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Preschool
Children
have their own growth rate and learning patterns as they enter
school for the first time.
Through
the medium of play children explore and experiment their way to
develop creative thinking and problem-solving skills. Our
classroom is one where curiosity and wonder stimulate an
eagerness for learning and social interaction.
Our
curriculum fosters total development: physical, emotional,
social, and mental.
Within
the regular classroom students participate in early reading
skills, math, science, religion, art and physical play stressing
fine and gross motor skills. Our preschool students also
receive instruction from our enrichment teachers including,
Spanish, music, art, physical education, computer and library. \
A
major focus is on teaching the children to get along with love
and respect for themselves and others.
Pre-Kindergarten
Pre-Kindergarten
children are curious and eager to learn. They are ready to
absorb knowledge and develop a love of learning.
In
the classroom, students are involved in a wide range of
curriculum areas: phonics, math, literature, writing, reading,
science, social studies, handwriting, art, music, physical
education, technology, Spanish and social skills.
Teaching methods include a balance of direct instruction
with center and play-based learning.
Pre-Kindergarten students enjoy outdoor recess at least
once per day.
Report
cards and progress reports are each sent home quarterly.
The goal is for every child to become an active,
successful learner, well prepared for the next big step �
kindergarten.
Kindergarten
 Kindergarten
is the springboard for a child�s school career. This is
where students become more independent and responsible for
managing their materials and work in the classroom. This,
too, is where the children continue to work on social skills.
In
kindergarten the children build on the foundation laid in
pre-kindergarten to begin reading. Students study
language arts, math, science, and social studies. All
subjects are presented in a variety of methods utilizing direct
instruction, modeling, manipulatives, center-based learning, and
self-directed study.
Kindergarten
has a full day including enrichment classes in Spanish, music,
art, physical education, technology, and library.
Report
cards and progress reports are each sent home quarterly.
Grade
1
First
Grade is where we develop a thirst for knowledge. This
is accomplished by teaching all subjects using various
modalities of learning in order to reach all students through
their particular learning style.
The
self-contained class has a student population varying from a
low of 13 to a cap of 18. The academic program is
comprised of phonics-based language arts, math, science, and
social studies. There are also numerous enrichment
classes including art, music, computers, physical education,
Spanish and religion.
Parents
receive Progress Reports every three weeks, Report Cards every
nine weeks, and daily contact through a homework tablet which
the student carries to and from school with written homework
assignments as well as any concerns or news from the teacher.
This tablet is also used by parents to pose questions or
request conferences. Monthly newsletters are sent to
keep parents informed of upcoming events, field trips, and all
other school-related activities.
Grade
2
 A
love of learning, responsibility, acceptance of others, and a
feeling of belonging to our school family are attributes that
a student takes with him/her when leaving second grade.
The
self-contained second grade class has a cap of 18 students.
The core curriculum consists of language arts (reading,
English, spelling, vocabulary and phonics), math, science, and
social studies. Many different modes of teaching are used.
Supplemental classes include art, music, Spanish, physical
education, computer, religion, and library. Exciting
enrichment comes with our studies of dinosaurs, art history,
and Shakespeare. Students create a multi-media
presentation, a famous artist calendar, and participate in the
production of a William Shakespeare play.
Continuous
contact with parents/guardians is achieved through phone
calls, notes home, monthly newsletters, and conferences.
Progress Reports are issued every three weeks and Report Cards
every nine weeks.
Grade
3
Third
grade students spend the year �mastering� previously taught
concepts, as well as learning new ones. Cursive writing
and multiplication are introduced.
Third
grade is a self-contained classroom with all academics taught by
the homeroom teacher. Curriculum areas include language
arts (reading, spelling, phonics, grammar and writing), math,
science, and social studies.
Students leave the classroom for supplementary classes
including art, music, physical education, religion, Spanish, and
technology.
The
curriculum is enhanced with local field trips and an annual trip
to
St. Augustine
or the
Everglades
. Third grade begins the comprehensive Florida Studies
program which continues through the eighth grade. Included in
the curriculum are units on diversity, poetry, and Native
Americans.
Third
graders become fluent readers through practice, using a reading
series, comprehension workbooks, class novels, enrichment
activities, and library programs. Students actively
participate in the
Sunshine
State
reading program.
Grade
4
Fourth
grade is a year of transition. Students become more
responsible academically and socially.
Students are no longer learning to read, but now read to
learn.
Academically
students are challenged in all core subject areas with one
teacher. Core
subjects include language arts (reading, spelling, English),
math, science, and social studies.
Reading
is important.
Fourth graders are part of the
Sunshine
State
reading program. Students are rewarded for their efforts
in reading and comprehension.
Math
starts with a full understanding of multiplication facts all the
way through long division to adding and subtracting fractions
with common denominators. The science curriculum includes
biology, physical science and chemistry.
English
and social studies are an integral part of our studies.
The English curriculum emphasizes grammar and punctuation.
Social studies covers history from the earliest Americans to
present day leaders, enhanced with the study of
Florida
�s history as a part of the Florida Studies program.
Off campus learning includes an overnight trip to
historic
St. Augustine
or the
Everglades
and a marine laboratory experience at the Sarasota Mote Marine
Aquarium.
The core
curriculum is enriched with classes in art, creative writing,
music, physical education, religion, Spanish, and technology.
Fourth
grade is a rewarding and special year.
Grade
5
Fifth
grade is a year of preparation for Middle School. It is the last
year students will have the same teacher for all the major
subject areas. Academics are the top priority, but many
creative activities help to stretch the imagination.
The
reading curriculum utilizes a reading textbook and workbook, as
well as reading appropriate novels together as a class. The
students are involved in the Sunshine State Reading program and
each day time is set aside for sustained silent reading.
Math takes
the class to many different places to add, subtract, multiply,
and divide whole numbers, decimals, and fractions. Students
work with meters and feet, liters and quarts, grams and pounds,
graphs, and mean, median, and mode. During the unit in geometry
students construct and measure angles, circles, and
perpendicular bisectors.
History
explores
America
from the very first Asian migration to the Civil War.
In science students study plants, bugs, protons and atoms,
chemical and physical changes, sound, and the weather. The
class will construct and launch rockets before the end of the
year.
Students
participate in science, social studies, and literature-based
learning as part of the comprehensive Florida Studies program,
including off campus learning opportunities in the fall and
spring semesters.
The core
curriculum is enriched with classes in art, creative writing,
music, physical education, religion, Spanish, and technology.
Middle
School Program
 The Middle School Curriculum is an intellectually
challenging, developmentally based program designed to meet
the needs of early adolescent boys and girls. Although
the Middle School is organized by department, faculty work
together on grade level �teams� to monitor student
progress, to coordinate the teaching of skills, and to build
upon interdisciplinary connections throughout the program.
The result is a cohesive �three year plan� that seeks to
bridge the transition from concrete to abstract study, from
young child to young men and women.
Math
The mathematics program at St. John Greek is an interactive,
investigative-driven mathematics curriculum that strives to
meet the needs of all students at all levels of instruction.
It is a comprehensive program that includes number and
operations, proportional reasoning, geometry, probability and
data, with a focus on the development of algebraic thinking.
Math courses are offered in general math, pre-algebra,
introduction to algebra and geometry, and algebra I (for high
school credit). Students also learn to apply math to real life
situations.
Science
The exciting science program explores physical, earth, and
life sciences. Hands-on work in our state-of-the-art science
lab is supplemented with research reports, field trips, and
science projects. Many
unique studies both in the classroom and off campus are
integrated into to science curriculum to enhance the Florida
Studies program.
English
English instills in students a life-long love affair with
words. Reading,
writing and the study of grammar strengthen and enhance
students� appreciation of the English language and their
respect for fine literature.
The literature reflects a diversity of cultural as well
as personal experiences. With
writing instruction emphasis is placed on revision and editing
as important, necessary and standard steps in the writing
process. In the 8th
grade, emphasis is placed on the 5-paragraph essay and a term
paper in preparation for high school.
History
The sixth grade course begins with the evolution of humans
into Homo sapiens, and follows the development of those people
from
Sumer
through European Middle Ages, as the foundations for western
civilization are laid. Specific
societies emphasized are
Mesopotamia
,
Greece
,
Rome
and the Middle Ages.
The seventh grade course strives to build geographic
literacy. To that
end, students acquire a working vocabulary, utilize and
improve map skills, gain knowledge about places and people
around the world, and communicate that knowledge through
writing.
The eighth grade U.S.History course incorporates both
thematic and chronological approaches.
Beginning with an examination of our reasons for
studying history and our impressions of the terms �
United States of America
� and �American�, we move into an exploration of the
people who made this nation and how the physical country was
pieced together.
Enrichment
All seventh and eighth graders participate in quarterly
enrichment classes. These
classes provide a weekly opportunity to add different
dimensions to their academic preparation for high school.
Quarterly classes include Conversational Greek,
Creative Writing, Debate/Public Speaking, and Service
Learning.
Physical
Education
At
St. John
we try to develop the students mentally, physically and
socially.
Classes in preschool through second grade play games and work
on developing locomotor and non-locomotor skills. In
grades three through eight, games such as soccer, volleyball,
hockey, softball, and basketball are played.
All classes are challenged physically by working on specific
exercises such as sit-ups, push-ups, and running from just a few
laps to up to one mile.
We work on the mental aspect by quizzing students on rules
and specific questions connected to the activities going on.
In Middle School each class takes tests on the sports activity
being covered.
Spanish
Elementary
� As technology has shortened the distances between
countries, communication becomes critical, hence the
introduction of a second language. For us in Florida
Spanish is the target language. In pre-school and
elementary classes our students become familiar with
vocabulary of things common to them. Through the use of
instruction including songs, tapes, and videos our students
get a good foothold in the language.
Middle
School � In Middle School the students are introduced to
grammar. They acquire more tools for expression.
With additional verb tenses and vocabulary to round out their
language experience, our students are well prepared for high
school.
Fine
Arts
Fine Arts class is an opportunity for all students at
St. John
to explore the fine arts, focusing on art, music and dramatic
arts. Students will be asked to experience and
participate in various art forms as well as learn to be critical
listeners and audiences. Students will also create and
perform within the classroom setting and for our school
community. Each class is designed to meet the needs and
abilities of the students.
Visual Arts - Art has long been looked upon as a means of
fostering creativity in children. It has a positive role
in the development of intellectual and creative growth.
When children create a drawing or a painting they are actively
involved in a complex process. Our Visual Arts Program is
a viable means of leaning these different elements of art so
that children will be able to develop to their fullest
potential. Our program provides the framework for helping
students learn the characteristics of the visual arts by using a
wide range of subject matter, symbols, meaningful images, and
visual expressions to reflect their ideas, feelings, and
emotions, and to evaluate the merits of their efforts.
Student work is proudly shared with the
St. John
community at the annual Salute the Arts festival each spring.
Musical Arts,
Preschool through 5th grade
- All students at
St. John
actively participate in singing. Singing is a routine part
of Fine Arts class and this musical talent is applied daily in
chapel. There are numerous all-school performance
opportunities which feature our students� talents including
Halloween plays, Grandparents� Day program, Christmas program,
Famous Author Day, the annual Salute the Arts celebration and
end of the year class programs. Many musical
concepts are introduced and reinforced including pitch, rhythm,
tempo, dynamics, unison, rounds, and harmonies. Both
rhythm and percussion instruments are used and the recorder is
taught in 4th and 5th grades. Particularly in the younger
classes, movement is used to enhance musical experiences.
Chorus, 3rd-5th grade
- Students who are interested may participate in the St. John
Singers. This chorus, open to students in grades 3-5,
meets weekly during regular school hours. This allows the
more serious singer to experience strong choral training and
performance opportunities.
Middle School Chorus/Drama - All middle school students at
St. John
must meet their music class requirement either through
Chorus/Drama or Band. Chorus/Drama
provides the student the experience of rehearsing and performing
with an ensemble, tackling one to three-part singing.
Students are also experience the art of drama �
expressing oneself through the voice and body. Many
dramatic styles and concepts are introduced including
storytelling, dramatization of stories, puppetry, reader�s
theater, poetry, improvisation, character sketch/monologue,
blocking and staging terms and application, and performance.
Middle School Band - All middle school students at St. John must meet their
music class requirement either through Chorus/Drama or Band. The
concert band is composed of flutes, clarinets, alto saxophones,
trumpets, trombones, baritones, and percussion. The focus
is to develop individual skills on a specific instrument and
other skills necessary to be a member of an ensemble.
Students are expected to practice daily for at least 5-10
minutes. Sectional rehearsals are offered before school
for those who would like to participate.
Technology
The main
purpose of the computer technology courses at
St. John
is to teach computer skills and sharpen technical savvy. All
grade levels have a technology class in their curriculum. Each
class is designed according to the age group's needs and
abilities. General topics include operating systems,
windows, electronic communications (email, chat, discussion
boards, online journals), word processing, spreadsheets,
databases, graphic art, power point, and web development.
Computer
Technology is often integrated with the classroom curriculum
using Internet resources, word processing to prepare reports and
papers, creating tables and graphs, and power point
presentations, applying this new 'everyday' technology to
practical applications.
Religion
Students
begin each day by attending a chapel service that includes the
reciting of the Lord�s Prayer and a reading from the Gospel.
Religion
at
St. John
is taught in all grades. The teachers in the preschool
through kindergarten grades teach their own material. All
the other grades are taught individually by a religion teacher
in a non-denominational manner. We encourage religious
beliefs and character by using developmentally appropriate
curriculum materials which foster discussion and
self-examination.
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