Curriculum

Going Beyond The Basics 

Grades 1-4
In the first through fourth grades at Good Shepherd School, we recognize the uniqueness of individuals and help them develop to their fullest potential.  We aim to provide a positive atmosphere in which students can develop a sense of self-worth and a love of learning.

Various teaching strategies, such as large- and small-group instruction, cooperative learning, team teaching and individual instruction, are used to help meet our goals.  These strategies accommodate the individual needs of students and enhance their learning, while allowing teachers to utilize their own strengths.  Teachers at this level also work together to provide a continuous curriculum that builds on the students’ knowledge from year to year.

		Teachers Are Saying... “We strive to provide students with a strong academic foundation and a ‘real’ love of learning.  Beyond that we work to foster within each child an appreciation and acceptance of the unique differences of each person that makes them a special and important part of God’s creation.”  Amy Halstrom and Gloria Tri, Grade 6 teachers

Grades 5 and 6
The fifth and sixth grades at Good Shepherd School follow a middle-school philosophy, which promotes individual talents and uniqueness. 

This philosophy centers around the development of responsibility and leadership in preparation for junior high.  Individual student needs are met through a homeroom base, which builds a positive relationship with classmates and the teacher.

Teaching strategies include:  whole group instruction using a child-centered approach, cooperative learning, flexible scheduling accentuating teaching strengths and interests and team teaching.

In the age of information, we feel that it is vitally important for middle grade students to be computer literate.  Therefore, computers will be an integral part of our program.

P.S.  We’ll have fun too!

Educating The Whole Child
Although we have a strong emphasis on the basics, we go beyond the 3r’s and include classes that help round out the whole child.

Religion
Good Shepherd School is committed to a Christian environment of values and positive regard for all individuals.  We believe that religion is an all-day process, and it is incorporated into each aspect of the educational program.  Our classes focus on what Catholics believe, how they live and how they worship.  Students are also taught a concern for community by such things as daily petitions, food and toy collections and other service projects.  Sacramental preparation is included in the core curriculum.

Reading
Our goal is to get students reading literature that motivates and stimulates, thrills and enchants, and develops the skills and strategies that students need to become successful independent readers.  At all levels, students are encouraged to think about and respond to what they are reading.  Reading and writing become mutually supportive as students learn to think abut their writing through prewriting activities, drafting, conferencing and revising.

Mathematics
Our math classes are based on the philosophy of connecting the concrete with the symbolic and abstract.  Students learn the relevance of math concepts by connecting these concepts to the real world and explaining the relationship with other math concepts.  The program strives to build the wide range of skills and strategies that students need to become critical thinkers and effective problem solvers.

Social Studies
The social studies program aims to help children acquire the skills, knowledge and understanding they need to function as concerned and involved members of our society.  The program includes a study of families, neighborhoods, communities, our country, and the whole world, as well as their relationship with each other.  It emphasizes the major social studies disciplines, such as geography, history, government/citizenship, economics and sociology.  Students are also taught map- and chart-reading, problem solving, communicating, researching, sequencing and decision-making skills.

Science
Our science program provides a solid, well-balanced foundation of science concepts based on four major areas:  life science, physical science, earth science and the human body.  Motivation of students is built into every lesson, and concepts are made easy to understand by relating them to students’ prior knowledge and experiences.  The program develops and reinforces a wide range of skills by promoting student interaction through observations, experiments, critical thinking and decision making.

Spanish
Good Shepherd School recognizes that a second language is becoming a necessity for a child’s long-term academic success.  Since it is proven that children learn languages best when the learning begins before fourth grade, all students at Good Shepherd School have Spanish classes two times a week.  Students learn to listen, comprehend, speak, read, write as well as explore cultural similarities and differences.

Music
There is a place in the music world for each student at Good Shepherd School.  Our music curriculum is offered to grades K-6, with an emphasis on music appreciation.  Tolerance of new musical forms is emphasized.  Grades 4-6 have a combined choir that performs at least two times a year in conjunction with grades K-3.  A musical movement program combining music and physical education is offered weekly.  Students in grades 4-6 have the opportunity to participate in band.  Semi-private lessons are given and the band practices weekly with performances twice a year.

Physical Education
Classes are conducted by a specialist.  Classes are held twice a week for kindergartners and three times a week for grades 1-6.  At the primary level, emphasis is placed on fundamental motor skills and physical fitness.  At the intermediate level, fundamental skills and physical fitness are still a part of the program, but sports skills and competition are introduced.

		Parents Are Saying... “We trust Good Shepherd School to educate our children in all aspects of their development.”  Tim and Diane Keefe, Parent

Computer Lab
Computer literacy is a vital part of any child’s education.  Our students receive formal instruction in the computer lab on a weekly basis.   Computers an integral part of the scheduled curriculum to ensure that our students are prepared for the technology they will encounter in junior high and beyond.

Helping Students with Special Needs
The staff of Good Shepherd School is committed to helping each child to be as successful as possible. The teachers are interested in challenging students with high academic abilities. Teachers work with parents, special education staff (public schools are required by law to provide services to students in private schools who qualify for those services), and the on-site special education coordinator to help students with special needs. 

Students in first through third grade who find reading and spelling a challenge are provided with small-group, multi-sensory, individualized, sequenced, direct instruction. (This Orton-Gillingham instruction has a national reputation for success with the International Dyslexia Association.)  This early intervention produces great results for our students!

 In fourth grade there is small-group instruction for students who need extra help with their writing skills.  We also have parent volunteers who work in the Learning Center with students in small groups or one-to-one.  (The learning activities are planned by the classroom teacher.)

A school psychologist is available to evaluate our students’ needs and to work with students and/or parents. We also have a part-time school counselor who works with individual students and also with small groups of students to help them to learn good social skills.

Discipline Program
Good Shepherd School’s discipline program is based on a cooperative discipline theory.  We believe that each student is a precious gift of God, and as such, deserves our love, respect and encouragement in reaching his or her full potential.

Each student is expected to contribute to a cooperative classroom atmosphere by following rules established by the students and teachers.  Rewards and consequences are chosen by individual teachers.  While rules, rewards and consequences may vary from room to room, all are in accordance with Good Shepherd School’s philosophy, and each student is clearly shown what will be expected.