Apples and Pumpkins

• Unravel the mysteries of seed to harvest through stories , poems, music and artwork.
• Use measurement, weight, counting and estimation to determine size and amount.
• Take trip to the pumpkin patch—a thrill for all!

Community

• Identify and name different community workers, and understand the importance of these jobs in making our community function smoothly.
• Develop empathy and appreciation for the contributions of others.
• Explore potential career interests through exposure to diverse occupations.

Tiny Homes & Amazing Journeys: Exploring Habitats and Life Cycles

• Identify and describe different types of habitats (ponds, creeks and farms).
• Observe living things in their habitats, and learn the basic concept of a life cycle. 
• Learn about animal adaptations, and how to practice safe and responsible exploration and observation of nature.

Animal Habitats

• Explore animal habitats
• Make animal habitat dioramas
• Create paper mache animals in art class
• Take trip to the National Zoo

Folktales, Fables and Fairy Tales

• Use puppets to bring dragons, knights, frogs and princesses to life
• Learn about themes, styles and components; write creative fairy tales
• Take trip to the Glen Echo Puppet Theater

Life on the Farm

• Compare city life with life on the farm
• Hatch chicks in the Science Lab
• Observe and record information during incubation period
• Assist and care for chicks

Writer’s Workshop

• Develop dictionary, research, and proofreading skills
• Strengthen creative writing

African-American History Month

• Appreciate equality and social justice
• Research influential African Americans
• Create the St. Raphael School Living History Museum
• Visit the Smithsonian and attend a production at Discovery Theater

Habitats of Sea Life

• Analyze the differences between salt water and fresh water; study ocean food webs and how fish are unique
• Use recycled plastic bottles to create classroom aquarium
• Visit the National Aquarium in Baltimore

Money Unit

• Creating a budget, spending and saving
• Goods and services
• Employment

Think Green

• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
• Think globally, act locally, collect and enlighten within the school
• Celebrate America Recycles Day and Earth Day

Super Saints

• Research, write and share reports on the lives of saints
• Examine individual life through reflection and meditation
• Take a trip to the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in Emmitsburg

Artists Tea

• Re-create and exhibit art by historically significant artists
• Formally present to attendees (parents and special guests) original poems about their artwork

Nobles, Knights and Serfs

• Construct a three-dimensional view of a feudal manor
• Design a coat of arms
• Create costumes of the day
• Host a medieval feast

Regions and Resources

• Compare and contrast the geography of each region of the United States
• Investigate how a region’s resources shape its industry
• Survey art, music and literature of each region
• Visit the oyster cannery at the Baltimore Museum of Industry

Our Maryland

• Design brochures for the regions of Maryland
• Develop a topographical map of our state
• Research historical figures who influenced the development of our state
• Tour Annapolis

Ecosystems of the Chesapeake Bay 

• Learn about Ecosystems and the impact humans have on the environment
• Read and research about Invasive Species and how they affect the environment 
• Experience Meredith Creek and the Chesapeake Bay using a fully equipped research vessel and flatwater canoes 
• Conduct biological sampling, identify marine and plant species, evaluate water quality, and dredge for oysters 
• Conduct water quality testing and use seining nets to examine marine specials 
• Students gain a greater understanding of the Chesapeake ecosystem, including the human impact on the health of the Bay 

Solar System & Earth 

• Learn how the position of the Earth changes day and night, the seasons, and the appearance of the night sky 
• In Language Arts, read fiction and non-fiction stories that focus on stars and the solar system 
• Conduct experiments and make models to understand the solar system and its components 

Historical Perspectives 

• Do an in-depth study of the American Revolution 
• Read and analyze the causes, events, people, battles, and results of the American Revolution 
• In Language Arts, read a historical fiction novel about the American Revolution 
• Visit Mount Vernon and experience life during the colonial times, as well as the home of our first president, George Washington 

Study of the Bible

• Learn about the Hebrew people.
• Study the New Testament.
• Visit the Bible Museum in Washington, D.C.

Poetry Unit

• Cultivate a passion for poetry by exploring different types of poems and studying their literary elements.
• Culminate with the SRS Coffee House, where students recite for an audience famous works from memory.

Down on the Farm

• Take overnight visit to Hard Bargain Farm in Accokeek.
• Investigate the watershed and record observed data.
• Identify and participate in daily farm chores.

Earth Science

•     Learn about rocks and their formation
•     Explore the five themes of geography, as well as maps and globes
•     Visit Luray Caverns

Ancient Rome & the Middle Ages

•     Explore the rise and fall of Roman civilization
•     Examine the origins of Christianity and Islam
•     Learn about society and government during the Medieval Era

Celebration of Our Catholic Life

• School retreat—an examination of our life as a child of God
• Confirmation—affirming our faith
• Confirmation retreat
• Reflection upon our spiritual, social, and intellectual growth

Celebration of Our School Life

• Class trip—an overnight visit Busch Gardens.
• Graduation dinner—a celebration with school and families of our achievements.
• Graduation—a celebration of our past and future.

Celebration of Service to Our Community

• Commitment to serve
• Cultivation of the desire to “Change the World”.
• Visits to Raphael House.
• The writing of quarterly notes to parishioners.