Vertical Alignment Document

MATH AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
VERTICAL ALIGNMENT
 
Purposeful, focused, consistent, and student-centered lesson planning is an essential component for student academic success. This vertical alignment is based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills established by the Texas Education Agency. Even though our campus is in a Catholic setting, we must prepare our students to meet these academic expectations.
 
Consequently, all teachers PreK through 8^th grade are to effectively plan engaging lessons that implement these standards which are the instructional foundation from grade level to grade level. This consistent adherence to teaching each grade level’s respective TEKS will ensure that the students experience ongoing academic progress throughout the year and from grade level to grade level.
 

Pre-Kindergarten (4K)
 
Daily              30 minutes Religion
                        30 minutes Uninterrupted Free Play
                        40% Instructional Day - English Language Arts
                        20% Instructional Day - Mathematics (Cognition Development)
 
Weekly          Physical Education
                        Health, Fine Arts (Art, Music, Theater, Dance), Social Studies, Science, Technology, and      
                        Guidance (integrated into the major curriculum areas above)
                        Foreign Language instruction may be included as part of the Language Arts program.
 
 
Kindergarten
 
Bell to Bell:               7 hours, full-day session
Instructional Time: 5 hours, 20 minutes
Daily                          30 minutes Religion
                                    40% Instructional Day - English Language Arts
                                    20% Instructional Day - Mathematics
 
Weekly          Physical Education
                        Fine Arts, (Art, Music, Theater, Dance), Health, Science, Social Studies, Technology, and
                        Guidance (integrated into the major curriculum areas or taught as a separate subject.
 
Grades 1 - 3
 
Bell to Bell:               7 hours
Instructional Time: 6 hours
 
Daily                           30 minutes Religion
                                    60 minutes Mathematics
                                    120 minutes English Language Arts
 
Weekly          Social Studies, Science
                        Physical Education
                        Health, Fine Arts (Art, Music, Theater, Dance)
                        Technology and Guidance (integrated into the major curriculum areas or taught as a 
                        separate subject)
                        Foreign Language instruction is strongly encouraged.
 
 
Grades 4 – 5
 
Bell to Bell:   7 hours
Instructional Time: 6 hours
 
Daily              30 minutes Religion
                        80 – 120 minutes Language Arts
                        40 – 60 minutes Mathematics
 
Weekly          200 – 225 minutes Science
                        200 – 225 minutes Social Studies
 
                        Physical Education
                        Health, Fine Arts (Art, Music, Theater, Dance)
                        Technology and Guidance (integrated into the major curriculum areas or taught as a 
                        separate subject) Foreign Language instruction is strongly encouraged.
 
 
Any and all practices for extra-curricular activity/electives such as orchestra, choir, theater or sports must be after school.  Any other time will need prior authorization.  This is to respect the academic time and comply with TCCED guidelines.
 
MIDDLE SCHOOL/DEPARTMENTAL
Grades 6 – 8
Bell to Bell:               7 hours
Instructional Time:  6 hours
 
Minimum of 7 units per year for each year (grades 6, 7 & 8 only)
1 unit = 200 minutes per week for 1 year*
 
Units              Academic Requirements

Elementary
 
For grades 1-8, the following grading scale is in effect:
90-100                     A
80-89                        B
75-79                        C
70-74                        D         Below 70: Failing
 
Grades 1-5:
 
Daily Work:                        50%  (a minimum of 10 grades per six weeks is required)
Tests:                                 40%  (a minimum of 2 grades per six weeks is required)
Participation/Projects:    10%  (a minimum of 3 grades per six weeks is required)
 
In core subjects, grades will be calculated using the following breakdown:
 
Conduct Grade of E, S, NI, PCN will be included in report card grade.
  
Middle School
 
Grades 6-8:
 
In all subjects, grades will be calculated using the following breakdown:
 
Daily Work:               25%  (a minimum of 9 grades per six weeks is required)
Tests:                         25%  (a minimum of 2 grades per six weeks is required)
Projects:                    25%  (a minimum of 1 grade per six weeks is required)
Six Weeks Test:       25%  (a minimum of 1 grade per six weeks is required)
 
Conduct Grade of E, S, NI, PCN will be included in report card grade.
 It can be amended with teacher consensus.
 Report cards are issued on Wednesday following the end of a nine-week period (see school calendar).