin value; Telling time-to hour and half-hour; Inches, centimeters; Introduction to fractions, geometry, algebra; Problem Solving.
2 Addition/Subtraction facts to 18 mastered; place value to 100; carry/borrow to 100 place; begin multiplication; problem solving; money; time measurement; geometry-plane shapes; number order.
3 Addition/Subtraction with 2-, 3-, and 4-digit numbers; Place Value to millions; Multiplication facts to 10; Division- single digit; Bar, picture, line graphs; Geometry-plane/space shapes; Fractions-equivalency, addition of; time, money, decimals; Problem Solving Strategies.
4 Addition/Subtraction to 6 digits; Multiplication of 2-, 3-digit numbers; Short division, Introduction to long division; Decimals + - x -; Geometry, measurement, time, money, graphing, fractions, Problem Solving Strategies.
5 Proficiency level addition, subtraction, multiplication, division. Long division mastery; Problem Solving; Add, subtract, multiply fractions and decimals; Estimation mean, median, mode, range. Geometry, graphing.
6 Place Value-trillions; Order of operations; algebraic expressions; Decimals through 100,000ths; Multiply/Divide decimals; Exponents; Prime factorization; Mean, median, mode; Fractions: greatest common factor, improper, convert to decimal, + - x -; percent; integers; Problem Solving.
7 A Pre-Algebra Course The University of Chicago School Mathematics Project Transition Mathematics
8 An Algebra Course The University of Chicago School Mathematics Project Algebra

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Penmanship


St. Pat's instructs students in printing and cursive writing according to the D/Nealian Method.

1 D/Nealian printing - control lined paper.
2 D/Nealian printing - control lined paper.
3 D/Nealian printing and Cursive Instruction - formal textbook, lower case and upper case. Traditional school wide-lined paper.
4 D'Nealian Cursive - formal textbook, review of lower and upper case. Traditional school wide or college lined paper.

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Reading/Literature


Outside reading and book reports expected in all classes

1 Silver Burdett,Ginn Levels 2-5 Phonics Workbook Writing to Read activities
2 Silver Burdett, Ginn texts: Garden Gates, Going Places with workbook activities.
3 Silver Burdett, Ginn texts: Castles of Sand, On the Horizon with workbook activities. Book Reports written after reading 3rd-5th grade level chapter books - 6-10 per student.
4 Silver Burdett, Ginn texts, Fourth Grade Level. Dictionary skills emphasized.
5 Silver Burdett,Ginn texts, Fifth Grade Level. Read selections, write about them, discuss them.
6 Literature: Read, write about, and discuss fictional selections, non-fiction, short stories, poetry, folk tales. (Elements of Literature: Introductory Course, Holt, Rinehart, Winston)
7 Literature: Explore several forms of literature: short stories, poetry, non-fiction, folklore, novels. Study within these plot, characterization, setting, mood, theme.(Elements of Lit.) Novels:The Pigman, Across Five Aprils, Kavik the Wolf Dog, The Giver.
8 Literature: Readings are longer, more complex than in 7th, vocabulary. more challenging.Students required to conduct deeper analysis of work.(Elements of Lit.,H.,R,W.)Novels: Call of the Wild, Diary of Anne Frank, Farewell to Manzanar, Animal Farm.

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Religion


Religious Education includes service projects at each grade level, Monday Morning Prayer, School Mass Preparation, Sacrament of Reconciliation and Assemblies.

1 God's love for us; Creation; Jesus; We are Catholic Christians; Baptism; The Mass; Holy Spirit; (This is Our Faith, Silver Burdett,Ginn)
2 Sacramental Preparation: First Reconciliation, First Eucharist. Seasons of Church Year, Basic Prayers, Feasts of the Church, Saints, Baptism. (This is Our Faith, Silver Burdett,Ginn)
3 What Catholic Christians Believe: Marks of the Church; The Trinity and Creed; 7 forms of prayer; Sacraments; Laws of the Church:Ten Commandments, Jesus' Law of Love, Corporal Works of Mercy, Spiritual Works of Mercy (This is Our Faith, Silver Burdett,Ginn), Annual "Caring Retreat".
4 Beatitudes. Commandments, Reconciliation/Eucharist/Sacrament Review; Parish Life, Saints, Liturgy, Mary, Church Seasons (Come, Follow Me, Benziger).
5 In-depth presentation of the Creed and the Sacraments (Come, Follow Me, Benziger).
6 Old Testament Studies: Abraham, Moses; God's People in the Promised Land; Exodus and resettling of God's people; New Testament: the Four Gospels and Epistles, Annual Retreat.
7 Jesus, The Way, The Truth, and the Life, Come Follow Me, Benziger, Annual Retreat.
8 The Mystery of the Church, The History of the Church, The Witness of the Church (The Church, Then and Now, Loyola Press 8th Grade:Living Stations of the Cross, Liturgical Choir, Lead Christmas Pageant, Annual Retreat(s).

Prayer Text: Children's' Daily Prayer, Liturgical Training Publications is used in all classes.

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Science


Grades M-5 attend Science Fair; M-8 participate in Pacific Science Center Day at St. Pat's each year.

1 Human Body - 5 senses; Magnets; Animals.
2 Animal Groups - characteristics; Land and Water forms; Changes on the Earth; The Environment; Our reliance on natural resources.
3 Earth Layers and Rocks; Weather and the Water Cycle; The Human Body - Cells to Systems; Forces and Simple Machines; Food chains and Wildlife Habitats. (Merrill, Science)
4 Oceans; The Solar System; Electricity/Magnetism; Animal Adaptations - Learned and Instinctive; Behavior. (Merrill, Science)
5 Matter, Scientific Method, Weather/Climate; Simple Machine; Animals (Vertebrates, Invertebrates); Human Body, Geology.
6 Content: Botany; Zoology; Microbiology; Anatomy/physiology; Ecology; Process: Lab participation; Conduct investigations; Maintain detailed lab journals; Develop individual and team models/projects; read, write, research. 4-day Outdoor Education Camp. Science Fair Project.
7 Content: Astronomy; Geology; Meteorology; Oceanography. Process: Lab Team participation; Conduct investigations; Maintain detailed lab. journals; Develop individual and team models/projects; read, write, research. Science Fair Project. Museum of Flight, Space Lab.
8 Content: Newton's Laws-Force, Machines,Work,Energy; Chemistry (Investigating Matter, Chemical Changes, Particles); Anatomy/Physiology (Human/Animal comparative study); Process: Same as 6th, 7th. Science Fair Project.

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Social Studies


The St. Patrick Multicultural Fair in May culminates the year of study or adds to the year of study for each class.

1 Families; Types of homes; Transportation; Occupations Multicultural Fair Unit (April/May).
2 (Integrated with Science) U.S. Currency, U.S. Laws, U.S. Holidays Weekly Reader (current events) Multicultural Fair Unit (April/May).
3 Washington State History (fulfills State requirement for 4th grade) Geography of Wash., Native Tribes, Explorers, Oregon Trail/Lewis & Clark, Pioneers, Statehood Symbols, Immigration (Discovering Washington R.Helz) Multicultural Fair (Apr/May).
4 World Geography Maps, Globes, Four Census Regions, Geographical Terms (Our Country, Our World Scott Foresman) Multicultural Fair Unit(April/May).
5 U.S. History Native Americans to Early 20th Century (Silver Burdett and Ginn Text).
6 World History Ancient Civilizations; Eastern Civilizations (Mesopotamia, Egypt); Asian Civilizations, Western Civilizations(Israel, Greece, Rome) Multicultural Fair Unit(April/May).
7 World History/Geography Ancient Civilizations; Islam; Sub-Saharan Africa; Asia; Medieval Europe and Japan (Crusades); Europe 1300-1600; Ancient Civilizations of N. America; Europe 1600-1789 (Across the Centuries) Multicultural Fair Unit.
8 U.S. History Exploration/Settlement; Revolution; Constitution; Civil War; Reconstruction; Industrial Revolution; Pluralism. Multicultural Fair Unit. 1 Trimester of Wash.History (required elective).

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Spelling


1 Spelling is an integrated part of reading and phonics curriculum.
2 Students work with and memorize teacher-generated list of words, taken from Spelling text. Challenge Words are added.
3 Working Words in Spelling, Heath, 4th Grade Level.
4 Working Words in Spelling, Heath, 5th Grade Level.
5 Working Words in Spelling, Heath, 6th Grade Level.
6 Vocabulary Workshop, Sadlier, Oxford.
7 Vocabulary Workshop, Sadlier, Oxford.
8 Vocabulary Workshop, Sadlier, Oxford.

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Specialists

Art

Instructor: Patty Davidson

Art Education includes work with many different medium, including clay and glaze.

1 Art Class each week.
2 Art Class each week.
3 Art Class each week, 45 minutes.
4 Art Class each week, 45 minutes.
5 Art Elective.
6 Art Elective.
7 Art Elective.
8 Art Elective.

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Computers

Instructor: Johannah Nelson

1 Computer Lab 30 minutes each week.
2 Computer Lab 30 minutes each week.
3 Computer Lab 30 minutes each week.
4 Computer Lab 30 minutes each week, with opportunities for higher challenges during lunch period or after school.
5 Computer Lab 30 minutes each week, with opportunities for higher challenges during lunch period or after school.
6 Computer Lab 30 minutes each week, with opportunities for higher challenges during lunch period or after school.
7 Computer Lab as an elective, with opportunities for higher challenges during lunch period or after school.
8 Computer Lab as an elective, with opportunities for higher challenges during lunch period or after school.

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Library


Instructor: Dianna Ramming

1 Book manners, how to choose a book, check-out procedures, shelf order of books, use of shelf markers when browsing shelves, distinguishing fiction from non-fiction, oral tradition of folk tales, parts of a book, concept and study of author and illustrator.
2 Review of book manners, how to choose a book, check out procedures, use of shelf markers, searching for a nonfiction subject, fiction vs. non-fiction, parts of a book, author and illustrator study, Caldecott and WA Children's Course winners, multicultural folk tales.
3 Reinforce book manners, parts of a book, subject search, fiction vs. non-fiction, arrangement of fiction and non-fiction books, catalog search, correct bibliographic entry for reports, correct citation of sources, references, literary genres, folk tale study and reader's theater.
4 Library citizenship and book care, arrangement of fiction and nonfiction, literary genres, Dewey Decimal System, correct bibliographic citation, catalog search, reference use: dictionaries, thesaurus, encyclopedias and atlases, folk tale study and reader's theater.
5 Catalog search, Dewey Decimal System, on-line periodical index search, on-line reference use: specialized encyclopedias, atlases, almanacs, directories, etc..., literary genres, literary devices, study skills, Newberry and Sasquatch Awards, folk tale study and reader's theater.
6 Review and reinforce catalog search, Dewey Decimal System, on-line periodical index search, on-line search, reference use: specialized encyclopedias, atlases, almanacs, directories, etc..., literary devices and genres, report writing, Newberry and Sasquatch Awards, reader's theater.

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Music


Choral Music and Classroom Instruments: Ramona Hannes
Band: Eric Anderson
Ensemble: John Armstrong

1 One hour of choral and instrumental music each week. (Learn songs, use percussion instruments, read standard musical notation (ta, ti, rest), music symbols and directions, orchestra, autoharp.)
2 One hour of choral and instrumental music each week. (Learn songs, use percussion instruments, read standard musical notation (ta, ti, rest), music symbols and directions, orchestra, autoharp.)
3 One hour of choral and instrumental music each week. (Learn songs, use percussion instruments, read standard musical notation (ta,ti,rest,) music symbols and directions, orchestra, play autoharp.)
4 One hour of choral and instrumental music each week. (Learn songs, use percussion instruments, read standard musical notation (1 and 2,etc.) music symbols and directions, orchestra, play autoharp.)
5 One hour of choral and instrumental music each week. (Same skills as Grade 4, more advanced.) Beginning Band available twice each week at St. Pat's, through Bellarmine.
6 Read and play rhythmic notation with wooden sticks, simple fold and line dances, choir chimes in ensemble. Advanced Band available before school, twice each week, through Bellarmine.
7 Choral music opportunities include auditions for the Christmas Pageant, the PACE Choir (All City Catholic Schools Choir,) Liturgical Choir, and others. Advanced Band available before school, twice each week, through Bellarmine.
8 Choral music opportunities include auditions for the Christmas Pageant, the PACE Choir (All City Catholic Schools Choir,) Liturgical Choir, and others. Advanced Band available before school, twice each week, through Bellarmine.

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Physical Education

Instructor: Julie Joyce

1 P.E. - 60 minutes each week.
2 P.E. - 60 minutes each week.
3 P.E. - 60 minutes each week.
4 P.E. - 60 minutes each week.
5 P.E. - 60 minutes each week. DARE Program - Tacoma Police Department.
6 P.E. Elective - required for 6 weeks each year. Health Class Elective - Required for 6 weeks each year.
7 P.E. Elective - required for 6 weeks each year. Health Class Elective - Required for 6 weeks each year.
8 P.E. Elective - required for 6 weeks each year. Health Class Elective - Required for 6 weeks each year.

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Spanish

Instructior: Rosaura Milliman

4 Spanish class for 25 minutes each week.
5 Spanish class for 50 minutes each week.
6 Spanish class for 1 hour and 20 minutes every two weeks.
7 Spanish Elective - Three Trimester Course.
8 Spanish Elective - Three Trimester Course. Completion of two year Spanish Course gains entrance to Spanish II in all area high schools.

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