Intermediate

St. Theresa’s Catholic School’s intermediate elementary plays an important role in fostering independence, self-movitation, and student self-organization.  At the intermediate level, teachers share academic instruction and are compartmentalized by specific content. 
 

3rd Grade

Curriculum
ELA
Open Court is used as a means to achieve student literacy success. This resource is used for phonics, spelling, vocabulary, reading, writing, and inquiry/research instruction. In addition, Simple Solutions is used for grammar to and Zaner-Bloser for handwriting/cursive. Several novel studies are also completed throughout the year.

Math
Texas GoMath is used for mathematics instruction. In an effort to meet the needs of each and every student, the third-grade math curriculum is differentiated. Enrichment is offered with each module based on pre-test scores.

Social Studies
My World Social Studies from Pearson is used for Social Studies instruction. Students learn about building our communities through topics include map skills, our environment, U.S. government, a growing nation, celebrating our communities and more.

Science
Our Science curriculum is through Pearson. We use that to guide our classroom instruction, while incorporating hands-on activities and STEM. Students will get the opportunity to explore the world around us through a variety of activities and experiences.

Religion
Alive in Christ is the curriculum used.  Students learn about God’s creation, the Trinity, The Good News, Morality, the Sacraments, and more. 

Instruction 
Third grade is full of collaboration, discovery, kindness, and faith. Instruction is provided through whole class, small group, partner, and individual lessons. We create a classroom atmosphere where students can meet their full potential.

Unique to 3rd Grade at STCS

• Students experience three exclusive field trips
• Variety of flexible seating materials
• “Gumball math” computation tests for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
• Completion of classroom town to learn economics
• Differentiated language arts and mathematics centers
• Mathematics enrichment available for every module
• Participation in school-wide service projects and class specific service projects

Curriculum
4th grade curriculum follows the State of Texas standards (TEKS) guidelines and Diocesan standards and objectives for religion. 4th grade focuses on meeting every child where they’re at through differentiated instruction.

The fourth grade curriculum has a foundational beginning with the Grade 4 Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and is enhanced through curriculum resources to address content knowledge and achieve student literacy success. Core content knowledge in fourth grade focuses on, but is not limited to:

Instruction
Fourth grade students receive both whole-group instruction and instruction in differentiated small groups. Teachers help students grow spiritually, emotionally organizationally, as well as academically.

Unique to 4th Grade 

• Classes rotate between teachers for specialized instruction in ELAR and Social Studies, and Math and Science
• Religion is taught daily and students participate in weekly Mass with the entire school
• Weekly classes in Art, Music, Theatre Arts, P.E., Spanish, Computer, and Music
• First time to be an older buddy/paired with a Pre-K4 child
• Texas History Musical
• Texas History Field trips to the State Capitol, Bob Bullock, Alamo
• Lots of experiments and hands on activities in STEM based science class
• Shakespeare in the Park
• Hands on and conceptual strategies for math - differentiation in math
• Parent Support for visual and conceptual math strategies - Parent Math Meetings )math teacher explains how upcoming topics will be taught)
• Prayer journals and Bible Timeline in religion class
• Differentiated workstations in language arts
• Dedicated service projects

Curriculum 

ELAR
The language arts curriculum is an integrated program of Reading, Vocabulary, Writing, English Grammar, Spelling and Word Analysis.

The reading program develops comprehension skills, vocabulary proficiency, and a love of reading. The Open Court structured reader system, coupled with the study of selected novels, Storyworks Magazine, and student self-selected reading provides reinforcement, practice and enrichment of skills. Students apply their knowledge in all areas of the curriculum from textbooks to research materials.

Students develop the ability to communicate both orally and in writing using a variety of approaches at each grade level.  Students experience writing through journals, reading reflections, several forms of essays, research reports and presentations, and content area writing. The students have access to a variety of information sources, including the internet, when preparing their writing projects.

Student achievement is frequently assessed in a variety of ways, and instruction is tailored to meet the students’ needs as indicated.

Social Studies
The social studies curriculum conveys a body of knowledge that integrates American History, with economics, geography, civics, culture, and current events. The curriculum equips students with specific skills that will help them become informed and involved citizens as well as to further their language arts and research skills.

Math
Math curriculum includes computation with whole numbers, fractions, and decimals, algebraic thinking (including graphing simple equations), and geometry (including classifying shapes into sets and subsets. Students apply their math skills to several in-class problem solving projects in the spring. Math is differentiated through stations throughout the year.  

STEM
STEM is a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics integrated curriculum that provides opportunities for students to investigate through hands-on activities and experience how science is used in the real world. Technology, including computer science, is integrated throughout the STEM curriculum with the use of interactive learning. Reading and writing skills are reinforced and extended in this content area for application of scientific skills and theory.

Study Skills
This fifth grade focuses on the transition to middle school by helping to develop effective study skills in students. Students are given introduction for managing time, being organized, taking notes and preparing for tests. Students learn to assess their personal study habits and establish a strong foundation for independent learning.

Religion
The religion textbook used in grade 5 is The Spirit of Truth.  The textbook emphasizes the development and understanding of Catholic Christian values based on aligned Diocese Standards.  Most of all, Spirit of Truth helps young people integrate what they learn into their daily lives so they can become the saints God is calling them to be.

Instruction
Fifth grade students receive instruction in large and small groups as well as individually to meet the differences in students’ learning styles as well as educational and developmental needs.

Unique to 5th Grade

• Religion is taught 4 times per week in addition to Mass attendance
• Participation in school-wide service projects and class specific service projects
• Weekly special classes: Art, Music, Theatre Arts, Technology, P.E., and Spanish
• Students participate in two (2) curriculum based field trips per year
• Differentiation, games, and projects in math
• Parent Support for visual and conceptual math strategies - Parent Math Meetings (math teacher explains how upcoming topics will be taught)
• Fifth graders participate in a variety of team sports