St. John the Evangelist School

Curriculum

St. John the Evangelist School is a Catholic parish school. Our main focus is the spreading of the Gospel Message of Jesus and the values He taught. Flowing from this is a belief that each student, being a child of God, is special and gifted.

We adhere to the curriculum standards of the Catholic Schools Office of the Archdiocese of Washington which challenge the staff to strive to bring out the best in each child. Students are grouped in reading in grades one through five and mathematics in grades one through eight according to abilities. Opportunities are provided for small group learning in the other following classes: science lab, art, computer education, speech and physical education.

Pre-Kindergarten and Junior Kindergarten
The pre-kindergarten program is energized by the belief that each child is a child of God and should be treated with love and respect. Through play and working in small groups, our children develop socially, emotionally, academically, spiritually, and physically. The age-appropriate, multi-sensory, and thematic curriculum promotes exploration into language arts, science, mathematics, art, music and social studies.

Kindergarten through Grade Eight
Religion
Religion is Christ-centered, helping students to know, love and worship Jesus Christ. Liturgical and para-liturgical opportunities are available throughout the year and paralleled with the course of study and the church year cycle. The Christian atmosphere and environment permeates the school, encouraging students into actions of peace and justice.

Language Arts
Language Arts includes literature and related skills to include phonics, spelling, writing, grammar, speech, vocabulary, comprehension, and oral reading. Reading is taught using various methods sensitive to the needs of each student. Two resource teachers ensure that every child strives to achieve his or her full potential.

In the primary grades, teachers instruct students in small groups using basal readers. Students are expected to read and write fluently. They write in journals and start a portfolio with writing samples beginning in third grade. A phonics program begins in kindergarten and continues through third grade. A spelling program is initiated in first grade and continues through fifth grade. Love of literature is encouraged throughout the school day both in the classrooms and in the library program. The regularly scheduled library time enables students to discover areas of interest, to listen to new literature, and to explore these interests via supervised internet access.

In the upper grades, students study literature and English. Students are placed in small groups for literature. A separate English course includes grammar, essay writing, creative writing, oration and critical thinking. Beginning in sixth grade, a vocabulary program replaces the spelling curriculum. The library and computer rooms are available to students for research, supervised internet research, and writing reports. Portfolio work is continued through eighth grade. Students participate in various speech and writing contests both locally and nationally.

Beginning in first grade, all students begin writing reflections in service-learning journals that move with them from grade to grade. The completed journals are given to the students when they graduate.

Mathematics
The math program is designed to challenge each student to his or her highest potential. Emphasis is placed not only on facts and comprehension but also on application and higher levels of thinking. Pre-algebra and algebra are offered to qualified students who have completed the elementary mathematics course of study.

Science
All areas of general science are taught throughout the grades with a hands-on approach using the scientific method. Students in grades four through eight receive weekly small group lab work paralleled with textbook work. Studies in grades six, seven and eight explore in greater detail those areas covered in the intermediate grades. Emphasis is placed on text, experimenting in a laboratory setting and written evaluation of the concepts presented in both text and lab.

Social Studies
Social Studies is taught in all grades beginning with the study of local communities and developing into world history, American history and current events. Geography is taught at all levels as part of the social studies curriculum. Students learn about citizenship in a democratic society by studying the Constitution and the electoral process. They practice the electoral process through student council campaigning and elections. In addition, they acquire skills in reading, creating and interpreting charts, maps and graphs. Research papers and projects teach them to use the library, internet and other resources accurately and to express ideas clearly. Field trips enhance the knowledge students acquire in the classroom and enable them to apply it to real-world situations.

Computers
Students receive computer technology training in grades one through eight in two computer centers providing the students with a progression of skills needed to keep pace with the ever-changing technology of this media. Computers in each classroom help the classroom teachers integrate computer and internet technology into their curriculum. Access to computers allows the students to reach literacy goals. High speed internet access is provided in a safe, supervised setting. The curriculum for computers focuses on the integration of computer skills with classroom subjects.

Music
Music is an integral part of all the curricula, especially religion for church liturgies and para-liturgies, such as Stations of the Cross, sacramental prayer services and service learning assemblies. The music program teaches music skills and appreciation. Music is a performance art, and two public concerts are scheduled each year. These concerts encourage students to use and to share their God-given talents. Time is also set aside during the school week for preparation for liturgical music.

Art
Art is a vital, creative experience for the students from pre-kindergarten through grade eight. The primary art curriculum, grades 1-3, centers on an introduction to the art world. Students are introduced to a specific art concept which is then applied to the project of the day. This may be done through the discussion of a famous artist and his work or through an art lesson. The program is taught by qualified parent volunteers. Beginning in grade four, a more formal fine arts based curriculum is introduced. This curriculum, taught by a part-time art instructor, concentrates on the introduction of more advanced media and the addition of serving learning projects in art. Small groups gather together in an art room that is shared on other days with the science lab classes. Art history is integrated with the various projects through lectures, slides and video presentations. Students' artwork is displayed locally on a regular basis.

Spanish
It is a plus that the school offers students the opportunity to learn a second language with the guidance of teachers who are native speakers. Spanish is taught to small groups of students in grades 1-8. Primary grades are taught the basic skills of Spanish with emphasis placed on vocabulary development through games, songs, and art and crafts. They are also introduced to reading and writing in Spanish. In the upper grades, conversational Spanish is emphasized through "role-plays" and topics in real settings. Conversational Spanish is practiced by placing the students in scenes or places in which they will use the vocabulary they have been taught. The study of grammar is in terms of communication.

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