CURRICULUM

First grade is a year full of learning and growth accompanied by excitement and fun. Students are engaged in standards-based curriculum across all subject areas while individual learning styles and needs are reached through differentiated instruction. Every year it is a true joy to see how much first graders grow and progress, especially in the areas of reading and writing. Along with the core subject areas, our PeaceBuilders curriculum strives to create a peaceful, productive and safe place for all members of the OLP community. First grade is a year where independence, social skills and responsibility are stressed and foundations are set for upcoming years at Our Lady of Peace.

Religion

OLP’s standards-based religion curriculum is taught throughout grade levels. Within this curriculum, first graders study feasts and seasons, our church community, our loving God, God’s son, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus’ church of followers. Students are involved in school-wide service projects throughout the year and attend monthly all school Mass as a school community.

Language Arts/Reading

A variety of standards-based curriculum is used to cover reading, language, comprehension and writing skills in first grade.  Students study various genres and focus on phonics skills, vocabulary, grammar and comprehension skills through these texts. Spelling skills, including word origins, usage, and spelling patterns, are emphasized.  Students read and progress at varying paces and instruction is guided by authentic assessments throughout the year. Guided reading, fluency assessments, and running records are some examples of such assessments.  STAR Reader and Accelerated Reader allow students to independently read at their own reading levels as well. Writer’s Workshop, focusing on the Six Traits of Writing, allows for individual writing conferences and differentiated writing instruction.

Math

Basic math skills, including number concepts, operations, and addition and subtraction facts are introduced within our standards-based math curriculum. Graphing, geometry, and fractions are also introduced. Students study basic time and money skills as well. Problem-solving is emphasized throughout the year and students learn to approach math concepts in various ways.

Science

First graders are exposed to units within Life, Physical, and Earth science. A favorite unit in first-grade science is always the study of the monarch. Within this life science unit students study the life cycle of the monarch with live monarchs in the classroom. Through a website called Journey, North students have the opportunity to experience a symbolic migration and track the monarch’s migration to and from Mexico. Within life science, students also study animals and their homes, and plants. Physical science in first grade focuses on states of matter and motion and energy.  In earth science, students are introduced to our earth, weather and the sky.

Social Studies

First graders are introduced to basic geography skills as well as basic civics, economics, and history. Units include All About Families, Where We Live, Good Citizens, All Kinds of Jobs and Americans Long Ago. OLP also invites Junior Achievement volunteers into all classrooms, grades K-8.

Second grade is a time of growth and maturity. The children learn to be more responsible and organized in the classroom. They become more independent readers and use their reading skills to learn content in other areas such as social studies, science, and religion. They build on their basic math skills when they are introduced to concepts such as two-digit addition and subtraction. Receiving the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist is something that the children look forward to with excitement. Second graders grow in their friendships and use their PeaceBuilder skills to help make the classroom a wonderful place!

Second Grade Curriculum

Religion

Second grade is an important year in the development of our Catholic faith. We prepare for the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist in the classroom along with participating in parish activities organized by our Director of Religious Education. Second graders learn about the parts of the Mass and the order they follow.

Language Arts

Grammar, spelling, writing, and reading make up the language arts curriculum. We read literature stories along with leveled reading stories each week. Students continue to use the Accelerated Reader program. The Six Traits of Writing are taught to help the children become strong writers.

Math

Second graders practice numbers through 100 using addition and subtraction. We practice graphing, measurement, geometry and fractions.  We learn more about telling time and counting money. Two-digit addition and subtraction are an important part of second-grade math.

Science

Plants and animals are covered in our life science unit. The Earth and space science unit covers the Earth and weather. Matter and motion/energy are covered in the physical science unit. Both a science text and hands-on activities are used in our science curriculum.

Social Studies

Second graders learn about American history and government. We study different types of communities and their characteristics and the responsibilities that go along with being a good citizen. Economics, geography, and map skills are also covered in our curriculum.

With third grade comes exciting learning and growth accompanied by increased responsibility. It is a joy to see third graders grow into responsible students that keep track of assignments and projects using their own assignment planners! Students are engaged in a standards-based curriculum across all subject areas while individual learning styles and needs are reached through differentiated instruction. Along with the core subject areas, our PeaceBuilders curriculum strives to create a peaceful, productive, and safe place for all members of the OLP community. 

Third Grade Curriculum

Religion

Students attend all school masses; learn about prayer, scripture, church community and how the church has a mission to the world. The PeaceBuilders curriculum is taught school-wide.

Language Arts/Reading

Our Lady of Peace believes the study of language arts teaches students how to effectively communicate and how to use related knowledge and contexts to synthesize information in meaningful messages.  A wide variety of formative and summative assessments are used throughout the year and guides instruction.  The Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards in English Language Arts, which use the Common Core State Standards, is the base for our ELA curriculum.  Through the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Journeys textbook the following standards are taught:

• Reading: Literature
  • Key Ideas and Details
  • Craft and Structure
  • Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
  • A range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity
• Reading: Informational Text
  • Key Ideas and Details
  • Craft and Structure
  • Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
  • A range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity
• Writing
  • Text Types and Purposes
  • Writing Process: Production and Distribution of Writing
  • Research to Build and Present Knowledge
  • Range of Writing
• Speaking, Viewing, Listening, and Media Literacy
  • Comprehension and Collaboration
  • Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas
  • Media Literacy
• Reading: Foundational Skills
  • Phonics and Word Recognition
  • Fluency
• Language
  • Conventions of Standard English
  • Knowledge of Language
  • Vocabulary Acquisition and Use

Math

The Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards in Mathematics serves as the base for our math curriculum.  Through the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Expressions textbook the following concepts/skills are taught:

• Compare and represent whole numbers up to 100,000 with an emphasis on place value and equality
• Add and subtract multi-digit whole numbers
• Represent multiplication and division in various ways
• Solve real-world and mathematical problems using arithmetic
• Understand meanings and uses of fractions in real-world and mathematical situations
• Use single-operation input-output rules to represent patterns and relationships and to solve real-world and mathematical problems. 
• Use number sentences involving multiplication and division basic facts and unknowns to represent and solve real-world and mathematical problems
• Create real-world situations corresponding to number sentences
• Use geometric attributes to describe and create shapes in various contexts
• Understand perimeter as a measurable attribute of real-world and mathematical objects
• Use various tools to measure distances
• Use time, money and temperature to solve real-world and mathematical problems
• Collect, organize, display, and interpret data.
• Use labels and a variety of scales and units in displays

Science

The Minnesota Science Standards serve as the base for the science curriculum. In science the students learn about Earth Science; How the Earth Changes, Using Earth’s Resources, Changes in Weather and Planets, Moon and Stars. To wrap up the Planet Unit, the students worked in cooperative groups to create the solar system. In Physical Science, the students learn about Forms of Energy like heat, sound, light, and electricity. To wrap up this unit, the students put together their own battery operated car kit. In Life Science, the students learn about living things and how they grow and change. They also recognize the adaptations that allow organisms to survive in certain environments.

Social Studies

The Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards in Social Studies that define the knowledge and skills that students must achieve in civics and government, economics, geography, and history serve as the base for our social studies curriculum.  The following concepts/skills are taught:

• Geography
  • Describe places in our community, state, and country using maps and location words
  • Create simple maps of our community, state, and country
  • Identify landforms and patterns in the population, and explain why human populations are unevenly distributed around the world.
  • Identify different types of boundaries on a world map and explain why they exist.
• Citizenship and Government
  • Describe how individual rights and democracy shape life in the United States
  • Describe services provided by the government and how we pay for them.
  • Explain why we have three branches of government and what each branch does
• History
  • Compare/contrast the daily lives of people from Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, and Ancient Mali
  • Explain how those three ancient civilizations were influenced by the environment
  • Compare/contrast various ways that different cultures have expressed concepts of time and space
  • Examine historical records and artifacts to answer and explain basic questions about times and events in history
  • Explain how inventions change people’s lives
  • Create timelines to record important historical events
• Economics
  • Costs and benefits
  • Goods and services
  • Producers and consumers
  • Supply and demand

In Middle School Language Arts, there is a strong focus on reading and writing, both in habit and in practice. 

Students are encouraged and expected to implement the 6 + 1 Traits of Writing (Ideas, Organization, Voice, Sentence, Fluency, Word Choice, Conventions, and Presentation) in their own written work across the curriculum. 

Students work toward individual reading goals each quarter based on student’s ability in order to develop the habit of reading. 

Each class reads four class novels from a variety of genres per year with short stories, plays, non-fiction, mythology, and poetry interspersed. 

Cooperative learning and cross-curricular learning experiences with Social Studies, Research and Library Skills, Art, and Health are integrated throughout the curriculum. 

Students participate in National Novel Writing Month in November in order to develop creative writing and typing skills.

Students in Eighth grade produce the yearbook as part of the Language Arts Curriculum. Each student is responsible for designing at least one page for the yearbook, although many choose to do more than one. All designs and layouts are done digitally via an online program. 

5th grade

Adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions/decimals

Reading, writing and evaluating expressions

6th grade (Course 2)

Finding the surface area and volume of shapes

Writing and solving equations

 
7th grade (Pre-Algebra)

Writing and solving multi-step equations and inequalities

Graphing using intercepts and slope

 
8th grade (Algebra)

Solving, graphing, and writing linear equations

Applying Pythagorean Theorem and Distance/Midpoint formulas

Students are required to maintain a graded notebook that includes: vocabulary, complete sentence assigned questions and lecture notes. Corrections/additions are made during class discussions of the material.
 
Labs and Activities are performed to discover, assess and reinforce concepts. The five-step method lab report is used to prepare students for high school science.
 
Cumulative chapter assessments and notebook checks require a parent signature.

Middle School Science Curriculum

Physical Science

The study of Matter/Atoms, Motion/Forces, Work/Energy and Waves - Light/Sound.

Earth Science

The study of our Earth:  Including Earth’s resources, mapping the Earth, shaping the land, weather, and climate.

Life Science

Sixth Grade Social Studies

Minnesota History is the focus of sixth grade Social Studies. The students analyze the change in environment, state government, industrial and economic growth, and animal habitats throughout our state’s history. The students also focus on community development, immigration push and pull factors, juvenile law, and Minnesota’s influence on federal policies. Each sixth grader receives a pass allowing them to attend over twenty Minnesota historical sites free of charge.
 

Seventh Grade Social Studies

The seventh graders study American History in social studies class this year. The time periods studied will be from the turn of the 20th century to present. We will focus on the development of American domestic concerns, America’s foreign policy, American ideology as it has developed throughout its short history and American pop culture during each decade. The students will also look at summaries of the presidents and analyze their position on domestic and foreign affairs.World Geography is the focus for seventh grade social studies. Throughout the year we will be studying countries around the world by looking at their landforms, climate, history, government, economics, traditions, and culture.

The seventh graders participate in History Day each year. The students are able to choose a topic that goes along with the year’s theme to create a website, documentary, performance, exhibit, or a written paper. The students present their projects to a judging panel and can qualify for regional, state, and/or national competitions.
 

Eighth Grade Social Studies

World Geography is the focus for eighth grade social studies. Throughout the year we will be studying countries around the world by looking at their landforms, climate, history, government, economics, traditions, and culture.

The library is blessed to have many, many wonderful books. There are new releases, classics, picture books for everyone, graphic novels, early readers; popular series, non-fiction for all grades and many religious selections. Suggestions for book purchase are always welcome.

The library collection is made possible through two great fund-raising events:

• Barnes and Noble Day
• The Scholastic Book Fair

It is through fund-raising and donations that we are able to keep the library current. 

Students love to come to the library where we are WILD ABOUT READING! Our space is very relaxing and appealing to all our students.

These classes are introduced to library skills through the use of picture books and beginning chapter books. They learn how to select books, how to tell the difference between fiction and non-fiction and about different genres. Students in these grades may check out one book at a time and keep that book for one week.

These classes are introduced to various library skills through the use of a read-a-loud, either picture books or chapter books, and hands-on application. They learn about choosing just right books, how the library is organized, and how to use the library’s online catalog. Students in these grades may check out two books at a time and keep them for one week.

These students build upon skills they have learned in previous years. They will be using their iPads to search the OLP library’s online catalog, learn what resources are available through the local county-based library systems, access and search research databases and online encyclopedias (free resources available to OLP from the state of Minnesota), evaluate websites and use an online citation maker. Students in these grades may check out three books at a time and keep them for two weeks.

Technology at Our Lady of Peace

These students build upon skills they have learned in previous years. They will be using their iPads to search the OLP library’s online catalog, learn what resources are available through the local county-based library systems, access and search research databases and online encyclopedias (free resources available to OLP from the state of Minnesota), evaluate websites and use an online citation maker. Students in these grades may check out three books at a time and keep them for two weeks.

The OLP Technology curriculum is aligned with the McRel standards. Standards are achieved through in-class lessons and activities. In grades K-4, the focus is on mouse basics, computer basics, keyboarding, beginning graphics, visual mapping basics, word processing basics, database basics, computer navigation, spreadsheet basics, graphing in spreadsheets, email basics, presentation basics, web browsing basics, formulas in spreadsheets and database basics. Students also cover a unit on Cyberbullying.

The OLP Technology curriculum is aligned with the McRel standards. Standards are achieved through in-class lessons and activities. In grades 6-8, the focus is on more advanced skills and includes computer fundamentals, word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, web browsing, multimedia, and databases, communicating online and basic HTML. Middle school students also cover a unit on Cyberbullying.

In the music classroom, we learn through modeling, cooperative learning, and sharing. Each of these processes when coupled with our voices, our bodies, props, pitched and non-pitched instruments may look a lot like play. Children learn best in a rich playful environment that does not include performance pressure. Rest assured, you will see and hear what we can do in the Advent Lessons and Carols program and the Spring Concert. We follow the Core Music Standards identified by the National Association for Music Education, therefore achieving the milestones of early childhood music. When it comes right down to it, we really just like to sing, move, play, and have fun doing it!

The OLP music curriculum is based on 4 thematic units. This year the units are 4 areas of music:

1. World Cultural Music: Focusing on music from cultures and parts of the world that students might not have been exposed to, including Indian, Latino, African, Asian, and Native American music
2. Western Folk Music: Focusing on folk music from mainly England and the U.S. from past and present, focusing on prolific folk figures in history.
3. Western Classical Music: Focusing on form and vocabulary, teaching students to appreciate a style of music that can seem inaccessible and emotionless.
4. Jazz: Exposing students to the forms and styles of jazz such as Latin, free jazz, swing, bop, ballads, and more, with a huge focus on improvisation.

• Develop music reading and writing skills
• Develop ear training and performance skills
• Widen students’ appreciation for different styles and cultures of music
• Inspire a love of music and share with the students the joy that can come with making music together

1. Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
2. Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
3. Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments.
4. Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines.
5. Reading and notating music.
6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music.
7. Evaluating music and music performances.
8. Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts.
9. Understanding music in relation to history and culture.

We are an active, energetic community. Physical Education at Our Lady of Peace helps us focus our energy.

Our Lady of Peace Physical Education curriculum provides a wide range of opportunities for every student to participate in activities which encourage learning to move in addition to learning through movement. These experiences result in understanding concepts of cooperation, fair play, and lifelong health-related fitness and wellness through enjoyable physical activity.

In grades five through eight the students will refine their motor skills specifically as they relate to team sports, individual sports, tumbling, rhythms, and physical fitness activities. Students are encouraged to appreciate the benefits of play and develop positive attitudes and behaviors that encourage a physically active and healthy lifestyle.

Seventh & Eighth Grade Health

The students will focus on life skills and activities that will increase their understanding of health concepts.

• 9 Life Skills are developed throughout the program with an added emphasis on decision making and refusal skills
• Real life examples and hands-on activities keep students interested, dispel misconceptions and encourage active learning
• Cross-curricular learning experiences with language arts
• Writing skills are developed through essays and problem-solving assignments

The focus will be to help them develop their listening and pronunciation skills, in preparation for reading and writing, as they grow. Music, stories, games, simple worksheets and activities  “plant the seeds” for the love of the Spanish language. 

The third and fourth graders begin with a review of previous learning, with the addition of verb conjugation and basic articles and nouns. Special projects are also included, to better our understanding of life in Spanish speaking countries.

In fifth through eighth grade, students study regular and irregular verb conjugations, learn how to express basic needs, give and follow directions, use good sentence construction, broaden vocabulary and complete various projects. There is an emphasis on the cultures of the native Spanish speakers. The students have ample opportunities to put into practice their vocabulary and grammar skills in real life “Situaciones”, impromptu skits that foster good communication in the Spanish language.
 
At all levels, the goal is to encounter a love for the Spanish language, its people, and traditions, with the hope for further study in high school.