Lower School (PreK-Class 5)

I believe in Dexter Southfield's strong foundational program and in our commitment that basics matter and that character matters. I love that we truly believe that being a good person when no one is looking is hugely important. Dr. Marlena Alex
Head of Lower School

Learning the Fundamentals

Our Lower School is a warm, welcoming, and joyful environment where students develop a love for learning through exposure to a range of academic subjects, while enjoying a campus and classroom experience rich with discovery.

They forge friendships, learn the value in trying, and begin to understand what it means to be part of a team—be it through one of our nine sports or exposure to experiential learning. Guidance from exceptional faculty helps students build fundamental skills while growing the confidence and habits of mind that will serve as the foundation for their future, both in school and in the larger world. In addition to our core curriculum, students engage in a rotation of daily specials and develop into confident communicators through our public speaking program. Lower school students benefit from an intentional single-sex structure tailored to each child's strengths, learning styles, and cognitive development.

Explore Our Core Curriculum

PreKindergarten

English

Students develop the confidence to articulate their needs clearly using age-appropriate, grammatically correct spoken language, and by engaging in relevant and meaningful conversations.

Mathematics
Students learn to identify written numbers from 1-10 and know some from 10-20. By year’s end, they can write most numbers from 1-10. They develop the ability to organize objects accurately and count with 1-to-1 correspondence. In addition, they come to understand patterns, identify shapes, and sort and classify objects in different ways. They are also able to use mathematical language appropriately to describe differences and similarities of objects (more/less, big/small, same/different).

Reading

Students learn to follow the storyline in read-aloud books, understand some inferred meanings, and use picture clues to make predictions. They begin to match letters and sounds, differentiate sounds they hear in words, and give the beginning and ending sound in a word. They also practice rhymes and producing rhyming words.

Social Studies

Children develop skills to positively interact with their peers, use language to communicate, and appropriately negotiate social conflicts. They are able to share and take turns playing with peers and during group discussions and activities. They learn about seasonal holidays and important historical figures and events and begin to discuss what they have learned.

Spelling

Students engage in fine motor activities, which improves their hand strength for writing. By the end of the year, they can recognize all the uppercase letters and several lowercase letters, and they can write their names.

Kindergarten

Grammar

Students understand that sentences start with a capital letter, end with punctuation, and need a “finger space” between words so that they can be understood.

Mathematics

Students come to grasp simple addition and subtraction as well as sort patterns. They learn to skip count by 10 and can form numbers 0-30. They become familiar with calendar concepts, such as days of the week, months of the year, and time to the hour. They are exposed to coins and money in addition to numerical representations, such as bar graphs and tally marks.

Reading

Students learn to understand story parts—beginning-middle-end—as well as describe the setting, character, and main idea. By the end of the academic year, they are able to identify up to 20 trick and sight words.

Spelling

Students progress toward standard spelling by using “inventive” spelling, which allows them to experiment with the connection between letters and sounds.

Writing

Students develop the ability to write a simple sentence, comprised of a single noun and verb.

Class 1

Mathematics

During the course of Class 1, students are able to recognize numbers 0-120 and skip count by 2, 5, and 10. They learn to add and subtract with regrouping and begin to master math facts 0-12. They can create basic graphs and understand the place value of tens and ones as well as even and odd numbers. They can tell time to the closest half-hour and hour, identify coins and their values, and know the difference between standard and non-standard measurement.

Reading

Students come to read independently and read aloud with fluency and expression. They are able to retell the main ideas of stories and make connections between stories. By the conclusion of Class 1, they know all 70+ trick words and can decipher multisyllabic words. In phonics, they can identify long and short vowels, digraphs, glued sounds, blends, and suffixes -s, -ed, and -ing.

Social Studies

Students learn about values such as community, respect, and needs versus wants. They are able to recognize their place in the world and practice basic mapping skills, using compass rose directions. Studying holidays throughout the year exposes them to traditions here at home and elsewhere. Through a unit on the Boston Marathon, they come to understand the value of hard work and perseverance to overcome obstacles.

Writing & Language Arts

Through practice, students become skilled at writing using upper and lowercase letters as well as correct end punctuation for the four different sentence types. They learn to identify parts of speech: nouns, verbs, adjectives, and pronouns, and are able to write on one topic with supporting details.

Class 2

Grammar

By the end of Class 2, students have a firm grasp on the foundational elements of grammar, including verbs, nouns, describing words, synonyms, antonyms, homophones, and contractions, as well as singular and plural words.

Literacy

Students progress to reading an average of 100 words per minute. They have a firm grasp of the main idea, characters, setting, and sequencing in stories. They develop the ability to infer and draw conclusions. They are able to find “just the right book” for their reading level and can read it independently for 10 to 15 minutes. They are comfortable reading aloud.

Mathematics

Students master addition and subtraction facts 0-12 and are able to regroup. They solidify their understanding of analog time (15, 30, and 45 past the hour) and money and learn greater than, less than, and equal to place value. They are able to skip count, read graphs, use a number line, and find the important information in a word problem. They can express numbers sentences vertically and horizontally, round to 100s, identify fact families and odd and even numbers.

Spelling

Students become facile at identifying syllables and consonants, as well as long and short vowels.

Writing

Through practice, students progress to expressing a complete thought with proper sizing of letters, spacing between words, and end marks. They are able to identify the four different types of sentences as well as the parts of a sentence. Presented with unfamiliar vocabulary, they will attempt to glean meaning through context clues.

Class 3

Grammar

Students recognize nouns, verbs (including helping verbs, verb teams, and state of being verbs), adjectives, pronouns, adverbs, subjects, and predicates. They understand possessive nouns and how to show possession for singular and plural nouns using the apostrophe correctly. They use periods for end punctuation, abbreviations, initials, and titles. They can convert singular nouns to plural nouns using all nine rules. They are able to add a suffix using the correct spelling change, properly spell and understand contractions, and decode multisyllabic words.

Literacy

Students progress as fluent readers who use punctuation, expression, and context clues to infer information in the text. They are able to summarize passages, find and highlight pertinent information in a text, restate a question, and show proof of an answer or conclusion. In fictional works, they can identify setting, plot, rising action, conflict/resolution, climax, and conclusion. With nonfiction text, they have a basic knowledge of captions, titles, headings, and the glossary.

Mathematics

Students recognize place value to the millions and are able to add and subtract multidigit numbers with regrouping and zeros. Students round to 10s, 100s, and 1000s, and manipulate and use coins and change correctly. They learn 0-12 multiplication and division facts. They know the difference between a.m. and p.m. and what hours are in each. They can solve for elapsed time intervals and understand different forms of measurement. They can recognize and read fractions as well as compare them. They understand mixed numbers and know the formulas for area and perimeter. They are able to recognize and understand bar graphs, circle/pie graphs, and pictographs. Given a set of numbers, they can find the mean, median, mode, and range.

Writing

Through practice, students are able to use a topic sentence and concluding sentence. They understand the structure of a paragraph and are able to write a 5-7 sentence paragraph. They are able to write different types of paragraphs: descriptive, persuasive, informational, creative, and entertaining. They also learn about plagiarism and how not to copy passages in their writing.

Class 4

Grammar

By the conclusion of Class 4, students are able to identify the eight parts of speech as well as synonyms, antonyms, metaphors, and similes. They understand subject and object pronouns as well as adjective and adverb phrases. They know about prepositions and compound prepositions in addition to the predicate nominative and the predicate adjective.

Mathematics

Students are able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers, fractions, and decimals with fluency. They understand the division of money by a whole number. They become adept at rounding and estimating and know the place and value of decimals to the thousandths. They know the area formula for quadrilaterals and triangles, perimeter of polygons, and the area and circumference of a circle. They can measure angles and classify both angles and triangles. They are able to employ different problem-solving techniques to multi-step problems. They recognize measurement standards with respect to time, weight, length, and capacity.

Language Arts

Students continue progressing in their fluency, pacing, and expression as they read orally. They are active readers who can connect, predict, question, visualize, evaluate, summarize, and infer. They are able to identify the main idea, recall facts, and locate details to answer directed questions. They learn about plot setting, characterization, symbolism, theme, and point of view. In public speaking, they memorize and present poetry. They build their vocabulary through the study of words and meanings.

Social Studies

Students are able to identify all 50 states and their capitals. They know the different types of maps—elevation, highway, political, and land cover—and are able to read them using legends and map scales. They study Ancient Egypt and learn about its systems of writing and religion, as well as mummies, science and math, and everyday life.

Writing

Students develop in their ability as writers through pre-writing (brainstorming and using graphic organizers), composing rough drafts, revising, editing, and then publishing. They are able to write a high-quality paragraph—connecting the main ideas and details—using a variety of styles. Through the study of poetry, they can identify and create different kinds of verse, including cinquain, sense, and haiku. They learn cursive handwriting and how to form and write all cursive letters.

Class 5

Grammar

Students refine their study of grammar by learning more about mechanics: commas, capitalization, quotation marks, underlining and italicizing titles, and abbreviations. They can identify different types of sentences by purpose and structure as well as different types of verbs (helping, linking, action, main, transitive and intransitive, verb phrases) and pronouns (personal, possessive, reflexive, intensive, indefinite, demonstrative, and subject and object pronouns).

Literacy, Reading, and English

Students’ vocabulary continues to expand through practice writing and speaking aloud as well as everyday spelling. They develop as public speakers by making oral presentations and reciting poetry. In literature, they learn about author perspective, the development of theme and character, and the use of figurative language and foreshadowing.

Mathematics

By year’s end, Class 5 students know math facts, decimals, fractions, and integers with all four operations. They are able to perform long division and multiplication and understand exponents and scientific notation. They develop in their graphing skills and with mental math and basic geometry. They become more facile with estimation, rounding, and using mental math.

Writing

The practice of writing expands to include the five-paragraph essay, effective notetaking, and research skills. Students learn to use PowerPoint and Microsoft Word templates. They practice varying their sentence structure with compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences. They learn to use quotations and dialogue correctly and to use transitional words, modifiers, and varied vocabulary to strengthen their writing.

Lower School Specials

Computers

The appropriate use of technology enriches students’ learning experience across the disciplines and promotes higher-order thinking skills. Computers and 3D printers are used as learning tools to support classroom curriculum, develop research skills, and design and build interdisciplinary projects. Students study and use a variety of creative content, authoring, and sharing applications. Skills such as keyboarding, coding, and navigating the Internet safely and effectively are taught. Multimedia projects are designed as interdisciplinary projects, and targeted curricular software provides instrumental reinforcement. Beginning in Class 4, each student is required to have a computer and technology is integrated into all classes.

Health and Wellness

The health curriculum is an age-appropriate, coordinated effort in which teachers and nurses work together. Our goal is for students to understand, appreciate, and learn the skills that enable them to achieve and maintain good mental and physical health throughout their lives. Social development is an integral part of the Lower School’s curriculum. Teachers use the social curriculum to help students develop strong social skills that will enable them to establish positive relationships.

Performing Arts

The performing arts are rooted in hands-on music making, dance, and theater. Students at all grade levels participate in school performances throughout the year, which reinforces and sharpens concepts and technical skills. In the early grades, students learn general music literacy: scales, the musical alphabet, and musical notation. All students in Classes 4 and 5 participate in choir and ensemble, where they learn to sing in parts and play an instrument, respectively. Units in theatre allow students to build confidence and creativity while working with others.

Spanish

The study of Spanish begins in PreK with songs and games. Students develop an ear for language acquisition and pronunciation by using phrases, idioms, and cultural rhythms. They gain an appreciation of culture by exploring the 21 Spanish-speaking countries, learning about Latin American artists, and taking part in interdisciplinary projects on the annual migration of the Monarch butterfly from the U.S. to Mexico.

Sports and Movement

Our sports program focuses on fundamental skill development through an intentional progression of age-appropriate activities. PreK students participate in a twice-weekly sports and movement class, which helps them develop gross motor skills. Beginning in Kindergarten, students also swim once per week in our on-campus pool. In Classes 1 and 2, students take part in a daily rotation of activities, which includes sports skills, swimming, tennis, and a learn-to-skate program. Students in Classes 3-5 benefit from our intramural sports program, which exposes students to 10 different sports during the year: soccer, field hockey or flag football, baseball or softball, hockey, squash, basketball, swimming, lacrosse, tennis, and track. Students in Classes 3-5 participate in friendly competition throughout the year, which teaches teamwork, personal best, character, leadership, confidence, humility, compassion, and self-improvement.

STEM

Our STEM programming offers a hands-on, project-based, multidisciplinary, iterative education that teaches data-based decision making, critical thinking, teamwork, and creativity. STEM activities in the Lower School include dedicated time in the Gui Innovation Lab, excursions in the Playscape; studying design in nature; a car project with upper school mentors; catapults, boats, and pulleys; an egg drop; board game design and construction; and continually evolving experience with the Rig-A-Ma-Jig. As students get older, the projects become more intricate: students begin to solve team engineering challenges, collaborate with the upper school engineering class to design cars, and begin learning code, among other projects.

Visual Arts

The visual arts help students develop fine motor skills, build sensory awareness, and heighten creativity. Through the study of the elements and principles of design, students learn to work with a variety of materials in 2D and 3D. Brainstorming is introduced as a fun group exercise, and class discussions about “process” drive home the point that the end product is not always the ultimate goal. Storytelling is integrated into projects, and a nurturing environment encourages experimentation. All students participate in an annual all-school art exhibition.

Woodworking

Shop classes are designed to introduce students to using hand tools, improve their skills, demonstrate that there is a proper procedure and order of steps in the building process, and to have them appreciate craftsmanship and realize that craftmanship is within their ability. Beginning in Kindergarten, students start in woodworking by cutting out simple shapes with coping saws and learning the sequence of sawing, hammering, filing, and sanding. As they get older and more skilled, students also use cordless drills and electric sanders to complete projects.

Public Speaking

An essential part of the Dexter Southfield experience, the Public Speaking program is designed to build character, confidence, and leadership.

Throughout their time in Lower School, students practice speaking in front of groups in different settings. Our youngest students begin by participating in a puppet show, presented to parents. As they progress, they deliver memorized prose of varying lengths. In addition to mastering the art of standing on stage with confidence, students also learn how to be good audience members.

Weekly Assembly

A Longstanding Tradition

Assemblies provide another platform for students to develop as excellent communicators.

Performance Opportunities

Hands-on Engagement

A primary goal of music class for our youngest students is to help them discover that participation in song and dance activities is enriching and enjoyable.

Explore the Middle School

Classes 6-8 | Transition

Middle School students take risks, build greater self-confidence and independence, and learn how they learn best.