Specials
At Saint Jude the Apostle Catholic School, we have many Specials classes that provide enrichment to our students:
- Technology
- Art
- Spanish
- Physical Education
- STREAM Lab
- Music
- Media Center
Technology
Technology Class: Technology class is scheduled once a week for all grade levels. Activities such as keyboarding, word processing, online design, digital citizenship, research, and coding help build a solid foundation of skills that carry over to be used in all subject areas throughout the week.
Saint Jude is a Google Workspace for education fundamentals. Every student in the school is issued their own device. Students in grades Pre-K, K, and 1st each have an iPad. Students in grades 2 – 8 each have a Chromebook.
Pre-K, K & 1st: Students use their iPad to access apps to complete tasks and projects that reinforce daily learning. Students will also use apps and programs to create their own authentic work, demonstrating knowledge and understanding of material presented.
Grades 2 - 8: Students use their Chromebook to access resources, class notes, create individual and group projects, and communicate with teachers. Students utilize Google Classroom (our learning management system) to access, track, and submit student work. Students use their Chromebook throughout the day as needed for instruction in each subject area.
Art
In Art class, which students attend once per week, students are immersed in both the creative and historical aspects of visual arts. Students are introduced to essential design concepts, such as texture, line, color theory, shape, and pattern, and they practice applying these elements to their own artwork. They engage in art history and appreciation, learning about significant artists and movements while developing a deeper understanding of various artistic styles.
Throughout the year, students explore a wide array of materials and techniques, including drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, and clay. This hands-on approach allows students to experiment with different forms of expression while building foundational art skills. Classroom themes are often integrated into art projects, connecting their artistic creations to broader learning experiences. Through this comprehensive curriculum, students gain a well-rounded understanding of art and design, fostering both creative expression and critical thinking.
Spanish
Students attend Spanish class once a week, where they are introduced to a global, multilingual world that prepares them for meaningful engagement in a culturally diverse society. Through the study of a world language, students develop sensitivity to the cultural and linguistic heritages of various groups, fostering an appreciation for diversity. The elementary Spanish program enhances students’ receptive and spoken skills through engaging methods such as Spanish songs, rhymes, games, manipulatives, and books. Students learn prayers in Spanish and actively use the language for classroom communication, ensuring a practical application of their skills.
Meanwhile, the Middle School Spanish program focuses on preparing students for high school Spanish, emphasizing grammar, language structures, and cultural knowledge. The curriculum is communication-based, with a strong emphasis on receptive skills, and features thematic vocabulary and activities that integrate with classroom topics. This spiraling curriculum ensures a review of previously learned vocabulary and structures, reinforcing their understanding. Students also explore geography and current events related to Spanish-speaking countries and learn about the holidays celebrated within those cultures.
Physical Education
In physical education class, students engage in a variety of activities that promote physical fitness while demonstrating Catholic values and Christian behaviors in all settings. They continue to develop basic sports skills through focused training, emphasizing injury prevention and safety. Cardiovascular training, simple calisthenics, and physical fitness exercises enhance their endurance, strength, and flexibility. Students participate in cooperative games and team sports, which foster teamwork, improve team strategy, and allow them to display sportsmanship while following directions. The curriculum emphasizes the importance of physical activity and healthy eating, helping students recognize healthy dietary requirements and how these practices contribute to their overall well-being.
In Middle School, students learn how to identify good and bad substances, aspects of substance abuse, and prevention strategies. Additionally, students explore factors affecting mental and emotional health, develop a healthy self-concept, and identify the causes of communicable diseases along with their prevention. This holistic approach to physical education not only promotes physical health but also instills values that guide students in making responsible choices in their lives.
STREAM Lab
The STREAM Lab is an exciting space available for students from Pre-K 4 to 8th Grade, where they can explore, build, and create while enhancing their understanding of Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. Students visit the lab once a week during their science time, allowing them to extend their classroom learning and develop their skills as innovative thinkers and problem solvers. The STREAM Lab provides open lab times, enabling classes to continue working on projects or dive deeper into specific concepts, reinforcing their knowledge in a hands-on environment.
As a Cognia STEM certified school, we are equipped with a multitude of resources, the STREAM Lab fosters creativity and collaboration. Students have access to various robotics, 3D printers, a greenhouse, recycled materials, a Makerspace, Lego Wedo and Mindstorm kits, as well as logic games and puzzles. These tools not only stimulate curiosity and imagination but also teach students to think critically and approach challenges with a solutions-oriented mindset. By engaging in projects that require teamwork and innovation, students are prepared for the demands of the 21st century, equipping them with the essential skills to navigate an increasingly complex and technology-driven world. The STREAM Lab nurtures a passion for STEM fields and prepares students for future academic pursuits, which are critical to the modern workforce.
Music
In General Music class, which students (K-4) attend once a week, they engage in a variety of activities that foster a love of music while also developing essential skills. One of the highlights of the curriculum is consistent participation in liturgical music, where students learn to appreciate the role of music in worship and community events. They also learn about the great composers in music history, and a better understanding of the many different musical instruments and their unique timbres and roles in an orchestra. Students also get a well rounded understanding of the many different styles of music and how they developed throughout the world.
In 5th through 8th grade, students choose between a General Music or Concert Band, allowing them to pursue their individual musical interests and develop skills in vocal performance or instrumental music. Students in both classes continue to participate in liturgical music. They may compose, arrange, read and notate music, thereby building an ever expanding repertoire and exploring the relationship between music, other arts, history and culture.
In Band, students perform on their instrument of choice, focusing on playing in pitch, maintaining rhythmic identity and echoing melodic patterns. Performance opportunities are also a priority for Band students as they annually perform at State Farm Arena and Blessed Trinity High School.
Instead of focusing on one specific instrument of choice, Music students explore a variety of instruments including: ukulele, international percussion instruments, and voice. Students who excel in singing have the opportunity to participate in vocal performances as mass cantors as well as music theatre performances. Along with the band, general music students perform in a special concert for the Saint Jude Grandparents' Day at the end of the year.
This dual approach in the middle school program not only enhances students’ musical abilities but also enriches their understanding of music as an integral part of culture and society, preparing them for continued growth in their musical journeys.
Media Center
The Saint Jude Library and Media Center serves as an essential resource for students and teachers from Pre-K 4 through eighth grade, providing a rich collection of over 20,000 items, including books, eBooks, A/V resources, and electronic databases. Students attend the media center once a week, where they can check out books and conduct research projects. The media center is a dynamic learning hub that enhances students’ educational experiences and encourages a lifelong love for reading and media literacy.
