Lower School Framework at a Glance

For more on the Lower School Framework, click here.

Character Development and Classroom Management

The Responsive Classroom is an approach to elementary teaching that emphasizes social, emotional and academic growth in a strong and safe school community. The goal is to enable optimal student learning. Created by classroom teachers and backed by results of independent studies, the Responsive Classroom approach is based on the premise that children learn best when they have both academic and social-emotional skills. The approach therefore consists of fostering practices both in the classroom and school-wide deliberately designed to help children build these skills.

Literacy

The Reading and Writer's Workshop is a flexible workshop model that allows teachers to adapt to meet the needs each individual student. These Workshops help foster a love of reading and writing. They also allow students the opportunity to practice reading and writing strategies independently and with guidance.

Rebecca Sitton Spelling Program has a set of core words divided by grade level. They provide a foundation for each student to begin or expand spelling exploration, and serve as a springboard for learning hundreds of additional words. The core also includes certain "No Excuse" words, which students are expected to spell correctly in all of their writing.

For more on Lower School Literacy, click here.

Math

Everyday Math is a rigorous curriculum used across all grades (K-5) that was developed by the University of Chicago that uses a problem-solving approach based on everyday situations. Lessons are designed to build on previously learned concepts and skills throughout the year instead of treating them as isolated bits of knowledge.

History and Geography

The Core Knowledge Sequence is predicated on the realization that what children are able to learn depends on what they already know and, equally important, that what they know is a product of previous experience and teaching. The children are introduced to basic concepts and ideas about citizenship, cultural differences, wants and needs, location, distance and time.

Science

The Full Option Science System (FOSS) combines this hands-on science experience with book learning to provide the foundation for an informed curiosity that leads to a deeper understanding of our world.

Art

Each student has the opportunity to learn the elements and principles of art, art history and art from other cultures. The lessons connect to other areas of study, such as history, math, literature and science.

Music

Lower School music students explore musical concepts through singing, listening, playing instruments and creative movement. Each student will have the opportunity to better understand music through creative performing and instruction and learn to recognize and demonstrate the basic musical elements of melody, rhythm, harmony, texture, tempo, dynamics, timbre and form.

Foreign Language

Spanish is taught in grade Preschool to grade 5.

For more on the Lower School Framework, click here.