Elementary School TK - 5

Mission Basilica School offers a full day Transitional Kindergarten through 5th Grade program. The hours are 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with extended day care until 5:30 p.m. Our curriculum is age-appropriate, challenging, and integrated across content areas for students in kindergarten through 5th grades.

Students in Transitional Kindergarten through 5th grades are introduced to rigorous, but age-appropriate, curricula that are delivered through highly skilled teachers, state of the art technology, and up to date textbooks and support materials. Religion is interwoven throughout the entire school program on a daily basis. We adhere to a philosophy of supporting the achievement of each child’s learning potential. This is attained in an environment of care and nurture, where the development of the whole child is the basis for curricular planning.

A strong core curriculum, utilizing the best educational resources, is implemented by qualified and experienced faculty, support staff, and aides. Additionally, enrichment classes are viewed as critical components of a comprehensive elementary program. Students attend classes in art, music, physical education, Spanish, and technology. This array of subjects allows students to explore areas of interest, strengthen a variety of skills, and express special talents.

Transitional Kindergarten

What is Transitional Kindergarten?

• Transitional Kindergarten ("TK") is the first part of a two-year kindergarten program that provides a full-day academic experience for students turning five years old between September and December or students who are not ready for kindergarten. TK bridges the preschool and kindergarten programs for children in this age-range.
• When Senate Bill 1381 passed, it changed the age at which children may enter kindergarten. Children must now be five years old on or before September 1 to enroll in kindergarten.

Why Transitional Kindergarten?

• Transitional Kindergarten provides students with a faith-based learning environment that nurtures students physically socially, emotionally, academically and spiritually.
• Transitional Kindergarten offers children a rigorous interactive, learning experience that is aligned to The California Preschool Learning Foundations.
• Research shows that students who attend a quality kindergarten readiness program, including Transitional Kindergarten, are more likely to succeed in school and attend college.

Kindergarten

The Mission Basilica Kindergarten provides a foundation for success in the grades that follow. We are dedicated to educating the whole child. The kindergarten staff is knowledgeable in early elementary education to present the Common Core Standards in a manner that is creative and engaging.

Activities are carried out in small groups, large groups, and individual instruction. Differentiated instruction is provided based on the needs of the students. Many manipulative and hands-on experiences are included.

Academic instruction in math, language arts, social studies, and science are integrated with enrichment activities such as physical education, art, music, Spanish and technology. Outdoor and dramatic play provide opportunities for the development of social skills.

The heart of our Kindergarten is our faith community. We worship and pray together. We embrace the liturgical life and traditions of the Catholic Church. The children learn about our faith through the Blest are We and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd curriculum. We live the gospel message of social justice through Christian service.

We foster a festive atmosphere with imaginative parties and events throughout the school year.

First Grade

Mission Basilica’s First Grade enriches the children as they continue on their journey of academic achievement and spiritual growth. The first grade staff is skilled in technology and pedagogy in order to address the rigor of the Common Core Standards in a manner that is meaningful and engaging.

Our focus is educating each child at his/her stage of development through small group and differentiated instruction. Academic instruction in language arts, math, social studies, and science includes hands-on experimentation and manipulatives. Scholastic News is used to enhance our social studies and science curriculum, and build vocabulary and critical thinking skills. Our curriculum also includes physical education, art, music, Spanish and technology.

Our students grow closer and stronger in their faith during this year. We celebrate weekly Mass in the Basilica with our school family. We worship, pray, and embrace the liturgical life and traditions of the Catholic Church. The children learn about our faith through Blest Are We and the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd curriculum. During the Lenten season, the children create beautiful hand-painted crucifixes. The children and their families gather during the Easter season for a blessing of these crosses.

We live the gospel message of social justice through Christian service. The First Grade collects pop tabs to be given to the Orange County Ronald McDonald House for recycling. The money earned goes to offset the costs of running the Orange County Ronald McDonald House which provides a comfortable and affordable home away from home for families shouldering the burden of a child being treated at a Children’s Hospital of Orange County.

Second Grade

In second grade we continue to build on the skills introduced in first grade. Most importantly, it is a year of great spiritual growth. The children become aware of the loving compassion of Jesus as they prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. They continue that spiritual journey as they prepare to make their First Communion in the spring. This is the beginning of a life-long relationship with the Lord Jesus present in the Eucharist.

Our reading program is phonetically based and introduces children to all genres of literature employing various strategies for reading comprehension. Reading and writing skills, as well as keyboarding, are enhanced through our computer programs. In math we solidify addition and subtraction skills. The children will demonstrate mastery of basic addition and subtraction facts through a supplemental program called “Simple Solutions.” We also work with time, money, measurement and introduce fractions. Social Studies explores varied subjects including map and globe skills, ancestors so that the children get a sense of their own personal history, a brief look at history by comparing life long ago with life today, people who have made a difference in our world, and our country with an introduction to government. In science we investigate concepts in physical, earth and life sciences. Butterfly metamorphosis has become a second grade tradition.

Third Grade

Third grade is a grade of transition. In third grade we not only learn to read words and sentences, but comprehend what we read. The language arts program is strongly integrated with social studies and science. We begin not only reading for pleasure, but also reading for information. We also find a love for writing in third grade. We learn to write topic and concluding sentences. We learn to support our ideas and opinions with evidence.

Cursive writing is introduced. In math multiplication, division, fractions, and decimals are emphasized. Native Americans and the Westward Movement are the most important social studies chapters. In science we learn about living things, forces and motion, weather, climate and life cycles and traits. Art is often integrated with these subjects.

The children grow spiritually by planning school Masses and doing readings, Responsorial Psalms, gifts, etc. The Rosary is the theme of their annual retreat.

One of our favorite field trips is to the Centennial Heritage Museum. The tour provides an experience reflective of life in Orange County at the turn of the century. The children experience a variety of participatory activities that focus on 19th century daily living skills, clothing, inventions, entertainment, education, agriculture, and architecture.

Fourth Grade

Fourth grade is a year of discovery as we continue to become independent learners.

Our Religion curriculum focuses on the four pillars of the Catholic Catechism: what we believe, how we worship, how we live, and how we pray. It is highlighted by a study of the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes. Students learn about using the Bible, including how to identify and locate Scripture verses. As faith-filled Catholics, students prepare for and participate in school liturgies, take a vocational field trip to visit the Sisters at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Retreat Center, and enjoy an on-campus retreat that begins with morning Mass in the Basilica followed by a day of spiritual reflection and activities.

In Social Studies, the students focus on geography, history, and rich cultural traditions of California. The year begins with a study of its location, topography, and the four regions of the state. Historically, the journey begins with the early Spanish Explorers, progressing through the founding of the Missions, the Gold Rush, California Statehood, the building of the Transcontinental railroad and finally a look at the modern era of movie making, agriculture, and mass transit. A highlight of the year includes a field trip to our very own Mission San Juan Capistrano, where students view the historic buildings and learn firsthand about life within a mission as a Native American. The students create a ”mission project” which might include a DVD, a photo scrapbook, a PowerPoint presentation, or a replica of a chosen mission. Finally, the year of study culminates with an overnight trip aboard the Brig Pilgrim in Dana Point Harbor. It includes a simulation of what it was like to be a sailor during California’s hide-and-tallow trade.

In the fourth grade, students continue to practice and demonstrate proficiency in their math skills. They learn to add and subtract five-digit numbers, multiply double-digit problems, and do long division. They are introduced to solving simple algebra equations and begin problem-solving using fractions and decimals. They work with geometric figures.

The areas of study in science include life science, earth science, and physical science. Students will explore plant and animal structures, changes in the Earth’s surface, energy, and waves and their properties. They will also study rocks and minerals, and matter and electricity.

Over the course of the year, we read some great literature including Because of Winn Dixie, Island of the Blue Dolphins, Two Years Before the Mast and By the Great Horn Spoon. Students practice their writing skills through journals, poetry, reports, letters, and stories.

Fifth Grade

Fifth grade offers new challenges for our students as we continue along the path of academic excellence. In addition, fifth graders are eligible to play on our sports teams.

Our Catholic faith is the most important element of our academic program. We study the Sacraments in depth. We meet a number of Saints – some old favorites as well as some recently canonized. Our goal, too, is to make students globally aware of their mission to bring Christ to others through prayer, sacrifice, and good works.

In social studies, we study the birth of our nation, beginning with the lives and culture of our First Americans to the lives and struggles of our Founding Fathers. In the spring, each student researches and writes a full-length report. As a class we will hold a “Taste of America” convention with each student’s booth representing one of the states of our country.

Math includes the addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of large whole numbers as well as fractions. We study decimals and their relationship to fractions. We work on word problems, as well as drilling for mastery and accuracy of basic facts.

Our science program includes the study of living things, water and weather on Earth and space. Hands-on lab experiences supplement the curriculum.

Language arts include the study of chapter books, as well as a basic literature series with components of spelling, grammar, and English mechanics.

Through all of our studies, we follow the Common Core State Standards.

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