Curriculum

The Star of the Sea School provides a challenging, comprehensive, and relevant curriculum for each student that fulfills our philosophy and mission, strengthens Catholic identity, and results in achievement of the student learning expectations.  The ultimate goal is to build a continuum of learning that makes sense for all students; one that builds upon itself to create the cumulative effect desired.  To achieve that goal, the Star of the Sea School offers a comprehensive, integrated and balanced curricula. 

	Reading		Mathematics
	Science		Social Studies
	Religion		Language Arts
	Technology		Art
	Music		Physical Education

Reading:

The reading program is an area of major emphasis in grades K through 8.  Star of the Sea provides a caring environment for students so that they feel the support from faculty and other students.   The reading curriculum is designed to develop:  

a positive self-image for every child through success in reading acceptance of responsibility for being a self-learner special talents and qualities while developing creativity and encouraging the utilization of creative ideas

The major focus of the curriculum is on reading for meaning.  Comprehension skills are taught throughout all content areas, beginning at the earliest levels.  

• Decoding skills in grades K - 2 receive strong emphasis through a phonics program that emphasizes the integration of writing, phonemic structures and reading.   Comprehensive and decoding skills are further developed by promoting the selection of good literature based on a wide selection of materials including poetry, short stories, drama, myths, legends, biography and historical novels.

• In grades 4 and 5 the wide reading program focuses on people, events and relationships utilizing the lives of positive role models through the use of biography and role playing/drama.

• In grades 6, 7 and 8 studying great literature focusing on the author's techniques, style and form, through the use of various genre, receive greater emphasis.

Mathematics:

Star of the Sea School's mathematics curriculum encompasses a broad and in-depth study.  Our textbooks are up to date and in accordance with the National Council of Mathematics Teachers standards.  Each classroom has the use of math manipulatives.  The teachers are using a problem solving series in addition to the textbook that has for many students increased their comprehension skills.

In alignment with the National Council of Mathematics Teachers? standards, mathematical concepts are taught for understanding through the use of the manipulative.  Manipulatives are used as a tool to help the students internalize the concepts.

Problem solving exercises are emphasized in our classes.  Children are engaged in using problem solving strategies to solve non-routine problems throughout their elementary curriculum.  The problem solving exercises strengthen their thinking skills in all areas of study.

The teachers use a variety of instructional methods in teaching mathematics.  Depending on the activity, students work in various sized groups throughout the period.  Students are expected to be able to communicate by verbalizing and writing their mathematical ideas.

The students use manipulatives when concepts are introduced.  Students are able to use the manipulatives to help visualize the idea being presented.  We see the need to use concrete representations to aid the children in seeing in their mind's eye the mathematical concepts.  For instance, even in teaching Algebra to 8^th graders, algebra tiles and colored discs are used to help the students move from the concrete to the abstract.

Science:

	In the years K through 8, the students at Star of the Sea will spend each year studying science topics that will cover Life Science, Earth Science, Physical Science and Health.  The goal is to develop deeper understanding in those areas as the layers of information are added each year.  In accordance with National Standards for Science Education, the ever-present topic of the Scientific Method is present throughout curriculum. Exploring, observing, measuring, and data gathering are key elements of the science curriculum.  At the middle school level, experiments, lab reports and inquiry are integral parts of the program.  This year a key way to incorporate inquiry and important information will be introduced through a new program called Aries.  Aries is an Astronomy based Physical Science for elementary students, devised by the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. Students learn science through a variety of teaching methods as in all areas of curriculum.  However, scientific observation and inquiry are important partners in a science curriculum.  There are projects at every level that encourage students to make observations, record data, make connections between evidence and explanations and to communicate their outcomes.  Students in lower grades can visit the middle school students who are doing a similar topic to experience a deeper view of their own studies.  For instance, when third graders are studying rocks, the middle school students are usually studying minerals.  Third graders are invited for labs on densities and physical properties of minerals.  This kind of peer mentoring in science exploration is encouraged.

Social Studies:

Social Studies is an interdisciplinary subject that encompasses history, political science, geography, economics, and sociology.  The social studies curriculum is sequential, beginning with a focus on family and community, and then expanding to a study of Hawaii, the United States and the world.  Themes from the National Council for Social Studies guidelines spiral throughout the curriculum.  These themes include a study of culture, people and their environments, and civic ideals and practices. 

The Social Studies instruction reflects the mission and philosophy of the Star of the Sea School.  Our students reflect on historical and current events within the context of their faith.  The focus is not just on learning the facts, but also on how events impact individuals and society as a whole.  Teachers engage students in discussions and activities that promote independent and cooperative learning, conceptual understanding, and reflection on values

Since Social Studies covers a wide range of topics, it follows that teachers must integrate with other subjects regularly.  Teachers use literature, writing, math, science, art, and computers to help students broaden their understanding.  Integration also assists those students who do not learn from traditional methods of reading and note taking. 

Teachers incorporate direct instruction (presentation and discussion) with indirect methods (role-playing, interest centers, projects, etc.).  Moreover, teachers use individual, group, and whole class experiences.  We want students not only to receive knowledge, but also to construct their own learning.  Through adaptations such as peer reading and visual cues, teachers provide opportunities for students with special learning needs to succeed in the classroom.  In addition, differentiated assignments and a variety of teaching strategies provide for learning through multiple intelligences.  Underlying all our methods is the goal of helping our students develop life long learning skills, respect for others, and responsibility as citizens.

Religion:

The school provides a challenging, coherent, and relevant curriculum for each student that fulfills the school's philosophy and mission, strengthens Catholic identity and results in student achievement of the Religion Curriculum expectations.

Star of the Sea School encourages students to develop as responsible Christian members of our community.  The religion curriculum is designed to implement this.  Using the school's philosophy and mission as the core of our religion curriculum, we utilize the Silver Burdett Ginn School Edition, This Is Our Faith.  This series, which is used from Kindergarten through Eighth grade, includes doctrinal content that is in conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  The religion curriculum provides the necessary structure to encourage students to participate in liturgies, to communicate effectively, to solve problems and to think conceptually about their daily lives.  The religion textbooks contain information, which reflect the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  They offer explanations of official doctrine, creeds of belief, oral values, and church history.  Also included are interpretations of scripture, the sacraments, and the liturgical celebrations.

 The religion curriculum offers students an opportunity to plan and participate in a weekly Mass.  Traditional prayers and Mass responses are taught to all students.  Scripture lessons on moral values and reflections of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ are reinforced by community outreach projects.  These many and varied charitable efforts offer opportunities for students of Star of the Sea School to live their faith.

 Teachers and staff attend workshops and seminars for professional development such as the Catechetical and Pastoral Institutes.  Faculty and staff attend a retreat and in-service workshops along with the Annual Conference of Catholic Educators and the National Catholic Education Association.

Language Arts - Writing

In each subject area writing is the universal communicator of students' thoughts.  Writing activities in portfolio assignments, journal reflections, in-depth analysis research papers and essays, and career development projects all enable students to practice the art of writing and communicating personal thoughts and beliefs.  Many writing projects in the intermediate level are shared with students in the primary level to encourage a mentoring process in writing.   Conceptual thinking and problem solving are found in every aspect of the pre-writing, writing, editing, and publishing processes.   Each step is a check-and-balance procedure to allow for the smooth transference of information.  

In the writing process the accumulation, selection, utilization and publishing of information are the foremost goals of the content area writing assignments.

Writing expectations are tailored to meet, challenge, and promote student growth.  Expectations are clearly stated prior to the writing activity.  Assessment and feedback are ongoing through instructor and peer conferencing.  Students are encouraged to reflect and utilize their strengths and are given suggestions for further growth.

In grades First through Eighth, students participate in cross-curricular activities.  Students are challenged and encouraged to write daily through personal journals, essays, creative writing, informative reporting, book reviews, and research papers.  Students are taught to organize ideas by teacher modeling, story mapping, webbing, and use of outlines.  The writing process encompasses the first and second drafts, peer editing, conferencing with the teacher, and publication of the final copy.  This process involves instruction, creativity, discussion, evaluation and assessment, and promotes progress in student writing.

Academic growth is one of the  primary goals at Star of the Sea.  To assist us in meeting this goal the school recently adopted the Scott Foresman 2000 reading program with a strong connection to the reading/writing  process.  In the primary grades the students? reading/writing curriculum is adjusted to levels based on the needs of the learners.  In addition to enhancing the curriculum we envision writing for computer grants, workshops and in-services led by specialists focusing on the writing components of the language arts program.

The language and writing curriculum involves not only students in grades kindergarten through eight but also utilizes writing skills that are found in science, social studies, and the enrichment classes of music, computer, and art.  Computer technology is an integral part of the writing curriculum and often completes the total efforts from the classroom to the published product created by the students.  The writing curriculum of the school enables the students to focus on writing components in all phases of the learning environment.

Technology:

Star of the Sea School's computer curriculum offers an environment where students learn computer applications and perform projects that integrate closely with assignments in their other classes.  The students learn methods for completing research on the Internet, troubleshooting computer problems, computer keyboarding and computer applications.

The students are assigned a variety of class projects that are conceptually driven.  The projects expose the students to a range of applications, implementing tools, and new solutions to old problems.  These projects are in a series that build on a growing base of knowledge, eventually providing the student with a well-rounded understanding of the computer.  

Art:

In accordance with Star of the Sea School's mandate for growth, discovery and commitment to Christian preparedness, art is seen as an integral piece of the total formation.  The art curriculum is based on the NAEA (National Art Education Association) standards.  These standards focus on building four essential areas of learning art in a sequential format:  

Creative Expression  Art History  Art Criticism Aesthetic Perception

Students are asked to verbalize and show through their art products, understanding of the concepts, materials, and techniques.  Many times this will be done through integration with their other subjects and group work.  Artwork will be done in two and three dimensions using a variety of mediums and tools.

 Their finished art pieces become a part of their community environment as they are displayed throughout the school.  Their art products are utilized in their other subjects, reports and presentations, as card designs, seasonal gifts, stage-sets, and in service projects.

Star of the Sea has the facility and provisions that constitute a quality art program.

Physical Education:

The mission of the Star of the Sea physical education program is to foster a positive learning environment in which students actively learn and participate. This environment enables the students to learn the history of volleyball, basketball, baseball, and football. Their participation reinforces their communication and team building skills. Students learn body movements, motor skills, coordination, rules, participation, sportsmanship and teamwork. The students are also given time to improve on specific skill for different sports activities. The students learn these skills by stretching, using jungle gym equipment, participating in games and stations, practicing skills and by studying the history and rules of the four sports.

Music:

Star of the Sea School is committed to the education of the whole child.  As part of this commitment, music is seen as an essential part of the student's experiences.  

 
The music curriculum, based on performance standards, are:

Sings alone and in a group Understands rhythmic and melodic elements Understands that the voice is an instrument Performs music using recorders, percussion instruments, and ukuleles