Curriculum
Lower School
Kindergarten
Highlights of the Kindergarten program:
- Math
- English Language Arts
- Social Studies
- Science
- Study Skills
- Public Speaking
- Art
- Music
- Technology
- Spanish
- Physical Education
Math
- Counting, reading, writing, ordering and comparing numbers 1 - 100
- Addition and subtraction facts to 20
- Identification, comparison and description of geometric shapes and objects
- Concepts introduced: patterns, time, money, skip counting, place value and graphing
- Emphasis on developing problem solving skills using a variety of methods and strategies
English Language Arts
- Reading: systematic, explicit phonics instruction using the Superkids program
- Lessons integrate reading, spelling, writing, comprehension and listening skills
- Focus on phonemic awareness, phonics-based decoding, and recognition of memory words
- Concentration on proper letter formation of capital and lower-case letters
- Sentence writing is introduced
- Writing and spelling skills are practiced through phonetic dictation
Social Studies
Science
Study Skills
Public Speaking
Art
Music
Technology
Spanish
Physical Education
- Development of gross motor skills through individual and group activities in a fun and accepting environment while promoting physical fitness and good sportsmanship
- The developed PE program is a fun, game-based approach that provides the ability, confidence and desire to be physically active for life
First Grade
Highlights of the first grade program include:
- Math
- English Language Arts
- Social Studies
- Science
- Study Skills
- Public Speaking
- Art
- Music
- Technology
- Physical Education
- Spanish
Math
English Language Arts
- Reading: systematic, explicit phonics instruction using the Superkids program, Lippincott, and Reading Street anthology
- Mastery of long vowels, phonemes and vowel diphthongs
- Concentration on more difficult memory words which expands vocabulary
- Sentence writing with a focus on structure with the addition of adjectives and adverbs
- Basic grammar rules and an introduction to editing as a part of spelling and creative writing
- Introduction of D’Nealian handwriting which incorporates slant, rhythm and spacing
Social Studies
Science
Study Skills
Public Speaking
Art
Music
Technology
Physical Education
- Development of gross motor skills through individual and group activities in a fun and accepting environment while promoting physical fitness and good sportsmanship
- The developed PE program is a fun, game-based approach that provides the ability, confidence and desire to be physically active for life.
Spanish
- Exposure to the culture of Spanish speaking countries through activities, music and high use vocabulary
- Exploration of Spanish vocabulary and high frequency phrases including colors, numbers, shapes, animals, seasonal vocabulary, the calendar, greetings and courtesy words and school and classroom vocabulary
Second Grade
Highlights of the second grade program include:
- Math
- English Language Arts
- Social Studies
- Science
- Study Skills
- Public Speaking
- Art
- Music
- Technology
- Physical Education
- Spanish
Math
- Advanced studies of the following concepts: place value, multiplication, division, telling time, money, decimals, fractions, geometry, graphing and measurement
- Emphasis on developing problem solving skills using a variety of methods and strategies
- Ongoing assessment includes individual practice and tests
English Language Arts
- Reading: phonics instruction and literature study using Lippincott, Reading Street anthology series and chapter books
- Emphasis on reading short stories to develop strong comprehension and summarizing skills
- Writing includes: rules of grammar, story mapping, creative writing and formal paragraphs
- D'Nealian writing is mastered
- Introduction of cursive handwriting with a focus on slant and legibility
Social Studies
Science
Study Skills
Public Speaking
Art
Music
Technology
- Mastery of the following skills by the end of the year: opening and closing files, saving student work
- Software and application include: iWorks, Garage Band, Mavis Beacon Typing, Education City, BrainPop and HyperStudio 5
- Continued practice of keyboarding skills
- Online sites and other software are used to support projects and enhance areas of study
Physical Education
- Development of gross motor skills through individual and group activities in a fun and accepting environment while promoting physical fitness and good sportsmanship
- The developed PE program is a fun, game-based approach that provides the ability, confidence and desire to be physically active for life