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.

• French and Spanish:  In early childhood, each language is studied half the year; in primary and intermediate, the language the students study rotates each year.  In junior high, students choose one language to study as a focus.
  • Spanish: early childhood (half the year), 1st, 3rd, and junior high.
  • French: early childhood (half the year), 2nd, 4th, and junior high.
• Instruction includes the development of the four language skills- listening, speaking, reading and writing, as well as a study of cultures.
• A majority of our graduates test into second-year of high school.

• Kindergarten begins with a weekly class, first through eighth 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.

• 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. 

• 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. 

• 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.
  
  

• 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.