Lower School (1-5)
Success in today’s global society demands knowledge, skills, and perspective that go beyond the classroom. At Mother Mary Lange Catholic School our curriculum extends further than the standard academic program. Our students are challenged academically, spiritually, and creatively to grow in confidence, curiosity, and in faith. This focus provides our students with the tools to succeed in the 21st century.
Our Lower School By The Numbers
Total Number of Students
Teacher/Student Ratio
Zip Codes Represented
Extra Curricular Activities
Grounded in Faith and Catholic Values
At MMLCS, faith is not just a subject—it’s a way of life. Our elementary students begin each day with prayer and reflection, and they participate in religion classes that help them grow in their relationship with God. We integrate Catholic values across the curriculum, teaching children how to live with integrity, kindness, and purpose. Students attend weekly school-wide Mass and participate in faith-based events throughout the year, including service projects, feast day celebrations, and the sacraments. Our approach helps children understand their role as followers of Christ and encourages a lifelong connection to their faith.
Subject Areas
Found below is a listing of the areas of study with example content and essential skills.
Religion
Released in 2011, “Bringing Good News” is the Archdiocese of Baltimore Religion Curriculum for Elementary Schools. This standards-based curriculum serves as a guide, a road map for both teachers and students as they embark on a journey, which will provide them with the knowledge and understanding of the faith as witnessed in the teachings and the traditions of the Catholic Church. The curriculum is built on the Six Tasks of Catechesis: Promoting Knowledge of the Faith; Liturgical Education; Moral Formation; Teaching to Pray; Education for Community Life; and Missionary Initiation and is aligned with the Assessment of Catholic Religious Education (IFG:ACRE).
By the completion of first grade, students will master a variety of skills including:
- Define the meaning of faith as a gift from God that enables us to know God and follow him.
- State that the Old Testament tells of God’s people before the birth of Jesus.
- State that the New Testament contains the Gospels, the Good News of Jesus.
- Identify sacraments as signs of God’s love for us.
- Recognize Jesus’ presence with us in the bread and wine that become his body and blood.
- State that God gives us the ability and the freedom to choose right or wrong.
- Understand that we are called in a special way to care for the poor and the suffering.
Mathematics
Revised in 2013, the curriculum for all elementary schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore include the following units:
- Counting and Cardinality
- Operations and Algebraic Thinking
- Measurement and Data
- Numbers and Operations in Base Ten
- Geometry
- Numbers and Operations
Catholic educators never forget that our schools exist to bring our students to Christ. By continuing to implement new standards that are challenging, we work to fulfill the promise of quality Catholic education that educates the whole child, both mind and soul.
By the completion of first grade, students will master a variety of skills including:
- Understand and apply properties of operations and the relationship between addition and subtraction.
- Use place value understanding and properties of operations to add and subtract.
- Measure lengths indirectly and by iterating length units.
- Tell and write time.
By the completion of second grade, students will master a variety of skills including:
- Represent and solve problems involving addition and subtraction.
- Work with equal groups of objects to gain foundations for multiplication.
- Relate addition and subtraction to length.
- Work with time and money.
- Represent and interpret data.
By the completion of third grade, students will master a variety of skills including:
- Understand properties of multiplication and the relationship between multiplication and division.
- Use place value understanding and properties of operations to perform multi-digit arithmetic.
- Develop understanding of fractions as numbers.
- Geometric measurement: understand concepts of area and relate area to multiplication and to addition.
By the completion of fourth grade, students will master a variety of skills including:
- Use the four operations with whole numbers to solve problems.
- Gain familiarity with factors and multiples.
- Generate and analyze patterns.
- Understand decimal notation for fractions, and compare decimal fractions.
- Draw and identify lines and angles, and classify shapes by properties of their lines and angles.
By the completion of fifth grade, students will master a variety of skills including:
- Write and interpret numerical expressions.
- Perform operations with multi-digit whole numbers and with decimals to hundredths.
- Convert like measurement units within a given measurement system.
- Geometric measurement: understand concepts of volume and relate volume to multiplication and to addition.
- Graph points on the coordinate plane to solve real-world and mathematical problems.
- Classify two-dimensional figures into categories based on their properties.
English Language Arts
Revised in 2014, the English Language Arts Curriculum for the Archdiocese of Baltimore is designed using the Catholic, College and Career Ready clusters as its foundation. Through literature, this course of study fosters students’ Catholic identity, shaping them to be models of Christian living for others. This curriculum is fully integrated with our Catholic faith. We provide students with a curriculum that is rigorous and rich in literature, oral and written language, grammar, writing, vocabulary, informational literature, and multimedia/technology.
By the completion of first grade, students will master a variety of skills including:
- Use reading strategies to determine central themes, develop understanding, identify and utilize various text features, determine key ideas and describe connections.
- Become proficient readers with the capacity to comprehend texts across a range of types and disciplines.
- Identify basic features of print such as the alphabetic principle, phonological awareness, phonics, decoding, and blending.
- Write opinion pieces, informative/explanatory texts, narratives and should participate in shared research and writing.
- Participate in collaborative discussions; communicate effectively using a variety of tools demonstrate efficient relay of information; and produce complete sentences appropriate to the task and situation.
By the completion of second grade, students will master a variety of skills including:
- Use an inquiry process to locate, evaluate and use sources based on accuracy, authority, and point of view to explore a question/topic and synthesize and share findings and give appropriate credit/ citation.
- Select and use appropriate format to effectively engage the target audience in a topic, point of view, argument and/or creative work.
- Analyze and evaluate information, ideas, or objects to develop a point of view, make predictions, or draw inferences
- Identify and define a problem-situation and work through a procedure to determine viable and appropriate solutions and next steps and carryout as applicable.
- Generate and develop ideas, solutions and connections to create something original/ novel that is meaningful or useful.
By the completion of third grade, students will master a variety of skills including:
- Students will use text presented orally and visually to engage in collaborative discussions with peers.
- Students will learn to write in cursive, and will learn and apply spelling patterns and standard English language conventions.
- Using vowel digraphs and diphthongs.
- Compare and contrast historical fiction from various cultures.
- Understand the use of dialect within literature.
By the completion of fourth grade, students will master a variety of skills including:
- Through reading a diverse array of literature and informational text, students are expected to analyze the structure of the text, compare and contrast, and refer to the evidence in the text, to interpret, integrate, explain, and describe their reading perspective.
- Students should show an ability to write informative, opinion and narrative pieces with clear and coherent writing. Using the writing process, students will develop and strengthen their writing skills.
- Research skills should be practiced over an extended period of time, using evidence from various text to support, analyze and reflect the research.
- Students should participate in a range of class discussions, posing specific questions, paraphrasing text and giving support for their opinions.
- Instruction should focus on correct punctuation, capitalization, multi-meaning words, and figurative language.
By the completion of fifth grade, students will master a variety of skills including:
- Demonstrate a command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
- Summarize a written text read aloud or from information presented in a variety of media and formats, including visual, quantitative, and oral.
- Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in the story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic and be able to summarize the text.
- Write arguments to support claims in analysis of substantive topics or texts using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
- Conduct short research projects that use several sources to build knowledge through investigation; additionally, produce more substantial research projects demonstrating understanding of the subject.
Additional Subject Areas
The following subject areas are currently under revision across the Archdiocese of Baltimore, and if you would like more information regarding these standards and essential skills please contact the school directly.
- Science
- Instructional Technology (PLTW)
- Social Studies
- Visual Arts
- Music
- Physical Education/Health
- World Languages (Spanish)
- Library
Enrichment That Encourages Creativity
In addition to the core curriculum, students enjoy enrichment classes that bring learning to life and encourage the development of well-rounded skills:
Art
Students explore a variety of materials and techniques while learning about famous artists and cultural art traditions.
Music
Students build musical skills through singing, rhythm games, and instrument exploration.
Spanish
Our world language instruction introduces students to basic vocabulary and conversational skills, while also exposing them to Spanish-speaking cultures.
Physical Education
Regular physical activity promotes coordination, teamwork, and lifelong wellness habits.
Technology
Integrated across the curriculum, students learn keyboarding, digital literacy, and responsible use of technology.
Athletics and Team Spirit
Beginning in second grade, students can participate in athletics that promote physical wellness, discipline, and teamwork. Our elementary sports offerings include:
Track & Field (Grades 2–5)
Open to boys and girls, our track & field program gives students the opportunity to grow in endurance, strength, and confidence. Events include sprinting, distance running, long jump, and relay races. Students develop athletic skills while learning the value of perseverance and teamwork.
Basketball (Grades 3–5)
Our co-ed basketball teams focus on building fundamental skills and good sportsmanship. Players learn teamwork, discipline, and confidence both on and off the court. Games are played against other area Catholic schools in a fun and competitive setting.
Lacrosse (Grades 3–5)
Lacrosse at MMLCS introduces students to one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. With a focus on skill-building and team play, our program is designed for beginners and experienced players alike. Practices and games help students stay active, engaged, and proud to represent their school.
Ready To Learn More About Elementary School At Mother Mary Lange Catholic School?
We invite you to experience the energy, warmth, and faith-centered learning that defines our elementary program. At Mother Mary Lange Catholic School, your child will grow in knowledge, character, and confidence. Schedule a tour today or contact us to learn more—we can’t wait to welcome your family!
