 III. Language Arts (Houghton – Mifflin Reading Series) |
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In order to achieve literacy success for all students, MHOC believes in using a variety of techniques and resources. Our language arts program includes small group instruction and independent skill practice and application. Beginning reading success is achieved through the development of oral language, phonemic awareness, letter recognition, phonics and blending skills, and high frequency vocabulary recognition. |
 | Our reading program provides consistent development of comprehension strategies and skills. Skill instruction is reinforced and tailored to the learning style and needs of all students. A variety of literature resources are used to challenge and extend the independent reading and fluency development needs of students. Cross-curricular writing activities provide a content-area connection that ties in language arts with both science and social studies.
| G. Word Study |
H. Grammar and Mechanics |
- Base Words and Endings
- Syllabication
- Word Roots
- Contractions
- Possessives
- Prefixes and Suffixes
- Synonyms and Antonyms
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- The Sentence
- Nouns
- Verbs
- Adjectives
- Capitalization and Punctuation
- Pronouns
- Adverbs and Prepositions
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| K. Vocabulary |
L. Reading Skills |
- Following Directions
- Topic, Main Idea and Details
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- L. Reading Skills
- Story Structure
- Author’s Viewpoint
- Text Organization
- Noting Details
- Sequence of Events
- Making Inferences
- Making Generalizations
- Categorize and Classify
- Compare and Contrast
- Drawing Conclusions
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| M. Information and Study Skills |
N. Literature | |
| O. Penmanship – Cursive |
- Master basic strokes (downcurve, slant, overcurve, undercurve) with uppercase and lowercase letters.
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 II. Mathematics (Houghton-Mifflin Mathematics Series) |
Mathematics at MHOC is child centered and taught using a systematic step-by-step approach. The program emphasizes a balance of hands-on activities along with practice and problem solving opportunities to develop mathematical concepts and skills. Instruction is differentiated according to ability level. Manipulatives are used whenever possible to create a concrete understanding of skills and concepts. Cooperative learning is essential in developing key problem solving skills that are a pre-cursor to algebraic thinking. Students work together to apply skills and concepts to new situations. Problem solving and reasoning skills are integrated into every phase of instruction, i.e. explain thinking process or justify a solution to a problem.
| D. Concepts |
E. Problem Solving |
- Place Value and Money
- Addition and Subtraction
- Relating Multiplication and Division
- Multiplication of Whole Numbers
- Division by One-Digit Divisors
- Measurement and Negative Numbers
- Fractions and Mixed Numbers
- Decimals
- Statistics and Probability
- Geometry and Measurement
- Graphing Algebra
- Division by Two-Digit Divisors
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- Choose an Operation
- Real World Applications
- Multi-Step Problems
- Conjecture and Verify
- Draw a Picture or Diagram
- Patterns
- Logical Thinking
- Make a List or Table
- Mental Math Too Much or Too Little Information
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| V. Social Studies |
The goal of social studies is to provide students with opportunities to acquire facts and concepts drawn from the chronology of our nation’s heritage. It also provides them with an understanding of democratic principles and ideals upon which good citizenship is founded. The MHOC social studies curriculum consists of a comprehensive study our community, nation and world, offering students the skills and knowledge to thrive in an increasingly complex society. Maps and globes are studied as an integral part of understanding the student’s surroundings. Hands-on and cooperative learning activities are the modes of learning effectively used in the classroom. A rich abundance of materials and learning resources such as videos, computer software and reference books help to bring the content to life. Engaging activities and projects help the students internalize the concepts.
| A. The Land of the United States |
B. Places Near and Far |
- What is Geography
- Understanding Regions
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- Exploring the East (Land, Climate, Resources, Economy and People)
- Living in the East (New England, Mid-Atlantic)
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| C. The South |
B. Places Near and Far |
- Exploring the South (Land, Climate, Resources, Economy and People)
- Living in the South (Upper and Lower South)
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- Exploring the East (Land, Climate, Resources, Economy and People)
- Living in the East (New England, Mid-Atlantic)
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| D. The Midwest |
E. The West |
- Exploring the Midwest (Land, Climate, Resources, Economy and People)
- Great Lakes States, Plains States
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- Exploring the West (Land, Climate, Resources, Economy and People)
- Living in the West (Southwest, Mountain States, Pacific States)
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| F. Florida |
G. Connections to Our World |
- Land, Climate, Resources, People, Major Cities
- Tourism
- Native Americans and European Explorers
- Living in Florida – Ethnic Diversity
- Environmental Conservation and Preservation
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- Here in America
- US Government
- Citizenship
- Canada and Mexico
- Central and South America
- Beyond the Americas
- World Regions
- Partners Around the World
- Working Together
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| IV. Science |
Students better understand science when they immerse themselves in the content using a hands-on approach. At MHOC, students have access to an extensive array of materials through which they can discover first hand the wonders of life and the world around them. Videos and laser discs add depth to each lesson and provide a clearer more extensive understanding of topics of study. Also on hand are a multitude of visual aids, such as experiments, fossils, magnets, and models, just to name a few. Students become the center of the lessons and investigate scientific concepts using the scientific method. They use higher order thinking and real-world applications throughout each unit. Reading, writing and math are integrated into the units, which allows students to successfully transfer skills and strategies across the content areas. Problem solving opportunities, vocabulary extensions and science related literature are integral parts of the curriculum.
| A. Life Science |
B. Physical Science |
- Plant Structure and Function Describe and Classify Plants Native To South Florida.
- Animal Structure and Function Describe and Classify Animals Native to South Florida.
- Energy in Ecosystems – Describe and Classify South Florida’s Ecological Communities.
- Surviving the Environment Investigate and Generate Strategies To Protect South Florida’s Plants And Animals.
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- Measuring Matter – Distinguish Arrangement of Particles of Matter.
- Force and Motion – Describe Relationship of Work and Energy
- Electricity and Magnetism.
- Light and Sound
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| C. Earth Science |
D. Human Body |
- Measuring Weather
- Understand use of simple weather instruments.
- Explain relationship between pressure and altitude
- Identify cause of wind.
- Distinguish between humidity and relative humidity.
- Explain influence of temperature, pressure, and topography of land on weather.
- Demonstrate ability to track hurricanes. The Makeup of the Earth.
- The Makeup of the Earth
- Classify minerals
- Describe layers of the earth
- List and describe three classifications of rock
- Exploring the Oceans
- Movements in the Solar System
- Describe movements of earth
- Compare and contrast objects in solar system
- Recognize and identify stars
- Iidentify Milky Way
- Understand eclipses
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- The Digestive, Circulatory and Nervous Systems.
- Keeping Your Body Systems Healthy
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| E. Scientific Method |
- Develop, Design and Conduct Simple Experiments
- Communicate, Critique and Analyze Work
- Investigate and Research Contributions of the Advancement of Science, Math and Technology
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| V. Religion (Sadlier: We Believe) |
Jesus calls to each child, “Follow me”(Luke 9:23). At MHOC, content is integrated that is faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church and that holistically embraces the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: Creed, Liturgy and Sacraments, Moral Life and Prayer. Students participate in morning and afternoon prayers as well as prayers before meals. Weekly mass is a time to come together as a school and rejoice in God’s blessings. Our goal is to nurture each child’s relationship with Jesus. This is achieved through both text and music in the curriculum area. Morals and values are integrated into the various content areas that further provide a firm foundation in faith.
| VI. Specials |
Spanish, Music, Art, Physical Education, Computer Technology, and Media. |
