Curriculum & Methods



The curriculum of St. Augustine of Canterbury School follows the mandates of the Diocese of Metuchen and adheres to New Jersey’s core standards.

Our school is divided into the following units: Pre-Kindergarten; Kindergarten-Second; Third-Fifth; and Sixth-Eighth. The Elementary School (K-5) is self-contained (some interchanging of Social Studies, Science and Language Arts classes); while our Middle School (6-8) is departmentalized.

The Faculty utilizes various strategies to teach students of all ability levels and we ensure continuity from one grade level to the next. To help further diversity teaching techniques and implement curriculum guidelines, the faculty participates in in-service workshops and professional days. You can learn more about the curriculum through the: Diocese of Metuchen's website and the Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools website.

Religion

Our students follow the charism of the Religious Teachers Filippini. They take an active role in school liturgies as lectors, altar servers, gift bearers, etc. The students learn and practice their Catholic faith through interaction with other students, and the faculty and staff. Religion classes are required for each student, and our Catholic faith is an integral part of the curriculum at every grade level. Sacramental preparation; prayers, Bible study, and traditions of the Catholic faith are a few areas of study. Our faith is lived through the interactions of one another. The Family Life education program is an integral part of the religious education curriculum and is mandated by the Bishop for all Catholic Elementary Schools.

Diocese of Metuchen Elementary Religion Curriculum Guidelines (Pre-K to Grade 8)

Math

Our school provides instruction in Mathematics within a supportive learning environment; the teachers present math concepts and practice math-related skills with a focus on the acquisition and mastery of basic skills, and integrate the use of technology beginning in Pre-Kindergarten through grade eight. Recognizing the importance of learning along a continuum, the faculty implements group activities using manipulatives. The use of real-life experiences and authentic assessments in the math curriculum provides opportunities for problem solving, logical reasoning, and critical thinking. Math journaling enables Language Arts to be integrated into the subject. In grades six through eighth Advanced Math is offered to students that have exhibited an aptitude in this subject and are given the opportunity to take Algebra I in eighth grade.

Language Arts/Reading

Language Arts is a comprehensive program that integrates reading, grammar, spelling, penmanship, vocabulary, journaling and oral presentations. Language Arts is used across the curriculum at every grade level. Our program strives to instill a love of reading and develop writing skills from journaling to editing through publishing. All the major types of writing styles are taught; Narrative, Persuasive, Cause/Effect, Expository and Descriptive. Creative multimedia projects support and reinforce language arts skills. Oral presentations begin in Pre-Kindergarten with Show and Tell to more formal presentations required at the higher-grade levels.

Science

Our students study Life Science, Earth Science, and Physical Science throughout all grade levels. Through experimentation, our students use scientific inquiry and the scientific method to make observations and inferences. Students recognize relationships, predict outcomes, use variables, interpret data, draw conclusions and record them. Language Arts is integrated into Science through journaling, lab reports and research paper/projects in the upper grades. All grade levels have the opportunity to use our well-equipped state-of-the-art science laboratory.

Social Studies

The study of families and neighborhoods. is introduced in the primary grades. It later expands to include the study of local, state, and national communities. In grades five and six the focus is on the study of the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. In grades seven and eight emphasis is placed on learning about the history of the United States. Map skills, current events and good citizenship are introduced in Pre-Kindergarten and are developed throughout each grade level.

Physical Education

The Physical Education Program strives to enhance individual and team skills as well as each student’s level of physical fitness through a variety of age-appropriate sports and activities. Personal responsibility for fitness and individual skill development is encouraged in every student. Health education is incorporated into our program, including such topics as nutrition, CPR, first aid, and drug awareness.

Art

In the primary grades, various art supplies are used as well as different techniques to create works of art. In grades six through eight the curriculum further develops creative techniques; art media and creative self-expression. The study of various artists, their styles and techniques, are explored through Art History.

Technology

Our technology curriculum is integrated into our students’ entire educational experience. They learn to use a variety of applications, educationally designed software, and online learning tools that creates an avenue for collaborative learning. and Interactive WhiteBoards have enhanced the curriculum through interactive learning as well as the addition of mobile computing using laptops and Netbooks. Video conference has also been added as a way for the students to learn beyond the walls of the classroom by talking to authors, education-content providers such as NASA and museums throughout the country and classrooms throughout the world.

Library

Kindergarten through fifth grade visit our fully automated library once each week. Kindergarten classes learn library etiquette, caring for, and appreciating books as well as listening skills, while cultivating a love of reading. In first and second grade, borrowing books is introduced as well as responsibility for returning them on time. Second graders use the library computer system to look up books by title, author or subject. In third grade, the Dewey Decimal system is introduced. In fourth and fifth grades, the students learn the Dewey Decimal System in depth and know how to navigate by using the computer system. Sixth, seventh and eight graders may visit the library before or after school to borrow a book or use the computers to do research when supervision is available.

Music

Music classes are offered in grades Kindergarten through grade five. The students are taught the basics of note reading and the music for liturgies. The students learn rhythms through clapping, singing and/or playing instruments. Some skills learned are simple notations that include pitch, rhythm, dynamics, and tempo. Students vocalize the "home tone" of familiar and unfamiliar songs, and demonstrate appropriate posture and breathing techniques while performing songs, rounds, or canons in unison with a partner.

World Language

A world language is introduced to all students in grades three thru six and is further developed thru grade eight with an emphasis on basic grammar and culture. World language is taught for the purpose of communication and heightening students’ linguistic and cultural awareness of their local, state, and world community.


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