Specials at St. Monica

Our Art program strives to offer students an opportunity to create and explore as many media as possible. Our instruction is technique-based with an emphasis on cultural and historically relevant Art History. Students are encouraged to make whatever they are interested in, allowing different Art media to channel their expression.

Kindergarten and first graders focus on color mixing, establishing good painting practices, print-making, observational and imaginative drawing as well as ceramics and sculpture. Older students up through sixth grade expand upon these themes with more rigor and complexity each year. Like any performance art, practice makes “perfect.”  Middle School students  delve more deeply into the above media with a much stronger emphasis on observational drawing and color mixing with a focus on how to apply those skills to any media.

Above all, we strive to support a love of the Arts and encourage kids to not only enjoy expressing themselves through visual art but become a lifelong art appreciator.

The technology education program works to coach students on various technology skills while providing a stimulating classroom learning experience. The goal is to bring out the creativity and individuality of each student through inventive teaching approaches.

K-2 Skills taught at this level range from, becoming comfortable with a mouse, and the introduction to basic software integration. Technology application skills reinforce reading comprehension and math skills. Students also begin to build their keyboarding speed and accuracy.

3-5 Skills taught to this age group are geared towards; the introduction of Microsoft Office Software including PowerPoint, Word, Publisher and OneNote. Students continue to build their keyboarding speed and accuracy.

6-8 Skills are focused on high school readiness. Students are expected to have more advanced skills in the Microsoft Office applications and improved grammar and language skills. Keyboarding speed and accuracy skills are projected to grow immensely as well.

Teachers and students also have classroom access to our 250 Chromebooks, 90 ipads and 60 laptop computers to enhance their learning and assist with word processing and research. 

The K-8 Physical Education program is designed to promote the enjoyment that comes with maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle. Students are engaged in a variety of age-appropriate activities that develop not only physical skills but foster critical team-building and social skills to complement the development of the whole child. Our focus is set on creating a safe, high-energy climate where each student can be successful and have a positive attitude toward physical activity.

K-2 For our emerging language learners, the focus will primarily be on fun.  The methodology for the lower elementary students in their Spanish exploration will be music and games.  The idea is to develop a love rather than a fear of learning languages. Each week, we will sing, play and learn new words together in Spanish.

3-5 Our upper elementary students will focus on high-frequency words and ideas, as well as culture, how Catholics celebrate their faith in Spanish-Speaking countries, and Spanish prayers. World Language Learners are expected to compare Hispanic culture to their own at all levels. Spanish will primarily be taught utilizing stories and games.
 
6-8 Our middle school students will focus on high school readiness in preparation for Spanish 1. These students will receive a modified version of the Spanish 1 high school curriculum. Students are taught conversational Spanish vocabulary and high frequency words through traditional exercises and storytelling techniques. Students will listen to read, write, and speak in Spanish in increasing amounts.

6th: Students learn fundamental skills on either flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, or euphonium while performing a variety of repertoire. Students learn to play similar parts and are introduced to band repertoire. Throughout the year, some students are invited to switch to oboe, alto saxophone, French horn, or percussion. Sixth grade performs two concerts a year.

7th: Students continue developing fundamental skills and perform a variety of band repertoire. Students expand their ensemble experience by learning independent parts within the band, as well as individually in small ensembles. Seventh grade performs three concerts a year.

8th: Students learn and develop intermediate skills and perform a variety of band repertoire. Students have the opportunity to audition for the MSBOA Honor Band and to participate in MSBOA Solo & Ensemble Festival. Eighth grade perform three concerts a year, as well as annually at the MMEA Instrumental Clinic.

St. Monica and St. Augustine schools combine band students in the same grade for performances.

Music class is provided to every student in grades K-8 and meets once a week. All students are actively engaged in activities that represent a wide range of musical process. Classes are characterized by a layered elemental ensemble approach. This begins with speech, movement, and song and then extends to adding ostinatos or accompaniment on non-pitched percussion, barred instruments, and soprano recorders. Icons and Kodaly hand signs are used as a bridge to reading and writing music notation. In grades 6-8 experiences range from literacy with the elements of music to beginning composition and opportunities in music technology.  The student’s musical accomplishments are presented at the winter and spring concerts. Our 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th graders also attend the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Youth Concert every spring, which provides an introduction to orchestra.