CURRICULUM
All Saints takes pride in offering a rigorous, well-rounded education in all subject areas. Some academic highlights include:
CHROMEBOOKS
1:1 CHROMEBOOKS IN THE MIDDLE BUILDING
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE TRIP
8TH GRADE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE TRIP
RESEARCH PROJECT
8TH GRADE I-SEARCH RESEARCH PROJECT
ACCELERATED MATH
7TH-8TH GRADE ACCELERATED MATH CLASSES
SPANISH LOS POSADAS PLAY
7TH-8TH GRADE SPANISH LOS POSADAS PLAY
WAX MUSEUM
7TH GRADE WAX MUSEUM
BIBLE PLAYS
6TH GRADE OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE PLAYS
SCIENCE FAIR
5TH & 8TH GRADE SCIENCE FAIR
STATE REPORT
4TH GRADE WASHINGTON STATE REPORT
RELIGION CLASSES
K-8TH GRADE DAILY RELIGION CLASSES
…and so much more!
Curriculum is developed, reviewed, and evaluated annually. National, state, and especially Diocesan guidelines and benchmarks are incorporated into each subject area’s curriculum. See below for an overview of specific subject areas.
CHROMEBOOKS
1:1 CHROMEBOOKS IN THE MIDDLE BUILDING
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE TRIP
8TH GRADE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE TRIP
RESEARCH PROJECT
8TH GRADE I-SEARCH RESEARCH PROJECT
ACCELERATED MATH
7TH-8TH GRADE ACCELERATED MATH CLASSES
SPANISH LOS POSADAS PLAY
7TH-8TH GRADE SPANISH LOS POSADAS PLAY
WAX MUSEUM
7TH GRADE WAX MUSEUM
BIBLE PLAYS
6TH GRADE OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE PLAYS
SCIENCE FAIR
5TH GRADE SCIENCE FAIR
STATE REPORT
4TH GRADE WASHINGTON STATE REPORT
RELIGION CLASSES
K-8TH GRADE DAILY RELIGION CLASSES
…and so much more!
Curriculum is developed, reviewed, and evaluated annually. National, state, and especially Diocesan guidelines and benchmarks are incorporated into each subject area’s curriculum. See below for an overview of specific subject areas.
SUBJECT AREAS
RELIGION
The Catholic faith is the major focus of our school ministry. Our program is based on the faith tradition and Gospel values of the Catholic Church. Religion is taught daily in every classroom as an academic subject, and other religious experiences are planned to promote effective learning such as speakers and yearly retreats. Students participate in Masses, prayer services, assemblies, services projects, and share their faith with others in numerous ways. Weekly Masses and prayer services are planned by individual classes, and students participate in liturgical roles. Living the Gospel in today’s world is the focus of our program. See the Catholic Diocese of Spokane Religion Curriculum for more details.
READING + LANGUAGE ARTS
We form literate students who are prepared to meet the challenges of the world with strong critical thinking abilities. Through the studies of literature and communication, students master the standards in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language. Reading instruction begins with a strong phonetic base and focuses on the whole language experience. Students read novels, short texts, and content-rich nonfiction to build knowledge and gain comprehension skills. We have a reading specialist who aids in diagnosis, accommodations, and individualized instruction for students who need it.
Advanced readers also receive appropriate instruction. Students at All Saints typically read at, or above, their grade level. As they progress into our middle building, their work becomes more accelerated.
Language Arts expectations for students focus on writing and speaking to accurately communicate their ideas and feelings. Standard English grammar and usage are important life-skills. Writing of both fiction and expository material is taught, and correct spelling and legible handwriting contribute to these skills. A vocabulary, spelling, and grammar program is taught in grades K – 8 with middle building students learning Greek and Latin roots. Responsible use of computers in both the classroom and computer lab is taught to aid in writing, editing, and revising. See the Catholic Diocese of Spokane English Language Arts Standards for more information.
MATH
All Saints’ math program is planned using the recommendations of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics with increased emphasis on developing concepts at the concrete level by using manipulatives, before advancing to models and abstracting. Problem-solving using real life situations, reading, writing and talking about math, critical thinking, and using technological devices appropriately are key to our program. Students who are ready may take pre-algebra in 7th or 8th grade, and algebra is offered to 8th graders. Students are placed into the pre-algebra program based on their 6th grade math grades, a diagnostic end of the year test, teacher evaluation, and their ability to think critically. We use Math Expressions, My Math, and Glencoe Math at various grade levels to meet the Catholic Diocese of Spokane Mathematics Standards.
SCIENCE
We believe the engagement in science and engineering practices, integrated with our Catholic faith, fosters a respect for God’s creation through understanding, exploration, and application of scientific concepts. students engage in hands-on science labs and engineering projects while utilizing technology. The science program has a carefully planned spiral of study to ensure topics are introduced and reviewed at various levels. Biological, Physical, Environmental, and Earth Science are covered throughout the curriculum. The science curriculum is based on inquiry, learning, and developing the ability to question, observe, and research as a scientist. In meeting the Catholic Diocese of Spokane Science Standards, students engage in hands-on experiments, projects, demonstrations, and lab and have the opportunity to delve into concepts of individual interest and importance.
SOCIAL STUDIES
The focus of Social Studies is to instill a global view of humanity, cultures, and the dignity of the individual and to form active and responsible citizens. Accordingly, the values of social justice and community are stressed in our program. The Catholic Diocese of Spokane Social Studies Standards ensure that at all grade levels, students learn about civics, economics, geography, and history. From the global lens to the community focus, All Saints students explore world history, U.S. History, and Washington State history through text, multimedia, field trips, and hands-on activities.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Physical education is taught at both buildings twice a week. Both our campuses are equipped with full-sized gyms. Per the Catholic Diocese of Spokane Physical Education Standards, the program focuses on large and small muscle coordination, learning and playing active games and sports, improving endurance, and developing specific motor skills. We believe that learning to win and lose with grace is important, so we also focus on cooperation and sportsmanship.
PERSONAL SAFETY
Personal Safety is a Diocesan program which focuses on keeping our children safe by learning how to be assertive and understanding safe and unsafe actions. The Catholic Diocese of Spokane Christian Living Program includes topics of physical and sexual abuse. Contact your child’s teacher if you opt to teach Personal Safety at home.
ELECTIVES
Seventh and eighth graders choose between two elective courses: Spanish and Study & Life Skills.
Spanish & Latin American Cultures
In this course, students learn the basics of conversational Spanish, focusing on speaking, listening, reading, and writing the language. In addition, they learn about the culture and customs of many of the 21 Spanish speaking countries and territories. Topics include greetings, the alphabet, number, seasons, personal descriptions, travel, sports, feelings, and arts of the Spanish speaking world, including how our Catholic faith is celebrated in these countries.
STUDY & LIFE SKILLS
Good study habits and executive functioning skills are critical for students to learn more efficiently, feel more academically confident, persevere through challenges, and ultimately do their best. This course is more than just a study hall; it is an opportunity to provide students with vital study strategies needed to enhance academic success and encourage lifelong learning through development of skills like organization and time management, note-taking, test-taking strategies, and goal-setting. Students also have the opportunity to learn life skills like budgeting, using snail mail, and career prep.