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Our Lady of Guadalupe School
1518 73rd Street Brooklyn, NY 11228
Phone: (718)331-2070/236-5587 Fax: (718)331-2070/236-5587
E-mail: Eagle1518@aol.com
CURRICULUM & METHODS: EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM
NURSERY
There are 10-15 children in class with a master teacher two mornings a week. The learning environment is a work/play situation with emphasis on socialization skills. All skills necessary for learning in preparation for the Pre-K program, with emphasis on colors, shapes, and numbers 1 to 5, are developed. Motor skills are developed through free play in the classroom.
PRE-KINDERGARTEN
There are 12-21 children per session with a master teacher and a paraprofessional. The learning environment is a work/play situation with hands-on activities involving Religion, English Language Arts, Science, and Math. All the pre-skills necessary for learning are incorporated into the curriculum with emphasis on the basic skills of writing, listening, speaking, and memory. Motor skills are developed through free play in the classroom, playroom, and the playground.
KINDERGARTEN
The OLG Kindergarten is a full day program divided into two sessions with a separate master teacher in each classroom.
Session A: In this session children are taught in an academic environment. There is a focus on Religion, Language development, Mathematics, problem solving, experimenting, personal and social development, and fine/gross motor skills. Science experimenting is taught cooperatively with the K.I.D.S.+ session. Hands-on activities follow up Science lessons. The program follows the New York State standards and the curriculum of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Progress Reports are given twice a year and Report Cards are given three times a year.
K.I.D.S.+
Session B- K.I.D.S.+ (an acronym for Kindergarten Individualized Development of Skills) is a supplemental program for Kindergarten students. It is a reinforcement of Kindergarten skills including fine/gross motor skills. K.I.D.S.+ takes a creative and hands-on approach to various themes. The children explore “Rainbowville,” which introduces the world of colors and an awareness of community life. The next unit focuses on the “Rainforest and Polar Regions.” Here the children create a simulated rainforest and learn about all the animals and life of the Rainforest. The same is done for the polar regions. The third unit is “How Much, How Many,” where the children learn about money, measuring, and social skills as they create a supermarket and a restaurant. The children actually cook and serve food to each other. The final unit, “Dinoland,” focuses on life in prehistoric times. Progress Reports are given three times a year with Session A report cards.
CURRICULUM & METHODS: PRIMARY GRADES
The scope and sequence are set forth by the NYS Learning Standards. There are basic strands that are covered each year; new concepts are introduced in all grades with the reinforcement of already mastered ones. Cross-curricula skills are essential when the students are asked to answer written and/or oral questions. Group work enables the children to respect and appreciate the importance of each one’s ideas.
In Religion, we study the value of being an active follower of Jesus. Children attend First Friday Mass and seasonal prayer services. Through our Religion program, the students are developing a more complete understanding of the Bible, sacraments, Mass, Commandments, and Beatitudes. With each passing grade, they become more aware of Jesus’ constant presence in their lives.
In Reading and English Language Arts, our program fosters the development of communication skills, creative writing, problem solving, and critical thinking. We follow a literature-based reading program in which we use a phonetic approach with an additional phonemic strand. Within our program we have ongoing assessment that links all grades.
Our Math program enables every teacher to use a combination of manipulatives, technology, and strategies to present and reinforce concepts.
In Science, the children are encouraged to develop critical thinking skills including analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. As students learn the scientific method through hands-on experiments, they seek meaning and understanding in this curriculum area.
From grade to grade, the content and subject matter changes in Social Studies. We provide a wide variety of learning activities for our students in order that they grow in Social Studies concepts, knowledge, and skills. Through maps, technology, graphs, research papers, and visual demonstrations, we create an environment where students become independent and self-directed learners.
CURRICULUM & METHODS: INTERMEDIATE GRADES
The intermediate level, (grades 4- 5), are self-contained, switching for one period to prepare for departmental in junior high. Religion is formally taught on a daily basis and is incorporated in all subject areas. All subjects are taught in accordance with New York State and Diocesan standards. Each student is seen as an individual and their needs are met accordingly. Smart technology, cooperative learning, formal instruction, group and individual projects are integrated to foster a well-rounded learning environment. Fourth grade students participate in New York State testing programs in ELA, Math and Science. Fifth grade students participate in the NYS Social Studies exam.
Fourth and Fifth grade teachers collaborate to insure the growth of each student both academically and spiritually.
CURRICULUM & METHODS: GRADES 6-8
The departmental structure of grades six, seven and eight allows the students to benefit from a learning environment preparing them for high school. Through the use of technology, especially laptops, Smart boards, and classroom internet access, students are encouraged to engage in active and self-directed learning. They are taught by teachers who specialize in each of the curriculum areas. This environment fosters responsibility, the importance of self-reliance, and a strong academic foundation. All subjects are taught according to New York State and Diocesan standards with emphasis placed upon the individual needs of each student, including those with special needs. Grades six and eight are tested by the New York State Testing Program in each of the required areas. Religion is taught by each homeroom teacher nurturing an atmosphere that enables students to grow spiritually and emotionally.
MATH
Through the implementation of trimester Math meetings, teachers were given the opportunity to discuss and analyze our present Math program. The increased usage of manipulatives and technology has enhanced our students’ abilities to become independent learners. Weekly quizzes and classroom Math bees have aided in the process.
SCIENCE
Science is taught according to New York State Learning Standards in grades K-8. Science is taught using hands on lab work which incorporates writing in Science, Math and Technology. Students are taught to be self-directed using inquiry-based learning in all grade levels.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
In English Language Arts, our program follows the scope and sequence set forth by New York State Learning Standards. Each year basic strands are covered and the students are introduced to a variety of genres.
Students progress in this subject by reading, listening, writing, and speaking. The students are taught strategies to improve their comprehension, writing, and critical thinking skills. The purpose of the program is to create a learner who can think, write, and read independently.
SOCIAL STUDIES
Social Studies is taught in grades K-8 according to New York State Learning Standards. Our program draws upon content and processes from several areas (History, Geography, Political Science, Economics, and other social sciences) as well as integrating with other subjects such as Religion, Mathematics, English Language Arts and natural sciences. Through maps, technology, graphs, research papers, and visual demonstrations an environment is created where students become independent and self-directed. Our main purpose is to promote civic awareness to better students’ own lives, as well as being responsible citizens of our nation and the world.
RELIGION
We follow the Diocesan curriculum standards on each grade level and instill Christian values in our students. First Friday Masses are prepared by a different grade each month, with representatives from that grade participating in a special way on the altar. All students are encouraged to become familiar with readings from the Bible. Our second graders and their parents participate in a Communion retreat as part of their preparation for First Holy Communion. Seventh graders do the same in preparing for receiving Confirmation. Our Prayer Center offers the opportunity for students and faculty to have a time for prayer and reflection. We participate in many charitable events.
ADDITIONAL SUBJECTS:
MUSIC
Music at Our Lady of Guadalupe School is an essential tool in cultivating the creative, artistic, social and spiritual development of each student from grades K-8. General music class provides instruction drawing from Kodaly, Orff and Dalcroze methodologies, in accordance with the Diocesan Curriculum for Music and the National Standards for Music Education. The voice, as the primary instrument, is nurtured and refined in every grade by singing from a wide repertoire of religious and secular literature. Early childhood and elementary grades acquire basic musical skills while singing, dancing, and playing classroom instruments which include boomwhackers and sound shape drums. Using the recorder as their motivator, middle grades learn to read music from standard notation and perform a variety of folk and popular tunes. At the junior high level, students learn about instruments of the orchestra, explore the symbols used in more advanced music, and listen to a selection of orchestral and operatic works from many historical periods.
Beyond the classroom curriculum, three performing groups provide students with the opportunity to further pursue their musical training. Choral Group and Tone Chime Choir each rehearse weekly to prepare for school liturgies, annual Winter and Spring concerts, and holiday performances at local nursing homes. In addition, students can elect to join Band—offered through an external program—which also performs in school concerts.
GYM
Gym classes are attended by all students once a week.