Nativity Elementary School welcomes
the
Kindergartners, the youngest members of our student community, into a
stimulating, nurturing environment that begins to lay the foundation
for later
successes and challenges. The
elementary curriculum hones the children’s listening and direction
following
skills, and encourages independent thinking and problem solving. Class activities celebrate each child’s
uniqueness and creativity and build wholesome attitudes toward oneself. The children are taught that they are an
important part of a larger community and are gently guided toward
positive
social and moral behaviors.
The all-day
Kindergarten program devotes its day to the Core Curriculum, which
includes
art, music, Spanish, computers, and physical education. After
lunch recess, there is a well-deserved
rest period before the afternoon session begins.
The
academic plan for grades 1-5 focuses on building a strong foundation
for
achievement based on the Core Curriculum subject areas of religion,
mathematics, reading, science, language arts, spelling, and social
studies. In addition, children receive
instruction in art, music, Spanish, computers, penmanship, and physical
education.
The
cornerstone of religious education at Nativity School is simple: to know and love the Lord, and the Golden
Rule. The children are instructed in
their Christian faith through prayer, knowledge of and preparation for
the
Sacraments, and participation in liturgical celebrations.
Fostered in each student is respect and
esteem for self and others, and a sense of responsibility and
compassion
towards the needs of others.
The math
curriculum begins with teaching the basic relationships and simple
classifying
skills needed to instill interest, confidence, and understanding that
are the
basis of competence in mathematics. The
approach advances the mastery of mathematical concepts and stresses the
importance of adeptness at their application.
Language
arts develops reading, speaking, and writing skills as the children
explore
ideas, themes, and values. A high level
of proficiency in creative writing and composition is expected from the
students.
Nativity
uses a phonetic approach in reading and teaches decoding skills in
order to
give the children independence as early as possible.
The method incorporates language and
vocabulary development with
spelling, grammar, comprehension and literature enrichment. Attention to developing conscientious
penmanship habits complements the entire process.
The science
curriculum for the elementary school centers around an integrated
program of
modules, through which the unifying concepts of physical, earth and
life
science, health and the human body, technology in society, and the
scientific
process are detailed. Hands-on
experimentation in Nativity’s science lab begins in grade 5 and
emphasizes the
major themes of chemical, physical and biological energy, those systems
and
their interactions. Scientific inquiry
and critical discernment skills learned in the science program are
applicable
to a wide range of subject areas.
Social
studies begins by emphasizing the role that students play as a member
of their
community and their society at-large. It
quickly expands to the study of both modern
and ancient societies,
understanding their importance, and how these societies impact their
lives
today.
Music meets
two times per week with the objective to develop musical sensitivity
and
literacy in children through a variety of hands-on musical experiences,
and to
nurture a lifelong love of music.
The goal of
computer instruction at the initial elementary level is to teach
keyboarding
skills in the well-equipped computer lab. As
the students become more familiar with the
computer, and as they
develop their writing skills in their study of language arts the
student begins
to use the computer as an important tool for researching and producing
written
projects in a variety of subject areas.
Nativity
views physical fitness as essential to a child’s mental and emotional
well
being and growth. Our P.E. instructor
devises a physical education program which helps students master basic
motor
skills as they learn a new sport each month, improve their
coordination, and
increase physical strength by means of appropriate exercise. The value of cooperation and sportsmanship
in organized and spontaneous play is stressed.
Off-campus
field trips provide enrichment and are a fun and exciting adjunct to
classroom
instruction, enjoyed by both students and parents alike.
Classes have visited various theater
productions, missions, art and science museums, NASA/Ames, San
Francisco
Symphony, the zoo, recycling plant, local farms, and much more.
The
Nativity elementary student is singularly prepared for the rigorous
challenges
of our middle school. The children are
taught invaluable communication skills necessary for problem solving
and
conflict resolution. They gain respect
for themselves as they find alternatives to problems and greater
appreciation
for the viewpoints of others. In all
academic subjects, emphasis is placed on critical thinking and learning
how
making connections imparts a richer understanding of a concept or idea. The development of good, independent study
habits is promoted. Nativity Elementary
School cultivates a life-long excitement and natural curiosity for
learning in
a positive, loving atmosphere of dedicated attention to individual
student’s
needs.
