Preschool is a program designed for three year olds and is our students' first introduction to the school setting. The focus of the program is to help students learn to socialize with one another and to start developing skills that they will need throughout school. The children work on color recognition, shape recognition, and basic counting skills. They study topics such as butterflies, flowers, the four seasons and other subjects that the students find interesting in their own environment. Fine motor skills are developed through painting, cutting, gluing, and drawing. The students enjoy listening to stories such as Flat Stanley, Caps for Sale, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar anddiscussing them afterwards. The students go to gym once a week to develop their gross motor skills.
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Prekindergarten
The Prekindergarten class at Immaculate Conception School offers a three day program, Monday, Wednesday and Friday as well as a five day program. The hours for both are 8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. The program introduces the children to a school setting and schedule as well as providing them with basic skills needed for kindergarten. Christian values are taught through example and bible stroies. The basic reading curriculum includes finger plays, songs, poems, stories, letter recognition and phonetic awareness. The basic math curriculum involves a series of presentations such as number recognition, graphing, measuring, sorting, counting and grouping to 20, less than, equal and greater than. The students also develop their fine motor skills (printing, coloring, cutting and gluing) and gross motor skills (running, jumping rope, skipping, bouncing, throwing and catching). Some of the concepts introduced, taught, and/or mastered are listening skills, colors, shapes, rhyming, synonyms and antonyms, comparatives and superlatives. The subjects offered are reading, language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, computer science, art and gym.
Some special activities and celebrations are Dress Down Days, Activity Tables, Fourth Grade Buddy Days, Halloween, Advent, Jesus' Birthday, Grandparent's Day, Gym With Parents, Green Day - St. Patrick's Day, St. Joseph's Day, Easter Egg Hunt, Revere Fire Station Field Trip, Field Day and Step Up Day.
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Last Updated: 10/13/11
Kindergarten
The kindergarten classes at Immaculate Conception School boasts a stimulating environment that seeks to inspire children to learn and share through any and all of their many intelligences. The programs provide learning experiences which will develop the foundational skills necessary for success in school. This full day program offers opportunities to meet the developmental needs of the total child: socially, emotionally, intellectually, and physically. The activities in the kindergarten programs provide opportunities for students to learn to function within a group (taking turns, sharing, listening) and opportunities to learn to become independent. We foster children in the process of learning how to be effective communicators in their studies as well as in their interpersonal relationships. When children leave the Kindergarten they have confidence in themselves as independent thinkers and know and appreciate the true importance of being part of a community.
We are committed to understanding and encouraging the expression of each person’s culture, ethnicity, and abilities so that all of the children feel valued and respected for their unique contributions. Children are exposed to an atmosphere of love and acceptance where they can experience optimal development across all domains.
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Grade 1
Key reading skills are taught at the very outset in first grade. The reading program used is the Houghton Mifflin Reading Series “A Legacy of Literacy”. The program consists of ten themes, systematically presented to instruct the students, using a variety of resources in order to engage the students in fruitful reading experiences. The reading program is reinforced with a phonics workbook and numerous other materials to incorporate spelling skills, such as visual, auditory, and kinesthetic modes of learning. The major skills of listening, speaking, and writing, are presented and developed during English, while expanding the student’s knowledge of punctuation and capitalization, sentence recognition, alphabetizing, and the basic format for writing paragraphs.
Grade one uses the text “We Believe God Loves Us.” Through a systematic approach, the children experience a prayerful development of getting to know God and his great gift to us, His son Jesus. Religion is taught daily with the lessons contained in the Catechism, staring with “God Gives Us the World”, and then embarks on a journey through the liturgical year by celebrating the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter, following the story of salvation history. Many opportunities are provided for reading scripture, following the happenings of Jesus, Mary, the Saints and Angels, along with prayer and liturgical celebrations in our parish church. Emphasis on engaging the children with opportunities to express themselves in song, prayer, and celebration throughout the school year is a priority.
The students use a comprehensive basal program in mathematics to study addition, subtraction, place value, time, money, measurement, basic fractions, and introductory concepts for critical thinking and problem solving. The science program is integrated with many areas of our curriculum through classroom activities and materials which develop an awareness and appreciation for life cycles, habitats, living and nonliving things, plants and animals and how they live, states of matter, movement and sound, learning about energy, day and night sky and science in our world.
The social studies curriculum teaches students about individuals, families and communities now and long ago, celebration of national and Massachusetts holidays, the need for laws and rules, mapping and temporal sequences (days, weeks, months, years, and seasons). Art and music are incorporated into the daily flow, with many opportunities to express oneself through pictures and song in all areas of the curriculum.
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Last Updated: 09/20/11
Grade 2
Reading and language arts in second grade consists of classroom lessons on decoding skills, language structure, vocabulary, and the writing process. The students also read and listen to many different types of literature, such as fiction, non-fiction, and traditional tales. Children participate in reading circles to practice skills and participate in small group discussions to enhance comprehension.
Mathematics instruction focuses on understanding concepts and developing number sense and skills. In addition to teacher directed instruction, children participate in group problem solving activities, as well as ongoing projects such as graphing the weather from month to month.
Science projects consist of interdisciplinary activities that involve observing, reading for information, and writing. Each year, the second grade completes five major science units on seeds, weather, the solar system, plant life cycles and butterfly life cycles.
The highlight of the social studies curriculum in second grade is a unit on life in the seventeenth century, culminating on a field trip to Plimoth Plantation and the Wampanoag Homestead. Students compare their lives to the lives of children and families in the seventeenth century.
Children in second grade also prepare for their First Reconciliation and First Eucharist, which they receive in the spring. They wear communion outfits for the May Procession, which is organized by the second grade parents and attended by all classes and parents. The second grade also organizes one school liturgy per year.
Children in second grade are expected to work independently, act responsibly, exercise self-control, and demonstrate respect for others. Each student is valued for the special gifts he or she brings to the classroom.
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Grade 3
The third grade program expands the base of knowledge that students learned in second grade by introducing new concepts and enhancing their skills. Manipulatives such as the Smart Board help to facilitate this growth.
In social studies, the focus is community. The students learn what a community is, study other communities around the world, and then focus on our own community. Students participate in a research project of Revere's past as a thriving city with the first public beach. They view web sites, examine old postcards, and finish by creating a Power Point presentation based on historical locations in Revere.
In language arts, the students begin to improve their paragraph writing skills by adding pronouns, adjectives and adverbs to sentences. The students also learn about different genres of literature. In the spring, the class participates in "The Wax Museum" where they research a historical figure and make a presentation about their figure's life and achievements.
In math, the students learn to add and subtract numbers into the thousands, learn to measure to the 1/4 inch, tell time to the minute, and how to multiply and divide. The students also have many opportunities for art projects within the classroom and see the art, music, computer, physical education, and library specialists for a weekly class.
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Grade 4
Fourth grade students refine the skills learned in previous grades and further enhance their knowledge in all subject areas. In science focus on the structure of the human body; magnets and electricity; weather; the Earth’s land resources and animals. The geographical regions of the United States are explored in social studies. The early development of each region is studied as well as present day activities in each region. The students enjoy doing a research project on a national park in our country using the computer lab to find facts for their poster and preparing a power point presentation of their park. The mathematics curriculum includes such topics as problem solving, whole number operations, decimal concepts, fractions, ratios, and geometry.
In language arts, the students develop their comprehension skills, study skills, word decoding, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and creative writing skills. Creative writing activities conclude with a year end project a “big book” written and illustrated by each student. Students also write a report using note taking and outlining skills.
In religion class, the fourth grade focuses on the Ten Commandments, Beatitudes and the Great Commandment. Students honor Mary in October by making a Rosary booklet and in May, a booklet about the visions of Mary. Students also make booklets for Advent and Lent.
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Grade 5
The fifth grade class continues to expand on previously developed math, reading and language skills. Creative writing, oral presentations, and public speaking are encouraged throughout the year. Special emphasis is placed on developing strong study skills through various techniques including outlining, note taking, highlighting main ideas, categorizing, and clustering.
Computer technology is used for gathering, collecting, and compiling data as well as constructing graphs and charts. For example, the fifth grade students develop a database on Civil War battles including dates, locations, leaders, and outcomes of important battles. They also construct graphs of the planets in the Solar System comparing planet sizes, distance from the sun, temperature, number of moons, and speed of rotation.
Throughout the year, there are numerous class and school activities geared to enrich the development of our faith. The class presents Morning Prayer services to the school, recites the rosary, does the Stations of the Cross, and has class activities based on the Liturgical Calendar during the seasons of Advent, Lent, Easter, Christmas and various Holy Days.
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Language Arts
The Language Arts curriculum for the middle grades at Immaculate Conception builds upon foundations that have been taught in the lower grades. Grammar elements such as parts of speech, phrases, and clauses are further reinforced and then integrated in to the student’s writing.
The elements of composition and essays are introduced beginning with prewriting and continuing on through the final revisions. Paragraphs such as persuasive, comparison, narrative, biographical, and descriptive are introduced and used as interdisciplinary tools.
Literature includes poetry, short story, novels, and plays. Each grade is required to read a number of classic novels as a group. Within these novels, the students focus on vocabulary, comprehension, and interpretation of the work. In addition to the reading during the school year, students are expected to complete a series of summer reading projects that enhance the curriculum.
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I will say at once, quite firmly, that the best grounding
for education is the Latin grammar. I say this not because Latin
is traditional and medieval, but simply because even a rudimentary
knowledge of Latin cuts down the labor and pains of learning almost
any other subject by at least 50 percent.
-- DOROTHY SAYERS
Immaculate Conception School is pleased to offer an introductory program to Latin to students in Grades 6, 7 and 8. Although Latin is not an actively spoken language, its immense influence upon English and other languages makes its study a very practical choice. Our intent at Immaculate Conception School is to help middle school students acquire language skills that will not only enhance their understanding of English grammar and vocabulary, but also serve as a solid foundation for future study of a modern language.
Click below to find out how Latin can be useful to your child:
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Math
The math programs for middle school uses a smartboard to build on math previously learned.
Grade six begins with a comprehensive review of skills learned in previous grades. We then build on these skills by introducing the concepts of exponents, rounding decimals and fractions, multiplying and dividing by moving decimal points, scientific notation, ratios, proportion, percent, graphing, measurement, variable expressions, and one-step equations using variables.
Grade seven continues with the work started in grade six and expands on these concepts. Some of the work of grade seven includes more detail in graphing, introducing two-step equations, integers (positive and negative numbers), fractions and number theory, more geometry and algebra.
Grade eight continues with the work of grades six and seven. Greater emphasis is given in geometry and algebra than in previous grades and there is more detail in the other areas of the math program, and a particular emphasis on problem solving skills.
The math program at Immaculate Conception includes the basic concepts of math as well as an introduction to geometry and algebra.
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Religion
The Religion program for the middle school is an historical review of the development of our Faith.
In the sixth grade, we trace our roots and our common heritage with our Jewish brethren through a study of the Old Testament. We confirm that Jesus was a pious Jew who lived the laws of His religion. We review and reestablish our covenants with God by studying about the various covenants established with the Chosen people from the first covenant with Adam. In addition to the study of the Old Testament, we review and study in more depth the Ten Commandments, The Beatitudes and the Bible.
The seventh grade is concerned with the study of the New Testament. Emphasis is on the life of Jesus as a pious Jew who is trying to bring people closer to God. The Bible is used as a study guide as we read about and compare the life of Jesus by each of the Evangelists. As the year progresses, we continue our study of the sacraments and how they affect our lives as Christian Catholics.
The development of the Church is studied in the eighth grade. We learn how the Church developed over the centuries; and the importance of the rites, cathedrals, sacraments, and the saints.
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Science
Immaculate Conception's Middle School science program includes a sixth grade general science course, a seventh grade Earth Science class, and an eighth grade Life Science course. All three grade levels focus on making scientific discoveries that are important to the students' needs and interests and that will help them become knowledgeable, skillful, and responsible human beings. Each class experiences hands-on work with science materials that challenge students to make sense out of their discoveries through writing, mastery of science vocabulary, and cooperative learning activities.
In the sixth grade general science class, students are introduced to cell biology, geology, and elements of chemistry and physics. In the seventh grade Earth Science class, students learn about such topics as basic chemistry,geology, air and water pollution, and astronomy. The eighth grade life science class is an introduction to high school biology focusing on the building blocks, characteristics, life cycles, habits, and relationships between the five kingdoms of life.
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Social Studies
Sixth graders study the world outside of the United States and North America. Students systematically learn geography around the world region-by-region, similar to the way in which atlases are organized. In grade 6, students address standards that emphasize physical and political geography and embed five major concepts: location, place, and human interaction with the environment, movement, and regions. Immaculate Conception uses the Geography Alive! Regions and People series created by the Teacher Curriculum Institute. Created in partnership with scholars from the National Council for Geographic Education, Geography Alive! Regions and People creatively challenges students to use the tools of geography to view, analyze, and understand the world around them. The seven mapping labs and the program’s case-study approach turn students into geographic thinkers. As an additional benefit, the program has been carefully designed to build students’ content area reading skills.
The seventh grade social studies curriculum focuses on the ancient world. It begins with a brief study of maps and examining sources and then concentrates on the early civilizations of the Mesopotamians, Egyptians, Israelites, Greeks and Romans. A closer look is taken not only at how they lived their lives during ancient times, but also at the impact their way of life has had on life as we know it today.
The eighth grade social studies curriculum begins with a thorough study of American History that explores American geography and continues on to the early explorers, the first settlers at Plymouth and Jamestown and the development of our country, as we know it today. The eighth grade focuses mainly on early American history and the importance of the American Revolution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution of the United States.
The students to further enhance the knowledge that is taught in the classroom by completing hands on research projects by utilizing both the classroom SMARTboard and the school computer lab.
The social studies curriculum used at the Immaculate Conception School is fully aligned with the Massachusetts Standards and Frameworks.
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Art
The Administration and the I.C. School Community recognize the importance of a strong art curriculum and therefore provide great financial and promotional support to the program. The dedicated, award-winning faculty keeps current with methodologies of instruction for visual learning and trends in the modern art scene.
I.C. students are educated in all aspects of artistic development. In the primary grades, fine motor skills are improved through drawing lessons and crafting. Basic Art History introduces the student to the great masters and masterpieces of western civilization, while artistic traditions in Latin, Asian, African and other cultures serve as the inspiration for several projects throughout the year.
The upper grades explore a wide range of media and techniques while continuing their studies in art history and world cultures. Drawing, painting, sculpting and collage instruction in grades K-8 emphasizes using different techniques to enhance the student's creative self. Students learn about the elements of design and color to development a personal style.
Middle school students enjoy a weekly double period of studio art. Painting with acrylics and watercolors, sculpting, graphic design, special topics in multi-media and photography are among the units presented in grades 6-8. For the past eight years, exceptional work by I.C. Middle School students has won recognition in the Boston Globe Scholastic Arts Contest. In addition, all I.C. students exhibit their outstanding work in the annual Spring Art Fair held in the school's Father Brennan Hall.
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Last Updated: 09/26/11
Music
The focus of the Music curriculum offered to I.C. students is to develop a meaningful, lasting enjoyment and appreciation of music through active participation. All students will engage in singing, listening to music from different cultures and times, dancing, movement, playing rhythm and percussion instruments as well as reading and composing music. Each student will develop their vocal abilities individually and as an ensemble. Students will learn basic reading and musical theory and be inspired to use that knowledge to compose their own songs. Solfege, a method of sight-singing, pitch recognition and understanding intervals, will be taught. Exploration of composers and their works, including but not limited to Mozart, Beethoven and Gershwin, will be taught using CDs and video clips from Musical Theater, concerts and dances. Grades 3 and 4 will also learn how to play the Yamaha recorder with specific focus on correct breathing techniques, appropriate fingerings and dexterity, tone quality, reading music and playing as an ensemble. Opportunities to perform for an audience are also integral to the I.C. students music education and all students Grades K-5 will participate in the annual Christmas Pageant and the Spring Concert in the school's Father Brennan Hall.
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Last Updated: 09/26/11
Gym
The mission of the Immaculate Conception School is to provide an environment that promotes self-respect and the respect of others. The physical education program provides a place where students are encouraged to work to their best ability, to respect their peers, and to work in a cooperative way that highlights the moral and ethical values that their christian education provides. As students develop an appreciation of physical fitness, sports, and games, they are able to develop and refine God-given talents with which they have been blessed or upon which they need to work.
In preparing curriculum, the physical education teacher recognizes and acknowledges each student's age, ability, and limitations. Efforts are made to promote teamwork and school spirit from an early age. Students learn to recognize and appreciate their teammates, celebrate each other's successes, and offer positive reinforcement.
Many children benefit from a kinesthetic approach to learning: they learn best when practicing or learning a modeled behavior. Students are provided with opportunitites to experience various aspects of physical activity: sports, physical fitness, strength training, conditioning, physical games, and health-related activites.
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Library
The I.C. School library curriculum is taught during regularly scheduled library special classes and in cooperation with classroom teachers. Library classes have three components, including Read Aloud time, Reflection time and time to Choose a book. The focus of the library curriculum is to develop a meaningful and lasting enjoyment and appreciation of books and reading. Special attention is paid to Caldecott Award winning books as well as Newbury Award winners. Students will explore the different genres of literature, the mechanics of a book, research skills, poetry, elements of a story and reading for enjoyment. In May the students will write and illustrate their own books. Every October the librarian hosts a Scholastic Book Fair in the school's Father Brennan Hall.
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Last Updated: 09/26/11
Computer
The computer lab at Immaculate Conception School is comprised of eighteen computers, all of which are online via cable modem through Comcast. Updating the computer equipment occurs on a regular basis so that current computer skills can be taught. All grades are able to use the internet for research, to use the scanner for various projects, and to use CDs which enhance topics being studied within the regular classroom. Every effort is made to work closely with the classroom teachers so that any work done in the computer lab enhances and integrates subjects being taught within the regular classroom. At different grade levels, the computer curriculum includes developing knowledge of internet procedures and search methods, word processing and keyboarding skills, computer art and design projects, utilization of graphics and clip art, developing and using databases, creating spreadsheets and graphs, developing multi-media presentations, and web page design. The internet is used on a regular basis by students at Immaculate Conception School for research and educational purposes. Unsupervised browsing, chat rooms, and instant messaging are prohibited, and a filtering device prevents access to internet sites which are inappropriate for school age children.
Sixth graders study the world outside of the United States and North America. Students systematically learn geography around the world region-by-region, similar to the way in which atlases are organized. In grade 6, students address standards that emphasize physical and political geography and embed five major concepts: location, place, and human interaction with the environment, movement, and regions. Immaculate Conception uses the Geography Alive! Regions and People series created by the Teacher Curriculum Institute. Created in partnership with scholars from the National Council for Geographic Education, Geography Alive! Regions and People creatively challenges students to use the tools of geography to view, analyze, and understand the world around them. The seven mapping labs and the program’s case-study approach turn students into geographic thinkers. As an additional benefit, the program has been carefully designed to build students’ content area reading skills.
The seventh grade social studies curriculum focuses on the ancient world. It begins with a brief study of maps and examining sources and then concentrates on the early civilizations of the Mesopotamians, Egyptians, Israelites, Greeks and Romans. A closer look is taken not only at how they lived their lives during ancient times, but also at the impact their way of life has had on life as we know it today.
The eighth grade social studies curriculum begins with a thorough study of American History that explores American geography and continues on to the early explorers, the first settlers at Plymouth and Jamestown and the development of our country, as we know it today. The eighth grade focuses mainly on early American history and the importance of the American Revolution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution of the United States.
The students to further enhance the knowledge that is taught in the classroom by completing hands on research projects by utilizing both the classroom SMARTboard and the school computer lab.
The social studies curriculum used at the Immaculate Conception School is fully aligned with the Massachusetts Standards and Frameworks.