GRADES 1-4 | The Colm Cille Club

GRAMMAR CURRICULUM

MEMORY WORK/HISTORY CLASS

Elementary students in the Colm Cille Club follow a “spine” of shared material which covers English and Poetry, Catechism, Science, Art, Music, History, Geography, Math, and Latin. History follows a three-year cycle: Ancient, Medieval, and Modern.

Elementary students learn to memorize, present and recite before others, and work together in a group setting. Each week they participate in a hands-on science lab and receive instruction in music and the fine arts.

CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

After three years in Level 1 atrium, the children enter the Level 2 Atrium. Level 2 (ages 6-9) continues the reflection on the "moment of gift" and begins to awaken in the child the question of their personal response. The controlling image is Christ the True Vine, and the History of the Kingdom of God. The child begins to discover the vast cosmic history of God's plan of salvation and that they have something to contribute to it. Moral sensitivity/awareness begins here and grows with the presentations of Jesus' Maxims, Moral Parables, and Reconciliation. The child's desire to carry out the requests of the Good Shepherd naturally flow from the relationship of loving trust that was established in

the previous level. First Communion preparation is offered to all children of the co-op who have been in the program at least two years. We have a First Communion Mass every other year.

WRITING CLASS

Beginning in fourth grade students will begin instruction in writing at co-op, mastering the art of narrative and descriptive paragraph writing based on a literature list related to the history time period of the year. Students receive weekly writing assignments which they can turn in for feedback from their teacher.

SCIENCE

Science at Colm Cille Club is taught in a three year cycle. In Year One, students explore plant and animal life. Year Two covers earth science and astronomy, and Year Three explores the basics of chemistry and physics. Each week students participate in hands-on lab experiments. Older students learn to keep nature journals, write a lab report, and even complete dissections.

MUSIC

Students in Grades 1-4 continue their study of music and movement, and begin their study of harmony and Gregorian chant. Using bells and other instruments, children learn basic chord patterns and accompaniments. Singing simple partner songs and rounds, they develop their ability to sing in parts. They also develop their music appreciation through a three year cycle of music history which focuses on nine composers.

THEATER

All students in grades 4-8 may participate in an annual Shakespeare production led by professional theater instructors. Performances have included Macbeth, As You Like It, and A Midsummer Night's Dream, among others.

ART

First through fourth grade Art will explore the evolution of Art from pre-Historic times to the Roman Empire using our own Art History curriculum.

On co-op day, students will become familiar with and further their understanding of the seven elements of art: line, shape, form, space, value, texture, and color as they develop their drawing and painting skills.