Curriculum

Curriculum


The Saint John Brebeuf School curriculum is driven by faith, innovation, effective instruction, comprehensive assessment and data analysis, alignment to standards, differentiation, and is grounded in current research. Our emphasis on higher-level thinking prepares students for high school, college, and their future careers. We have a fully implemented 1:1 technology program in Kindergarten through eighth grade, where each student is assigned their own Chromebook.


Religion:

The Religion curriculum is based on Catholic values and teachings. The program teaches the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (creed, sacraments, morality, and prayer) at every grade level while relating to a specific theme, Catholic belief, and practice each year. 

Students in Kindergarten through eighth grades attend Mass monthly as a whole school. These liturgies are planned by students, teachers, the music teacher, the parish music minister, and the Director of Religious Education. Older and younger students are paired as buddies each year to pray and celebrate the Sacraments they receive, attend Mass together, and work together throughout the year on projects.

Preparation to receive the Sacraments takes place in cooperation with the classroom teacher and the Director of Religious Education. Parents are an important part of the preparation process. First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are received in second grade and Confirmation takes place in eighth grade.

 

Language Arts:

The Language Arts curriculum is a balanced literacy program that develops reading, writing, phonics, spelling, vocabulary, listening, and speaking skills. The Reading program develops strong readers with rich, authentic literature and content-area reading. In addition to the anthologies, students in grades Kindergarten through six also use leveled readers which are collections of diverse fiction and nonfiction texts that provide support as the children build fluency and independence. These books were written on, below, and above level, extending and supporting the themes in the anthologies.  The writing program includes lessons that concentrate on grammar, usage, and mechanics skills, as well as the six traits of writing.


Math:

The Math program at St. John Brebeuf intends to engage students as it strengthens their understanding of Math. The GoMath, enVision 2.0 Math, and Glencoe Math series uses problem-based interactive learning and visual learning to deepen conceptual learning. Students and parents may access the textbook, supporting activities, and practice resources online from home.


Science:

The Science curriculum covers Life Science, Physical Science, Earth Science, and the Human Body. Students acquire the inquiry skills of observing, recording, predicting, and analyzing. Students in sixth, seventh and eighth grades participate in the school Science fair with the first place students having the opportunity to go on to the regional and state Science Fairs through participating in the Junior Academy of Science.


Social Studies:

The Social Studies curriculum progresses at developmentally appropriate stages beginning with students exploring their place in the community and continuing on to learn about the history and government of the United States as well as learning about ancient cultures and history. Students must pass the U.S. and Illinois State constitution tests before graduation as is required by the State of Illinois. 


Music:

Students in Preschool through eighth grades attend Music class. Students learn the components that make music, learn about different types of music and their composers, and have the opportunity to perform. By the time students are in the intermediate grades, they are able to read music. The children in Preschool through fourth grade participate in a Christmas musical, while the fifth through eighth grades perform a Spring Musical.


Art:

Students in Preschool through eighth grade attend Art class. Students learn about the lives and techniques of famous artists, work with a variety of media, and explore their own creativity.


Physical Education:

Students in Preschool through eighth grades attend Physical Education classes. Students perform warm-up exercises; learn the skills necessary for exercise and healthy living as well as the skills for a variety of sports. 


Technology:

Students in Kindergarten through eighth grade have a Chromebook assigned to them to use as an educational tool. They learn to use various programs in their Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc...), Coding, App Development, and participate in learning about internet safety. 


Spanish:

Students in Preschool through eighth grades attend Spanish classes each week. Vocabulary development, as well as the culture and customs of Spanish-speaking countries, are covered throughout the grades. 

 

Click on the link below to view the Archdiocese of Chicago Curriculum Standards


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