St. Joseph Grade School curriculum is based on the curriculum developed by the Office of Catholic Education of the Diocese of Trenton. Our curriculum is continuously evaluated and monitored by teachers and administrators. Regular grade level meetings and communications insure that all faculty members are aware of curriculum changes and amendments.

MATH

The Math curriculum for grades K to 8 is based on the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards (NCTM). Concrete, semi-concrete and abstract models are used across the math curriculum. The following principles are developed as students progress: problem solving, measurement and geometry, number operations/algebra. Mathematics is related to real life through problem solving, class discussion and small and large group instruction. Teachers use manipulatives to reinforce skills taught. An annual Math Day is scheduled to underscore the "Math across the curriculum" objective.

SCIENCE

The Science curriculum includes Earth and Space Science, Physical Science and Life Science. Our faculty has received training in the"Hands-on Science" program provided by Fairleigh Dickinson University. We are presently exploring the development of a dedicated Science lab. The Annual Science Fair is held each spring with grades K to 2 participating through their class project. Grades 3 to 8 compete by entering individual projects or small group projects. All projects are judged and awards are distributed.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Social Studies is taught in grades K to 8 according to the following designations: kindergarten investigates "self and relationships"; the first grade explores "families, home and the world"; second grade studies "my community"; the third grade examines "communities: past, present and future"; the fourth grade learns about "New Jersey and the United States regions"; the fifth grade discovers "geography and cultures of the Western hemisphere"; the sixth grade examines "geography and cultures of the Eastern hemisphere"; the seventh and eighth grades study " United States history."

COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY

Our Technology lab includes 35 Dell Pentium 4 computers, 3 laser printers, 1 color printer, a scanner and a digital camera. Our lab was installed in September 1997 and donated to Saint Joseph Grade School through the generosity of our PTA and a grant from the Ocean Federal Foundation. Bell Atlantic assisted St. Joseph's by conducting a Net Day, wiring the whole school to accommodate all future classroom computers, as well as our in-house, networked server. Adelphia Cable donated our Internet access. The lab was made possible through the generosity of our school's technology committee consisting of parents and staff. This committee devoted three years of time and energy to the development of our technology lab. The Diocese of Trenton has developed curriculum guidelines for technology. They include key boarding, word processing, graphics, database, spreadsheets and the Internet; these components are taught to grades K to 8.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Students in K to 3 are instructed in fundamental locomotion skills and simple lead-up games. Grades 4 to 6 improve on gross motor skills and sportsmanship through game experiences. Grades 7 to 8 learn to work together to accomplish task at hand and to learn sportsmanship through higher level games.