Features of the Curriculum

1. Catholic Religious Education is the core of the curriculum.

   Franciscan spirituality is the guiding principle in all activities. Christian attitudes and values are purposely integrated in all subjects.

2. The curriculum is student-centered and community-oriented.

   The curriculum provides for personal development of the individual. Skills necessary for lifelong learning and social competence are given focus.

3. Learning objectives are based on three domains: cognitive, affective and psychomotor.

   This is to emphasize the holistic and developmental nature of the teaching-learning process. Learning opportunities are provided to engage the learner to the fullest.

4. Desired learning competencies are identified in each subject.

   These competencies are articulated and integrated vertically and horizontally. The learning competencies for elementary curriculum of the Department of Education are enriched to meet the particular needs of the students and to realize the vision – mission of LSM.

5. Understanding by Design (UBD) framework is used to organize the learning competencies and content of the different subject areas.

6. Learning skills and competencies are presented using the spiral progression scheme. Basically, the same disciplines and key concepts are presented from Kindergarten to Grade 6. The lessons and skills differ in depth and complexity according to grade level.

7. Learning outcomes are assessed using the levels of proficiency. Learning is evaluated based on the levels of proficiency demonstrated in terms of knowledge, process or skills, understanding and product/performance.

8. The curriculum is responsive to local and global trends and challenges in education.

9. Relevant concerns such as moral, economic, technological, political and social are integrated in the curriculum.

Program Content for Kindergarten

The Kindergarten Education (KE) program aims for all five-year old children to achieve the standards and competencies expected of them, taking into account their diverse backgrounds, prior knowledge experiences, skills, attitudes, personal; traits and interests. It aims to contribute positively to the development of young children by providing them with more structured learning experiences to effectively promote their physical, social, cultural, emotional, and intellectual development including values formation, to sufficiently prepare them for further schooling.

Thus, Lourdes School of Mandaluyong offers Kindergarten curriculum which integrates developmentally appropriate content and pedagogies that are consistent with the way children think, learn, and relate with others. With this, the following are developed holistically:

 

• Socio-emotional Development
• Values Development
• Physical health and Motor Development
• Aesthetic/Creative Development
• Mathematics
• Understanding of the Physical and Natural Environment
• Language, Literacy and Communication

 

Its Program includes the following areas of competence: Christian Living Education (CLED), Communication Arts in English, Reading, and Communication Arts in Filipino, Mathematics, and Penmanship / Writing.

Assessment of Kindergarten learners is done through observation throughout the different blocks of time. Qualitative and non-numerical recording and grading systems through the use of Philippine Early Childhood Development (PECD) Checklist are used to describe how learners are performing vis-à-vis the expected learning outcomes in the Kindergarten Curriculum Guide.

Program Content for Grades 1 to 6

Curricular Offerings/Subject Areas

Each subject area has a program portfolio that details the level, the specific learning objectives, the content and skills to be learned, the strategies and methodologies to be implemented and the evaluation procedures and instruments to be used. Value-integration based on Catholic, Marian, Capuchin-Franciscan spirituality is an important component of the program. The following are the different subjects being offered in the Grade School Department:

 CHRISTIAN LIFE EDUCATION (CLED) for Grades 1 to 6

Christian Living Education aims to provide the students with the fundamental Catholic doctrines, scriptures, liturgy and knowledge and understanding of the Catholic, Marian and Capuchin-Franciscan values. The teachers in the classroom, through formal instruction and activities, transmit these into worthwhile faith experiences. The program hopes to provide students with opportunities to understand and appreciate the dignity of human person and to become authentic witnesses to the Gospel.

Lessons and activities on EDUKASYON SAPAGPAPAKATAO (EsP) are integrated in CLED.

ENGLISH (Reading and Language) for Grades 1 to 6

The English Program aims to provide learning opportunities for the learners to acquire communicative competence in oral and written form to express  their needs, thoughts, ideas and feelings based and founded on Christian values. The program allows the learners to acquire the disposition and skills in reading both for pleasure and for seeking information.

FILIPINO for Grades 1 to 6

The program enhances the students’ skills in listening, speaking and writing. It provides opportunities for students to master and refine their language skills in Filipino for effective oral and written communications. The study of literature is an important aspect of the program. Literary pieces are carefully selected to reflect the values that are geared toward value formation and character development.

MOTHER TONGUE for Grades 1 to 3

A salient part of the K to 12 Basic Education Program is the course offering of Mother Tongue for Grades 1 to 3. The program covers the further development of communication and reading skills of students.  The program offers opportunities for the learners to expand their vocabulary and phrases, show understanding of the spoken language in different contexts using both verbal and non-verbal cues, understand vocabulary and language structures and cultural aspects of the language and read and write literary and informational texts.  This program is also aligned with the implementation of the National Capital Region’s mother tongue which is Tagalog.

MATHEMATICS for Grades1 to 6

The program provides developmental activities aimed to help pupils acquire basic mathematical concepts and skills. Learners are trained to do fundamental operations and computations. Critical thinking skills are necessary for the students to face daily life situations. The Math Program therefore provides the learners with adequate mathematical foundation as well as human formation that will lead them to participate intelligently in problem solving and thus become useful members of the society.

ARALING PANLIPUNAN for Grades 1 to 6

The program equips the students with concepts on Philippine culture, history and economics. It develops moral, social and cultural values needed for human development and social responsiveness. These values lead the learners to a sense of solidarity so they become personally responsible for bringing about changes for the betterment of the society and the development of genuine Filipino culture and tradition .

MUSIC, ARTS, HEALTH and PHYSICAL EDUCATION (MAPEH) for Grades 1 to 6

The program aims to help students attain self-realization, develop desirable physical fitness habits, improve human relationship and make them conscious of their social and civic responsibilities. Varied physical activities are offered to develop skills, attitudes and values and to help them develop alert and healthy body, creative minds, and sound social behavior. Enrichment of the Physical Education Program is done through co-curricular activities such as membership in organizations that are sports – oriented. Qualified students are also given special training as members of the different varsity teams. These are the swimming, basketball, volleyball, football and table tennis teams.

EDUKASYONGPANTAHANAN at PANGKABUHAYAN (EPP)

* Computer Education for Grades 1 to 6
* Work Education for Grades 3 to 6

Basic computer education is offered to all classes of Grade One until Grade Six. The pupils are given opportunities to understand fundamental concepts about computer and the web. Students do hands –on activities to facilitate development of basic skills that will aid them to meet the requirements of their grade school subjects. Grade Six are prepared adequately for High School computer course.

Work Education focuses on the development and enhancement of knowledge in entrepreneurship, home economics, agriculture and industrial arts toward the improvement of the family’s economic life and the community. Thus, this program is offered to engage students in an experiential, contextualized and authentic learning process where they learn best by doing.

To further meet the needs of students the school offers  special programs in different learning areas to qualified students, as well as mastery learning and intervention initiatives and programs through additional academic engagement periods.

Various co-curricular activities are provided to students outside of the regular classroom learning experiences through trainings, seminars and workshops, school-based contests, and interschool competitions. Academic month celebrations are also held as opportunities in showcasing meaningful activities and excellent performances and sharing to others God-given skills and talents of students. The  use of community resources is conducted to enrich the teaching-learning process.

Embedded in the class program is a once a week Play Time. This period is anchored on the principle that play is a salient part in the development of a child. Through this endeavor, the child does not only develop his physical attributes but also his social skills and most importantly, his problem solving capabilities and full potentials will be realized. This period also serves as a therapy in dealing with everyday rigors of studying and a venue for self expression  and character building.