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Academics ~ Lower School
GRADES 3-5
The Sacred Heart Approach
 The primary goal of the Sacred Heart Lower School program is the growth of each child's unique sense of self. The program aims not only to teach subject mastery but also to develop creative thinking, critical problem-solving skills, self-confidence and enthusiasm for learning.
Core Curriculum
The core subjects are taught in single-sex classrooms that nurture a strong sense of self-esteem and stimulate academic and emotional development. In this learning environment, specific to the different learning styles of boys and girls, students follow similar curricula and thematic study units and together share in many other school activities.
Language Arts: The language arts curriculum incorporates reading, writing, listening, speaking, spelling, phonics, vocabulary development and handwriting. Major emphasis is placed on reading enjoyment.
Social Studies: The social studies curriculum emphasizes an awareness of other societies and cultures and stresses an appreciation for tolerance, acceptance and understanding. Inter-disciplinary projects are connected with geography and history study units.
 Mathematics: The math curriculum encourages students to understand the real world application of math concepts by connecting the physical world with the world of numbers through a series of engaging activities.
Science: The science curriculum emphasizes the essential skills of observation, recording data, and predicting and drawing conclusions. This experiential approach uses science-related activities, experiments and field trips.
Special Areas Classes
Each week, in addition to their core curriculum, the students attend classes in French, music, art, computer, religion and physical education. Every year, the core and special area faculty try to plan several thematic units together in order to integrate the learning experience as much as possible.
Campus Facilities
Each Lower School class meets in its own self-contained classroom, which is equipped with computers. Specialized classes use the art studio, computer center, music room, library, gymnasium and playground. The computer center is open before and after school several times each week.
Additional Programs
On Stage: There are opportunities throughout the year for students to gain self-confidence by making speeches and presentations to other classes in the Schools. Students regularly participate in all-school liturgical celebrations and perform in concerts both at the school and off campus.
Sports: Fourth-grade boys and girls can join the Schools' intramural basketball program., cross-country team, and track team.
Field Trips: During Lower School, students take field trips to almost all of Chicago's major museums and cultural institutions.
Sacramental Preparation: Preparation for
First Communion and the Sacrament of Reconciliation is included in the second-grade religion curriculum.
Lower School students continue to learn about the diversity of people living in their world, here at school, in their neighborhood, in the city of Chicago and in the United States. They also learn about people around the globe. Lower School students are respectful of their own environment and of their peers and teachers. They are taught the importance of helping others and are asked to do so in a variety of ways. Social Justice issues are explained to the students. At times speakers come in to address issues of homelessness, poverty or oppression. Students are asked to better the lives of people everywhere.
Reporting and Conferences
Parents receive two narrative report cards and two detailed written progress reports during the academic year. There also are two scheduled conferences for parents and teachers. Back to top
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