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Elementary

- Elementary School Program
  
  Pacelli offers elementary education to those in grades Kindergarten through sixth grade. Pacelli hires qualified and dedicated teachers and support staff whose goal is not only to educate your child in subjects like language arts, math, and STEM but also we also strive to foster intellectual and spiritual growth in all students to prepare and develop each one to reach his or her God-given potential and to be successful at life.
- Kindergarten - 3rd Grade
  
  What to Expect:
  The goal in our early elementary program is to build your child up. We want them to have a healthy concept of self, respect for others, a love for learning, and to teach them they are a beloved child of God.
  
  Small class sizes ensure that our teachers can work closely with their students in a safe, faith-filled, and family like atmosphere to teach them the skills that will create independent learners and prepare them for upper elementary school.
  Be More. Here at Pacelli we believe in a well rounded education that promotes the growth of your whole child in body, mind, and spirit. Along with academic subjects our younger elementary students also experience classes in physical education, art, and music. They also have weekly visits to the computer lab and the library. Students also attend Mass weekly and each grade will take turns having an active part in the service where they can practice public speaking.
- Lower Elementary Fast Facts
  
  16:1 Average Student to Teacher Ratio
  
  1:1 Chromebook Tablets in Every Classroom
  
  Uses Superkids Reading Program
  
  A comprehensive reading program which aligns with Minnesota Core State Standards.
  
  The Superkids program also has a cross curricular science component which teaches students transferable problem solving skills & gives real-world meaning to school assignments.
  
  Uses Saxon Math Program
  
  Promotes children to solve problems in a variety of ways.
  
  Uses a 'spiral progression' so topics are covered and reviewed with increasing difficulty.
- Field Trips
  
  Each year students have exciting opportunities to get out in the community and participate in field trips that offer different education and cultural learning experiences (not to mention they're really fun!). Some of the field trips that the younger elementary students get to participate in each year are:
  
  Multiple Matchbox Theater performances
  
  Hormel Nature Center - Habitat Program
  
  OxBow Park
  
  Minnesota Zoo
  
  Myre Big Island State Park
  
  Chamber of Commerce Day at the farm
- Sacraments
  
  In second grade students have the unique opportunity to start preparing for their First
  Reconciliation and First Communion throughout the year. Once a week a Priest will visit the class to talk more to the students about the sacraments they will be receiving that year.
- Kinder-garten
  
  Language Arts:
  We use the SuperKids Reading Program which is a comprehensive core reading program completely aligned to Minnesota Common Core Standards. We focus on phonics, rhyming, reading, writing, spelling, and grammar.
  Math:
  Saxon Math is used so that students can truly master the topics covered each year. They learn topics at a deep level and not just for the test.
  Science:
  Kids use inquiry and experimentation using our hands to truly experience each topic. We learn about plants, animals, and humans and then we compare and contrast them.
  Religion:
  Children learn about the life of Jesus and the gifts God has given us. Kindergarteners plan one Mass each spring where they lead the school in readings, sing in the choir, read petitions, and welcome parishioners to church.
  Social Studies:
  Following the State Standards Kindergarteners learn about he past, present, future, history, geography, and economics; including the difference between needs and wants and goods and services.
- First Grade
  
  Language Arts:
  Using the SuperKids Reading Program we study concepts including reading, spelling high-frequency words, and building vocabulary and fluency skills. They also gain practice with writing skills by writing pieces on their opinions, narratives, informational text, and more.
  Math:
  First graders use Saxon Math which encourages them to solve problems in a variety of ways. This program also uses a spiral method of learning to topics are covered and reviewed with increasing difficulty. Students can also use the IXL online program which helps fill in the gaps, strengthen skills, and introduces new skills.
  Science:
  The Super Kids Reading Program is a cross-curricular program that helps teach science as well that provides students with exploration and experimentation. Students learn about space, magnets, the human body, senses, and much more. We also use the Scholastic News Magazine
  Religion:
  Attending weekly Mass students get a better understanding of how we live and celebrating our faith. They have the opportunity to lead several Masses throughout the year. In the classroom we study stories from the Bible in our We Believe books. We learn new prayers and learn about safe and positive relationships with others.
  Social Studies:
  Again, using our SuperKids Program we can explore social studies and the issues it presents. Some of the topics covered include: teamwork, fire safety, historical use of homing pigeons, National Parks, and community workers.
- SEcond Grade
  
  Language Arts:
  Second graders continue to use the SuperKids Reading Program. This year they are integrating phonics with their reading, writing, spelling foundations, weekly spelling tests, and grammar.
  Math:
  Saxon Math is used and has concrete, pictorial, and abstract approaches for students to learn from. It encourages active thinking, communication of mathematical ideas, and problems solving. This program develops the foundation second graders need for more advanced math in the years to come. By the end of the year students will be proficient in additional and subtraction facts.
  Science:
  Using the Super Kids Reading Program students are able to see the correlation between reading and science as we investigate and inquire about different ideas throughout the year.
  Religion:
  Students take turns with other grades to lead weekly Mass where they can practice public speaking and singing. Second graders also prepare for First Reconciliation and First Holy Eucharist throughout the year. Once a week a priest will also visit the students to teach us more about the sacraments that they will receive this year.
  Social Studies:
  Super Kids has nonfictional informational texts that the social studies lessons are based on. Second graders also receive weekly readers from Scholastic News to help them keep up to date on current events.
- Third Grade
  
  Language Arts:
  
  Third graders focus on fluency and comprehension with their reading while reinforcing previously learned skills in decoding and word analysis through the Daily 5 program. They also continue to develop their writing skills through skill based instruction in grammar and mechanics, weekly spelling tests, daily exercises in editing and revision writing assignments, and cumulative projects. Along with this they work on penmanship and cursive writing.
  
  Math:
  Third graders use the Saxon Math program which teaches through incremental development of concepts, daily review through integrated practice, and assessment of learning.
  Science:
  Students focus on life, earth, and physical science. Students will have periodical projects to present to class which consist of habitats, life cycles, and water cycles. We also use the weekly Scholastic News magazine as enrichment on our in class subjects.
  Religion:
  Third graders use the curriculum We Believe to study the Six Tasks of the Catechesis, students learn about their faith, celebrate the Mass and Sacraments, choose to show love and respect, pray every day, share faith with others, and live out their faith. Students will complete the Circle of Grace curriculum which teaches about physical, emotional, and spiritual boundaries.
  Social Studies:
  This year we focus on our communities, communities around us, and geography using map skills, communities in history, and government.
STEM Education at Pacelli
- Pacelli is proud to be the only elementary school in Austin with an elementary STEM Lab and program. We have a dedicated STEM teacher and the students attend classes on a regular basis.
  
  In STEM we work on developing student's problem solving and creativity skills to make them independent and confident learners. Students work through projects by taking ownership over them through 4 steps:
  
  Defining the problem and exploring how each technology they have access to could be used to solve that problem.
  
  Making a plan for their project.
  
  Enacting their plan and reflecting on the results.
  
  Then sharing their results with their classmates.
  
  In our elementary classes students rotate through different technology stations or "islands". In doing this, they become experts and are able to help their fellow classmates later on when it's their turn at that island. They will continue to revisit each technology throughout elementary and into their middle school years and will continue to explore it on a deeper and more sophisticated level.
- Upper Elementary Fast Facts
  
  19:1 Average student to teacher ratio
  
  1:1 Chromebook Laptops for each student to use at school & home
  
  Language Arts program builds on past skills to develop your child further and prepare them for older grades.
  
  Saxon Math and the IXL online program help master concepts so they don't just learn for the test.
  
  Use their classroom skills to become leaders in their schools and communities.
- 4th - 6th Grade
  
  What to Expect:
  The goal in our upper elementary program is to prepare your child for middle school while still giving them the security and stability of a single homeroom class. We start teaching them good study habits, higher order thinking skills, how to be independent learners, and they start taking on more responsibility for their own learning.
  
  Small class sizes afford our staff the opportunity to ensure your child can grow into an independent and responsible learner who is growing academically as well as socially and emotionally. Upper elementary students begin switching with their entire class for subjects like math and science to help prepare them for middle school. Students also participate in smaller math and reading classes for more individualized attention.
  
  Be More. Here at Pacelli we believe in a well rounded education that promotes the growth of your whole child in body, mind, and spirit. Along with academic subjects our older elementary students also experience classes in physical education, art, and music. They also have weekly visits to the computer lab and the library. Students also attend Mass weekly and each grade will take turns having an active part in the service where they can practice public speaking.
- 4th Grade
  
  Language Arts:
  Building comprehension and fluency skills through guided & independent reading activities. They expand their knowledge of grammar through Daily Oral Language and by creating their own writing. Students have weekly vocab and spelling words.
  Math:
  Using the Saxon Math curriculum students practice daily problem solving, math facts, and spiral review. One of the many goals for our students is to maters all math facts by the end of fourth grade. Students can also use the IXL online program to help get extra practice on specific topics.
  Science:
  In 4th grade we are focusing on earth, life, and physical science. Throughout the year they learn about the Earth's surface, ecosystems, and forces and motions. We also use hands on investigations and labs to bring a new level of understanding to the topics.
  Religion:
  We use the We Believe curriculum that helps us make faith part of our daily lives, show what it means to be part of the Church community, and we learn about the Ten Commandments.
  Social Studies:
  
  Fourth graders are learning more about United States geography, early American history, and how our government works. We also work on learning all the states and capitals.
- 5th Grade
  
  Language Arts:
  Comprehension skills are built on through guided reading, literature circles, and the Accelerated Reader Program. We use the 6 Traits of Daily Writing, Daily 3, and Daily Oral Language to strengthen grammar usage and mechanics. Students are challenged on their writing abilities through journal writing and are tested weekly on vocabulary and spelling.
  Math:
  We use Saxon Math and Singapore Math to master skills students need to excel and meet state standards. Students also have access to IXL online program to help get extra practice on specific topics.
  Science:
  Fifth graders focus on earth, life, and physical science. Students also use hands on science labs and weekly investigations to better understand the subjects at hand.
  Religion:
  In 5th grade we use the Family Life series program. We start learning about the seven sacraments and understanding the liturgical year.
  Social Studies:
  This year we focus on Native Americans, explorers, the Thirteen Colonies, the United States Constitution, the Age of Exploration, the American Revolution, and we expand more on our knowledge of geography.
- 6th Grade
  
  Language Arts:
  Our Language Arts program includes explicit instruction in grammar, writing skills, and vocabulary. Our goal will be to utilize the writing process to strengthen the student's ability to write sentences, paragraphs, and short essays. Students will also learn ways to improve their writing and speaking skills through grammar studies and exercises.
  Literature:
  
  We will use the Prentice Hall Literature book, novels, and various other reading sources to explore fiction, nonfiction, short stories, poetry, and drama from the Catholic point of view. We will use the Acceletared Reader Program to continue to improve reading skills.
  
  Math:
  Our 6th graders have the opportunity to take one of three courses based on their abilities. Math 6/7 from Saxton, pre-algebra, or algebra. The use of the IXL online program allows us to help fill in any gaps, strengthen skills, and introduce new skills. Students at Pacelli are continually evaluated and placed at a level that will not only REACH them, but CHALLENGE them. Our class sizes are small and range from 7-20 students. The allows us to continue our quest to challenge and support our students.
  Science:
  Pacelli's science curriculum for 6th graders is Earth Science. We use hands-on experiences as well as readings and lessons from Holt Science and Technology to understand the Earth. We will use Ignite Science mini-reports and activities and activities from "Loose in the Lab". We teach science and include the Faith so our students are prepared to discuss their faith and science together when they are outside Pacelli.
  Religion:
  The students will use the curriculum Faith and Life by Ignatius Press. Their main areas for focus will be: The Ten Commandments, Saints, True Catholic Citizenship, Respect for Life, and The Importance of Mass.
  Social Studies:
  Mass At Pacelli, social studies is studying the past and learning about our future. We link God's work to historical events. We explore early Minnesota History and enhance our learning with field trips. We will study the Dakota and Anishinaabe, missionaries, and fur trading of past Minnesota.
- Enrichment Activities
  
  Continuing with our mission to promote the growth of the whole child in body, mind, and spirit upper elementary students have several enrichment opportunities they can participate in to help them academically and build leadership skills, but also to help cultivate great friendships as well. Some of the activities they can participate in are:
  
  Geography Bee
  
  Clover Choir
  
  Science Fair
  
  Band
  
  Spelling Bee
  
  Homework Club
  
  Presidential Fitness Challenge
  
  Math Masters
  
  Safety Patrol
  
  Recycling Coordinator
  
  Student Council
  
  Mass Server
  
  Mass Reader
  
  Opportunity to Participate in Lyle-Pacelli Basketball
- Field Trips
  
  Each year students have exciting opportunities to get out in the community and participate in field trips that offer different education and cultural learning experiences (not to mention they're really fun!). Some of the field trips that the older elementary students get to participate in each year are:
  
  Minnesota History Center
  
  Fort Snelling
  
  Mill City Museum
  
  Minnesota Science Museum
  
  Minnesota State Capitol
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Elementary

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