Marianist Ideals

Religion English Mathematics  Science Social Sciences
Foreign Language Physical Education  Fine Arts 
Computer Science  Resources

Following the guidelines established by the Marianist Community, Chaminade actively incorporates Marianist
ideals into its curriculum.  The goal of these ideals is to provide students with a firm faith foundation, a college preparatory education that recognizes the need for adaptation and change, and the ability to both identify and act upon the global community's need for service and justice.

In an effort to be a true Marianist community, each department has formulated goals that seek to create for each student an environment that promotes academic integrity, sportsmanship, teamwork, and cooperation.  Within the framework of these goals the school will also seek to develop in each student an awareness of and appreciation for cultural diversity as well as a deeper understanding of the moral, ethical, and religious themes that are encountered across all curricula.

 Religion - Marianist Ideals

Goal

To provide an opportunity for our students to grow in their understanding, appreciation, and actual living out of the life of Catholic Christian faith in the Marianist spirit.

Strategies/Planning & Instructional Considerations

This will be accomplished by:

• Planning grade appropriate creative lessons in grades six through twelve that foster understanding and experiences of the essential dimensions of Catholic Christian faith in areas of scripture study, theology, prayer and worship, and moral decision-making;

• Modeling a mature Catholic lifestyle in and outside of the classroom by being the face of love for students and by finding Christ in all students;

• Nurturing the faculty's spiritual and professional growth through joint and specific campus department meetings and retreats;

• Fostering critical thinking skills in issues of faith; and,

• Providing affirmation and guidance to all students in their personal faith journeys.

Assessment

• Teachers will moderate and observe student classroom discussions, encouraging all students to be active participants, while listening for comprehension of specific topics.

• Scripture study, theology, prayer and worship, and moral decision-making will be assessed through testing, homework, and creative projects.

• Teachers will direct and evaluate student involvement in prayer and worship.

• Teachers will observe and evaluate student understanding of classroom curricula through informal discussion and feedback.

Resources Needed/Financial Impact

Adequate Religion Department budget for departmental retreats.

Projected Completion Date of Strategies

Ongoing.

 

 English - Marianist Ideals

Goal

To present Catholic Marianist values to the students through discussion, writing, and reading that reflect themes that are consistent with Catholic Marianist ideology.

Strategies/Planning & Instructional Considerations

• This will be accomplished by:

• Choosing literary selections that reflect Catholic Marianist values;

• Selecting a particular value, such as kindness or consideration for others, to concentrate on each semester;

• Encouraging students' personal growth through written expression in formal writing assignments as well as journals;

• Encouraging prayer in the classroom;

• Discussing contemporary topics that encourage students to critically examine societal issues;

• Connecting literary themes that are value-based to the students' personal lives;Providing opportunities for students to interact with one another in the classroom in activities that promote understanding and tolerance for diversity;

• Fostering the importance of community service by charitable activities; and,

• Modeling Catholic Marianist values in the classroom.

Assessment

• Teachers will check student journals for topics that reflect Catholic Marianist ideals.

• Written assignments promoting critical analysis of contemporary issues will be formally evaluated through the use of rubrics that include Catholic content.

• Teachers will observe student behavior that is reflective of Catholic Marianist values. Students will ascertain moral/ethical issues in literature through class discussions, short answer quizzes, timed writings, and scantron tests.

Resources Needed/Financial Impact

None.

Projected Completion Date of Strategies

Can be implemented immediately.

 

 Mathematics - Marianist Ideals

Goal

To provide a nurturing environment in the Mathematics Department that is interactive, respectful, and promotes integrity in academics and in world wide economic issues.

Strategies/Planning & Instructional Considerations

• This will be accomplished by:

• Discussing ethical issues such as the poor vs. the wealthy, taxation, and government intervention in business;

• Providing a positive atmosphere where students feel comfortable to take risks;

• Emphasizing the personal successes of each student;

• Encouraging students to do their best on each and every task;

• Recognizing and supporting students as they make mistakes and profit from that experience; and,

• Expanding the peer tutoring program and making math lab more attractive to a larger number of students.

Assessment

• The classroom teacher will observe student behavior, attitudes, and reactions to change or adversity.

• The department will develop and use an instrument by which students can evaluate the atmosphere and the character of the classroom setting.

• The department will incorporate questions regarding ethical issues as part of written assignments.

Resources Needed/Financial Impact

• Motivational posters.

• Certificates/rewards to honor hard working students.

Projected Completion Date of Strategies

Formal implementation of the various strategies will be completed by January 2000.

 Science - Marianist Ideals

Goal

To improve students’ knowledge of how to be a caring citizen of the world through science education.

Strategies/Planning & Instructional Considerations

This will be accomplished by:

• Identifying environmental issues to maintain a sustainable world; and,

• Relating science to pertinent ethical issues and social justice as grade appropriate in order to heighten pertinent ethical issues for humanity and the environment.

Assessment

• Teachers will assess student understanding of environmental concerns through tests, discussions, and projects.

• Teachers will measure student understanding of ethical issues through written tests, classroom labs, and discussions at appropriate times during the curriculum.

Resources Needed/Financial Impact

Appropriate laboratory materials and supplies will be purchased as needed for classroom instruction.

Projected Completion Date of Strategies

Development and implementation of strategies will begin immediately.

 

 Social Studies - Marianist Ideals

Goal

To develop students’ appreciation for cultural diversity within the local and global communities.

Strategies/Planning & Instructional Considerations

This will be accomplished by:

• Developing lesson plans that seek to incorporate cultural sensitivity and appreciation in our students;

• Encouraging students through personal and school sponsored field trips to experience the multicultural opportunities that the community at large provides;

• Formulating class exercises that allow students to demonstrate pride in their cultural heritage and share that pride through projects and cooperative learning; and,

• Identifying commonalties within the global community that can be found through daily classroom activities.

Assessment

• Students’ appreciation for and knowledge of cultural diversity will be monitored by the use of department assessment forms that each student will complete following a field trip that pertains to the issues.

• Students will be encouraged to complete one cultural field trip outside of the classroom experience and submit a completed assessment of the trip by May 15^th of each school year.

• Classroom exercises will be assessed through the use of open-ended questions and class discussions.

• Teachers will assess the value and impact of the program in May of each year at department meetings.  Changes will be suggested and made at that time.

Resources Needed/Financial Impact

Family support, especially at the middle school level, for transportation to off-campus activities.

Projected Completion Date of Strategies

The plan is already in progress in all social studies classrooms.  Formal evaluation of the program by teachers will begin in 2000-2001 school year.

 

 Foreign Language - Marianist Ideals

Goal

To develop an awareness and appreciation of the values, cultures, and customs of the target language countries.

Strategies/Planning & Instructional Considerations

This will be accomplished by:

• Using chapter themes for promoting non-judgmental discussion on cultural issues which favor a “compare and contrast” model, and spotlight potential causes of misunderstanding between cultures.  In Level III and above, all discussions will be in the target language; and,

• Supplementing discussion with the appropriate use of realia, selected video/film, popular and traditional music, newspaper/magazine articles, and personal experience.

Assessment

• Student comprehension of discussion topics will be measured through a follow-up assignment which asks students to reflect on and respond to discussion topics.

• Written chapter exams at all levels will include a cultural component.

• Upper level speaking exams will include cultural questions, where appropriate.

Resources Needed/Financial Impact

The department will purchase appropriate realia, CDs, films and videos as necessary.

Projected Completion Date of Strategies

Formal implementation will begin immediately.

 

 Physical Education - Marianist Ideals

Goal

To provide students the educational opportunities of lifelong fitness through exercise and sport, focusing on the positive values of sportsmanship, teamwork, and cooperation with emphasis on educating the whole child.

Strategies/Planning & Instructional Considerations

This will be accomplished by:

• Utilizing various activities to peak students’ interest in lifelong personal fitness/health;

• Rewarding positive displays of sportsmanship and Christian character;

• Teaching the benefits of good health and fitness to encourage students to make a commitment to a healthy lifestyle;

• Providing students the opportunity to develop team work and cooperation skills through sports;

• Providing a foundation of various sports and activities stressing cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, and muscular endurance and flexibility in grades six through eight;

• Developing personal workout routines for each student to spark interest in lifelong physical fitness in grades nine and ten; and,

• Offering choices for personal specialization in the areas of team sports, strength conditioning, and athletic team sports in grades eleven and twelve.

Assessment

• Grades will not be based on athletic ability, but on a student’s willingness to participate and to strive to meet the goals of the class in areas of sportsmanship and Christian conduct.

• Fitness improvement will be charted and grades assessed through each student’s individual improvement as they strive to meet established personal fitness goals.

Resources Needed/Financial Impact

• Middle school – gym

• High school – practice field

• High school – outdoor basketball courts

Projected Completion Date of Strategies

• Strategies will be continued or be implemented as soon as possible
  

 Fine Arts - Marianist Ideals

Goal

To develop an environment which fosters respect for holistic education through the artistic process in students, faculty and the larger Chaminade community.

Strategies/Planning & Instructional Considerations

This will be accomplished by:

• Bearing witness with a personal and committed faith that endeavors to touch the heart;

• Educating in a free and responsible style which elicits a personal faith response in students;

• Encouraging a positive, ongoing dialogue in an atmosphere of openness, respect and integrity;

• Fostering an ongoing relationship between the Fine Arts Department and the surrounding community;

• Increasing the visibility of the fine arts program through increased public relations efforts, including personal invitations to members of the Chaminade family and the surrounding community; and,

• Increasing the use of the faculty/parent bulletins to heighten awareness of the fine arts curriculum within the community.

Assessment

• Fine arts faculty will assess their understanding and connection with the Marianist faith through informal conversations and observations.

• Fine Arts Department meetings will include ongoing discussions on methodology, aesthetics, and community arts events.

Resources Needed/Financial Impact

• An increase in budget is required to maintain professional memberships, and to cover costs of tickets, etc. for community events.

• Computer equipment purchases will be necessary to facilitate and increase public relation efforts.

• Transportation needs to be organized to facilitate faculty and student attendance at on and off campus fine arts events.

• School subscriptions to arts-related magazines, and journals need to be increased.

Projected Completion Dates of Strategies

• Strategies will be developed during 1999 – 2000 school year and implemented beginning Fall 2000.  Updates will be effected as necessary.

 Computer Science - Marianist Ideals

Goal

To enable students to demonstrate their understanding of the moral and ethical issues posed by technology.

Strategies/Planning & Instructional Considerations

This will be accomplished by:

• Evaluating current computer science coursework and existing MIS policies to determine which ethical issues are being taught;

• Researching appropriate ethical issues that should be added to the curriculum;

• Developing a plan to incorporate ethical issues into existing coursework; and,

• Training computer science faculty on the appropriate issues as necessary and disseminating this information to other departments.

Assessment

• Computer Science Department chairs will annually review course descriptions to be certain they include ethical issues.

• Lesson plans for ethical issues will be evaluated and shared at department meetings to ensure delivery of appropriate content.

• Examples of student work that demonstrate an understanding of ethical issues will be evaluated, preserved, and shared with computer science faculty.

Resources Needed/Financial Impact

• Computer science faculty need continued training through attendance at conferences and subscriptions to appropriate periodicals.

• Time needs to be allocated to develop and share appropriate lessons among computer science faculty.

Projected Completion Date of Strategies

• Strategies will be developed in the 2000-2001 year and implemented the following year.

 

 Resource - Marianist Ideals

Goal

To provide students with the access to materials that reflect current and historical Catholic Christian viewpoints in all curriculum areas.

Strategies/Planning & Instructional Considerations

This will be accomplished by:

• Working with department chairs to understand the Catholic Christian focus within the realm of their particular discipline;

• Researching and obtaining, within budgetary limits, appropriate support resources; and,

• Contacting and working collaboratively with each department to assure implementation of strategies on an annual, ongoing basis

Assessment

• Resource Department staff will analyze the success of students' relevant retrieval within each curricular assignment, based on observations and personal communications with students

• Librarians will evaluate teacher feedback at the completion of each research project

Resources Needed/Financial Impact

• Sufficient budget to purchase appropriate, up-to-date materials and equipment

• Additional staffing to assist students and faculty, and maintain efficient library functionality

Projected Completion Date of Strategies

• Ongoing