DeSales Catholic School > Spiritual Life > Religion Curriculum
Spiritual Life

Religious Curriculum by Grade

The 3 and 4 year old students explore their own uniqueness in God's eyes and become more aware if His beauty in their world. Prayer includes: the Sign of the Cross, Amen, Grace before snack time, and songs about Jesus.

The concept of God as a loving Creator is emphasized in Kindergarten. The students explore the gift of life and develop a sense of personal uniqueness. Prayer includes: the Sign of the Cross, Amen, Grace, the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, and songs, games, and Bible stories in a daily prayer circle. Students also learn appropriate behavior during Mass.

God's love for us manifested in Jesus is central to the Grade 1 curriculum. Stories of Jesus and lessons about Baptism and grace initiate a loving response to God and a desire for belonging to God's family. Prayer includes: the Sign of the Cross, Grace, the Our Father, the Hail Mary, Glory Be, and respectfully participating in Mass and in daily classroom prayer.

The 2nd grade student learns about Jesus as Friend, His healing, forgiveness, and His love. The Parish initiates a First Reconciliation supplement to be used to prepare the students for this sacrament. Prayer includes: the Hail Mary, Glory Be, Act of Contrition, daily classroom prayer using a Prayer Table or Prayer Corner, and respectfully participating in Mass prayers and responses.

The Church as community, its mission, structures, and the Sacraments are a major focus in 3rd grade. A sense of belonging to the Church and the love of the Holy Spirit will develop. The Parish initiates a First Eucharist supplement to be used to prepare the students for this sacrament. Prayer includes: the Act of Contrition, Morning Offering, an instructional Mass, Prayer service and mass planning, Mass responses, spontaneous prayer, and daily classroom prayer using a Prayer Table or Prayer Corner.

The call to lead a moral life, based on the example of Jesus' teachings and life is the focus of the 4th grade curriculum. Thorough study of the 10 Commandments, Beatitudes, the corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy will develop a sense of personal responsibility to imitate Jesus. Prayer includes: the Morning Offering, Apostles' Creed, Hail Holy Queen, Prayer service and mass planning, composing Prayers of the Faithful, and daily classroom prayer using a Prayer Table or Prayer Corner.

The major theme in the grade five curriculum is sacrament - a comprehensive study of the 7 sacraments to achieve a better understanding and appreciation of Jesus in their lives. The uniqueness of the Roman Catholic Church and Eucharistic Liturgy (Mass) are also emphasized. Prayer includes: the Apostles' Creed, Hail Holy Queen, Acts of Faith, Hope and Love, the Angelus, the Stations of the Cross, meditation, and the rosary. Prayer service and Mass planning committee as well as daily classroom prayer using a Prayer Table or Prayer Corner.

Grade six students are led to discover the richness of our Judeo-Christian roots and develop an appreciation for the Old Testament as God's living word for us today. Prayer includes: the Acts of Faith, Hope and Love, the Angelus, Psalms, spiritual prayer, and rosary. Prayer service and Mass planning committee continue as well as daily classroom prayer.

The person of Jesus and the New Testament are the focuses of the grade seven curriculum. Special emphasis is given to the mysteries of our faith and concepts of the Church are explored. Prayer includes: the Angelus, Hail Holy Queen, Benediction, personal prayer, and the rosary. Leading school prayer services and Mass planning continue as well as daily classroom prayer.

The 8th grade curriculum highlights the mystery and mission of the church, its sacraments, and Liturgical year. Students are challenged by the call to Christian morality. Prayer includes: the Apostles' Creed, leading school prayer services, Mass planning continues as well as daily classroom prayer.

http://www.DnnDeveloper.In

DeSales Catholic School LogoDeSales is a regional Catholic elementary school, located in the Town of Lockport NY, within the Diocese of Buffalo. The school is a designated STREAM school, a center of excellence that inspires individual students to reach their greatest potential, both inside and outside the classroom, while providing students with the fundamental building blocks to be innovative, critical-thinkers, and responsible future leaders.