Art
The activities in the St. Joseph’s Art program increases the students’ fine motor skills and their perceptual awareness of the work around them. The curriculum is designed with an emphasis on a religious touch, by using seasonal, cultural, and Biblical themes for class projects. Plaster, leather, weaving, painting methods and other media are presented to the children to give them the opportunity to develop their artistic skills at their own pace and acquire an appreciation for the talents required to be a serious artist. Both the primary and the intermediate grades learn about the elements of art and the principles of design when doing their artwork. Artists, their lives, art styles, and artworks are discussed and imitated throughout the school year.
Library
The library at St. Joseph School is an inviting place. The students visit the library once a week from Pre-School to Sixth grade. They select books each time they visit and always have a story read to them. The type of stories read depends on the grade level and what they may be studying in class. For instance if a class is studying penguins, good books about penguins are read. For the older students, select books are offered that can be used to teach language arts skills such as figures of speech. Students are also taught library skills so that they become proficient in locating books in the library including learning how the Dewey Decimal System works. Students from third grade on up are taught how to locate books using our computer system. It is evident that the students enjoy their time in the library!
Music
Music class at St. Joseph School is both fun and educational. Singing songs together holds the greatest importance; however primary grades play music games and explore beginning aspects of music while the Intermediate grades develop more advanced skills such as reading and writing music, and critiquing songs from musicals and current popular songs. Percussion instruments are introduced at all levels to practice rhythm. Students in 4th grade learn beginning recorder which enables them to further their music reading and develop proper counting techniques.
Liturgical songs are taught and sung in class across all the grade levels, and older students are given the opportunity to participate in the cantor group at Mass and sing at special religious events. The Music Club gives 4th-6th grade students who are currently taking private lessons a chance to bring their own instruments to school to play, perform, and learn from each other, and students in all grades are able to demonstrate their musical talents in many ways in the classroom. The annual Christmas program alternates each year between 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades, and 4th, 5th, and 6th grades, and is a lovely event that adds to our preparation for Christmas.
Physical Education
At St. Joseph School, students will have physical education once a week for 50 minutes each class. The program has been designed to focus on three major areas that contribute to one's physical health and well being.
Movement concepts, taught in the early grades, focus on developing large motor skills, such as running, skipping, and hopping. Also, change of direction and speed and different ways to balance, jump and land. Skill themes such as throwing, kicking, volleying, and dodging are taught in the upper grades. The children are taught how to use fundamental skills in games and sports, and various forms of rhythmical movement. Wellness Concepts are taught throughout the program. They include healthy habits, healthy and unhealthy food choices, and ways to improve cardiovascular endurance and flexibility. I recognize that children are at different developmental levels and have a variety of interests. Students are provided with a wide range of lessons that are both beneficial and enjoyable.
Technology
Weekly Technology classes are held for grades 1-6 providing numerous opportunities for students to use age appropriate applications and websites. The goal is to integrate technology into the grade level curriculums. The technology curriculum is based upon the NETS (National Educational Technology Standards) and provides students with the skills they will need to succeed in their future educational endeavors. Computer basics and software are introduced in the first grade and built upon as the student matriculates through the ensuing grades. By the 6th grade, students will have the ability to choose the best applications, websites, or digital environments to independently complete projects and utlize technology to assist them in their daily lives.