Grades 1 & 2 Curriculum
English Language Arts
Building on their foundational skills from Kindergarten, our First and Second graders begin transitioning into more fluent and independent readers. Using Sadlier Phonics and From Phonics to Reading by Wiley Blevins students have an opportunity to practice phonemic awareness, alphabetic knowledge, decoding skills, and sound/symbol correspondence, as well as practice manipulating and building words. They learn fry sight words, advanced phonograms, inflected endings, compound words, contractions, synonyms, antonyms, homophones, multiple meaning words, and different syllable types. A systematic phonetic approach to spelling is used in the All About Spelling program and reinforced in the All About Reading decodable readers. The Houghton Mifflin Journeys program exposes students to a variety of genres including fantasy, informational texts, realistic fiction, poetry, and fairy tales. Grammatical skills, comprehension strategies, and various types of writing are taught using this program. Our second graders begin book reports where they practice writing summaries and opinions for books read each month.
Mathematics
Using Sadlier Mathematics, our first graders develop fundamental mathematical skills in addition, subtraction, number sense, and measurement, focusing on conceptual understanding, procedural skills, and problem-solving through explicit instruction and engaging activities like games, number lines, and base-ten blocks. Our second graders focus on foundational skills, emphasizing number sense, addition and subtraction within 100, place value to 1000, measurement (including standard units), and basic geometry and data analysis concepts like picture graphs. Students review and apply skills daily during a calendar meeting. Concepts taught are reinforced through games and hands-on activities.
Online family resources: https://www.sadlierconnect.com/sadliermath
Science
Students in first and second grade use a variety of informational texts and videos to support hands-on learning in the areas of physical, earth and space, engineering and life sciences. Through conducting experiments and observing nature, students learn how to make predictions, formulate hypotheses, gather data, and record their conclusions.
First and second graders have an annual visit from the Audubon and take a field trip each year to the See Science Center where they have an opportunity to engage in a lab experience. They also participate in the Discover Dairy adopt a cow program, as available, where students track the development of a calf throughout the year and have a meeting set up with a dairy farmer.
Social Studies
Students in first and second grade use a variety of informational texts and videos to support learning in the areas of American History, Civics and Government, Economics, and Geography. Students learn about important Holidays and people from the past who showed virtue and the principles of courage, honesty, and responsibility. They are taught the significance of laws and what it means to be a good citizen in their school and community. They learn about important community helpers and have a visit from the Concord Fire Department in second grade. Students study the difference between maps and globes and learn how to identify a compass rose and learn the cardinal directions. They discuss how to locate places in New Hampshire as well as continents and oceans around the world. Students are taught about significant symbols for our country including the flag, Statue of Liberty, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and Mount Rushmore.
Religion
Through the Christ Our Life program by Loyola Press, students at Saint John Regional come to know God as a loving and merciful Father who desires to have a personal relationship with them. They learn about the fall from grace and God’s fulfillment of His promise to send a Savior into the world. Students study the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, and First Holy Communion as well as learn the parts of the Mass. They deepen their understanding of the greatest commandment to love God and love their neighbor through learning and putting into practice different virtues each month. They are exposed to the lives of the saints who exemplify these virtues and learn how they can help bring them more closely to the Father, especially through Mary, the Mother of God.
Students attend Mass and Rosary each week and share in special events throughout the year including an All Saints Day celebration, Las Posadas performance, and May crowning. They celebrate liturgical seasons with the Advent Jesse Tree and take a Lenten journey through the early childhood classrooms to learn the significance of Holy Week.
Link for Families: https://www.loyolapress.com/faith-formation/christ-our-life/christ-our-life-2024/christ-our-life-2024-family-resources/
Grades 3, 4, & 5 Curriculum
Language Arts
Our school implements a comprehensive literacy framework that integrates Wit & Wisdom,
Sadlier Vocabulary, and Sadlier Grammar to support student growth in reading, writing, and
language development. Wit & Wisdom serves as the core English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum, providing students with knowledge-rich lessons that emphasize close reading of complex texts, evidence-based discussion, and writing across multiple genres. Instruction is organized around thematic modules that build content knowledge while reinforcing critical thinking and analytical skills.
To complement this curriculum, Sadlier Vocabulary is used to strengthen students’ command
of academic and domain-specific vocabulary. Through explicit instruction, word analysis, and
practice activities, students expand their vocabulary knowledge, which directly supports reading comprehension and writing precision.
In addition, Sadlier Grammar provides structured instruction in language conventions. Lessons
focus on grammar, usage, and mechanics, enabling students to develop accuracy and clarity in their written and spoken communication. Together, these resources form a cohesive instructional approach. Wit & Wisdom establishes the foundation for deep engagement with texts, while Sadlier Vocabulary and Sadlier Grammar provide targeted skill development that reinforces and extends students’ literacy proficiency. This integration ensures that students not only meet grade-level expectations but also develop the critical language skills needed for long-term academic success.
Math
Our school integrates Sadlier Math as a core component of the mathematics curriculum to
provide a structured, standards-aligned approach to developing conceptual understanding,
procedural fluency, and problem-solving skills. Instruction is guided by the program’s carefully
sequenced lessons, which emphasize both foundational skill-building and the application of
mathematical reasoning in real-world contexts.
Teachers use the program’s lesson structure to introduce new concepts through explicit instruction, followed by guided practice and independent application. This progression ensures that students not only acquire the skills needed for grade-level proficiency but also build confidence in applying mathematics across disciplines. Embedded formative assessments are utilized to monitor student progress, allowing for targeted interventions and differentiated support.
The program’s emphasis on mathematical vocabulary, reasoning strategies, and cumulative
review supports long-term retention and prepares students for advanced coursework. In
addition, Sadlier Math’s alignment with national and state standards ensures that instruction
remains rigorous and relevant. By consistently integrating the program’s resources into daily
instruction, our school cultivates both fluency and critical thinking, ensuring students are
well-prepared for academic progression in mathematics.
Science
Our school implements the Fusion Science curriculum as the foundation for science instruction across grade levels. The program provides a research-based, inquiry-driven approach that supports students in developing scientific knowledge, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Lessons are designed around real-world phenomena and encourage hands-on investigations, collaborative learning, and the application of the scientific method. Fusion Science emphasizes cross-curricular connections by integrating literacy, technology, and mathematics into science instruction, fostering deeper comprehension and transferable skills. Teachers utilize the curriculum’s structured progression to guide students from conceptual understanding to practical application, ensuring alignment with state and national science standards. Through Fusion Science, our students build both content mastery and scientific practices, preparing them for higher-level coursework and real-world challenges.
Social Studies
Grade 3
Our school implements the myWorld Social Studies curriculum to provide students with an
engaging, inquiry-based approach to learning history, geography, civics, and culture. The program emphasizes critical thinking, reading, and writing skills by integrating social studies
content with literacy development. Students explore real-world connections through interactive
texts, digital resources, and hands-on activities that encourage them to ask questions, analyze
perspectives, and apply their knowledge to contemporary issues. Teachers use myWorld’s
structured lessons and assessments to guide instruction while allowing for differentiated support to meet the needs of diverse learners. This curriculum fosters civic understanding, cultural awareness, and problem-solving skills, preparing students to become informed, responsible, and active members of their communities.
Grade 4
Our school implements the Moose on the Loose curriculum as a central resource for teaching
state history and civic understanding. This program provides students with an inquiry-based
framework that combines primary sources, interactive activities, and cross-curricular connections to literacy and social studies. Lessons are structured to build historical thinking skills, including analyzing documents, comparing perspectives, and constructing
evidence-based arguments. Teachers use Moose on the Loose to integrate reading and writing
tasks into social studies instruction, strengthening academic vocabulary and comprehension
while fostering critical thinking. The curriculum also emphasizes place-based learning,
encouraging students to connect historical events to their local community and cultural heritage.
By using this program, our school ensures that students gain a deepened appreciation for their
state’s history while developing transferable skills in research, communication, and problem
solving.
Grade 5
In Fifth Grade we study American History, beginning with pre-Columbian people and European exploration of North America, then proceeding through colonization, the American Revolution, and the Civil War. Additionally we study various kinds of maps and how they are used, and how charts and timelines are used in different subjects. For curricula we currently we use a combination of lessons from Jennifer Bazzit’s Thrive in Grade Five as well as Pearson’s My World.
Religion
Our school utilizes the Christ Our Life curriculum as the foundation of our religious education
program. This curriculum, developed by the Sisters of Notre Dame, is structured to integrate
faith formation with academic rigor, fostering both spiritual growth and intellectual engagement. Lessons are designed to align with Scripture, Church tradition, and the Catechism, ensuring students receive a theologically sound education.
Instruction emphasizes not only the acquisition of knowledge about the Catholic faith but also the development of personal prayer, moral decision-making, and active participation in the life of the Church. Teachers incorporate interactive lessons, scripture study, liturgical connections, and opportunities for reflection to make faith learning meaningful and developmentally appropriate for each grade level.
By implementing the Christ Our Life program, our school supports students in deepening their
understanding of Catholic identity, nurturing a personal relationship with God, and preparing
them to live as disciples who apply Gospel values in daily life.
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