LElemCurr

Lower Elementary Curriculum
Kindergarten and First Grade are both all day programs designed to challenge
and excite each student. Students make tremendous educational growth during the
year and this growth forms the basis for all future endeavors. With
departmentalization and teacher specialization, students encounter a variety of
activities and "hands-on" experiences along with methods of instruction. The core
of the program is an intensive Language Arts Curriculum comprised of 3 separate
55 minute classes, Reading, English, and Spelling/Handwriting. Reading is taught
through a phonics program with the ability to group students very specifically to
their reading ability and experience to date. Weekly use of our Library encourages
students' participation in daily after class reading. English uses classic literature
as a springboard for composition and grammar. Spelling reinforces phonics and
structural analysis instruction and completes the triad of daily instruction in the
written and oral language necessary to communicate in our society. Math is the
second area of intense effort with the use of concrete manipulatives to form the
basis of understanding and knowledge. A class highlighting Social Studies and
Science concepts allow students opportunities for discussion and enrichment
about themselves, their family, community, and world about them. Fine Arts (art,
music, and drama) are interwoven into the curriculum to encourage individual
development and awareness. Computer classes instruct students in basic
keyboarding in conjunction with educational software reinforcing classroom
activities.