KINDERGARTEN thru SECOND GRADE CURRICULUM
 
KINDERGARTEN

Mathematics
The kindergarten standards place emphasis on developing the concept of number by counting; combining, sorting, and comparing sets of objects; recognizing and describing simple repeating patterns; and recognizing shapes and sizes of figures and objects. Students will investigate nonstandard measurement, collect data, and create graphs.

Language Arts
The kindergarten student will be immersed in a print-rich environment to develop oral language skills, phonological awareness, print awareness, vocabulary, comprehension, and an appreciation for literature. The reading of fiction and nonfiction selections will enable students to develop an awareness of print materials as sources of information and enjoyment. The kindergarten student will have the opportunity to use words that describe people, places, and events. The student will recognize and print letters of the alphabet, use the basic phonetic principles of identifying and writing beginning sounds, identify story elements, and communicate ideas through pictures and writing.

Science
The kindergarten standards stress the use of basic science skills to explore common materials, objects, and living things. Emphasis is placed on using the senses to gather information. Students are expected to develop skills in posing simple questions, measuring, sorting, classifying, and communicating information about the natural world. The science skills are an important focus as students learn about life processes and properties of familiar materials, such as magnets and water. Through phenomena including shadows, patterns of weather, and plant growth, students are introduced to the concept of change. The significance of natural resources and conservation is introduced in the kindergarten standards.

Social Studies
The standards for kindergarten students include an introduction to interesting Americans in history whose lives demonstrated the virtues of patriotism, courage, and kindness. During the course of their first year in school, students should learn basic concepts related to history, patriotism, national symbols, good citizenship, geographic location, economics, and the importance of following rules and respecting the rights and property of other people.

Religion
The Kindergarten Religion Curriculum emphasizes how students can be aware of God’s love in their lives. The students learn to appreciate their own uniqueness, to sense God’s presence in all the wonderful things around them, and lead them to a greater desire to love God in return, through prayer and acts of kindness towards others.

FIRST GRADE

Mathematics
The first-grade standards place emphasis on counting, sorting, and comparing sets of up to 100 objects; recognizing and describing simple repeating and growing patterns; and drawing, sorting, and describing certain two-dimensional figures. Students’ understanding of number is expanded through learning and applying the basic addition facts (sums up to 20) and the corresponding subtraction facts; using nonstandard units to measure; and organizing and interpreting data. The idea of fractions is introduced.

Language Arts
Reading is the priority in first grade. The student will be immersed in a print-rich environment to develop oral language skills, phonetic skills, vocabulary, comprehension, and an awareness of print materials as sources of information and enjoyment. The student will use listening and speaking skills to participate in classroom discussions. The student will use a variety of strategies to read new words and will read familiar selections with fluency and expression. The student will continue to develop an understanding of character, setting, main idea, and story sequence in a variety of texts. The student will increase vocabulary and comprehension strategies by reading age-appropriate materials across the curriculum, with emphasis on materials that reflect the Standards of Learning in mathematics, science, and history and social science. The student will also demonstrate comprehension of fiction and nonfiction selections through classroom discussion and will begin to communicate ideas in writing. The student will become an independent reader by the end of first grade.

Science
The first-grade standards continue to stress basic science skills in understanding familiar objects and events. Students are expected to begin conducting simple experiments and be responsible for some of the planning. Students are introduced to the concept of classifying plants and animals based on simple characteristics. Emphasis is placed on the relationships among objects and their interactions with one another. Students are expected to know the basic relationships between the sun and Earth and between seasonal changes and plant and animal activities. Students will also begin to develop an understanding of moving objects, simple solutions, and important natural resources.

Social Studies
The standards for first grade students include an introduction to the lives of American leaders and their contributions to the United States. Students should recognize basic map symbols and construct a simple map of a familiar area. The students should study the economic concepts of goods and services, buyers and sellers, and making economic choices. Students should learn to apply the traits of a good citizen and recognize that communities in Maryland include people who have diverse ethnic origins, customs, and traditions, who make contributions to their communities, and who are united as Americans by common principles.

Religion
The First Grade Religion curriculum emphasizes the student’s spiritual growth and the development of their catholic faith. The course provides a simple overview of the mysteries of our faith. Through the learning of the goodness of God and the love of Jesus, the students are drawn to respond to God in prayer and friendship. Students will reflect quietly about God, develop Christian attitudes and values, and become aware of God’s presence in their lives and the peace that comes from listening and acting on God’s words.

SECOND GRADE

Mathematics
The second-grade standards extend the study of number and spatial sense to include three-digit numbers and three-dimensional figures. Students will continue to learn, use, and gain proficiency in the basic addition facts with sums through 20 and the corresponding subtraction facts. Students will begin to use standard U.S. Customary and metric units of measurement; predict, using simple probability; and create and interpret picture and bar graphs. Students will work with a variety of patterns and will develop knowledge of equality by identifying missing numbers in addition and subtraction facts.

Language Arts
Reading continues to be a priority in second grade. The student will be immersed in a print-rich environment filled with fiction and nonfiction selections, which relate to all areas of the curriculum and interest. The student will expand vocabulary by speaking and listening effectively in classroom discussions, use a combination of strategies when reading, and read age-appropriate familiar selections with fluency and expression. The student will learn comprehension strategies for fiction and nonfiction materials. The student will be asked to identify main ideas, to make and confirm predictions, and to formulate questions about learning in all subjects, with emphasis on materials that reflect the Standards of Learning in mathematics, science, and history and social science. The student will write stories, letters, and simple explanations; apply simple grammatical principles to writing; and locate information in reference materials.

Science
The second-grade standards continue to focus on using a broad range of science skills in understanding the natural world. Making detailed observations, drawing conclusions, and recognizing unusual or unexpected data are stressed as skills needed for using and validating information. Measurement in both English and metric units is stressed. The idea of living systems is introduced through habitats and the interdependence of living and nonliving things. The concept of change is explored in states of matter, life cycles, weather patterns, and seasonal effects on plants and animals.

Social Studies
Students should develop map skills and demonstrate an understanding of basic economic concepts. The students will identify selected American individuals who have worked to improve the lives of American citizens. The students will recognize that the United States is a land of people who have diverse ethnic origins, customs, and traditions, who make contributions to their communities, and who are united as Americans by common principles.

Religion
The Second Grade Religion Curriculum prepares the children for their first celebration of the sacraments of Penance and the Holy Eucharist. They are introduced to Jesus’ willingness to forgive and bring them peace. They learn that in the Mass, Jesus offers himself to his heavenly Father and us. In addition, students learn that through the gift of the Eucharist, Jesus comes to us as bread and wine to strengthen us and unite us with himself and one another.