Elementary Level

The traditional program uses the subject curriculum organized around the four main subjects of religion, reading, writing, and math, and also includes courses in English, spelling, history, geography, science, health and safety, Spanish, art, music, physical education and computers. The DARE information is taught to students in grade 5.

Religion

The traditional program enriches student curriculum with religion classes daily. In an effort to create a Catholic faith community, our commitment is to provide each student the teachings of the Catholic faith.

The books used in grades K4 to 5 are Sadlier's program, We Believe . In addition, we use Harcourt's program, Growing in Love, in grades 2 to 5.

Students in grades 3 to 5 participate in the preparation for Mass that is celebrated every Wednesday morning in the Convent Chapel. Students in grades K5 to 5 attend Mass weekly.

Students are involved in seasonal activities such as Our Lady of Guadalupe

celebrations, Stations of the Cross during Lent, Crowning of Mary and praying the Rosary.

Students in grade 2 receive instruction in the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. Students receive First Holy Communion in their parish and we celebrate as a school community in May.

Incarnate Word Academy Elementary Level School participates in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program that enriches and vividly focuses on the life of Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd.

Math

Teachers of grades K4 to 5 use the Sadlier Mathematics series as their primary resource to guide the instruction of math. Among the objectives taught are number sense and numeration, whole number operations, fraction and decimal concepts and computation, measurement and temperature, money and time, estimation, mental math and reasoning, geometry, and problem solving. These skills are introduced at the lower levels, and as the students progress to higher grades, they are further developed, applied, extended and mastered. Skills specific to grades 3 to 5 include ratio, proportion and percent, statistics and probability, and pre-algebra. The Accelerated Math program is available to students in grades 1 to 5.

Language Arts

Language is the students' most important tool. The study of language enables the student to acquire knowledge and transmit information. Reading, Spelling, and English skills that include speaking and thinking skills are integrated so that the student can become confident and competent in using the language. These skills are developed in a more intense manner as the maturity of the student develops.

Phonics

The Kindergarten 4 and Kindergarten 5 classes use Open Court, which is a phonics based program for Language Arts. Grades 1 and 2 use the Loyola Press phonics program. Also available to all grade levels is the Compass Learning computer program which includes phonics, spelling and computer skills.

Reading

Our reading program expands on vocabulary, develops comprehension skills, develops critical reading skills and study skills. The Kindergarten 4 and Kindergarten 5 classes are presently using the Open Court series. Grade 1 through grade 5 classes are using the Harcourt series. Grade 1 uses 5 readers during the course of a school year. Grades 2 through 5 use 2 readers during the school year.

Spelling

The student will develop the mechanics of capitalization, punctuation, and spelling in writing. These skills are more intensely developed in each grade level. Currently, the students are using the Scott Foresman program in spelling. Students in grades 3 to 5 participate annually in a school spelling bee. The winner advances to the regional spelling bee.

English

The student will develop oral language skills to communicate effectively with others and to develop oral composition. In addition, the student will develop writing skills through creative writing activities. They will also develop the skills of using parts of speech appropriately. Currently, the students are using the Houghton Mifflin English program.

Social Studies

Social Studies is taught in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 5. The social studies curriculum aims at raising the students' awareness to recognize and respect the ideals and standards of behavior present in all societies. Currently, we are using McGraw-Hill Publishing Company. Grade 4 students study Texas History and are currently using the Silver-Burdett program.

Science

The content of this curriculum contains a balance of manipulative activities from life, earth, and physical science. The McGraw-Hill textbook provides opportunities for the student to apply the scientific method, draw logical inferences, predict out-comes, and manipulate the variables in an experiment. The goal of this program is to help the student apply the skills of scientific inquiry in order to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to become scientifically and technologically literate.

Spanish

There are six essential skills identified in the teaching of Spanish - listening, speaking, reading, writing, cultural awareness and language. Each skill is further broken down into several subskills for each grade level. These skills are developed in a more intense manner as the student progresses. All children from grades K4 to 5 receive Spanish instruction for 20 minutes each day.

Music

Music and liturgy work hand in hand. In addition to learning the songs and Mass parts, the children gain experience in music notation, theory, rhythm and history. The upper grades are involved in choral activities and recorders.

Art

The art curriculum combines instruction of art history and the elements of art to bring out the creativity in all students. The students are encouraged to expand their imagination and abilities in a safe and affirming environment.

Hours

K4 & K5 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Grades 1 & 2 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Grades 3, 4 & 5 8:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.