Holy Nativity Curriculum
Committed to an educational program which seeks for each student to achieve maximum development, the administration and staff are constantly studying, revising, and upgrading both the curriculum and methods of instruction to continue to provide the excellent program for which Holy Nativity is known. Our curriculum goals and instructional program are designed to meet and exceed Florida's Next Generation Sunshine State Standards.
Preschool (3K and 4K)/Kindergarten (5K)
A primary objective of Holy Nativity’s pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs is to develop a positive self-image in our students. As our students become more fully aware that they are a child of God, we want that knowledge to govern their daily attitudes and actions.
Our goal is to develop the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth of each child. During these years, the student matures in all areas through the participation in hands-on activities accompanied with specific guided instruction utilizing a variety of age appropriate curriculum materials. Each child learns to play and to work well with others, to take part in discussions, and to learn to listen and follow directions. Each child is exposed to music, stories, poems, and books and will express himself/herself through art, music, speech, and dramatic play. Manipulatives are used to teach math and develop small motor skills. Large motor skills are developed through games and outdoor play. All 3K, 4K, and 5K students enjoy the following special areas each week: library, music, P.E., Spanish, and technology. Using the weekly newsletters, the special area teachers supplement the preschool program with instruction designed to enhance the curriculum objectives.
The kindergarten program is designed to provide differentiated instruction to each student through an integrated curriculum. Emphasis is placed on phonemic awareness, word attack skills, vocabulary, and literature development. Math skills are scaffolded throughout the year to ensure mastery upon graduation. Social studies and science readiness are developed through hands-on activities. Ongoing performance assessments are used to document and analyze the progress of each child. Our program at Holy Nativity encourages the love of learning and provides a safe and nurturing environment.
MAJOR CURRICULUM SOURCES ARE:
Mathematics Their Way, Addison-Wesley Publishing Co.
Saxon Mathematics, Saxon Publishers, Inc.
Saxon Phonics, Saxon Publishers, Inc.
Alphatime, Abrams and Company Publishers
Weekly Reader
Scholastic Magazine
Harcourt Big Books: science/social studies
ABC Sing-Along Flip Chart and Audiotape
Nursery Rhymes and Poems
Elementary (1 - 5) and Middle School (6-8)
Elementary Program Overview Kindergarten and Elementary Handbook 2010-2011
The Holy Nativity Episcopal School elementary program consists of kindergarten through fifth grade housed in self-contained classrooms with three sections of kindergarten and two sections of first through fifth grade. The elementary program provides age appropriate learning environments for students. Classrooms are attractively decorated with displays of student art and academic work. There is a family atmosphere throughout the school and great evidence of parent involvement. The students work and play with a good sense of purpose, consideration for others, and great pride in their school. They are a happy and purposeful group. The curriculum is sequential from kindergarten through fifth grade and correlates with the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards. The classroom instruction is traditional in nature and the instructional level varies from small to whole group depending on student/classroom needs during each instructional period. We strive to incorporate differentiated learning activities in our classrooms whenever possible.
Middle School Program Overview Middle School Handbook 2010-2011
The central purpose of Holy Nativity Episcopal School is to provide students excellent academic instruction in a nurturing Christian environment that supports and promotes their academic, social, emotional, and spiritual growth. To this end, our middle school is designed to offer a rigorous curriculum implemented by a caring and dedicated faculty of the highest caliber. It is our goal to prepare our middle school students for the most demanding high school programs by providing high academic and behavioral expectations and accelerated academic instruction. The values of our Six Pillars of Success, which include faith, scholarship, character, fellowship, citizenship, and leadership are stressed in every area of the school’s program.
Our middle school is housed at the historic Cove School Campus where the beautifully restored building and grounds create the perfect setting for learning. Caring and motivating teachers encourage students to meet their academic potential. The curriculum is designed to be rigorous enough to prepare the best and brightest students in Bay County for success in the college preparatory high school program of their choice.
Math
The instructional philosophy for mathematics at Holy Nativity is focused on educating all learners. It requires a commitment from students and parents alike to be supportive and encouraging of the high expectations we have. We want students to be excited and curious about the principles, theories, and applications of math. Working in a nurturing Christian environment, we desire maximum development of each student as we focus on individual needs and appropriate challenges. As we stretch each student to his/her highest potential, we raise his/her level of responsibility and independence.
The students learn in small class sizes with access to manipulatives and technology appropriate to grade level. There is both individual and group work for real-life problem solving and "brainstorming." The mathematics lessons are sequential and build on prior learning.
MAJOR CURRICULUM SOURCES ARE:
3K and 4K - Math Their Way manipulatives and teacher-created worksheets
5K and 1st grade - Saxon Math Scripts Worksheets
2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade -- Saxon Math books, (at or above grade level)
Middle School – Glencoe Mathematics, Course 2 ; Glencoe Pre-Algebra; Glencoe Algebra; Glencoe Algebra 1; Holt Algebra I;
1st through 8th grades also has access to Renaissance Learning’s Accelerated Math.
Language Arts
The school’s central purpose is to provide an excellent educational program in which each student may achieve maximum development in mind, personality, and spirit. Our instructional philosophy is focused on educating the whole child. It is our goal to individualize our programs to meet the needs of each child and to challenge each student to reach his or her academic potential.
The preschool curriculum uses ABC Sing Along and the Alphatime program for letter recognition and phonemic awareness. The kindergarten curriculum employs Saxon phonics as the basis of their instruction. Holy Nativity Episcopal School uses the SRA Imagine It Reading Series in grades 1 through 5. The strength of this integrated program is that it provides systematic instruction in phonemic awareness, vocabulary development, comprehension strategies, fluency practices, spelling and language mechanics, and literature studies.
Novel studies are also used to teach various reading skills and to promote a love of reading. An increased emphasis is being placed on grammar skills. The middle school language arts program provides a dual track approach by emphasizing literary study and creative writing. In creative writing, the students take part in extensive teachings in various genres designed to equip them with strong abilities to produce written word and technology-based projects. In literature study, the students read to discover and analyze the meaning of various texts and genres from young adult novels to classic literature to current event articles.
Science
The school’s central purpose is to provide an excellent educational program in which each student may achieve maximum development in mind, personality and spirit. Our instructional philosophy is focused on educating the whole child. It is our goal to individualize our programs to meet the needs of children and to challenge each student to reach his or her academic potential.
Holy Nativity’s science curriculum is based on the Next Generation Florida Sunshine State Standards. Holy Nativity Episcopal School offers an inquiry based, hands-on science curriculum designed to provide students with an understanding of earth, life, and physical science concepts. Students develop a solid base of science knowledge and then they learn to apply that knowledge to solve problems. They learn to communicate information, to use experimental design, and to make connections to science in their everyday life.
MAJOR CURRICULUM SOURCES:
Harcourt Brace Science - kindergarten - fifth grade
Holt, Rhinehart, Winston - middle school
National Geographic for Kids
Ranger Rick
Non-fiction science books
CD-ROMS, Internet, videos, DVDs, SMART boards
Science equipment
Community resources and field trips to include the Gulf of Mexico, the Junior Museum, Zoo World, Gulf Coast Community College, St. Andrews Bay & State Park, Florida State University – Panama City Branch, Gulf World, Marianna Caverns, Seacrest Wolf Preserve, nature walks, farm visits, special guest speakers, Lansing-Smith Electric Plant, Tyndall Air Force Base Robotics Lab, and Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama
Social Studies
The school's central purpose is to provide an excellent educational program in which each student may achieve maximum development in mind, personality, and spirit. Our instructional philosophy is focused on educating the whole child. It is our goal to individualize our programs to meet the needs of each child and to challenge each student to reach his or her academic potential.
In following our philosophy of educating the whole child and providing challenging goals, we provide opportunities for students to understand themselves and the world in which they live and to become responsible citizens. Our belief that students need to learn, understand, and apply knowledge is satisfied by allowing opportunities for active participation using maps, charts, tables, timelines, graphs, and by encouraging students to build models and dioramas, conduct interviews, hold debates, take polls, and take part in many other activities.
Methods used include cooperative learning, parent and community speakers, research reports, class presentations, and the following field trips to match specific grade level curriculum expectations. All of these field trips incorporate multiple academic disciplines.
· Kindergarten: strawberry farm, Millville Christmas parade, Home Depot
· First grade: fire station, post office, Bay Medical lighting of the Christmas tree performance
· Second grade: Marianna Caverns, Gulf World, Famous Americans Presentation
· Third grade: St. Andrews State Park, Panama City, City Hall
· Fourth grade: St. Augustine, Visit the Capitol in Tallahassee
· Fifth grade: The American Village, Montevallo, AL
· Sixth grade: Space Camp
· Seventh grade: Camp Beckwith, Econfina canoe trip
· Eighth grade: Washington D.C., New York City
MAJOR CURRICULUM SOURCES:
Kindergarten – Harcourt Brace Social Studies Program
Elementary - Harcourt Brace Social Studies: Florida Edition
Middle School - Geography the World and Its People. Glencoe McGraw Hill;
Why We Remember. Addison-Wesley Publishing Co.;
World History (survey), McDougal Littell; and
Civics: Participating in Our Democracy Addison-Wesley Publishing Co.
Time for Kids
Time for Kids World Edition
CD-ROMS, Internet, videos, DVDs
In addition to the accelerated core curriculum, pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and elementary students participate in art (grades 1-5), music, PE, Spanish, and computer classes taught by specialists in their fields.
Middle school electives include robotics, comic book, theatre, debate, computer gaming, video editing, costume and design, performance music, guitar, rugby, lacrosse, art club, home economics, gardening, Spanish I, Spanish II, Microsoft Office applications, keyboarding, directed study, strategic games, and money talks.
