Non-Core Classes
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Beyond Traditional Classes
At St. Augustine, we believe in nurturing all aspects of our students' being. Beyond our core curriculum, we offer several academic enrichment options that are known as "specials".
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ArtOur Art program strives to offer students an opportunity to create and explore as much media as possible. Our instruction is technique-based with an emphasis on cultural and historically relevant Art History. Students are encouraged to create whatever they are interested in, allowing different art media to channel their expression.
We routinely venture out to other institutions for inspiration; we have held an Art Hop of student work downtown, visited nationally renowned Alchemist Sculpture Foundry to sketch bronze works in progress, and hosted local ceramicist and performance Artist Jana Hanka for a special kiln fire dance.
Kindergarten and first graders focus on color mixing, establishing good painting practices, print-making, observational and imaginative drawing as well as ceramics and sculpture.
Older students up through sixth grade expand upon these themes with more rigor and complexity each year. Like any performance art, practice makes “perfect.” Middle School students attend Art three times a week and dive deeper into the above media with a much stronger emphasis on observational drawing and color mixing with a focus on how to apply those skills to any media.
Above all, we strive to support a love of the arts and encourage kids to not only enjoy expressing themselves through visual art, but to cultivate a lifelong appreciation for the arts.
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MusicMusic class is provided to every student in grades K-8 and meets once a week. All students are actively engaged in activities that represent a wide range of musical process.
Classes are characterized by a layered elemental ensemble approach. This begins with speech, movement, and song and then extends to adding ostinatos or accompaniment on non-pitched percussion, barred instruments, and soprano recorders. Icons and Kodaly hand signs are used as a bridge to reading and writing music notation.
In grades 6-8, experiences range from literacy with the elements of music to beginning composition and opportunities in music technology. The student’s musical accomplishments are presented at the winter and spring concerts.
Our third, fourth, and fifth graders also attend the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Youth Concert every spring, which provides an introduction to the orchestra.
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BandSixth Grade: Students develop fundamental skills and perform a variety of band repertoire. Students expand their ensemble experience by learning independent parts within the band, as well as individually in small ensembles. Sixth grade performs three concerts a year.
Seventh and Eighth Grade: Students learn and develop intermediate skills and perform a variety of band repertoire. Students have the opportunity to audition for the MSBOA Honor Band and to participate in MSBOA Solo & Ensemble Festival. Seventh and eighth grade perform three concerts a year, as well as annually at the MMEA Instrumental Clinic.
St. Monica and St. Augustine schools combine band students in the same grade for performances.
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SpanishK-2:For our emerging language learners, the focus will primarily be on fun. The methodology for the lower elementary students in their Spanish exploration is music and games. The idea is to develop a love rather than a fear of learning languages. Each week, we will sing, play, and learn new words together in Spanish.
Grades 3-5: Our upper elementary students will focus on high-frequency words and ideas, as well as culture, how Catholics celebrate their faith in Spanish-speaking countries, and Spanish prayers. World Language Learners are expected to compare Hispanic culture to their own at all levels. Spanish will primarily be taught utilizing stories and games.
Grades 6-8: Our middle school students will focus on high school readiness in preparation for Spanish 1. These students will receive a modified version of the Spanish 1 high school curriculum. Students are taught conversational Spanish vocabulary and high frequency words through traditional exercises and storytelling techniques. Students will listen to read, write, and speak in Spanish in increasing amounts.
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Physical EducationThe K-8 Physical Education (PE) program aims to provide our students with a quality, developmentally appropriate, fun, physical education experience filled with a variety of activities suited for each grade level.
Students will develop the skills and knowledge to become and remain, healthy members of society. The goal of the program is to reach each student’s optimum physical, mental, emotional, and social development through health and wellness.
Currently, all students visit our gym twice a week for PE.