Special Classes

Physical Education
Curriculum
The physical aspect of a student’s growth is an integral part of the educational process. Our Lady Star of the Sea’s Physical Education classes provide a variety of experiences (team as well as individually) to channel the student’s creative energy into productive physical competency, molding a well-rounded student physically, mentally, socially, spiritually and intellectually.

Art
Teaching art at the elementary level provides both the students and the teacher with the opportunity not only to develop their artistic skills but also to enhance their awareness of the world and its varied cultures. Art additionally provides the chance to gain an appreciation of the various styles of art and artists. We have an art program that incorporates a wide variety of materials and techniques. Most important, we allow the students to grow as individuals whose creations are unique, valuable and means of learning more than art concepts.

We base our lessons on eight elements: composition, line, area, texture, value, color, space, and three-dimensional art. We integrate our curriculum with social studies, math, science and language arts lessons. Our students will create unique pieces of art, but more important the excitement of learning about art and creating art will become a valuable part of the educational process here.

Music
Curriculum
Our core curriculum for General Music is based on the Kodaly Approach, which enables students to develop skills necessary for reading, writing, and performing music.  This comprehensive developmental program begins in kindergarten and continues through grade five.  All skills are taught for mastery. Vocal technique and development as well as Music Appreciation and Music History are included. Repertoire begins with American Folk Music and progresses through fine choral literature, both sacred and secular. Our annual Christmas Concert includes all students grades K-5. Each spring, the Gym, Art, and Music teachers coach the Kindergarten Play, which includes student narration, props, and singing.

Students in grades 6-8 have the opportunity to narrow their focus by choosing from a variety of elective classes. While all main concepts of the core curriculum are reinforced and further developed, elective classes allow students to pursue individual interests. These classes currently include piano, guitar, bell chimes, and musical drama.  Performance opportunities are included at the end of each quarter. In particular, the audition-based drama class affords students the opportunity to explore all phases of musical theater, including acting and singing, choreography, costuming, staging, directing, and sound production. The drama is completed with scenery created by students in the advanced art class, who also comprise stage crew. Although the focus is on learning the skills necessary for these genres of performance, having the opportunity to lead at Mass, play in a recital, or perform in a full-scale musical is invaluable. 
  
The Our Lady Star of the Sea Youth Chorale, comprised of singers grades 3-5 and 6-8, offers students the chance to serve the community by more deeply experiencing their faith through music. Students lead once a month at Sunday Masses and most recently participated in a choral festival at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament. For additional information, please see the Youth Chorale tab.

Spanish
Students in the elmentary school grades Preschool 4 to 5th grade attend Spanish classes once a week. We focus on common phrases and expression in addtion to basic Spanish vocabulary. Each year we build more on their prior knowledge and learn about the Hispanic culture, including religious feast days, holidays, and tradtions. We explore the culture through literature, art, music, and videos.

Students in the middle school grades 6-8 attend Spanish classes every other day for a whole semester of the school year. Students expand on their vocabulary, grammar, and oral speaking skills. They read and write stories, and showcase thier Spanish conversational skills through oral presentations in the class. Additionally, they continue exploring Hispanic culture and learn Catholic prayers in Spanish. 

Our goals for the students are to develop a love for reading by sharing numerous works of quality children’s literature and to give each student the necessary tools to successfully research a topic using all of the library resources.

Computers
Our Lady Star of the Sea’s computer curriculum incorporates the METS (Michigan Educational Technology Standards), and our school has an approved technology plan on file with the State of Michigan. 

All lower school students, from Kindergarten through 5th grade, have computer class each week.  They learn how to use Microsoft Office appropriate to grade level.  In addition to creating a variety of projects, the students also have access to a multitude of software programs that provide cross-curricular learning, reinforcing the core subjects they are learning in their classrooms. Fourth grade focuses on keyboarding skills.  By the end of fifth grade, students have been introduced to the fundamentals of each middle school computer elective, thereby giving them a better understanding of what is offered at the middle school level.

Middle school students have the option of choosing from the following electives: 

Computer Applications I and Computer Applications II – Transitional classes that provide students with a cumulative review of previously learned technology skills, as well as student preparation for 7th/8th grade electives

Multimedia – This class encompasses a variety of media-rich technology tools that foster creativity and innovation, along with communication and collaboration

Web Design – Students write coding to produce their own web pages

Multimedia in Art – A combined Art and Computer class that produces a Claymation project that includes a reproduction of a master painting.