Curricular Philosophies
The approach to teaching the curriculum evolves through the years to best reflect our students’ developmental needs. OLG follows the Archdiocesan, state and/or national standards to guide the development of our curriculum.
Index
Click the links below to view the Curricular Philosophy on a particular subject area.
Religion
(Updated 2020)
The mission of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church is to make Jesus Christ known and loved. Therefore, our goal as the parish school is to guide students to grow in their personal relationship with the Holy Trinity through active participation in prayer, worship, and the sacraments. As we learn the Gospel values, they are reflected in the way we act and serve others. We believe we are all created in the image and likeness of God and we strive to love everyone as Jesus loved. Our Catholic identity is at the core of all we do as we aim to become saints.
Goals
Students will recognize that the Eucharist is the source and summit of our Catholic faith.
Students will include and welcome others into our Catholic faith.
Students will participate in prayer, the sacraments, and weekly Mass.
Students will live out Catholic Social Teachings through service opportunities within our school, local community, and globally.
Students will study the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Students will spread the Good News through evangelization and discipleship.
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Language Arts
(Updated 2020)
At Our Lady of Grace we value concise, effective, and thoughtful communication. Students strive to increase proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, viewing, listening, and media literacy. We strive to have their experiences prepare them to be intelligent and empathetic global citizens.
Goals
Participate in collaborative and diverse conversations about topics and texts with peers and adults in small and large groups.
Communicate and understand information through effective listening and speaking coherently in a variety of settings and multiple uses.
Tell a story or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details.
Understand how to avoid plagiarism by identifying sources and creating proper citations.
Develop writing skills to use for multiple purposes: respond to fiction and nonfiction texts, persuade, and inform.
Read and understand a variety of literature and informational texts independently and proficiently at grade level.
Use critical thinking to analyze various elements and themes of literature and respond in a variety of formats.
Understand various literary concepts based on grade level such as plot, setting, theme and other concepts.
Use technology to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others.
Conduct various research projects based on focused questions to build investigation skills based on specific topics.
Integrate proper use of grammar, punctuation, and usage in their writing to develop sentence structure and variety in writing.
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Mathematics
(Updated 2020)
At Our Lady of Grace Catholic School, we believe in the development of proficiency in mathematical concepts, skills, and relationships. Students learn a connected body of mathematical knowledge, which follows the Minnesota Math Standards. These mathematical standards are grouped by five strands: Number & Numeration, Operations & Computation, Algebra, Geometry & Measurement, and Data Analysis & Probability. Through continual assessment, we identify skills and concepts that each student has obtained and adjust learning activities to ensure students acquire high levels of understanding.
Goals
Students will solve a variety of mathematical problems
Students will apply reasoning and critical thinking skills to solve mathematical problems
Students will demonstrate knowledge through communication, building connections, and graphic representations
Students will use and apply current and new technologies to solve problems and demonstrate knowledge.
Students will develop daily mathematical thinking, technical, and apply skills to daily tasks.
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Science
(Updated 2020)
At Our Lady of Grace, we believe starting at a young age students should explore the world around them through hands-on, real life experiences that promote creative and critical thinking. Using the Design Process, students will engage with their peers to solve various problems with the goal of preparing our students for life beyond the classroom.
Goals
Students will collaborate with small and large groups
Students will develop problem solving skills
Students will think creatively and critically about various topics
Students will develop communication skills in a variety of formats
Students will engage in cross disciplinary activities that mimic real world experiences
Students will use the design process to identify challenges, gather information, generate and test solutions, and refine solutions to solve problems
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STEM
In the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) "Launch" curriculum for K-5, study modules focus on Biomedical Science, Computer Science and Engineering. Students are actively engaged through experimentation and problem solving. Each module incorporates a project in which students use the engineering design process.
Middle School students benefit from the PLTW "Gateway" curriculum which goes deeper into topics such as Automation Robotics, Design and Modeling, and Forensic Science. Middle School students learn through hands-on projects often incorporating technology such as Autodesk Inventor Robot C software and the VEX robotics platform. The STEM modules allow students to relate their knowledge of math and many areas of science to develop solutions to real-world problems.
In addition to the STEM modules, all students pursue a full science curriculum which emphasizes the foundations of Life, Earth and Physical science. In addition, sixth graders spend one trimester focusing on a Science Fair project of their own choosing. By combining the traditional curriculum with opportunities for project-based STEM learning, Our Lady of Grace offers students a very complete and compelling science program.
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Social Studies
Our social studies curriculum seeks to develop responsible, engaged citizens committed to democratic values and civic participation. OLG students are required to master fundamental understandings of history, geography, economics, and civics & government in grades K-5. These understandings include concepts associated with familiar local environments and current times to faraway places and distant times. In grades K through 3, content is balanced among the four social studies disciplines. In grades 4 through 8, there is a "lead" discipline for each grade level, with other disciplines providing complementary perspectives that promote an enhanced understanding of the content.
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Art
(Updated 2020)
At Our Lady of Grace Catholic School, we believe that art education is essential to the development of the whole child and builds enthusiasm for artistic works and processes that celebrate creativity, cultural awareness, and a historical point of view. Art allows each student to develop creativity, self-expression, innovation, and an awareness of the world in which they live. We believe that art should foster the student’s ability to analyze, critique, and appreciate the individuality of an artist’s work as well as the representation of art in the world around them.
Goals
Understand the elements and principles of art.
Explore different mediums and techniques.
Provide a complexity of artistic projects, techniques, and materials that develop as the student advances.
Students make cross-curricular connections between art and other areas of study.
Use art as an expression of feelings and emotions.
Display artwork in the school and other public areas to give students a sense of accomplishment.
Experience artwork through the lens of culture and history.
Utilize technology as an artistic medium.
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Music
(Updated 2020)
At Our Lady of Grace School, we believe that music education is an integral component in developing the whole child. We strive to develop the God-given talents of all students and offer a unique learning opportunity to explore individual creativity, artistic expression while building an understanding of a variety of cultures in our diverse world. Additionally, we strive for our students to gain a deeper understanding of Catholic liturgy and to engage in music as a unique form of prayer to further enhance their relationship with God.
Goals
Develop knowledge of the elements of melody, harmony, rhythm, and form.
Demonstrate singing and instrument playing skill through classroom and concert performance opportunities.
Develop creativity, inventiveness and self-expression performing in the classroom and concerts.
Demonstrate an understanding of the interrelationship of music as it relates to history and all the fine arts.
Demonstrate mastery of complex reasoning skills by producing music using technology.
Understand the role of music throughout the history of the Catholic Church.
Demonstrate ability to lead Catholic music worship in liturgies, prayer services, and other sacred events.
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Spanish
(Updated 2020)
At Our Lady of Grace School, we believe that participation in a Spanish language program allows students to develop comprehension and communication skills in a foreign language as well as to build empathy and appreciation for diverse cultures.
Goals
Comprehend the main ideas when hearing or reading Spanish
Communicate their main ideas when writing or speaking Spanish
Explore the customs and traditions of Spanish speaking cultures
Identify similarities between cultures as well as celebrating differences
Engage in opportunities to use Spanish outside the classroom
Prepare students for Spanish in high school and for our global multilingual world
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Physical Education
Our physical education program emphasizes knowledge, skill, and physical aptitude with the cooperative spirit, teamwork, and good sportsmanship of all participants. Our extra-curricular sports program includes volleyball, soccer, basketball, baseball, and softball.
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Library
(Updated 2020)
At Our Lady of Grace, we believe that by fostering a love of reading, we are opening minds to a world of knowledge, diversity of ideas and endless possibilities.
Goals
Students will be supported in their reading in a positive, comfortable and welcoming reading environment.
Students will be encouraged to demonstrate curiosity and broaden their subject interests.
Students will be introduced to a variety of skills and a broad range of material that supports a wide variety of interests.
Students will discover curricular support materials to expand their knowledge base.
Students will engage with authors and illustrators to learn about their craft.
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Technology
(Updated 2021)
Our Lady of Grace Catholic School engages students with 21st-century materials to expand their technology experiences and develop their abilities through the lens of Catholic values. We work with parents to guide students’ use of technology and all it can offer to stimulate more effective learning and develop their technical proficiency.
Goals
Students will incorporate technology into all curricular areas to encourage creative problem solving and mastery of content.
Students will embrace emerging technologies.
Students will access up to date programs and equipment including our One-to-One Learning Program.
Students will effectively learn how to communicate information, conduct research, organize data, solve problems, and create original work.
Students will demonstrate positive digital citizenship and encourage positive online behaviors with their peers.
