Lower School Curriculum

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.

Core Subjects

PreKindergarten

Social-Emotional learning

Our PreK program centers on fostering a sense of self-awareness, empathy, and community among our young learners. Through guided play, cooperative activities, and meaningful interactions, children learn to identify and express their emotions, build positive relationships, and navigate social situations with growing independence. Emphasis is placed on developing resilience, respect for others, and working collaboratively, which lays a foundation for healthy interpersonal skills and a lifelong love of learning.

Literacy and Reading

Students develop the confidence to articulate their needs clearly using age-appropriate, grammatically correct, spoken language by engaging in relevant and meaningful conversations. They 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 rhyming and producing rhyming words. Phonics and phonemic awareness (understanding that words and syllables are made up of sequences of sounds and being able to hear and manipulate those sounds) are essential components of early reading instruction.

Through the Fundations phonics curriculum, children learn the names and sounds associated with printed letters and learn to write and recognize isolated letters and their names. Through the Heggerty phonemic awareness curriculum, students practice blending and segmenting words, isolating beginning and ending sounds, rhyming, adding, and deleting parts of words, and language awareness through reciting nursery rhymes. Hands-on multisensory activities and manipulatives develop the fine motor skills that lay the foundation for formal print writing. Regular handwriting practice focuses on learning the technical skills to perfect writing. Students develop spatial awareness as they are introduced to writing on lined paper and get familiar with the proper spacing of letters and words.

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, students 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 (i.e. more/less, big/small, same/different).

Social Studies

Children develop skills to positively interact with their peers, effectively 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.

Kindergarten

Grammar and Writing

Students understand that sentences start with a capital letter, end with punctuation, and need a “finger space” between words to be understood. Students practice reading, spelling, and writing high-frequency words. They also practice writing simple sentences that include a noun and verb and incorporate uppercase letters at the beginning, spaces between words, and end marks.

Spelling

Spelling instruction focuses on building foundational phonics skills and developing an awareness of the relationship between sounds and letters. Students learn to identify letter sounds, spell simple words, and recognize high-frequency sight words. Though students' progress toward standard spelling by using “inventive” spelling, lessons emphasize phonemic awareness and proper letter formation. The goal is to foster a love of language and build confidence in young learners as they begin their spelling journey.

Reading

Kindergarten reading instruction emphasizes building foundational literacy skills through a combination of phonics and phonemic awareness. Using the Fundations phonics curriculum, students learn to recognize and form lowercase and uppercase letters, associate sounds with letters, and decode and encode consonant-vowel-consonant words. The Heggerty phonemic awareness curriculum enhances students' ability to manipulate sounds in spoken words, focusing on rhyming, blending, segmenting, and identifying initial, middle, and final sounds. As the year progresses, students expand their skills to include consonant digraphs, distinguishing between long and short vowel sounds and spelling three-sound words. Instruction also incorporates high-frequency word practice and narrative comprehension, fostering an understanding of characters, setting, and events in stories. Through this comprehensive approach, students develop the essential decoding and comprehension skills needed for early literacy success.

Mathematics

Math instruction focuses on building a strong foundation in number sense, operations, and mathematical literacy. Students develop an understanding of number names, the counting sequence, and writing numerals–progressing from numbers up to 10 in the fall and to 30 and beyond by spring. Through hands-on activities, students learn to compose and decompose numbers, identify patterns, and perform simple addition and subtraction within 20. They explore place value concepts, compare numbers and objects, and gain familiarity with math vocabulary. Additionally, students classify and compare two- and three-dimensional shapes and measurable attributes. Interactive problem-solving opportunities and visual and digital materials enrich their understanding and foster confidence in mathematical thinking.

Social Studies

Social studies instruction introduces students to the roles and responsibilities of being active, engaged community members while fostering an understanding of their place in the world. Through thematic activities, discussions, and hands-on experiences, students learn about citizenship, rules, and problem-solving. They explore foundational economic concepts such as goods, services, and the value of work, connecting these ideas to real-life roles in their school and broader community. In the second semester, students deepen their understanding of neighborhoods, maps, and American symbols, learning how maps represent the world and how symbols reflect national values. By comparing life in the past to life today, students begin to understand historical change and continuity, helping them recognize the interconnectedness of their community and society.

Class 1

Grammar and Writing

Developing foundational literacy and writing skills are developed through a structured, hands-on approach. Students strengthen their phonemic awareness and their facility with spelling rules and vocabulary. Writing instruction introduces students to various genres, including personal narratives, friendly letters, “how-to” guides, fairy tales, and poetry. Through the writing workshop process, students practice brainstorming, drafting, revising, and publishing their work, with an emphasis on mechanics such as capitalization, punctuation, and sentence structure. Grammar instruction includes exploring nouns, pronouns, adjectives, contractions, and compound words, allowing students to apply these elements in daily writing activities like weekend journals and creative projects.

Spelling

Class 1 spelling instruction builds a strong foundation in reading and writing by teaching the connection between sounds and letters. Students learn spelling rules, phonics patterns, and high-frequency words through a systematic approach that emphasizes decoding and encoding skills. The goal is to foster confident, independent spellers who apply these skills across all areas of learning. Spelling mastery is supported by weekly check-ins, ensuring students develop confidence and competence in their literacy skills.

Literature and Reading

Reading instruction focuses on enhancing foundational literacy skills while building stamina and fostering a love of reading and. Students engage in a multisensory approach to phonics, exploring sound-letter relationships, digraphs, blends, glued sounds, base words with suffixes, and syllable types. Throughout the year, students practice decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension during whole group lessons, small reading groups, and independent practice. They explore story elements, such as character, setting, and plot, and distinguish between fictional and informational texts. By spring, students focus on reading with accuracy, fluency, and expression, deepening their understanding through exposure to genres like fairy tales and poetry. Daily read-alouds provide opportunities for modeling fluency and making connections, predictions, and sequencing events, creating a comprehensive and engaging reading experience.

Mathematics

Developing strong number sense and foundational problem-solving skills are the focus of our Class 1 mathematics curriculum. Students begin by building numeric relationships, mastering addition and subtraction strategies, and understanding the connection between these operations through concepts like fact families and related facts. Vocabulary development is a key focus, enabling students to solve word problems and write equations effectively. Throughout the year, students explore place value, learning to compare and manipulate two-digit numbers using tools such as place value blocks and hundred charts. They apply their understanding of data by organizing, interpreting, and creating charts and graphs. Engaging units on money and geometry introduce students to real-world applications, including counting coins and recognizing the attributes of two- and three- dimensional shapes. These experiences provide a solid mathematical foundation for future learning.

Social Studies

Class 1 social studies emphasizes understanding and celebrating cultural diversity while fostering social-emotional growth. Students explore how cultures are both unique and similar through interactive resources, mentor texts, and personal reflections, providing a glimpse into the daily lives and traditions of children worldwide. Activities encourage students to share their own experiences, likes, and dislikes, discovering commonalities and appreciating differences. Throughout the year, students develop values such as responsibility, honesty, gratitude, and compassion, creating a foundation of respect for diverse communities while building their own classroom community.

Class 2

Grammar and Writing

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. Grammar lessons focus on sentence structure, including the use of subjects and predicates, and identifying and applying different types of sentences, nouns, verbs, pronouns, adjectives, contractions, synonyms, antonyms, and homophones. Students practice these skills through structured writing projects such as personal journals, friendly letters, autobiographies, and biography posters. Class 2 writing instruction builds on foundational grammar, phonics, and spelling skills while expanding students' abilities to write with clarity and purpose. Students are able to identify the four different types of sentences as well as the parts of a sentence. Presented with unfamiliar vocabulary, they are encouraged to glean meaning through context clues. Using the thinkSRSD framework, students learn to organize their ideas effectively, developing both their technical skills and creative expression.

Spelling

Phonics and spelling instruction reinforce understanding of syllable types, vowel teams, r-controlled vowels, and suffixes, progressing to multisyllabic words and complex spelling patterns. Activities also emphasize dictionary skills and spelling generalizations to strengthen reading and writing proficiency.

Literature and Reading

Class 2 reading instruction focuses on fostering a love of reading while developing essential literacy skills and strategies. Through a combination of whole-group instruction and small reading groups, students engage in rich literary experiences that enhance oral fluency, expression, and comprehension. They learn to preview, predict, sequence, retell, and identify the main idea, problem, and solution in texts. Throughout the year, students explore various genres, including mysteries, biographies, autobiographies, fairy tales, tall tales, fables, and poetry, allowing them to compare and contrast texts, identify facts and opinions, and determine the author’s purpose. Skill development includes making inferences, drawing conclusions, and recognizing cause-and-effect relationships. This multifaceted approach helps students build critical thinking and a lifelong appreciation for literature.

Mathematics

Building computational fluency, problem-solving skills, and a solid understanding of place value are the goals of our Class 2 mathematics program. Students begin the year by mastering addition and subtraction within 20, identifying even and odd numbers, and exploring arrays and repeated addition as a foundation for multiplication. Instruction progresses to adding and subtracting within 100 and later extends to three-digit numbers, employing strategies such as using hundreds charts, open number lines, and breaking apart numbers into hundreds, tens, and ones. Real-world applications include measuring with rulers, telling time on analog clocks, working with money, and solving one- and two-step word problems. Students also develop data analysis skills by creating and interpreting bar graphs, picture graphs, and line plots. By the end of the year, students compare and manipulate three-digit numbers, solve multi-step problems, and explore the attributes of shapes, preparing them for more advanced mathematical concepts.

Social Studies

Exploring geography, cultures, and community fosters a deeper understanding of the world and students' place in it. Students begin the year by developing map skills, learning to interpret symbols, use cardinal directions, and distinguish between maps and globes. They progress to studying landforms and water forms, and how they shape the Earth's surface. A comprehensive unit on the continents and oceans introduces students to diverse climates, resources, cultures, and landmarks, emphasizing global connections and personal relevance. In the final term, students focus on community types—urban, suburban, and rural—while exploring the geography and landmarks of New England and Boston. Hands-on projects coupled with engaging field trips to local historical sites enrich the learning experience and solidify students’ understanding of their community and the broader world.

Class 3

Grammar and Writing

Class 3 grammar instruction focuses on building a strong foundation in the rules of punctuation, capitalization, and parts of speech while integrating these skills into students’ writing. Throughout the year, students learn to use punctuation marks such as periods, commas, quotation marks, and exclamation points, as well as capital letters for proper nouns, titles, and sentence beginnings. They explore the functions of nouns, verbs, pronouns, adjectives, and adverbs, gaining an understanding of how these parts of speech enhance clarity and detail in writing. Instruction includes applying these skills to improve sentence structure and develop well-organized written pieces using the SRSD framework, which emphasizes planning, organizing, writing, and revising. By mastering these grammar concepts, students build confidence in their ability to communicate effectively and polish their writing.

Spelling

Class 3 students develop a strong foundation in spelling through an exploration of word structure and patterns. They learn how syllables, suffixes, and letter combinations work together to form words, focusing on rules that help them spell with accuracy and confidence. Through engaging lessons and activities, students discover how sounds and letters interact, tackling concepts like vowel patterns, silent letters, and the formation of plurals. Along the way, they refine their ability to analyze and understand words, building skills that enhance both their spelling and overall literacy. By fostering curiosity and encouraging thoughtful discussions, students are empowered to become confident and capable spellers.

Literature and Reading

Immersed in a dynamic mix of whole-class novel studies, small group discussions, and individual reading activities, students in Class 3 sharpen their fluency, comprehension, and analytical skills. Through engaging text, they delve into character development, narrative structure, and literary elements such as cause and effect, climax, and protagonist-antagonist relationships. The focus on fluency incorporates expression, accuracy, and pacing, while comprehension activities emphasize identifying the author’s purpose, main ideas, and making inferences. Students bring stories to life through creative projects and discussions, fostering an active engagement with literature that encourages thoughtful analysis and a deeper appreciation for reading.

Mathematics

Math comes alive through hands-on exploration and critical thinking. Students build a strong foundation in multiplication and division, using visual tools like number lines, arrays, and bar diagrams to uncover patterns and relationships between numbers. As the year progresses, they tackle multi-step word problems, explore the connection between multiplication and geometry, and strengthen their understanding of place value and operations with larger numbers. The introduction of fractions encourages students to compare, compose, and decompose parts of a whole, while practical applications like telling time and measuring perimeter and area reinforce real-world connections. Throughout the year, students are challenged to think strategically and apply their skills with confidence.

Social Studies

Class 3 students embark on a journey through the early history of North America, uncovering stories of the continent's first inhabitants, European explorers, and the evolution of colonial America. From the migration across the Bering Land Bridge to the Age of Exploration, students explore the motivations and impacts of cultural exchanges and the development of early communities. They delve into the formation of the 13 original colonies, examining the challenges and achievements of settlers, and culminating with an in-depth study of the Revolutionary War. Along the way, students hone skills in critical reading, note-taking, and map-making while bringing history to life through research projects, presentations, and rich class discussions that foster a deeper understanding of our nation’s roots.

Class 4

Grammar, Spelling, and Writing

Class 4 students dive into the mechanics of language and the art of writing through a comprehensive exploration of grammar and the writing process. Throughout the year, they study various parts of speech, sentence structures, and elements of style, enhancing their understanding of how words and sentences work together to convey meaning. Writing projects, such as compare-and-contrast essays, book reports, and poetry collections, allow students to practice planning, drafting, revising, and publishing their work. Using tools like Venn diagrams and the SRSD framework, students organize their ideas and develop clear, cohesive writing. Creative assignments, including perspective writing and poetry, encourage students to explore their voice while strengthening technical skills, laying a solid foundation for effective communication. Spelling skills are developed through a research-based approach tailored to meet the diverse needs of spellers. By studying patterns and rules, practicing throughout the week, and applying their knowledge during assessments, students build a deeper understanding of how words are constructed and improve their ability to spell accurately and confidently.

Literature and Reading

Class 4 students immerse themselves in rich literary experiences that blend thoughtful discussions with creative and analytical writing projects. Guided by shared novels, they explore character development, setting, plot, and themes, often connecting these elements to real-life issues such as kindness, community, and identity. Through book jacket projects, in-depth reading responses, and imaginative tasks like writing epilogues, students refine their ability to analyze texts and articulate their thoughts. Along the way, they build vocabulary through the study of words and their meanings, enhancing their understanding of language and its nuances. They delve into descriptive language, tracking literary devices such as metaphors and sensory details, while practicing critical skills like constructing paragraphs and responding thoughtfully to prompts. This balance of creative engagement and structured analysis fosters a deeper appreciation for storytelling and strengthens their writing and critical thinking abilities.

Mathematics

In Class 4, students build a strong foundation in mathematical reasoning and problem-solving by exploring concepts such as place value, multi-digit operations, fractions, decimals, and geometry. They deepen their understanding of multiplication and division through strategies like area models, partial products, and partial quotients, while also developing fluency in adding and subtracting multi-digit numbers. As the year progresses, students make connections between fractions and decimals, learn to compare and convert between them, and practice adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers. Real-world applications, such as solving problems involving time and exploring spatial geometry concepts like angles and shapes, bring math to life. Regular practice of basic math facts is woven throughout to support fluency and confidence in tackling increasingly complex challenges.

Social Studies

Social studies brings history and geography to life through hands-on projects and engaging activities. Students begin by expanding their essential map skills, learning to navigate atlases, interpret thematic maps, and apply the five themes of geography. Creative projects, such as designing fictional islands and researching U.S. states, allow students to connect these skills to real-world and imaginative contexts. The study of ancient Egypt deepens their understanding of early civilizations, exploring topics like government, trade, religion, and innovations that shaped society. Through collaborative efforts like hieroglyphic writing, map creation, and multimedia presentations, students build their knowledge while honing research, critical thinking, and presentation skills.

Class 5

Grammar, Spelling, and Writing

Class 5 students engage in a comprehensive language arts program that integrates grammar, spelling, and writing to strengthen their communication skills. Grammar lessons delve into advanced concepts, including mechanics such as commas, capitalization, quotation marks, and formatting titles, as well as identifying and using different types of verbs and pronouns. Students refine their understanding of sentence structure, distinguishing between sentence types and experimenting with compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences to enhance their writing. Through our research-based developmental spelling program, students master syllables, affixes, and patterns, which they apply to daily writing assignments. Writing instruction expands to include five-paragraph essays, research skills, effective notetaking, and the use of PowerPoint and Microsoft Word templates. Students practice incorporating quotations, dialogue, transitional words, modifiers, and varied vocabulary to create more dynamic and polished pieces. This integrated approach ensures students develop clarity, organization, and creativity in their writing, preparing them for more advanced academic challenges.

Literature and Reading

Students immerse themselves in rich literary experiences that combine engaging texts with meaningful connections to history, thematic exploration, and skill development. Class-wide novels introduce themes of perseverance, friendship, socio-economic dynamics, and the ideals of ancient Greece and the Middle Ages, allowing students to explore character development, author perspective, and thematic depth. Through discussions, writing responses, summaries, and creative projects, students analyze narrative structure while refining their expressive skills. Vocabulary expands through spelling practice, written responses, and speaking activities, with students demonstrating their understanding of new words through writing, oral presentations, and poetry recitations. Literary devices such as similes, metaphors, figurative language, and foreshadowing are examined, enriching their appreciation for storytelling. Public speaking opportunities further develop students' confidence and communication skills, fostering growth as thoughtful readers and articulate communicators.

Mathematics

Math instruction in Class 5 builds foundational skills while fostering critical thinking and real-world application. Students begin by exploring place value and operations with whole numbers, decimals, and fractions, using models and algorithms to deepen their understanding. Throughout the year, they tackle advanced topics like volume, coordinate planes, measurement conversions, and algebraic reasoning, learning to evaluate expressions and analyze patterns. Hands-on projects allow students to apply their learning creatively, while tools like the EnVision mathematics program, IXL practice, and in-class activities strengthen comprehension and fluency. By integrating problem-solving, collaborative learning, and independent practice, students develop confidence, precision, and a strong foundation for future mathematical success.

Social Studies

Embarking on a journey through time, Class 5 students explore the rich histories and cultures of Ancient Greece, Rome, and the Middle Ages, diving into the key events, themes, and traditions that shaped these civilizations. Through teacher-produced materials, discussions, and multimedia resources, they develop essential skills like notetaking, test preparation, and research. Hands-on projects, essays, and PowerPoint presentations provide opportunities for students to demonstrate and apply their learning, whether analyzing daily life in Greek city-states, examining the fall of Rome, or exploring knighthood and castle construction in the Middle Ages. This combination of activities fosters a deeper understanding of the past while building critical academic skills.

Lower School Specials

Performing Arts

The performing arts are rooted in choral and instrumental music 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. Units in theater allow students to build confidence and creativity while working with others.

Visual Arts

Visual art education nurtures creativity, critical thinking, and cultural appreciation through hands-on, interdisciplinary projects. From Pre-K to Class 5, students build foundational skills like color mixing, line creation, and fine motor development while exploring cultural themes such as Día de los Muertos and global textile traditions. Inspired by artists like Yayoi Kusama, Joan Miró, and Andy Warhol, students experiment with diverse techniques, from creating Alebrijes and weaving designs to constructing 3D pyramids and crafting self-portraits. Storytelling is integrated into projects, and a nurturing environment encourages experimentation. With a focus on process and self-expression, the program encourages meaningful connections to history, culture, and individual experiences, fostering a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

Computers

Technology education empowers Lower School students to develop essential digital literacy, computational thinking, and problem-solving skills in a safe and supportive environment. Starting with foundational tasks like logging in and navigating websites, students progress to coding, robotics, and interdisciplinary projects that apply math, language, and logic concepts. Digital citizenship is emphasized at every level, fostering safe, respectful, and responsible online behavior. By integrating technology into learning, students develop creativity, critical thinking, and proficiency with digital tools to prepare them for future challenges. Beginning in Class 4, each student is required to have a computer, and technology is integrated into most classes.

Health & Wellness

The health curriculum is an age-appropriate, coordinated effort in which teachers, coaches, and counselors 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.

STEM

STEM education inspires creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking through hands-on, interdisciplinary projects that connect real-world applications to classroom learning. Starting in Kindergarten, students explore foundational engineering concepts by designing simple structures, while older students tackle increasingly complex challenges like building Viking ships, marble runs, and modern cities. The engineering design process—planning, building, testing, and refining—is at the core of every project, fostering resilience and problem-solving skills. Projects often integrate other disciplines, such as creating food trucks in collaboration with Spanish class or designing tombs tied to a study of Ancient Egypt. Across all grades, STEM activities emphasize teamwork, innovation, and the practical application of science, technology, engineering, and math, preparing students to navigate and shape the world with confidence and curiosity.

Spanish

Spanish language education immerses students in cultural and linguistic experiences, fostering practical communication skills and global awareness. Beginning in PreK, students explore foundational vocabulary through songs, stories, and hands-on activities like crafting piñatas and celebrating Día de los Muertos. As they progress, projects become more complex, including personal narratives, cultural research presentations, and designing food truck menus. Interactive tools like Quizlet and Canva support the development of pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar, while real-world applications, such as creating restaurant menus and practicing travel phrases, enhance fluency and confidence. Each grade level emphasizes the connection between language and identity, nurturing curiosity and creativity.

Sports & 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.

Woodworking

Shop classes introduce students to the use of hand tools, nurtures craftsmanship, and emphasizes the importance of proper procedures and order in the building process. Beginning in Kindergarten, students explore woodworking by cutting simple shapes with coping saws and learning foundational skills like sawing, hammering, filing, and sanding. These early projects, such as geoboards and trucks, help develop patience, precision, and fine motor skills. As students progress through the grades, they take on increasingly complex projects like birdhouses, toolboxes, and paper towel holders, employing advanced tools such as cordless drills and electric sanders. Each project fosters an appreciation for craftsmanship, demonstrating that attention to detail and effort can produce beautifully finished creations. This hands-on environment instills confidence, problem-solving skills, and a lasting appreciation for the art of woodworking.