Primary (Grades 1, 2, 3)

Jamie-Lynn Caton - First Grade

Education: Elementary: St. Pius X / High School: Cardinal O'Hara / College: Neumann College
E-mail: grade1@notredamedelourdes.net

First grade is an exciting year for you and your child—so many experiences to have and much to learn!  Here at Notre Dame, our focus is to educate the whole child, spirit, mind and body:
 

• Graded subjects (Reading, Math, Religion) are taught according to the Archdiocesan Guidelines in keeping within the Rigor and Relevance framework, as well as the Common Core State Standards as set forth by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We are committed to provide brain-based lessons that challenge and engage students at every level.
•  Special classes are also offered to students in Physical Education, Music, Computer/Library and Spanish. Spanish instruction is done via games, songs and an instructional DVD.
•  Children Pray In Color to develop a closer relationship to God through art.  We follow our world travelers, Stanley and Stella, to places near and far. Children are encouraged to take Stanley or Stella on an adventure and then prepare a picture diary to share with the class. Be a Guest Reader and come to our classroom and share your favorite short story! Have a flair for science? 
• Volunteer to be a Scientist for a Day and present a hands-on experiment for the class with your child as the “assistant.”

Theresa Sgro - Second Grade

Education: Elementary: St. Madeline / High School: Cardinal O'Hara / College: Cabrini College
Email: grade2@notredamedelourdes.net

Second grade is a very special year. It is my privilege to lead our children on the beautiful spiritual journey through Reconciliation and First Eucharist. It is an exciting year for all of us!

Notre Dame de Lourdes follows the Archdiocesan Curriculum guidelines, as well as the Common Core Standards. Lessons and activities are taught and reinforced with brain-based learning strategies. There are many opportunities for hands-on activities, cooperative learning projects,  interactive Smartboard activities, and learning community projects across grade levels. In addition to our rigorous curriculum, we have many exciting activities in Second grade.
 

• Guest Readers  - Parents or other family members are invited to share a favorite story with the class.
• Peaceful Conflict Resolution - This is a school wide program which we weave throughout our curriculum on a daily basis. Instruction takes place in the first Friday of each month.
• Praying in Color - This is a school wide prayer activity that focuses on journaling with color.
• Read-In - Second graders are invited throughout the year to bring in favorite books, stuffed animals, and their pillows for an extended period of SSR (Sustained Silent Reading).  Dates will be announced in the monthly newsletter.
• Scientist for the Day - The First and Second grades invite parents and their children to sign up to demonstrate simple Science experiments for their classes.
• Spanish - Spanish is taught on a weekly basis in Second grade through the use of video, songs, posters, and other brain-based teaching strategies.
• Weekly Reader/Science Spin - These magazines are used to enhance our Social Studies and Science curriculum areas.
• In addition to the above activities, the children participate in our school-wide Service Club, Kids for Kids. The children are able to participate in after school clubs, such as the Art Club or Chess and Checkers, as well.                 

Cathleen Hodges - Third Grade 

Education: Elementary: Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady of Peace / High School: Cardinal O'Hara / College: Delaware County Community College and Neumann College
E-mail: grade3@notredamedelourdes.net

• Third graders have many new learning experiences, including a well rounded curriculum based on Archdiocesan standards of rigor and relevance.
• All subjects include Brain-Based activities (Interactive Smartboard activities and games, use of graphic organizers, hands-on experiments and projects, and cooperative learning). Examples include: Advertising Posters, Prayer Booklets and Echo Pantomimes (Student Role-Play) in Religion; Multiplication Games (“Buzz”, “T Game”, and Bingo), Mental Math activities (“What number am I?”), and Estimation activities in Math; and Spelling and Grammar games like“Spelling Relay Game”, “Hot Seat” Game, "Paper Plate Spelling Game”, “Noun and Verb Charades”,“Noun Hunt” and “Verb Race”. We also study science, social studies, Spanish, reading and writing as part of our daily curriculum.