Curriculum

St. Gregory School continues to offer a strong, traditional curriculum with focus on the Catholic faith and academic excellence. Our curriculum meets all the requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Education and aligns with Diocesan Standards.

Because of the integration of Gospel values within the Curriculum, the faculty and staff fulfill the mission "To Teach as Jesus Did”. Children discover their unique gifted-ness and personal dignity by working within a Christ-centered community. This holistic development within a Catholic atmosphere helps to provide the children with an edge in combating the impact of the materialistic world.

Religion

The 2017 edition of Spirit of Truth for grades K-7 maintains the tradition of teaching and reaching God’s children. Published by The Sophia Institute, Spirit of Truth continues to provide the thorough foundation of our Catholic faith for which the series has been known. View more information on the Spirit of Truth curriculum.

All teachers are certified through special Diocesan courses to teach religion. In addition, the principal teaches 8th grade. Our 8th grades prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation using books published by Sadlier and Dynamic Catholic.

Language Arts

The language arts curriculum guidelines coupled with a motivated and creative teacher will enable each student to progress to their potential in learning the life-long skills of reading, English, handwriting and spelling. The use of a language arts block allows for flexibility in scheduling to meet the needs of each child. This language arts block together with integrated texts will assure that the children are learning not only skills, but the application of those skills in daily life situations.

© 1999 “Letter People” program is used for Kindergarten, as well as, Scott Foresman Reading Streets©. Grades 1 - 6 also use the 2011 Scott Foresman Reading Streets©. This is an all-new comprehensive Reading and Language Arts series for the 21st Century. Reading Street delivers classic and soon-to-be classic literature, scientifically research-based instruction, and a wealth of groundbreaking online experiences for high student engagement. My Teaching Library takes the guesswork out of Response to Intervention with a strong core emphasis on ongoing progress-monitoring and an explicit plan for managing small groups of students. The architecture of Understanding by Design accelerates all learners toward greater proficiency with a sustained Unit focus on concepts and language. View more information on Scott Foresman Reading Streets.

7th grade and 8th grade use the Pearson Prentice Hall Literature series. According to the Pearson school website, “Success begins with the unique organization of the program that allows skills and concepts to be taught to mastery through an innovative approach of grouping content thematically, by skill focus, and genre. Complete coverage of standards has been incorporated into an effective and manageable teaching plan for teachers. Highly engaging visuals and contemporary lesson designs have been carefully crafted into the program to ensure students will be easily engaged and stay highly motivated as they experience outstanding literature, poetry, and contemporary media.” These two grades also use Glencoe © 2001 “Writer’s Choice Grammar & Composition”.

In addition to these basic texts, each teacher makes use of many supplemental materials in each language arts class.

Mathematics

Pearson © 2013 "EnVision Mathematics” offers active learning involving problem solving and connections to daily life for students in grades K-6. This curriculum presents opportunities for students to use math skills in everyday situations. This subject range permeates problem solving in real life situations. Supplementary materials include problem solving computer software, calculators, math games and manipulatives. “McGraw-Hill School Education ” © 2014 is used in grade 7 as a transition from mathematics to pre-algebra. Glencoe “Pre-Algebra” and “Algebra” © 2014 are used in grades 7 and 8. These programs highlight applications and integrate statistics, probability and geometry. View more information on Pearson Math Programs.

Science

The science curriculum encompasses concept formation and processes expressed in behavioral objectives. The teacher permeates content and process with Christian values. The primary goal of this subject is to have students realize the sacredness of life, the establishment of peace in the world, the never ending work for justice and the responsibility to be co-creators in the continuing progress of our lives. Students are encouraged to construct science concepts for themselves through inquiry and investigation. Experiments are a part of the curriculum at all grade levels giving students a chance to plan, conduct, write conclusions and share knowledge on experiments. The new science lab, opened in April of 2006, is available for every class to use for a lab period once a week.

Health classes are also included as part of the science curriculum at every grade level.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt © 2014 is used by the middle school students in grades 6 through 8. The series is entitled “Science Fusion”. View more information on Science Fusion.

Scott Foresman Science © 2006 is used for grades 3-5. This includes all activity kits containing the materials needed for all experiments mentioned in the textbooks. Macmillan/McGraw Hill © 2000 science series is used in Grades K- 2. Additional material is obtained for grades K through 2 by use of the Weekly Reader magazine which provides both science and social studies topics.

Meeks Heit © 1999 “Totally Awesome Health” is used in grades 3-8 for Health classes. Scholastic © 1994 “You and Your Body” is used in grades 1 and 2.

Social Studies

McGraw HIll Discovering Our Past: A History of the United States © 2018 is used in grade 8. This program depicts the history of the United States from the post Civil War era to today. Primary source documents are integrated with an inspiring narrative that brings the students an up close view of the events that have shaped their lives. View more information on Discovering Our Past.

Pearson “MyWorld” is the present textbook for grades 4- 7. View more information on myWorld.

All these series provide an interesting view of history through the discussion of decisions, their historical consequences and the use of biographical materials and debates. Geography is integrated into the story of history and consistent references are made to maps, graphs, diagrams and globes. A strong patriotism is emphasized with inspiring stories of citizens who have made a difference. These series also show multicultural connections with stories about men, women and children from all regions and cultures.

Art

The art curriculum is a branch of the finer arts in which learning overlaps in a number of goals. These objectives include the study of graphic arts, drawing, painting, clay modeling, and studying the works of outstanding artists.

Skills acquired by experience, study, and/or observation of this media reinforce the beauty and creativity of the Master Artist, God, the Creator of all people.

Music

The music media is one of the finer arts that uses a variety of tools to develop the sophisticated concepts and understandings of the world of music. The purpose of this series is not only to deepen a love for the beauty of music, but also to provide opportunities for creative experiences and appreciation, curriculum correlation, and informational backgrounds of outstanding composers.

Grades 4-8 have the opportunity to participate in band and are given weekly instruction. The band instructor is hired through the Diocese of Pittsburgh and teaches at several Catholic schools in the Diocese. The band has two performances per year for the school and for the parents. Grades 2-8 attend a weekly class on liturgy based music. Students in grades 4-8 are offered a chance to participate in the choir and to sing at weekend liturgies in Church.

Computer

Computer classes prepare our students to live in a world dependent on technology and computer literacy. With this objective in mind, the overall planning generated by the principal and staff members includes the use of the computer as:

• a tool for developing general thinking and problem solving (computer based instruction)
• a tool for teaching various subject areas (computer based instruction)
• a tool to record instruction results, to diagnose that activity, and to prescribe instruction (computer managed instruction)
• a tool to be used as a subject area in itself (computer science)
• a tool to be used in writing skills (word processing)

The recently completed elementary computer guidelines from the Diocese of Pittsburgh are implemented in our school. An updated computer lab is available to all students weekly. Additionally, students in grades 7 and 8 have computer programming class every week.

Foreign Language

Children in grades K-5 are given an introduction to Spanish. During these classes the children learn simple conversations as well as prayers and a long list of sight words that will provide a good foundation for the future of a foreign language. Wright Group © 2001 Espanol para ti is used with students in grades K-5 while students in grades 6-8 use Scott Foresman ©1999 “Paso A Paso”. This is a two (2) part series which divides material into small chunks of learning and offers many projects and group activities. The use of video materials gives the children an opportunity to learn about the cultural background of people in Spanish speaking countries.

Physical Education

Experience proves that a gym program of movement abilities and activities helps young children learn to use their bodies more efficiently and effectively. Our program not only enhances motor perceptual abilities through diagnostic and instructional help, but also builds in other areas of team play that go far beyond the playground. The health issues taught in science classes as well as good eating habits are also reinforced during physical education time. With the opening of the new gymnasium in April of 2006, the physical education program is being expanded to include more games and more movement with the additional space.

Library

All students in grades K-6 have a weekly library period. Books of interest may be borrowed on a weekly basis. Books must be returned on or before the due date. All books should be placed in the crate provided in each room. If a book is lost, then the child is responsible for the cost of a new book. Children also have an opportunity to use the reference section of the library for research assignments and/or school projects.