During this activity the children get to choose to play in various areas, including the house, blocks, table toys, sensory table, art, writing, and library areas. We also go to music and physical education once a week. Our busy day usually concludes with a story, either a story related to our theme of the week or a story from the Bible. We study one letter of the alphabet each week, learning its sound and shape as well as the words which begin with that letter. Students hear lots of oral reading and they experience shared reading using big books and stories with repetitive phrases.
Students write in journals and make class books.
We use the D Nealian style of handwriting. Students also have 3 rd grade reading buddies who partner read once a week. We emphasize the Golden Rule, Mass, Prayer, Advent, Lent, Jesus and His Life, Easter, as well as lessons in the stories of the Bible in Religion. Students participate in weekly Mass and Father visits the classroom once a week. Math is also incorporated into our daily opening.