KINDERGARTEN

Holy Nativity’s Kindergarten program aligns to FCIS standards while incorporating Florida State and National Common Core Standards. 

Students are immersed daily in HMH Into Reading, think!Mathematics (a Singapore Math) and Handwriting Without Tears. All three curriculums are based on the latest brain research and best practices. We include a strong focus on Social Studies and Science through fieldtrips and in-house experimentation. Collaborative learning is fostered through teacher led small group activities in which all students are expected to participate and engage each other. Great attention is paid to the varied levels of individual learners and differentiated instruction is used to meet the needs of all students. Chromebooks are used for group and individual learning. 

This is a rigorous program but the children just see it as fun!

Elementary

The following are the current choices for our elementary curriculum. Our curriculum choices are driven by our mission and based on the most current research about what works to effectively educate children.

think!MathEMATICS

The Singapore Mathematics Approach

Singapore Math is fully implemented in Jr. Pre-K through 5th Grade. The deep conceptual understanding will become more and more apparent as math becomes more complex. There are many informative videos available on YouTube to view actual classrooms using this leading international math program. 

Rocket Math

Adopted in 2012-2013, to supplement Singapore Math, Rocket Math is a daily 10 to 15 minute approach to teaching and reinforcing math facts fluency—addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. This vital aspect of math is not included in Singapore Math because in Singapore math facts are learned at home and not included in school work. More information is available on the Rocket Math website and there is a great Rocket Map App available that compliments our classroom efforts perfectly.

Science Matrix

Our kindergarten through 5th grade teachers vertically aligned all of their science units, thus ensuring that every science topic and all standards are included in our elementary curriculum. HNES did not adopt the “integrated science” curriculum approach being used by the state of Florida (a way of presenting science where a portion of each science topic is taught at each grade level with increasing depth). Our elementary and middle school science is topic specific, so that a subject can be treated in depth when and where the students encounter it. A copy of the science matrix created by the teachers is available for all parents, and the teachers at each grade level welcome parent suggestions and sharing of expertise—in or out of the classroom. 

Social Studies Matrix

A coordinated K-5th social studies matrix is now in production and estimated to be completed by the beginning of the school year. This matrix will serve a similar purpose as the science matrix, to guarantee that students are taught all of the standards and topics of the elementary social sciences, plus will help parents know what to expect at each grade level. The talents and interests of our families enrich our classrooms and we hope this matrix will better enable members of the HNES family to share these talents and interests with their children.

Reading curriculum for K-5

For our reading curriculum we selected HMH Into Reading by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Just A Sample of Projects and Field Trips for our Elementary Students:

Kindergarten 

Halloween Costume Parade

Animal Habitats Project

Farm Animal Day

Community Helpers Presentations

Polar Express & Pajama Day

100th Day of School Parade

Fire Station Visit

1st Grade 

Famous Americans Research Paper and Schoolwide Presentations

Famous American Schoolwide Parade 

PJ’s and Polar Express

Animal Reports 

Visit to the Zoo on Panama City Beach, FL

2nd Grade

Create a Family Memory Coat and Family Tree

Magic Treehouse Report and Schoolwide Presentations

Visit Gulf World on Panama City Beach, FL

3rd Grade

State Research Report and Schoolwide Presentations

Novel Studies 

Penguin Study and Projects

Visit the Florida Caverns in Marianna, FL 

4th Grade 

Host the Schoolwide Space Bubble

Rainforest Study and Mural 

Novel Studies 

Visit our Florida State Capital in Tallahassee, FL

3 Day Field Trip to St. Augustine, FL

5th Grade 

Native American Tribe Research and Projects

Novel Studies 

Middle School Shadow Day

Beta Club Social

Four Day Field Trip to Boston, MA