Keeping Curiosity Alive

The Lower School uses Math in Focus, an American edition of the Singapore Math program. Students are exposed to a rich curriculum that enhances the acquisition of a solid sense of numbers, their relationships and also place value. Based on Piaget’s stages of development in which children begin learning with concrete objects, manipulatives are used extensively for early learners. Students next encounter pictorial representations of problems, and finally reach the level of abstract reasoning and understanding. The program stresses mental math and problem-solving skills, using “bar modeling” as a visual representation for word problems. Developing strong computational skills is a primary objective in Math in Focus.

Social science topics covered in Kindergarten include the five senses, nutrition, magnets, an investigation of the properties of objects, the characteristics of living things, an investigation of the sun, moon and shadows, conservation of resources, famous people and holidays, comparisons of changes in our lives through the years, awareness of maps and globes, characteristics of a good citizen, careers and communities.

The development of a child mentally, physically and socially continues in first grade. The four primary academic areas throughout the Lower School years are language arts, mathematics and the social sciences.

In language arts, students participate in whole-group lessons and also work in small groups for guided reading instruction. Leveled readers and supplemental reading books are used for learning. The language arts program focuses on the development of phonological awareness, including spelling and vocabulary, oral language, writing and reading comprehension. Small group activities may include a focus on word work or an oral reading session. Components of language arts incorporated throughout the year are phonemic awareness, spelling and word study, vocabulary, oral reading, independent reading, reading comprehension skills and the development of writing skills through Writer’s Workshop.

The Lower School uses Math in Focus, an American edition of the Singapore Math program. Students are exposed to a rich curriculum that enhances the acquisition of a solid sense of numbers, their relationships and also place value. Based on Piaget’s stages of development in which children begin learning with concrete objects, manipulatives are used extensively for early learners. Students next encounter pictorial representations of problems, and finally reach the level of abstract reasoning and understanding. The program stresses mental math and problem-solving skills, using “bar modeling” as a visual representation for word problems. Developing strong computational skills is a primary objective in Math in Focus.

Social science topics covered in first grade include an investigation of the sun and the earth’s rotation and revolution, an investigation of matter, observations of physical properties using senses, classification of attributes and properties, an investigation of simple machines and investigations using  Lego WeDo Educational Kits, an investigation of goods and services and how people make choices, the uniqueness of individuals and appreciation of differences, holidays and customs, characteristics of good citizens, introduction to maps - their importance and how to construct one, and responsible personal and social behavior in a community.

The third grade curriculum builds on a solid foundation and offers an array of enrichment activities to promote inferential thinking, reasoning and creativity in students. Students are engaged in cooperative learning, as well as whole class and small group instruction and discussion.

In Language Arts students read a variety of print material as they participate in shared reading, group reading and independent reading. Leveled readers, fiction and non-fiction books and poetry are just a few of the materials used. Instruction concentrates on phonemic awareness, spelling and vocabulary, oral language, writing, grammar, usage and mechanics, reading comprehension and information study skills and the development of writing skills through Writer’s Workshop. A wide variety of instructional strategies are employed including word sorts, flip books, poetry, phonics readers, original sentence writing, Daily Language Review, Drops in a Bucket, phonics centers and word work.

The Lower School uses Math in Focus, an American edition of the Singapore Math program. Students are exposed to a rich curriculum that enhances the acquisition of a solid sense of numbers, their relationships and also place value. Based on Piaget’s stages of development in which children begin learning with concrete objects, manipulatives are used extensively for early learners. Students next encounter pictorial representations of problems, and finally reach the level of abstract reasoning and understanding. The program stresses mental math and problem-solving skills, using “bar modeling” as a visual representation for word problems. Developing strong computational skills is a primary objective in Math in Focus.

In 3rd grade, students explore the following science topics: the components of soil, conservation, the composition and layers of the earth’s crust; simple machines -- their functions and uses, how they work together to form complex machines incorporating Lego WeDo Educational Kits which create machines which are programmed with drag and drop software to move; behavioral and physical adaptations which allow animals to respond to life needs; the unique properties of Earth as a planet and as a part of the solar system; the relationships among organisms in aquatic and terrestrial food chains; and how water-related environments support a diversity of plants and animals that share limited resources.

In Social Studies, students investigate the similarities and differences among communities, how the climate, geography and natural resources of the southwest United States affected the life of the Anasazi Indians, how natural and human resources aided the Pilgrims in starting Plymouth colony, and how and why the city of Suffolk began as a community dependent on the river and railroad lines.

In both Science and Social Studies, students gather, chart and graph data, classify objects into sets and subsets, make and communicate predictions of outcomes, and make inferences and draw conclusions.

The fifth grade year offers many activities and experiences that prepare students in their final year before Middle School and the transition to a fully departmentalized program. In fifth grade, students change classes and adjust to working with multiple teachers prior to moving to Middle School, where they will experience learning by rotating through a class schedule. Students spend their days working as a whole class, in small groups or independently receiving instruction and completing assignments with Google classroom.

In Language Arts, both leveled books and novels are used to teach skills. Novels are used to complement the integrated curriculum in social studies and science. Within language arts, areas covered are reading comprehension, spelling and vocabulary, listening and speaking, grammar-usage and mechanics and writing incorporating the Writer’s Workshop.

The Lower School uses Math in Focus, an American edition of the Singapore Math program. Students are exposed to a rich curriculum that enhances the acquisition of a solid sense of numbers, their relationships and also place value. Based on Piaget’s stages of development in which children begin learning with concrete objects, manipulatives are used extensively for early learners. Students next encounter pictorial representations of problems, and finally reach the level of abstract reasoning and understanding. The program stresses mental math and problem-solving skills, using “bar modeling” as a visual representation for word problems. Developing strong computational skills is a primary objective in Math in Focus.

In science, fifth graders study life science, physical science and earth science. In addition, students work collaboratively on lab safety, the scientific method, the experimental design process and the engineering design process. Students engage in design challenges that inspire creative thinking and teamwork. They test their designs and are given time for redesign experiences. Throughout the year, students participate in an ongoing study of conservation and wise utilization of natural resources. Other areas of study include cell biology, body systems, and taxonomy. Every student completes a conservation project that is displayed at the annual Lower School Science Night. Students also complete various research projects to supplement classroom instruction and also share material through classroom presentations.

In social studies, students develop an understanding of the exploration and settlement of North America, study the distinct characteristics of the individual regions of the United States and study U.S. history through the Civil War and Reconstruction. Many collaborative projects complement classroom instruction, and students are engaged routinely in hands-on activities.

Throughout the fifth grade year, students focus on work habits, organization, study skills and time management. Students have a study period several days each week during which they may receive extra help from teachers, study, read or complete homework.

All fifth graders also receive instruction in music, art, physical education, Spanish, technology education and library skills. The school counselor provides lessons on test-taking strategies and interpersonal relationship skills as well.