Reading and Math
Assumption School follows the guidelines of the Diocese of Pittsburgh’s continuous growth approach to reading and math instruction. Students can advance through defined levels of competency according to their needs and abilities. Student report card grades in Reading and Math reflect the grades achieved and students are evaluated on their achievement at expected grade level.
To accomplish this end, flexible grouping of students allows them to move forward in the curriculum as they achieve mastery of content and skills. Individual needs of students are met through teachers recognizing different learning styles. Teachers vary their presentation and assignments to provide for the individual needs of each child. Instruction includes developing critical thinking skills, problem solving, and research techniques. Enrichment is presented to all students, thus broadening the lesson presented.
Catechesis
Our students experience constant and consistent goals and objectives to enhance their spiritual formation and moral development. These ultimate goals are a genuine, personal relationship with God and the response of worship and service. We accomplish this through:
§ Liturgical and daily prayer
§ Familiarity with the devotions of the Church by praying the rosary
§ Learning doctrine and scripture study
§ An annual test, Assessment of Catechesis Religious Education (ACRE), for fifth and eighth graders
§ Service to God and others within the community, to include the ability to make moral decisions that are right and just, to control personal behavior by faith principles, and
§ To show concern for the welfare of others.
§ Parental involvement, to include the Catholic Vision of Love, the Diocesan program on teaching chastity.
Special Needs Program
Assumption School, as a Catholic School in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, is committed to a program of education that considers all children unique, who learn at different rates, and who are to be challenged to their fullest potential. We accomplish this through:
- Having a Special Needs Coordinator in our school building.
- Developing a plan of action to assist students.
- Servicing individuals who are identified as have specific learning disabilities.
- Creating a growth plan for each individual student identified with a special need.
- Adapting the curriculum as appropriate for these students.
Language Arts
Each student is introduced to language as a viable form of communication, as a skill, and as an art to be enjoyed. Students learn to be more perceptive through listening, speaking, seeing, and feeling. This encourages them to speak fluently, to read and comprehend, to compose thoughts, to write legibly, and to spell correctly. The Language Arts Curriculum helps each student to progress to his/her potential in learning the life-long skills of Reading, English, Library Skills, Handwriting, Spelling, and World Language.
World and Classical Languages
- Spanish is taught in grades K through 8 and focuses on the understanding of the sound system and spelling patterns; vocabulary and word structures in speaking and writing; listening and reading; knowing simple sentence and question structures to communicate; comprehending simple spoken conversations and writing sentences in dialogs and short paragraphs in Spanish.
- Latin is taught in grades 6, 7 & 8 as a pilot program (2008-2009) to recognize and strengthen spelling patterns; to learn vocabulary terms through reading and listening; to understand vocabulary forms and structures used in basic speaking and writing; and to understand the cultural and historic foundation of Roman history.
Mathematics
Our mission is to enable all students to learn the skills, acquire the knowledge, and develop the attitudes in mathematics and technology necessary for them to reach their full potential as morally and socially responsible citizens who can meet the changes of a changing global society. We encourage strong moral principles, inquisitive spirits, and probing minds. Teachers promote problem solving skills and an exploratory inquisitiveness. Students master the basics and develop proof for answers.
Social Studies
Teachers set up small groups for specific projects, plan for students to work on critical thinking skills, as well as map/graph, reference, and writing skills. The whole scope of social science includes elements of anthropology, economics, geography, history, political science, sociology with an emphasis on global awareness, and social psychology. Students are helped to develop a sense of relationship among these various social studies disciplines. Current events’ understanding helps students to integrate the past with the present and prepares them for the future. Social Studies is a subject that readily lends itself to projects, role-playing, debate, parliamentary procedure, use of research, and technology.
Science
The science curriculum focuses on an inquiry-based process and fosters collaborative learning. Students are led to discover the wonders of creation and to refocus the direction of life on this earth through respectful investigation, research, and application of scientific information. Students use scientific principles and processes in making personal decisions and in being pro-active in the solution of scientific problems that affect society. Classroom environments allow students to work together as active learners.
Health
Health education which leads to the total well-being of each student is the goal of the diocesan “Health for Success” program. It is a comprehensive approach to developing our students physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and socially. It includes the following content areas:
Community Health Consumer Health
Family Life Injury and Protection
Mental and Emotional Health Environmental Health
Nutrition Personal Health and Safety
Substance Use and Abuse Prevention and Control of Disease
Physical Education
The health curriculum places holistic emphasis on wellness, fitness, behaviors, and skills for healthy, active living. Education and health for children are intertwined. Students learn to follow rules and to respect the rights of others through games and physical activity. These classes provide psychological benefits which contribute to a sense of self-respect, leading to a positive self-image.
Computer
The computer curriculum is built around a scope and sequence of the learning objectives in ten key technology areas that meet or exceed Pennsylvania and International Society for Technology Standards. Each lesson builds upon the technology skills, the learning objectives, and the content knowledge taught in preceding lessons. When the curriculum is implemented sequentially, the students have opportunities to practice, and over time, to achieve mastery of the skills in keyboarding, computer operations, word processing, and internet operations.
Fine Arts
Instruction in the Arts promotes individual expression; allows experimentation with diverse materials and elements; enables exploration and appreciation of the works of other students and major artists; develops an awareness and sensitivity toward the environment; and promotes a deeper understanding of heritage and culture.
- Art is taught in grades K through 8 and includes: drawing, painting, sculpting, and multi-dimensional design; exposure to artistic expression and development; and art history.
- Music is taught in grades K through 8 and includes: the study of music through melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic music elements, instrument and voice practice, movements, and eras and themes. Other skills are: singing and playing from notation, learning pitch, volume, structure, expressive qualities, and performances with band and string ensembles. Field trips are scheduled to enhance the theory and expertise of professional presentations incorporating all music elements.