Curriculum & Methods
Early
Childhood: Grades K- 2 | Intermediate: Grades 3 - 5 | Middle School: Grades 6-8
St. John the Evangelist School follows the Course of Study and the Curriculum Guidelines for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The curriculum is based on National Curriculum Standards and meets or exceeds the requirements of the State of Maryland.
The Stanford 10 Standardized Test is administered yearly in grades 3-8, along with the ACRE Assessment of Religion in grades 5 and 8.
In grades K through eighth the academic program is enriched by classes in
- physical education,
- music,
- art,
- library science and
- Spanish
- Computer
A full-time computer teacher provides instruction in the new computer lab on a weekly basis for each class. The lab is also available to teachers and students on a flexible basis for individual and group instruction.
Students attend daily Mass with their class once a week as well as special Masses throughout the year. There are many opportunities to participate in the Liturgy as a choir member, cantor, lector, greeter, or usher.
Faith is put into action as students participate in service projects within and outside of the school and parish communities.
EARLY CHILDHOOD
Forming a bridge between home and school, early childhood programs play a significant role in the development of social and educational processes. Through hands-on experiences, teacher-directed activities, and interaction with peers, children learn to grow in faith and love.
The kindergarten program nurtures independence and responsibility. Through the use of structured and unstructured multi-sensory activities, children develop early language, reading, math, and motor skills. The thematic study of science and social studies topics fosters a sense of curiosity about the outside world. An understanding and appreciation of God's love is developed through the religion curriculum, a Family Life Program, Scripture stories, and loving example.
FIRST AND SECOND GRADES
The first and second grades continue the development of social skills while laying the foundation for academic achievement.
Students are guided to realize that God, our Creator, made each person special and that Jesus, the Son of God, is our Friend and Brother. The Holy Spirit is presented as our Source of strength, peace and joy. By participating in weekly Eucharistic Liturgy and service projects, students develop the concept of Church as community. A Family Life Program is included in the religion curriculum. Students in second grade are prepared to receive the sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation.
Religion, Language Arts and Math are taught daily. In our Language Arts program, students are introduced to reading through a basal reader supported by phonics and skill-based spelling. Parts of speech and punctuation are introduced and combined with skills needed for creative writing. Math focuses on basic operations, critical thinking, and problem solving. Manipulatives are used to guide thinking from the concrete to the abstract. Science provides hands-on experiences through life and earth sciences. Social Studies introduces students to the world around them. Second grade particularly emphasizes Native Americans. Spanish, Art, Music, Library Science, Computer and Physical Education round out the early primary experience.
Grades K through two are self-contained.
THIRD AND FOURTH GRADES
The third through fourth grades build on the foundation laid. Individual responsibility and continued faith development are emphasized.
Love of God and forgiveness are the bases for the Religion curriculum. Reconciliation preparation is part of the fourth grade program.The Family Life Program is continued.
Our integrated Language Arts program blends reading, English, spelling and phonics with an emphasis on writing skills. Cursive writing is introduced in third grade. Library and research skills are developed. Math instruction builds on basic operations; manipulatives are used. Math is expanded for high-ability students through small group instruction. Social Studies focuses on communities in North America and regions of the United States. In fourth grade, Maryland state history is taught. Science includes life, earth, and physical science, and the Chesapeake Bay. Hands-on activities and scientific processes are emphasized. Field trips to local museums and businesses supplement the social studies and science programs. Art, Music, Physical Education, Spanish and Computer instruction continues on a weekly basis.
Grades three and four are self-contained with the exception of science and social studies. Students are also divided into smaller groups for math instruction.
FIFTH AND SIXTH GRADES
Students of grades five and six are grouped heterogeneously for all classes and experience partially departmentalized instruction between the teachers in Grade 5 and the teachers of Grade 6.
Religion 5 focuses on the seven sacraments. The Family Life Program, which teaches sexuality in the Catholic Christian tradition, supplements this. Religion 6 focuses on the Old Testament with a continuation of the Family Life Program. Language Arts 5 builds on the integrated curriculum of previous grades. Language Arts 6 moves to a literature based text with an integrated approach. Math 5 and 6 are aligned with the National Standards. Class work expands basic learned concepts and continues to integrate manipulatives to concretize the abstract. Both grades strongly emphasize fractions, decimals, percent, and problem solving. An additional math teacher at this level allows for class sizes of fewer than twenty.
Science 5 and 6 cover topics in earth, life, and physical science. Fifth graders learn the scientific method in preparation for participation in our school Science Fair in grade six. Use of the science lab for grades five and six integrates hands-on experiences with content learning. Social Studies 5 teaches American history; Social Studies 6 covers World history. A wide variety of projects and activities reinforce content learning. Spanish, Art, Music, Library Science, Computer and Physical Education continue on a weekly basis.
SEVENTH AND EIGHTH GRADES
Seventh and eighth grades emphasize individual responsibility and high school preparation. Grades seven and eight are departmentalized. The students are grouped by ability in math and literature, but heterogeneously in all other disciplines.
Religion 7 focuses on the New Testament and the study of Jesus as a model for living life; Religion 8 focuses on Church History and Confirmation preparation.
Language Arts consists of instruction in literature and English. Developing proficiency in writing is a goal. Fundamentals of language are taught within the context of writing. Basic Math, Pre-Algebra, and Algebra is offered in seventh grade. Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Honors Algebra I is offered in eighth grade. Teacher- student ratio for math classes is one to sixteen which allows for more individual attention and hands-on activities. In accordance with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, lessons are focused on promoting algebraic reasoning, number sense, critical thinking, and problem solving. Teachers integrate multiple math concepts within each lesson rather than teach isolated skills.
Students participate in a ten-week Stock Market program that incorporates technology and economics instruction from professionals in our community. Science focuses on life and physical sciences. Our new science lab enables us to connect hands-on experiences with content information, thus encouraging interaction between content and thinking processes. Field trips enrich the study of ecology in the Chesapeake Bay. Each student participates in the Science Fair. Social Studies helps students gain an appreciation of World and United States history. Computer, Music and Physical Education continue to build on skills within their disciplines. Spanish is expanded to three days per week. Art takes a multi-media approach with instruction focusing on graphic design and multi-media software.
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