Primary (K-2)
Our Approach
Our students in grades K-2 receive human and academic formation that serves to build the foundation where further learning and growth take place in later grades. A prime initiative at St. Vincent de Paul School involves the early identification and remediation of language-based learning differences to help students achieve grade level or above by the end of 3rd grade through our Response to Intervention Program
Curriculum
Core curriculum of Theology, Language Arts/Reading, Math, History and Science are enriched by the typical special classes of Music, Art, PE, Spanish and Technology. These are further deepened with the addition of co-curricular programs including Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Response to Intervention in Reading, Field Trips, and Serving our Neighbors, Parishioners, and Peers in Africa through St. Vincent de Paul Serves.
Kindergarten
-
Math: Number sense, addition and subtraction operations, measurement, geometry (shape identification), construct pictographs and record data
-
Reading: Building phonological awareness & knowledge of story and author
-
History: The Cradle of Civilization (Mesopotamia, Canaanites, Egypt)
-
Science: Identification of the 4 seasons, living vs. nonliving things, physical properties and change
-
Service: Serve our neighbors by making a craft twice a year to say “thank you”
-
Theology: Participate in Catechism of the Good Shepherd presentation in the Atrium every week
Catholic Faith Formation
Starting in Kindergarten students learn that they are beloved sons and daughters of God and that He offers them a relationship especially through his Son Jesus. With guidance from their parents and teachers, the children learn to recognize what is good, true and beautiful and choose to practice and grow in the virtues according to their developmental level. During these years, they are given opportunities to grow in prayer and their relationship with God. By 2nd grade, the students have the opportunity to be prepared for 1st Reconciliation.
Curriculum Focus & Special Projects
All students in grades K-2nd have the opportunity to participate in hands-on learning opportunities
and contribute to the world around them.
1st Grade
-
Math: build on addition and subtraction operations by learning the properties of addition, begin to identify time and money, lay the foundations of algebraic thinking
-
Reading: Solidify phonological awareness skills, by isolating and pronouncing the initial, medial vowel, and final phonemes (sounds) in three phoneme (CVC) words. Demonstrate mastery in blending and segmenting words into their individual phonemes by the end of first grade.
-
History: The Greek Year (Stories of Ancient Greece, Pursuit of Knowledge in Ancient Greece, Democracy in Ancient Greece)
-
Science: Earth’s surface, Living things, Introduction to Matter
-
Service: Write birthday cards for our parish seniors for every month of the year. Work with their fifth grade buddies to create beautiful centerpieces for the Denver Rescue Mission’s Thanksgiving dinner for Denver’s homeless population
-
Theology: Bible stories and Saint stories, The Holy Trinity, reverence at Mass, The Sacrament of Baptism
2nd Grade
-
Math: Expand knowledge of number sense (odd and even, begin rounding, ordering, skip counting, etc), begin multiplication and division operations, introduction to identifying fractions, construct and interpret various types of graphs
-
Reading: Demonstrate understanding of multisyllabic words and their parts orally, engage in meaningful practice (reading, writing, speaking) for learned phonics rules and word patterns. Learn alphabetical order.
-
History: The Roman Year (Roman Republic and Empire, Roman Empire in relation to Judaism and Christianity, Fall of Rome/Rise of the Church)
-
Science: Earth, Moon, and Sun, Introduction to the Human Body, Forces
-
Service: Makes prayer bracelets and participates in “Walking to the Well” service project in partnership with the O’Brien School for the Massai
-
Theology: Prepares for and receives their 1st Reconciliation, 10 Commandments, respect for parents and others in authority