Curriculum

The Lower School Curriculum: An Overview

Our curriculum overview provides you with a general understanding of the scope and sequence of study units in grades pre-kindergarten through grade 5. Within each subject area, many more skills and concepts may be included than those listed. This overview is designed to provide some of the general skills covered in each grade, whereas a teacher’s curriculum guide would provide a teacher with much more specific learning objectives by grade level. Based on the premise that all students possess unique learning profiles that enable them to learn in different ways, instruction is presented in a differentiated format. Therefore, not all students will learn the same skills at the same time nor will all students learn in the same way or at the same rate. Some students may, in fact, accelerate faster than others, thereby learning skills that extend beyond their current grade level to the next level. The Lower School Curriculum is a personalized learning experience for all of our students.

We hope that this overview will summarize for you the basic topics and skills by grade level.

Language Arts

Mathematics

Social Studies

Science

Spanish

Technology

Art

Music

Physical Education

Word Processing

	The Lower School Language Arts Curriculum is a balance of literature, phonics, and skill-based instruction that begins in the pre-kindergarten and builds on competencies through the grades. Language communicative capabilities and the acquisition of basic skills are integral to instruction in both reading and writing. Instruction is based on a blended approach that teaches children to decode new words, as well as comprehend different types of text. Teachers select from a variety of high interest, theme related literature based on a child's readiness skills and developmental profile. By first grade, an individualized spelling program begins and formal handwriting starts in kindergarten. Language and grammar skills are formally taught at every grade level using the writing process and by fifth grade, students have experimented with a variety of styles of writing: narrative, expository, descriptive, and persuasive. Expressive language skills, listening, and study skills are incorporated into the language arts curriculum. An appreciation of reading and exposure to good literature and children's authors is enhanced by regular visits to the Lower School Media Center.

	The Mathematics Program provides opportunities for children to develop an awareness of numbers, number concepts, operations, and problem-solving strategies beginning in pre-kindergarten. The math curriculum is a spiral approach that builds on previously learned skills and concepts from one level to the next. Based on the Everyday Mathematics Curriculum that follows the standards of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), the program includes hands-on activities, skills practice and applications, and technology based learning. Along with basic arithmetic, the math curriculum promotes learning and mastery of numeration, operations, computation, measurement, geometry, data analysis, probability, and algebraic thinking. In the early childhood grades, children develop number awareness, learn basic measurement, patterning, basic operations, and begin to organize data. In grade 2, students should understand place value, extend operational skills, strengthen mental computation, continue to work with time and money, explore tetrahedrons, polyhedrons and other complex geometrical shapes, master symmetry, write algebraic equations, and collect, organize and interpret data using tables, charts, graphs, and concepts of probability. By grade 4, students will work with classes of numbers: primes, composites, and multiples, operations with fractions, percents, measuring and constructing angles, computation of mean, median, mode and range, and understanding and applying complex data. By grade 5, students are expected to apply mathematical skills and thinking to real life problem- solving situations. Students will encounter prime factorization, negative numbers, fractional operations, relationship of decimals to percentages and ratios, area, circumference, probability and estimation, and complex algebraic equations. At each level, computational skills and problem solving strategies are reinforced, reviewed, and extended through classwork and homework assignments.

	In the lower grades, the social studies curriculum emphasizes thinking skills, life skills and applications, and an understanding of multi-cultures, traditions, geography and historical events. The interdisciplinary approach enhances the development of responsible citizens and their roles within the community. The main focus of the early childhood program is on social skills and relationships within the family and school, understanding similarities and differences, and geography. In grade 1, children learn about maps and globes, citizenship in the community, homes and habitats, and the role of economics. Grade 2 students will study communities around the world with an emphasis on people and their cultures. In grade 3, the focus is on the five geographical regions of the United States and will encompass geography, government, culture and economics of our country. Grade 4 students will study Florida's history, government, resources, cultures, landmarks and environments. The grade 5 curriculum looks at American history, from the past to the present. Topics will include early settlements, the Civil War, immigration, Age of Exploration, the Industrial Revolution and current events. The social studies curriculum at every level is integrated with critical and creative thinking, study skills, language arts, and technology.

	The goal of the science program throughout the Lower School is to develop scientific literacy through hands-on activities and experiments, research and problem solving, and natural curiosity. The curriculum includes life, physical, earth, space, and environmental sciences arranged in a developmentally appropriate scope and sequence. In pre-kindergarten, the focus is on nutrition, simple machines, weather and the life cycles of organisms. In kindergarten, the focus is on the organ systems of the body, properties of matter and objects in the sky, and the relationship between habitat and inhabitant. In grade 1, children will study the characteristics and life cycles of organisms, weather, and the planets in the solar system. Extinction, organ systems, magnetism, machines, and the codependence of living things will be studied in grade 2. In grade 3, students learn about digestion, nutrition, the structure and function of cells, the structure of matter and the water cycle. The focus of grade 4 is the ecology of marine habitats, the life systems of the ocean, electricity, magnetism, planets and the natural forces of nature. In grade 5, plant growth and reproduction, the human body, laws of motion and compound machines are all topics of study. Students in every grade participate in a yearly school-wide science fair and by grades 4 and 5 students apply the scientific method through collaborative science projects completed in school. In addition, all children in grades pre-k through 5 will study a specific topic related to environmental or ecological study during each school year. Taught by a science specialist teacher, this program enhances and enriches the grade level science program. Topics include threatened and endangered species, animals and their habitats, endangered habitats, pollution, and conservation. Environmental Science themes are integrated within the Language and Content areas to provide students with greater opportunities to apply and understand science. The science program utilizes a greenhouse, an aviary/ animal habitat, two science labs, computer labs, and classroom space for student instruction.

	Spanish is introduced in pre-kindergarten and continues through grade 5. The program is designed to develop cultural awareness, study the history and customs of Hispanic countries, foster positive feelings towards foreign language, and learn basic conversation skills. The curriculum follows Sunshine State Standards and is taught using hands-on activities, thematic units, content related topics, technology, music, art and drama.

	The Lower School Technology curriculum revolves around the academic curriculum and the developmental levels of students. The goal of the curriculum is for Lower School students to become creative, lifelong learners who can successfully function in a technologically literate society. Technology skills spiral through the grades with an ongoing emphasis on social and ethical issues that promote the responsible use of technology. Students develop fundamental computer skills and become proficient at productivity tools, such as keyboarding, word processing, authoring programs, and the use of spreadsheets and databases. Students learn to communicate with an extended audience through internet projects with other schools, as well as using multimedia programs for presentations on the multimedia wall and Smartboards. Students learn internet skills that enable them to conduct online, content-based research, create web pages and participate in virtual field trips. Academic skills are practiced and reinforced through Child U, an interactive website that children can access in school and at home. Through the use of a closed circuit video studio, students are exposed to high-tech media resources that teach television production and encourage cooperative teamwork.

	The Lower School art program focuses on concepts, materials, theme- related activities and art history. The emphasis is on process rather than product, as well as good work habits, proper care and use of materials, and working cooperatively with others. Children will be exposed to a variety of methods and materials including ceramics, paints, charcoals, weavings, sculptures, and papier-mache. The art curriculum in every grade provides for ongoing development of concepts which are age and content related. The art curriculum also develops awareness and appreciation of the work of known artists. The art program recognizes that each child is an individual and will express him/herself in unique ways through artistic and creative expression. View Lower School Art at Artsonia.com.

	The music program for young children is designed to develop vocal, instrumental, and literacy skills through singing, listening, playing and reading activities. Exposure to a variety of types of music and composers encourage an appreciation and understanding of music. In the early grades, children will practice music skills and techniques using mainly percussion and barred instruments. By grades 3, 4, and 5 students will perform with various rhythmic, melodic, and barred instruments, such as recorders and keyboards. In addition, children have the opportunity to participate in one of several Lower School vocal and instrumental performance groups.

	The Physical Education program in the Lower School begins in pre-kindergarten. The focus is on motor movement activities, physical fitness, and skill development. Peer acceptance, sportsmanship, independence, and cooperation are emphasized. Specific sports skills are introduced through volleyball, soccer, basketball, hockey, tennis, softball, swimming, and track and field. In addition to instructional physical education classes, children enjoy daily recess activities on one of several school playgrounds.

	All students from Kindergarten through Grade 5 receive instruction in Keyboarding and Word Processing. Students learn proper fingering techniques using a color coded instructional system. Working at their own pace, students also learn to identify word processing functions and to format person applications such as reports, letters, reference and cover pages. By grade 5, students are expected to apply proper Keyboarding and Word Processing skills when completing reports and other assignments.