All classes follow the California Common Core State Standards and the Religion standards provided by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
The vision for excellence we have at Saint Anthony, can only happen when there is a culture for learning. In a school with a strong culture for learning, there must be clear values, challenging academics with high expectations, and the belief that every child is capable, willing, and actively engaged in their learning. To achieve a culture for learning, we constantly need to take a deeper look into the curriculum and how the curriculum is presented to our students.
Beginning in the 2017-2018 school year and beyond, St. Anthony School implemented a blended learning model to present curriculum in order to support student excellence. Blended learning is a model of technology integration that leverages both face-to-face instruction and individualized online learning to ensure excellence for all students. This model allows for learning experiences that adjust to the needs of the learner, targets support to those needs, and provide teachers and parents with the data that helps foster learning and growth both in school and at home. It opens up the potential for small group or one-on-one instruction that empowers students to be the drivers of their education
Kindergarten is a time when students build a strong foundation for learning. Our faith centered curriculum allows students to develop both academically and spiritually. We learn Common Core California Standard aligned subjects such as Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Religion and Art. Together we become independent learners as we continue on our academic journey.
First graders focus on becoming fluent and efficient readers in order to excel in all subject areas. Students learn to write and communicate in complete sentences. These skills are taken and applied to all Common Core California Standard-based subjects: Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Religion, and Art. As independent learners, we continue on our academic journey.
Second grade students become more experienced in the areas of religion, writing, reading, math, science, social studies and fine arts. Religion plays a big factor in 2nd grade because students prepare to receive First Communion and First Reconciliation. Moreover, students understands that through Baptism we are called to share in the Church’s mission and that the Bible is a revelation of God’s love for people. Students become familiar with stories of the New Testament and recognize Mary as Jesus’ mother.
Generally language arts focuses on enhancing word recognition, fluency, understanding of the narrative and informational text, and increasing proficiency in written and oral communication. Math includes advanced problems on concepts taught already as well as new concepts, including place value, mental math, calculating with monetary values, addition and subtraction, geometry and graphs. In this year they also learn many new and interesting science facts and concepts about the life cycle, plants and animals, and electricity. In social studies students explore the lives of actual people who make a difference, extraordinary people from history and our free interdependence market system.
Moreover, students in second grade begin to develop their research and critical thinking projects as they create individual and group work to share and present what they learn through different forms, including writing, speaking, and fine arts. Art education teaches students how to interpret, criticize, and use visual information, and how to make choices based on it. In addition, music helps develop the areas of the brain related to language and reasoning. Developing academic skills helps to furnish students with experiences that nurture aptitude in critical thinking , problem, solving and teamwork.
Third graders learn to function more independently in the areas of religion, reading, writing, math, science, social studies, and fine arts. In religion students have the opportunity to learn about scripture/Christian life-know the difference between Old and New Testament, retells the stories of Jesus’ birth, passion, death and resurrection, parables and what a miracle is. Students can name the Seven Sacraments, experience activities related to the Liturgical Seasons and Feasts and how God’s love for us call us to service. Moreover students can tell the difference between temptation and accident sin and describes God the Father, God the Son as Savior and God the Spirit as Gift and Help. In addition, students understand Mary as the mother of Jesus and become familiar with ways to serve the faith community.
In third grade, students read grade level fiction and nonfiction independently with literal and inferential comprehension. Development knowledge of common spelling patterns, roots, and affixes, answer questions that require analysis, synthesis and evaluation of grade-level narrative and informational text. Increased and extended emphasis is placed on vocabulary acquisition, comprehension strategies, text analysis and writing. Their writing skills are more refined and they can write in paragraphs, with proper grammar and punctuations. When it comes to math, third graders start solving problems with bigger whole numbers, decimal numbers, fractions and monetary problems. They do not need to use manipulatives to solve problems and can solve addition, subtraction, multiplication and division problems. The science curriculum focuses on the physical science which emphasizes how objects can be observed and measured; energy and matter have multiple forms; life science-focusing on the physical structure or behavior may improve an organism’s chance of survival; earth science-how the sky moves in regular and predictable patterns and finally investigation and experimentation-asking meaningful and conducting careful investigations. Social studies involves getting students familiar with physical and cultural landscape of California, including the study of American Indians, the subsequent arrival of immigrants and the impact they have had in forming the character of our contemporary society. Art education teaches students how to interpret, criticize, and use visual information, and how to make choices based on it. In addition, music in third grade helps develop the areas of the brain related to language and reasoning. Developing academic skills helps to furnish students with experiences that nurture aptitude in critical thinking, problem solving and teamwork.
Fourth grade Social Studies encompasses not only the history but also the exploration of the regions, demographics, statistics, and natural resources of our great state. Scientific investigations and problem-solving skills are just part of the Life Science curriculum. Reading and Language Arts include, but are not limited to, increasing and improving comprehension, vocabulary, writing, and language usage. At Saint Anthony school, the whole child is engaged not only in traditional curricula but also in the arts, physical, and technological education. This year the fourth grade students are learning how to play the handbells in music, creating new team sports in P.E., and learning safe and fun ways to use technology.
During 5th grade, social studies takes us into the journey of making a new nation both in its history and its geography. Students learn about the first settlers, the colonial era, the American Revolution and many other major events in history that helped to the formation the United States. Focus on geography is of primary importance as the students must master the 50 states and their capitals by the end of the school year.
6th Grade & 7th
6th & 7th grade explore the World History during ancient, early and modern times. Major focus on dominant civilizations that left their imprints and changed our society and culture. From the Paleolithic era to the Scientific Revolution, students learn how history globally has shaped who we are as individuals, community members, and citizens.
8th Grade
During 8th Grade, students learn about the hardship that has been to grow as a nation and the conflicts that have arisen as the United States became a leading country. From the Constitution to World War I, students analyze and explore the basis of our society. Students are exposed to the current events that are taking place and use critical thinking and a STEM approach to growth and conflict in the United States.
5th grade marks a benchmark into the sciences for the students. This is the year that serves as an intro and the basis for Life Science, Earth Science and the experimentation that will be needed in their academic life. Students begin to form the base to explore the wonderful world that God has created.
6th & 7th
6th & 7th Grade learn about Life and Earth Science. This is where students gain knowledge and a critical thinking perspective into what God has put in this world. How do we define this beautiful creation? Students explore the Earth Surface, the theory of Evolution, Genetics, Living Organisms and many other components that opens their understanding of the world.
8th
8th Grade bring the students into the basis for physics and chemistry. In order to prepare them for High School science, students learn about motion, matter, the chemistry of Living Systems and the many workings of the universe. Through labs and exposure to real life situations, students learn how we define and explain the world that surrounds us in order to learn from it.
As our mission statement states, our goal at Saint Anthony School is for students to achieve academically, develop spiritually and contribute meaningfully to society-in other words, our goal is to educate the whole child. It is our hope that through the religion curriculum students are learning, they develop a greater affection of our Catholic faith and traditions. On a typical day, students study the lives of saints, read from scripture, sing hymns, pray, and reflect on the concepts and ideas of our faith through writing, art, and various classroom activities. Students are also given the opportunity to frequent the sacrament of the Eucharist by attending a weekly mass. It is a wonderful experience to congregate with all of the students, teachers, parents and other parishioners to celebrate mass. Throughout the school year, the school and church come together to observe various liturgical events.
Mathematics is a subject that may be challenging for many people. At St. Anthony School, we try to make the study of mathematics a positive experience by incorporating age-appropriate, and engaging math lessons. We teach a California Common Core standards-based and rigorous curriculum designed to prepare students for promotion to the next grade level. Our mathematics curriculum also has a component that connects the math concepts or skills being learned in class to real life situations. On a typical day, students review previously learned material, practice note-taking strategies, learn new concepts or skills through various teaching modalities, and self-assess their own learning. We motivate students to be responsible and to develop good study habits so each individual student reaches his or her potential in mathematics.
The fifth grade English Language Arts curriculum meets the Los Angeles Archdiocese requirements and focuses on developing strong reading comprehension, speaking and listening skills with an emphasis on grammar and punctuation. Students conduct short research projects, organize information into relevant arguments and write critical opinion pieces allowing them to expand their knowledgebase and strengthen their command of sentence structure and vocabulary.
6th
The sixth grade English Language Arts curriculum meets the Los Angeles Archdiocese requirements and focuses on critical thinking, narrative writing and integrating information gathered from primary sources. Students develop skills in literary analysis and use presentations and essays to present clear arguments supported by relevant information. Students compare and contrast genres of literature developing articulate arguments as well as strong written and verbal skills.
7th
The seventh grade English Language Arts curriculum meets the Los Angeles Archdiocese requirements and focuses on student competency in writing and speaking with an emphasis on developing a strong vocabulary. Students use technology to expand their knowledge, allowing them to present opinions in discussion and integrate reflections in their writing. Using critical thinking skills to analyze fiction and nonfiction texts, students learn to maintain a formal style in essay construction and follow the rules for debate and discussion in articulating their opinions.
8th
The eighth grade English Language Arts curriculum meets the Los Angeles Archdiocese requirements and focuses on student command of analytical writing, polished vocabulary and confident listening and debating skills. Students use analytical essays to engage literature and use technology to research and gather relevant information to support claims in their writing. Students produce coherent essays and develop strong techniques in essay organization and style. Using precise language students articulate their opinion and establish an understanding of opposing arguments in debate and essay format.