Academics » Specials

Specials

A robust offering of specials classes allows our students opportunities to pursue their interests and develop important skills. Our specials teachers collaborate with other teachers to create cross-curricular, integrated projects.
Foreign Language 
  • SJS focuses on the Spanish language from early childhood, through the primary and intermediate grades and up into junior high where a more in depth study of the language takes place.
  • Each grade level will experience a Spanish class to reach their own unique language learning needs:
    PK3-K:  2 days a week
    1st grade - 4th grade:  3 days a week
    5th - 8th grade:  4 days a week
  • SJS focuses on the four domains of language learning:  listening, speaking, reading and writing and engages in an authentic study of the cultures of the different Spanish speaking countries.
  • A majority of our graduates test into second year of high school Spanish language classes.
 
Physical Education
  • Kindergarten begins with a weekly class; 1st - 8th grades have PE twice a week.
  • Primary and intermediate: Learn and play many different games while practicing positive social interaction and following rules and directions.
  • Junior high: Sports units include skill acquisition, promotion of fitness within the sport, decision making, and safe social interaction.

Art
  • Students engage in and create artwork using a variety of media.
  • Students develop skills that address art expression, art knowledge, art criticism and visual literacy.
  • Students gain a historical perspective by studying contributions that artists have made. 

Music
  • Curriculum focuses on our students developing musical skills and fostering a life long music appreciation.
  • All of our students will perform in two large concerts:  The Christmas Show and Spring Show
  • Early childhood and elementary: Students develop singing voices, learn dances, develop a steady beat, and play various instruments, such as the xylophone, recorder and drums.
  • Intermediate and junior high: Students play multiple instruments, develop vocal technique, increase music theory comprehension, and sharpen their performance skills. 


STEM 
 
  • Technology is ever-evolving. At St. Josaphat School we strive to ensure our students have the skills to safely interact with technology in their everyday lives.  Technology is not to be looked at as a separate discipline but as one that is woven into the student's day.
  • The STEM lab provides students with exciting and alternative ways to learn science, technology, engineering, and mathematics skills.  The STEM curriculum is custom to St. Josaphat School and developed through Creative Learning Systems.
  • Beginning in Kindergarten curriculum is taught using media that includes Interactive TVs and iPads in every classroom.
  • In primary and intermediate grades, small groups of students meet with the instructor to build computer skills, while other students rotate through STEM stations.
  • In junior high, students work in small groups to select a STEM challenge.  They test and revise their work, reflect on the process, and present their projects to the class.


Library
 
  • Students in K-4th grade visit the library bi-weekly during the school year.
  • Lessons in the library include how to find a good fit book, research a topic using a variety of texts, study an author’s works, identify a variety of genres and navigate a nonfiction section organized by Dewey Decimal.
  • Students have the opportunity to borrow materials from the library and will learn to be responsible in caring for borrowed materials.