Saint Mark School Curriculum

Social Studies:

This curricular area integrates biography, economics, history, citizenship, geography, literature, culture and skills. This newly adopted series brings the world to our classrooms with critical concepts and topics exceeding state standards. Reaching all learners by meeting students' diverse learning needs is integral to the program. Studies include the concepts of world, school and family, neighborhoods, communities, states and regions, U.S. history, and world cultures and geography. The history of Kenosha and Wisconsin accompanies the course study of Grades 3 and 4 respectively. We are excited to offer our students the most recently published Social Studies textbook.

Language Arts:

This course area includes the study of reading, language, creative writing, spelling, phonics, along with manuscript and cursive writing. The curriculum integrates literature, systematic, explicit skills instruction leading to fluency and proficiency in reading and communication. Diagnostic planning and on-going assessment leads to success for each student to be strategic and successful in all areas of language arts. St. Mark Language Arts curriculum features a unique, one of a kind, program. This most popular educational experience is a multi sensory approach to improving, enhancing, and/or reinforcing reading skills which include language development spelling and creative writing. Activities assigned provide time for cooperative team learning, partner interaction, as well as an opportunity to excel in an individualized reading program. Ultimately the student has an experience of appreciation, of self worth, initiative, cooperation, and respect of other learning styles and talents.

Mathematics:

St. Mark mathematics curriculum strives to reach all learners, all of the time. Students at St. Mark move forward in their mathematical studies with our challenging text books, aligned with those used at St. Joseph's Interparish Junior High. Numbers and operations, algebra, geometry* measurement, data analysis, probability, problem solving, logical reasoning, and critical skills for test taking are taught to all students on grade specific levels. Continual skills reinforcement as well as enrichment activities for the talented students allow all of our students to make real world connections to Math.

Religion:

This course area is a journey of knowledge, love and service for the students and teachers as we study the contemporary, realistic vision of Christ present in our world today. Our students learn the history, language, celebrations and traditions of the Catholic Church. This study inspires religious imagination to express faith creatively, and leading to action. Growing in Love published by Harcourt, c. 2001 is our sexuality program. Seven key faith strands are tied to major themes: Creation, God, Jesus Christ, The Church, Christian Morality, The Sacraments, and Salvation History-Catholic morality, family life, and human sexuality are presented in positive terms of our rich Catholic tradition.

Science:

A hands-on approach to Life Science, Earth Science, and Physical Science for all grades is integral to our program. Exploration activities, labs and process skill builders round off the course area. Our curriculum emphasizes the scientific process, analysis, deduction and critical reasoning. An "Invitation to Science", "Amazing Stories", and "People in Science" in collaboration with the National Geographic Society's School Publishing Division are integral to the learning process here at St. Mark.

Fine Arts and Foreign Language:

Music

Music, motivation and manageability for a lifelong love of music is central to our music study. Concepts such as music reading, performance and celebrations of patriotic, autumn, winter, and spring themes are spotlighted.

Art

Art is taught weekly by the homeroom teacher in consultation with a staff specialist. Grade appropriate skills are part of this course study.

Spanish

Spanish is taught weekly to all students in grades Kindergarten to Grade Six.

Physical Education

Physical Education is taught to all students twice a week. Exercises, competition, games and sport skills are incorporated into this class. Basketball, baseball, hockey, volleyball, badminton, soccer, tumbling and kickball are part of this curricular area.

Health

Health is taught to all students twice a week. This series of books helps to establish and develop a positive lifestyle by behaving in a healthy way. Fostering a healthy well-being and assuming responsibility for one's own health habits to feel and act better is considered to be most important.