Curriculum
CURRICULUM
In developing the general curriculum, we commit ourselves to educating the whole child in an environment that nurtures spiritual, intellectual, emotional, social and physical growth. The foundations of the curriculum are based on Diocesan Guidelines, State Standards, and Common Core Standards. Applying directives from these documents, the general curriculum reflects the school philosophy and was developed to offer the optimum in each program to meet the students’ capacities for learning.
As a school fully accredited by the Western Catholic Education Association and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Corpus Christi evaluates key curricular areas annually and maintains high levels of professional development for its teaching staff.
RELIGION: The formal religion program serves as the heart of the curriculum. Observing the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary Schools, we give priority to the spiritual development of the students. They practice their faith in the daily living of the Gospel message and engage in service to others.
We are pleased to announce the adoption of two formal programs to help our students and their families develop a deeper understanding of the values, beliefs, and traditions of the Catholic faith.
Written by the Sisters of Notre Dame, the Loyola Press 2016 edition of Christ Our Life foster's children’s love of God while providing a rich knowledge of our Catholic faith. Christ Our Life comprehensively presents the authentic teachings of the Catholic Church and is aligned with the Church’s mission for a New Evangelization, the Six Tasks of Catechesis, and the NCEA: IFG ACRE assessments.
RCL Benziger Family Life K-8 Family Life program provides children with a wholesome understanding of human sexuality based upon Catholic Church moral principles. Working with their parents, children will develop better communication skills, healthy family relationships and a formation in chaste living.
LANGUAGE ARTS: A new integrated language arts program offers students a range of skills required to be effective listeners, speakers, readers, and writers. The comprehensive and leveled approach is punctuated by phonics, spelling, handwriting, and grammar. Younger students practice language skills, which are further developed throughout the grades. Junior high students enjoy classic novels and literature in addition to applying correct usage and mechanics required in spoken and written contexts.
Wonders, McGraw Hill (K - 5)
Literature, Prentice-Hall
Vocabulary Workshop, Sadlier-Oxford (Grades 6-8)
Grammar, Houghton-Mifflin
D’Nealian Handwriting, Scott-Foresman
MATHEMATICS: Bridges in Mathematics is a comprehensive K–5 mathematics curriculum that equips teachers to fully implement the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics in a manner that is rigorous, coherent, engaging, and accessible to all learners. The curriculum focuses on developing students’ deep understanding of mathematical concepts, proficiency with key skills, and ability to solve complex and novel problems. Bridges blends direct instruction, structured investigation, and open exploration. The program taps into the intelligence strengths of all students by presenting material that is as linguistically, visually, and kinesthetically rich as it is mathematically powerful.
A Bridges classroom features a combination of whole-group, small-group, and independent activities that are problem centered. First graders engage in three major kinds of activities: Problems & Investigations, Work Places, and Assessments.
Number Corner, a skills program essential to the Bridges curriculum, is a collection of quick daily skills activities using a calendar. The display engages students and contributes to a math-rich classroom environment that promotes both procedural fluency and conceptual understanding.
In the Middle School, the focus on mathematics is on meeting the Common Core State Math Standards in 6th and 7th grade. The math curriculum in 6th and 7th grade is Common Core Progressive Mathematics by Sadlier. The focus on mathematics in 8th grade is Algebra. The math curriculum in 8th grade is, Algebra Structure and Method by McDougall Littell.
SOCIAL STUDIES: The goal of the social studies program is the development of literate citizens - individuals with the knowledge, skills, and civic values needed to become active and reflective participants in the world. Our program offers in-depth learning allowing the students time to explore topics, to practice skills in meaningful contexts, and to relate their learning to the world in which they live.
Studies Weekly & Harcourt Reflections, Harcourt(Grades K- 5)
History Alive! Teachtci.com (Grades 6, 7, 8)
SCIENCE: Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are K-12 content standards identified to improve science education through three distinct but equally important components: Disciplinary Core Ideas, Cross Cutting Concepts, and Science & Engineering Practices. The NGSS describe the knowledge and skills students should demonstrate after completing their science instruction experiences.
Mystery Science (K - 3) is a comprehensive hands-on investigative and engaging web based science curriculum. It is aligned with the NGSS and Common Core standards. Components include engaging video with questions presented within the context of a story to encourage student exploration of scientific ideas. The format makes it easy for students and teachers to learn and develop NGSS knowledge expectations.
Full Option Science System (FOSS) 4-5 has evolved into a fully realized 21st century program with authentic connections to the NGSS. The curriculum is a comprehensive science program featuring instructional guidance, student equipment, materials, digital resources, and an embedded assessment system. FOSS provides real and meaningful student experience with important scientific ideas and to nurture developmentally appropriate knowledge of the objects, organisms, systems, and principles governing the natural world.
Amplify Science is used in Grades 6-8 the students will examine disciplinary core ideas, developing scientific practices: asking questions and defining problems, developing and using models, planning and carrying out investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, using mathematics and computational thinking, constructing explanations and designing solutions, engaging in argument from evidence, and obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information.
TECHNOLOGY: Enhancing student achievement and learning are key to the goal of the technology program. Students become critical thinkers, problem solvers, and lifelong learners. Technology serves as the thread found throughout the general curriculum.
FINE ARTS: Valuing arts education as a vital part of being a whole person, we offer students experiences in which they are exposed to live performances, application, history, general appreciation, and creation of fine and performing arts.
Jr. Center of Arts and Science, (Grades K-3)
Meet The Masters Program, (Grades 3-5)
Middle School electives (Grades 6-8) allow students to explore the arts based upon their interest level. Middle School electives are chosen by the students on a trimester basis.
SPANISH: The discipline of studying a world language is explored by our students in a “whole” language experience. From songs and basic vocabulary to conversation and written skills, the students are exposed to Spanish in a course, which provides them with proper pronunciation, social applications, and some grammar. This exposure invites the development of total language skills, whether in English or Spanish. In Middle School, Spanish language instruction is enhanced through the use of Savvas Autentico curriculum.
RESOURCE- STUDENT SUCCESS TEAM: Our school provides a coordinator to work with students, parents & teachers to ensure success for a student who has been diagnosed with a learning difficulty. A Student Success Team consists of classroom teacher(s), resource personnel, and the Principal. Together with the parents, the team exists to help meet the needs of any student who requires intervention and support beyond the usual classroom procedures. As needed, other professionals may be engaged to help set goals and decide on plans of action which might include academic accommodations or program modifications which will best meet the students’ needs.
