academics

"The object of education is to teach us to love what is beautiful."

— Plato's Republic (Book III, 403c)

A classical education at The Good Shepherd Academy gives students exposure to rich academic content, broadens their view and experiences, and prepares them with skills and wisdom that they will use for the future. It is a complete, comprehensive education that has a record of successfully educating generations. Classical education distinctively cultivates students who can develop facts into arguments and convey these arguments clearly and persuasively, both orally and in writing. It develops independent learning skills by teaching students how to learn, enabling them for further pursuits.

Classical education is taught using the fundamental structure of the Trivium which is divided into 3 stages: Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric. These stages coincide with a child’s natural development therefore teaching methods focus on the natural stage of maturation, maximizing the learning that is possible. The word classical refers to the structure and form of the education as well as the content of the curriculum including the knowledge and appreciation of Western civilization, great works of literature and art, Latin and Greek studies, all of which enables an understanding of human history and human thought and achievement. A classical education in the Catholic tradition builds a firm foundation of knowledge and reason with an inclination towards virtue. It expands a student's natural openness to wonder and awe, increasing recognition and reverence of truth, goodness and beauty. We believe that reverence will ultimately lead into a love for Jesus Christ, who is Truth, Goodness and Beauty incarnate.

"The sole true end of education is simply this; to teach men how to learn for themselves..."

— Dorothy Sayers, "The Lost Tools of Learning"

Curriculum 2023 - 24

Grade K

Theology:

K Catechism for Young Catholics
New Catholic Picture Bible
Saint Stories:
Various Fr. Lovasik Books
Once Upon a Time Saints
Catholic Saints for Children

Math:

Rod and Staff Arithmetic 1
Memoria Math Challenge A
Numbers Book
Cut & Paste

Phonics & Language Arts:

Classical Phonics
Kindergarten Phonics
First Start Reading (Books A-D)
Animal Alphabet
Level Readers & Phonetic Readers
Handwriting K for Young Catholics

History, science, geography, holidays, science, art:

Various read alouds & science books
Nature Reader
Erick Carle’s Animals Animals
A Child's Book of Poems
K Art Cards of Masterpieces
Music Enrichment/Classical
Book of Crafts K
K Enrichment
K Morning Work

Choir/Schola
Manner of the Week
Virtue of the Month

Grades 1-2

Theology:

Seton Religion 1
The New St. Joseph First Communion Catechism
New Catholic Picture Bible
Saint Stories:
Fr. Lovasik Books
Once Upon a Time Saints

Math:

Rod and Staff Arithmetic 1st & 2nd Grade
Memoria Math Challenge B (Grade 1)
Memoria Math Challenge C (Grade 2)
Speed Drills

Latin:

Prima Latina (Grade 2)

Literature 1: (Grade 1)

Storytime Treasures book 1 & 2
Little Bear
Caps for Sale
Make Way for Ducklings
Billy & Blaze stories
Miss Rumphius
Stone Soup
Christmas in the Big Woods
Winter on the Farm

Literature 2: (Grade 2)

Animal Folk Tales
Prarie School
The Courage of Sarah Noble
Tales from Beatrix Potter
Little House in the Big Woods
Second Grade Literature Dictionary

Phonics & Language Arts:

First Start Reading Book E (Grade 1)
Language Arts 2 (Grade 2)
English Grammar Practice (Grade 2)
Spelling 2
Handwriting 2
Cursive Penmanship

History, science, geography, holidays, science, art:

Various read alouds & science books
Nature books
A Child's Book of Poems
Art Cards of Masterpieces 1
Music Enrichment/Classical 1
Book of Crafts 1

Choir/Schola
Manner of the Week
Virtue of the Month PE

Grades 3-4

Theology:

Seton 4
Baltimore Catechism
Saint Stories:
St.Thomas Aquinas; St. Therese, St. John Vianney, St. Catherine of Siena

Math:

Rod and Staff 4 (Memoria Press)

Science:

Book of Astronomy (Memoria Press)

Latin:

Latina Christiana (Memoria Press)

Literature:

Cricket in Times Square
The Blue Fairy
Dangerous Journey
The 12 Days of Christmas
Papa Panov’s Christmas
Good King Wencelas
English Grammar Recitation I
Spelling 4 (Seton)
Classical Composition: (Memoria Press)
Fable

History:

California History (Catholic Textbook Project)
States and Capitals (Memoria Press)

Choir
Art
PE

Grades 5-6

Theology:

Seton 6
St. Catherine Laboure

Math:

Rod and Staff 6 (Memoria Press)

Science:

Book of Birds (Memoria Press)
Book of Medicine (Memoria Press)

Latin:

First Form Latin (Memoria Press)

Literature:

Little Women
My Side of the Mountain
21 Balloons
St. Joan of Arc

Classical Composition:

Fable and Narrative (Quarter One)
Chreria
English Grammar Recitation II
Geography I Review/Geography II (Memoria Press)

History:

Famous Men of Middle Ages (Memoria Press)
Famous Men of Rome

Schola Choir
Sacred Art
PE

Grades 7-8

Theology:

Seton 7
Baltimore Catechism II
Maximilian Kolbe: Saint of Auschwitz, Elaine Murray Stone

Math:

Pre-Algebra
Progress of Mathematics (Sadlier-Oxford)

Latin:

First Form Latin (Memoria Press)

Science:

The Books of Trees (Memoria Press)
Biology

Literature:

The Hobbit
The Bronze Bow
The Trojan War
Magician’s Nephew
A Soldier Surrenders by Susan Peek
Poetry for Grammar Stage (selections from p.118 through p.150)
The Dwarves Song p. 118(Hobbit)
Plant a Tree p.150 (Book of Trees)

Classical Composition: (Memoria Press)

Fable and Narrative (Quarter One)
Chreria (Quarter Two and Three)
English Grammar Recitation III: (Memoria Press)

History:

American History: Story of the Thirteen Colonies (Memoria Press)
200 Questions about American History (Memoria Press)
American History Outline (Memoria Press)
Great American Speeches by Suzanne McIntire
Book of Great American Speeches for Young People

Schola
Sacred Art
PE

Grade 9

Theology:

Baltimore Catechism III
The Fathers of the Church, 3rd ed. Mike
Aquilina

Math:

Geometry

Latin:

First Form Latin (Memoria Press)

Science:

Biology for Life (Seton)

Literature:

Beowulf
Midsummer Night Dream
Sir Gawain
St. Teresa of Avila (biography)
Blessed Pauline Jaricot (biography)
The British Tradition I (Memoria Press)
Poetry, Prose and Drama

Classical Composition: (Memoria Press)

Fable (1st Quarter)
Narrative (1st Quarter)
Chreria (2nd Quarter)
Refutation (goal- 3rd and 4th Quarter)

History:

Book of Ancient Rome (Memoria Press)
The Aeneid
The Iliad
The Odyssey
Christ the King, Lord of History, Anne Carroll

Logic:

Traditional Logic I (Memoria Press)

Sacred Music/Choir- 2 days
Sacred Art/Sacred Art History
PE
Drama/Speech