Early Childhood

The kindergarten program fosters the child's natural curiosity and develops their creativity to become life long learners and explorers. The unique differences of each young child are not only recognized, they are celebrated as a gift from God.  Positive self images as well as a respect for others are developed through practicing and modeling our Catholic beliefs. Children are actively engaged becoming closer to God through attending and participating in mass from the start of the school year. This allows the children to connect with the community as well as themselves. This is the beginning for them to become accountable for their education.

The children are provided with many hands -on opportunities to grow in all developmental areas such as physical, social, emotional and intellectual. Teacher planning focuses on finding ways to stimulate and encourage children to connect their schema with previous experiences, to experiment, categorize, theorize and draw inferences. This process activates their prior knowledge and allows them to assimilate it to current lessons.  Kindergarten work and play together in a self-contained classroom.  The curriculum consists of Religion, Integrated Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies.  They attend weekly specials such as Music, Library, Computer, Art and Physical Education.  We begin the Second Step program to teach empathy, problem solving, impulse control and anger management.  Our curriculum follows the guidelines set forth by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and all the mandates required by Pennsylvania state law. 

Primary

The curriculum for grades 1, 2 and 3 is based on the guidelines provided by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Individual teachers present lessons through current age appropriate practices according to their grade level. Primary grade students are grouped both heterogeneously and homogenously and are in self-contained classrooms for the subjects of religion, math, integrated language arts, social studies and science. Outside of their self-contained classrooms they attend weekly specials such as music, art, physical education, technology and library. All learning environments incorporate rich activities enabling the children to explore at their level. Teachers foster an environment where children feel welcome and accepted.

 

In the primary years, reading is introduced through a literature based integrated language arts program which emphasizes a variety of skills intertwined through reading, writing, listening, speaking, spelling and grammar. Children are able to explore the writing process through shared writing and journal writing. Children begin this in kindergarten and continue this process and develop as confident writers as this allows them to develop as a writer. Children are encouraged to use inventive spelling as a tool that introduces them to the English language. In some instances, teachers include activities such as Think, Pair, Share to enhance child learning.

 

Our mathematics program uses a wide variety of manipulatives that provide a multitude of hands-on experiences for students. Using this approach, the concepts of computational skills, problem solving, algebraic equations, geometry, and number theory are taught at each level. Using exploration, children are able to use concrete objects to solve problems and adapt them to real life experiences. This allows for abstract thinking. Each child has a chance to model this through activities.

 

Social Studies and Science are taught in the primary grades. A formal grading practice in these two subject areas does not begin until third grade. Teaching science through the scientific process enables our students to put theory into practice. The children are actively engaged by using hands-on approaches, testing different methods. Children are challenged to question and explore in order to find solutions. Children in the primary years explore many topics that can relate the children to real life experiences in school and the wider community.

 

In the primary grades, the students become familiar with the Second Step Curriculum which is a violence prevention program that teaches empathy, impulse control, problem solving and anger management. The children are actively engaged in role-playing to learn these concepts which support our Olweus Anti-bullying program.

Intermediate Level (Grades 4-5)

The curriculum for grades four and five is based on the Archdiocesan guidelines provided by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.  Each individual teacher presents this required material in varying ways and methods that complement the nature of the content and the nature of the student.  Students in grades four and five are grouped heterogeneously in self-contained classrooms for the subjects of Integrated Language Arts, Religion, Social Studies, and Science.  Students also participate in weekly classes of physical education, music, technology, art, and library outside of their self-contained teacher.  There is a focus in these developmental years on higher order thinking skills and problem solving.  Teachers strive to structure their classes to meet the developmental needs of each child and to respond to their unique differences. 

 

Religion in grade four focuses on the Commandments, Mary, the liturgical year, the Beatitudes, and the Works of Mercy.  In grade five students move into learning about the seven sacraments, giving specific attention to the mass and Confirmation preparation.  Our science program includes the scientific method, Earth science, physical science, and life science.  There is a strong emphasis on “hands-on” learning, using our centrally located science laboratory with a variety of science equipment.  In grade four social studies the focus is on Pennsylvania, while in grade five the focus moves to geography in the Western Hemisphere.  Both grades continue to work on geography skills.  Our Integrated Language Arts program emphasizes an instructional environment encouraging freedom of exploration and creativity.  Students read throughout the year, both from an anthology book of stories along with fiction and non-fiction writing.  Students work on a variety of writing topics throughout the year, along with a continued emphasis on grammar, vocabulary, and spelling.  The math program is part of a continuous progress program established by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.  Beginning in fourth grade, advanced students are enrolled in our Honor’s Math Program. 

Middle Years

Varied instructional activities, departmentalized instruction, and increased student responsibilities are changes that the middle school student, in grades 6, 7, and 8, experiences at Immaculate Conception. These academic changes help prepare our students for the next step in their education.

The curriculum for our middle school students revolves around varied instructional techniques. Student-centered learning encourages group work, creativity, and student input. This student involvement and investment in their work creates an environment that encourages higher order thinking and an excitement for learning. The use of technology is also integrated into the academic program. The availability of the computer lab, library laptop computers, and Palms gives both students and teachers the chance to supplement classroom material with researched information.  Students learn to research, expand their writing skills and present information.

 

Beginning in the sixth grade, students are no longer in a self-contained classroom environment. They have different teachers for different subjects. This departmentalized instruction simulates what students will experience at the high school level, and gives students the opportunity to learn to adjust to different instructors.

 

With this adjustment, the student learns to accept more educational responsibility. Teachers use varying assessment techniques to evaluate learning.  Independent projects are also assigned and facilitated.