ACADEMICS : CURRICULUM

Experiential Education

The SHCS in-depth experiential curriculum provides an atmosphere of hands-on learning that enhances traditional classroom instruction. We are proud to offer educational excursions in areas ranging from ecology to history to space exploration.

The trip to Wesley Woods for our third graders and the trip to Camp Greenville for our 7th graders increase our students' awareness of the environment and mankind's responsibility for it. These along with campus experiences, provide hands-on learning about Ecology.

Students in Grade 7 extend their knowledge of Tennessee History and Government by a trip to our capital city, Nashville. Students in Grade 8 have an enhanced American History experience through their travel to Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia.

Space Exploration and Aeronautical Adventures come alive for students in grade 5 through their participation in the Huntsville Space Camp program. It is further extended in grade 6 to a visit to the Challenger Center in Chattanooga.

Programs of Study
Click on a grade below to preview each program of study.
(Click here to download a printable version of the Academic Programs of Study )

Kindergarten

• Social Skills - Everything from how to line up and walk down the hallway to how to sit quietly in a group and listen while others are talking - once social skills fall into place, the academics follow right behind.
• Areas of Emphasis – Reading, religion, math and science
• Relationships with Peers - At this stage, children are "trying on" new friends and learning to get along. A "best friend" may be here today and gone tomorrow for no apparent reason. If you hear things like "Ashley doesn't like me anymore," don't panic. It's actually a sign of budding maturity. You help most when you simply listen and encourage friendships through after-school play dates.
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Grade 1

• Religion - The children will begin to learn that they belong to the Church community of Jesus' followers and that they participate in the Church through the sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist. The children learn that they are responsible to love and care for all of God's creation.
• Reading - Reading focuses on building a strong foundation of skills that lead to independence in decoding, comprehension, writing, and thinking. The development of independent reading for personal enjoyment and written expression of ideas is fostered.
• Math - The math emphasis is on the importance of children learning mathematical skills in order to develop mathematical understanding. The use of manipulative materials as a learning tool when introducing new concepts is of prime importance.
• Science - The science curriculum is a blending of process and content that enables the children to learn about science as it relates to their everyday lives. A balance of the life, earth, and physical sciences is presented.
• Social Studies - Students gain an appreciation for the many diverse cultures in today's world, begin to understand the interdependent nature of the world, and develop a positive image about self and others.
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Grade 2

• •Religion - Second graders at Sacred Heart are immersed in the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. Much time is spent in the preparation for these momentous occasions.
  • Writing - Second graders often keep journals and write their own books. Writing is usually used to enhance learning in all other subject areas. The emphasis on writing does not yet extend to spelling. Progress in spelling is usually noticeable as the year progresses.
  • Reading - Reading comprehension is a major goal. Students learn to read for meaning, noting:

  Who was the main character? What was the major problem? How was it solved What was the setting? How could changing the setting change the outcome?

  • Math - Math emphasis is on mastery and getting a solid foundation in addition and subtraction so that regrouping (borrowing and carrying) and multiplication can begin.
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Grade 3

• Religion - Focus is on the Apostles' Creed and basic fundamentals of the Faith.
• Social Studies - Focus is on communities and basic fundamental map skills.
• Science - Focus is on plants, animals, and basic physical science.
• Math - Focus is on multiplication and introductory division.
• Reading - Focus is on vocabulary, comprehension, and summarizing.
• Language Arts - Focus is on basic parts of speech and sentence structure.
• Art / Music / Physical Education / Spanish
• Wesley Woods: Students attend an environmental educational camp for three days and two nights.
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Grade 4

• Religion - Focus is on the Ten Commandments and the Eight Beatitudes.
• Social Studies - Focus is on U.S. regions.
• Science - Students begin the year with a review unit on life sciences: plants and animals. This is followed by a unit on the physical sciences including topics in chemistry and physics. Students study the skeletal, muscular, digestive, and circulatory systems of the human body.
• Math - Focus is on multiplication computation and one-digit divisors. Students are introduced to two-digit divisors, addition and subtraction of fractions with different denominators, statistics, graphing, and probability.
• Reading - Focus is on vocabulary and comprehension strategies such as prediction, analyzing the story to determine the problems and solutions faced by characters, summarizing, and drawing conclusions.
• Language Arts - Focus is on sentence structure and basic parts of speech. Much of the English curriculum is taught through the writing process.
• Art / Music / Physical Education / Spanish
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Grade 5

• Religion - Focus is on the sacraments, family life, the call to holiness, and stewardship.
• Social Studies - Focus is on U.S. history.
• Science - Topics in biological and earth sciences.
• Math - Focus is on fractions and mixed numbers, long division, data collection, analysis, measurement, and problem-solving.
• Reading - Focus is on reading more complex materials, comprehension, vocabulary development, and novel studies.
• Language Arts - Focus is on identifying parts of speech and their proper use in a sentence, creative writing, and reports. Spelling words are more complex.
• Art / Music / Physical Education / Spanish / D.A.R.E./ Junior Achievement
• Off-Campus Trips - Students spend two nights and three days at U.S. Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama
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Grade 6 Core Curriculum

• Christian Doctrine – Sixth-grade students are introduced to a formal study of the Old Testament and its literary forms. Traditional Church prayers and devotions are studied as they correspond with the liturgical calendar.
• English - Language focus is on handwriting skills, writing process, mechanics and grammar, word processing, and spelling. Writing-centered instruction involves the writing process: developing a writing goal, planning a composition, revising through several drafts, self and teacher editing of material, and producing final products in several genres.
• Literature - Reading is taught through different forms of literature. Genre includes short stories, novels, poetry, drama, and folk tales. Special attention is given to the literary elements of the short story and novel.
• Science - The sixth-grade science curriculum focuses on astronomy (earth, moon, sun, solar system, universe), sound and light (waves, sound, electromagnetic spectrum, light), magnetism and electricity (charges, current, electronics), and environmental science (ecosystems, biomes, use of resources, energy conservation.) Hands-on experiments and the integration of technology are integral components.
• World History - The social studies curriculum is a survey of world history encompassing ancient civilizations to modern societies. Critical thinking, map, and technology skills are reinforced; students use the Internet for research and to collect data for PowerPoint presentations.
• Math – Sixth-grade math provides the opportunity for students to review basic facts and operations as well as use that knowledge to develop higher level thinking skills. Topics include the study of fractions, decimals, graphs and statistics, geometry, area and volume, ratios, proportions, percent, and a strong emphasis on problem solving. Accelerated students are prepared for pre-algebra topics in seventh grade.
• Physical Education/Health - Students attend physical education classes for six weeks and health instruction for three weeks each quarter. Health students participate in discussions and projects relating to substance abuse, alcohol, tobacco, nutrition, safety, and diseases (including AIDS.)
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Grade 6 Elective Curriculum

• Theater - Students are introduced to theatre origin and development, basic acting/stage terminology, and weekly creative dramatic exercises.
• Spanish - Students are introduced to the basics of the Spanish language by reading and translation, written exercises in Spanish, and a diary project.
• Technology - Students will build basic keyboarding skills, begin to acquire knowledge of word processing software, and learn efficient strategies for conducting research on the Internet.
• Art - Students are presented basic art theory that they will always be able to use; for example, art principles that can be transposed to the computer, general color harmony and theory, work in strengthening visual perception, study how art can be applied to everyday life by examining consumer products and advertising, exposure to the different kinds of art and artists today, and study of art as part of cultural history.
• Band - At the sixth grade level, students are introduced to proper instrument care and correct posture for use of correct total body, arm, finger, and wrist position, positive affect on breathing technique for brass and woodwinds. Students begin to learn basic principles of tone production, musical concepts, and musical context.
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Grade 7 Core Curriculum

• Religion - Seventh grade religion concentrates on the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of our Lord. Through our studies of the New Testament, the film "Jesus of Nazareth", and an in-depth look at the Sacraments, the students will grow to better understand how Christ works in their lives and how they, in turn, are called to bear Christ to one another.
• English - The focus is on the writing process. The four basic aims are to inform, persuade, express, and create. Continuation of the study of grammatical ideas, usage, the mechanics of language, and vocabulary are taught in union.
• Literature - Focus is on a variety of skills such as comprehension, interpretation, and analysis of the various characteristics of numerous types of prose and poetry.
• Language Arts (honors) - Focus is split between grammar skills, achieved through the writing process and skills such as the comprehension, interpretation, and analysis of the various characteristics of numerous types of prose and poetry. Choice of literature is drawn from several genres and examined for their portrayal of conflict, plot, and use of symbol, theme, foreshadowing, characterization, setting, point of view, and relevance. Students are expected to maintain an 88% average in this class.
• Social Studies - The study of world geography incorporates the five major themes of location, place, human/environment interaction, movement, and region. The curriculum also includes the specific study of Tennessee's geography, history, and government.
• Spanish (honors) - Year-long course which concentrates on all strands of elementary Spanish is offered only to students in Language Arts. This class is equivalent of first year high school Spanish.
• Science - The curriculum focuses on selected topics from earth, life, and physical science, to include plate tectonics, mineralogy, geology, water resources, oceanography, marine biology, viruses, bacteria, plants, animal classification and behavior, force, energy conversion, and energy resources. Class activities focus on understanding, mastering, and applying the scientific method. Students are required tom complete a project for the SHCS Science Fair, held in February. Students will research a topic, use the scientific method to conduct an experimental investigation of that topic, and prepare a display board illustrating their findings along with a report that discusses them.
• Math - Students will improve their computation and problem-solving skills while working on proportions, statistics, probability, graphing, introductory algebra, and geometry. Practical applications and cross-curriculum projects are included.
• Pre-Algebra (honors) - This is a comprehensive course which transitions the students from elementary mathematics to algebra. The emphasis is on use of positive and negative numbers, key algebra concepts, geometry, and data analysis. Students are expected to maintain a 90% average in this class. Students also have the opportunity to participate in the Math Counts regional middle school mathematics competition.
• Physical Education/Health - Students attend physical education classes for six weeks and health instruction for three weeks each quarter.
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Grade 7 Elective Curriculum

• Theater - Students continue their study of the history of the theatre and its development, basic acting/stage terminology, and weekly creative dramatic exercises.
• Spanish - Students are introduced to the basics of the Spanish language by reading and translation, written exercises in Spanish, and presentation of skits written by the students.
• Technology - Students will continue to develop keyboarding skills, acquire basic knowledge of spreadsheet software, and learn efficient strategies for conducting research on the Internet.
• Art - At the seventh grade fine arts requirement level students have the opportunity to explore additional techniques, media, and creative problems, including silk screening, linoleum block printing, pattern design, painting batik, ink drawing, advertising media, clothing design, advanced painting, designing art on the computer, and very complex drawing projects.
• Band - At the seventh grade level, students continue to develop proper instrument care and correct posture for use of correct total body, arm, finger, and wrist position, positive affect on breathing technique for brass and woodwinds. Students refine tone production, musical concepts, and musical context.
• Speech - Curriculum emphasizes performance skills through extemporaneous, manuscript, oral interpretation, demonstration, and persuasion speech styles. Through performance, technique, and speech writing organization, students prepare to present a speech at the annual Optimist Oratorical Contest.
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Grade 8 Core Curriculum

• Christian Doctrine - Eighth grade curriculum encompasses morality, Church history, Catholic beliefs (creed), and Christian witness. Throughout the year, students will study conscience formation and address the challenges of living as a Catholic in today's world. Eighth grade students participate in a special way in the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on First Fridays and assist with the collection and delivery of mission donations.
• English - Language skills including listening, speaking, and composition will be developed through grammar review, mechanics, and writing assignments, including a research paper (see social studies).
• Language Arts (honors) - The English curriculum component is devised to develop the language skills of listening, speaking, and composition. Emphasis is placed on sentence structure, subject/verb agreement, and mechanics. The literature curriculum focuses on American literature with an emphasis on the elements of fiction. American literature is correlated with the American history period being studied as much as possible. Students are expected to maintain a 90% average in this class.
• Literature - Focus is on a variety of skills such as identification of literary elements, author’s purpose, comprehension, interpretation and analysis of the various characteristics of various genres in prose and poetry, as well as emphasizing speaking skills.
• Science - This is a general science course which focuses on cell biology, genetics and evolution, geologic time, weathering and erosion, characteristics and laws of matter, atomic structure, period table, properties of elements, chemical reactions, and characteristics of the atmosphere, weather patterns, and climate.
• Social Studies - A survey of American history includes the study of American geography and history beginning with colonization through Reconstruction, with special emphasis on the Constitution. The study of the U.S. in the twentieth century with emphasis on America’s involvement in the World Wars. Class concepts are reinforced during a trip to Colonial Williamsburg, Monticello, and Jamestown. In the spring semester, all American history students are assigned a 2000-word research paper, to be completed in conjunction with the English and language arts curricula.
• Spanish (honors) - Year-long course which concentrates on all strands of elementary to intermediate Spanish and is offered only to students in Language Arts. This class is equivalent of second year high school Spanish. Students who successfully complete this course may enter third year Spanish in high school, pending placement testing.
• Pre-Algebra - This course review elementary mathematics as it moves into the early algebraic concepts. Students will improve their computation and problem-solving skills while working on proportions, statistics, probability, graphing, introductory algebra, and geometry. Practical applications and cross-curriculum projects are included.
• Algebra (honors) - This is a high school course covering the concepts of an honors algebra class, to include functions and graphs, equations and inequalities, quadratic equations, exponents and exponential functions, and polynomials. Students successful in the course enter honors geometry their freshman year in high school, pending placement testing. Students are expected to maintain a 90% average in this class.
• Physical Education/Health - Continuation of PE skills developed in the seventh grade. The goal of the eighth grade health program is to promote health literacy. The areas emphasized are personal health, fitness and nutrition; nervous system; prevention of drug abuse; family life, to include the "Baby This It Over" program; education. Students have health for three weeks and PE for six weeks during each nine-week grading period.
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Grade 8 Elective Curriculum

• Theater - Students continue their study of the history of the theatre and its development, Shakespeare, basic acting/stage terminology, and weekly creative dramatic exercises.
• Spanish - Students are introduced to the basics of the Spanish language by reading and translation, written exercises in Spanish, and presentation of skits written by the students.
• Technology - Students will continue to develop keyboarding skills, learn efficient strategies for conducting research on the Internet, and begin an introduction to HTML, the computer code used to produce web pages.
• Art - At the eighth grade fine arts requirement level, students continue to explore additional techniques, media, and creative problems, including silk screening, linoleum block printing, pattern design, painting batik, ink drawing, advertising media, clothing design, advanced painting, designing art on the computer, and very complex drawing projects.
• Band - At the eighth grade level, students continue with proper instrument care and correct posture for use of correct total body, arm, finger, and wrist position, positive affect on breathing technique for brass and woodwinds. Students refine tone production, musical concepts, and musical context.
• Speech - Curriculum emphasizes performance skills through extemporaneous, manuscript, oral interpretation, demonstration, and persuasion speech styles. Through performance, technique, and speech writing organization, students prepare to present a speech at the annual Optimist Oratorical Contest.
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For curriculum standards, please refer to the State of Tennessee Department
of Education at http://www.state.tn.us/education/ci/cistandards.htm