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Pre-kindergarten Curriculum

For 3- and 4-year-old children, Nativity's pre-kindergarten program is designed to prepare our youngest learners for kindergarten. From wonder to discovery, children learn to develop and master a wide range of fundamental skills necessary to become lifelong learners while providing a strong Catholic foundation upon which to grow their faith.
 
The curriculum for 3-year-old students consists of a basic religion program, beginning language skills development, math readiness, and motor skills development. Art, music, technology, media, Spanish, and physical education are integrated into the curriculum as well. At this age, the greatest focus is on social and emotional development. Nurturing these skills prepares the child for positive interactions with family and peers.
 
The curriculum for four-year-old students uses a research-based, thematic approach to promote the development of the whole child. All subject areas, including religion, language arts, math, science, social studies, motor development, music, art, technology, media, Spanish, and physical education, are integrated into the curriculum.
 
Additionally, Nativity Catholic School is a proud partner with the University of South Florida in the Program-Wide Positive Behavior Support (PWPBS) Project. This initiative involves the adoption of the Pyramid Model for supporting social-emotional competence in infants and young children across select community early child care centers and family child care homes in Hillsborough County, Florida.
 
PWPBS provides training, technical assistance and practice-based coaching in collaboration with a site-based leadership team on data-based decision-making and in the implementation of the Pyramid Model.
 
For more information on this program, click here.

Core Courses

Religion: Students receive instruction in faith formation, including Catholic Church teachings, moral decision making, social justice, prayer experiences, including weekly Mass, and stewardship/service through school projects and class ministries.
 
Language Arts: Students will engage with and analyze informational and literary complex texts. There is an emphasis on oral and written communication skills. A strong grammar skill base and the extension of vocabulary as tools for expressing learning across the curriculum will be developed.
 
Math: Students will develop essential skills with number systems and number theory mastered and applied through problem-solving, real-world application and critical thinking activities. Middle school students have the opportunity to earn high school credit for Algebra I and Geometry.
 
Science: Students are immersed in the Next Generations Science Standards through hands-on investigations, literacy-rich activities and interactive digital tools to empower students to think, read, write, design prototypes, conduct investigations and engage in scientific argumentation like real scientists and engineers. Students have the opportunity to earn high school credit for Integrated Physical Science.  
 
Social Studies: Students become informed citizens through instruction on community, national and international studies of history, geography and social science, with an emphasis on Christian citizenship in an interdependent, ever‐changing world.
 
Spanish: Students receive instruction in the national world language goals of communication, cultures, connections, comparisons and communities. Middle school students can earn high school credit for Spanish I.

Core II Courses

Students in kindergarten through fifth grade engage in a variety of courses during their academic day, including the following Core II classes that enrich their learning experiences.
 
Art: Students explore the elements of line, shape, color, value, form, texture and space using varied media that encourage creative expression.
 
Music: Students apply the elements of melody, harmony, rhythm and musical notation and have the opportunity for self‐expression and creativity through singing, dancing, playing musical instruments and performing.
 
Physical Education: This program promotes fitness, spatial awareness, motor skills development, movement, drills, team sports, and health and wellness through the study of body systems and nutrition.
 
Guidance: Students engage in age‐appropriate lessons on topics such as empathy, decision‐making, dealing with emotions, drug prevention, building healthy relationships, self‐awareness and handling peer pressure.
 
In addition to the above subjects, Nativity also provides:  
 
  • A weekly STREAM Enrichment Program for students in grades 2-5 who meet specific criteria.
  • Additional optional elective offerings for middle school students that cultivate their love of learning.
  • A school-wide intervention time to work on any skills students may need additional support in mastering.
  • A comprehensive reading intervention program for students in kindergarten through second grade who may need additional help in reading.
  • Services provided by our resource teacher for students who need additional academic support beyond the traditional classroom.