Classrooms

Students take an active role in their learning through:

• Identifying words, letters, and sounds, developing vocabulary, and journal writing  
• Understanding and writing numbers 1-30 and exploring addition and subtraction  
• Introducing our natural world through experiences and experiments with plants and animals
• Engaging in music, arts, and performance—including the Kindergarten Opera

Kindergarteners have the opportunity for learning outside the classroom through field trips to Apple Jack’s Orchard, Westwood Nature Center, Eastman Nature Center, and the Children’s Museum.

Students take an active role in their learning through:

• Applying grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words
• Using context to grow vocabulary and understand meaning when reading
• Writing opinion pieces in which they state an opinion and supply reasons for the opinion
• Counting money, telling time, and learning concepts in geometry, as well as fractions

First graders have the opportunity for learning outside the classroom through field trips to different nature centers, a play performance, and visits from the Como Zoo.  

Students take an active role in their learning through:

• Preparing for and celebrating their First Reconciliation and First Communion
• Learning about light, matter, the water cycle, and living organisms in science
• Enhancing reading comprehension, as well as grammar skills, through thematic literature selections
• Adding and subtracting two- and three-digit numbers, as well as basic multiplication and division

Second graders have the opportunity for learning outside the classroom through field trips to the Arboretum, the Science Museum, a play performance, and the annual Thanksgiving Feast.

Students take an active role in their learning through:

• Learning cursive handwriting and applying the writing process to further develop writing skills
• Expanding upon knowledge of multiplication and division facts, as well as decimals and fractions
• Building literacy, phonetic, and comprehension skills to develop strong readers
• Experiencing our country’s history in a new way through the Presidential Wax Museum

Third graders have the opportunity for learning outside the classroom through field trips to the Arboretum, Baker Park - Near Wilderness Center, The Landing, and a play performance.

Students take an active role in their learning through:

• Using knowledge of sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, and cursive technique to grow writing skills
• Expanding their knowledge of number sense, algebraic operations, geometry, and data interpretations
• Exploring the regions of the United States and how we act as part of a global community
• Learning strategies and skills important to the reading process

Fourth graders have the opportunity for learning outside the classroom through field trips to The Bakken Museum, Minnesota State Capitol, Cathedral of St. Paul, and Target Field.  

The EDGE 

A Fifth/Sixth Grade Middle School Experience at Holy Name of Jesus School

The EDGE stands for Empowering, Developmentally responsive, God-centered, Educationally challenging and individualized learning.

Fifth graders develop strong academic, organizational, and problem-solving skills while taking an active and collaborative role with peers through challenging and meaningful opportunities.

Students take an active role in their learning through:

• Developing a broader math number sense and foundation for applying computation skills to solve real-world mathematical problems
• Generating an individualized scientific question of interest and conduct a controlled experiment to answer the question with a culminating science fair project to enhance communication skills
• Analyzing literature and dissecting the components of language to enhance writing skills
• Completing lessons in family life, safe touch, and anti-bullying

Sixth graders develop leadership skills and prepare for junior high and high school through challenging and exciting opportunities in learning.

Students take an active role in their learning through:

• Identifying and classifying organisms, parts of cells, earth science, and basic engineering
• Using both conceptual and real-world scenarios to test and enhance mathematical problem-solving skills
• Reinforcing grammar, spelling, comprehension, literary, vocabulary, language, and critical thinking skills 

Fifth & Sixth graders have the opportunity for learning outside the classroom through subject appropriate field trips. Sixth Grade will also go to Wolf Ridge in the Fall. The EDGE program works with ICOP regarding needs for service-learning projects throughout the year.