First thru Fourth Grade Curriculum

1st Grade is the most important school year in a student's life. A strong foundation is stressed in reading, math, and religion. Basic skills are taught and work and study skills are developed. At Butler Catholic School, all of this is done in a caring, nurturing, and Catholic environment, which develops each student fully, to be the best he or she can be. Skills are reinforced with learning games and fun activities. Students are actively engaged in learning and creativity is nurtured. Students are rewarded for good behavior with a classroom incentive program. They are also encouraged and rewarded for attempting more challenging work.

2nd Grade curriculum is an integration of traditional teaching techniques, hands-on discoveries, student-centered activities and grade level interactions in a Catholic environment. The religion program in second grade centers on the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Our math program uses a "hands on approach". Language Arts is integrated into all subject areas. Thematic reading units contain current literature, plays, poetry and folk tales. Our reading program contains a strong phonetic base. Enrichment is available to all students in all subject areas. Challenging activities and projects are offered and students are encouraged to participate. The early years of the Butler Catholic School experience have various school, family, and religious community-centered activities. The students in second grade participate in the Living Stations as well as being prayer partners with the residents of the Arbors Senior Citizens Complex. An All Saints Day Celebration and play is part of the second grade experience.

3rd Grade is a very challenging year. Students are introduced to children's literature in reading for the first time. This encourages students to read chapter books on their own. The books are integrated into all subject areas. Writing is a daily part of the curriculum and is used thematically with the chapter books and the science and social studies units. Math is taught with a "hands on approach". Emphasis is placed on regrouping in addition and subtraction. Multiplication is introduced and facts are memorized. Enrichment activities are available to all students and are encouraged.

4th Grade has an emphasis on the importance of community service. On a monthly basis, the students create heart-felt projects for residents of nursing homes. Trade books are used to encourage reading about different genres. Vocabulary, spelling, and grammar are done on a daily basis to enhance reading comprehension. Manipulatives are used to introduce new concepts in math. Continued emphasis is placed on knowing math facts by games and time testing. Religion classes enable students to make the right choices and follow the Beatitudes. In doing this, students learn to handle negative peer pressure and make good moral choices.

The third and fourth grade students do seasonal projects for the Chicora Medical Center and Autumn Grove. These students are involved with visits and singing performances at these residences also. A culminating activity for these grades is the Portfolio Picnic which is a sharing of their school work with the parents a la picnic style.