Lower School Program

• Lower School Overview
• Kindergarten
• Grade 1
• Grade 2
• Grade 3
• Grade 4
• Grade 5
• Specialist Programs
• After School Music Lessons

 

Lower School Overview

The Lower School academic program provides a strong foundation of concepts and skills in the areas of reading, writing, mathematics, social studies, science, art, foreign language, library, music, physical education and technology. In all curricular areas, concepts are introduced at the concrete level and become more complex and detailed as the student’s knowledge and reasoning abilities grow. Teachers integrate hands on activities, simulations, field trips, service learning, and multimedia projects into the academic program. Basic skills are taught in a sequential program that progresses within the grade level and across the six year Lower School program.

The language arts program begins with the introduction of reading and writing skills in kindergarten and culminates in grade five with independent, confident readers and authors. Reading instruction combines phonics and whole language. Many writing assignments are integrated with the reading, social studies and science curriculums. The library and technology teachers support classroom lessons.

The Lower School math program develops mathematical thinkers who can compute, problem solve and think flexibly. Skills in each of the six strands of the math program, number sense, operations and computations, measurement and geometry, patterns and relationships, mathematical reasoning, and data analysis, build each year. Concepts are taught from concrete to abstract levels with manipulative materials, texts, workbooks and technology.

The social studies curriculum emphasizes the development of the understanding of the components of a respectful and nurturing community. Study begins with family, friendships, and self, and moves out to local and international communities. Students study the history of California and the early United States. A variety of print and Internet resources, interviews, videos, and field trips support the acquisition of knowledge and understanding of social studies, history, globalism, multiculturalism and ecological literacy.

The science curriculum introduces Lower School students to a variety of units in the life, physical and earth sciences. The skills of questioning, observing, hypothesizing and experimenting are built on each year. The science resource teacher and the well-equipped science lab support classroom lessons.

The Specialist Programs in art, languages, library, music, physical education, and technology support the School’s mission of whole child education. Basic skills are taught in each area and some projects are integrated with core classroom curriculum. A learning resource teacher supports students who need extra practice or extension of grade level curriculum.

Equally as important is the affective curriculum that builds a respectful and nurturing Lower School community. Beginning in kindergarten, students learn the importance of responsibility for behavior and relationships, group membership, and work. Class meetings led by the teacher and/or the Lower School counselor promote the development of social skills and the values of respect and responsibility for ourselves, for others, and for the environment. Mixed grade level “families” meet regularly and the fifth grade leadership council coordinates community service opportunities and spirit days. Each Friday the entire Lower School gathers for a community assembly, featuring class plays, special guests, appreciations, singing and sharing.

Kindergarten

LANGUAGE ARTS
The kindergarten language arts program builds the foundations for reading, writing and listening skills. Familiarity with oral language is key to developing proficient readers. Students listen to and recite a wide variety of spoken language forms: stories, myths, fairy tales, poems, words to songs and chants. A strong whole language program, which combines phonics, shared, guided and independent reading, language experience and story modeling and writing, is used. Every day the various strands that comprise the reading process are worked on, beginning early in the year with readiness activities (alphabet study) and covering more advanced material (guided reading) as the year progresses. In preparation for formal reading kindergartners learn to identify the upper and lower case letters by name, associate consonant sounds with letters, become familiar with all short and long vowel sounds and become secure with left to right progression in reading and writing. Students learn to blend sounds to form words, recognize and build word families, and begin to develop a sight vocabulary.

Kindergartners practice writing skills through dictation, writing sentences, short stories and poems. They write in journals and record experiences individually and as a group. Developing fine motor skills leads to the formation of upper and lower case letters, using correct proportions and spacings. Spelling includes learning to apply phonetic knowledge to new words and using common sight words.

The students practice auditory memory skills including following one, two and three part oral directions as well as understanding directional words. Students work to develop their oral language skills: to pronounce words clearly, express ideas fluently, use complete sentences, expand and enrich vocabulary, and dictate short stories. Students read and/or memorize poetry and patterned literature.
References and Texts:
Rigby PM Series
Health PrePrimers
Beginning to Read, Write and Listen (MacMillan-McGraw-Hill)
National Geographic Nonfiction Series

MATHEMATICS
The kindergarten math program introduces the rudimentary concepts in each of the six strands covered in the Lower School math curriculum. Using a large variety of manipulative materials, students work to develop a wide range of concepts and skills including: securing 1 to 1 correspondence, counting sequentially to 100, skip counting by 2s, 5s and 10s, reading and writing numbers 1-30, understanding number value to 10, recognizing odd and even numbers, and developing math language such as greater than, less than, equal to, plus, and minus. In addition, recognizing, building and expanding patterns, solving oral problems with manipulatives, diagrams, drawings, numerals and graphs, recognizing the concepts of whole and one half are introduced. Some practice with nonstandard measurement, liquid, linear and weight, as well as with fractions, the calendar and clock time to the hour is included.

Texts: Progress in Mathematics (Sadlier-Oxford); Marcy Cook;
Math Their Way; Everyday Math; Teacher Reference Books
Making Math Real

SOCIAL STUDIES AND SCIENCE
Social studies and science are integrated with language arts and focus on curricular themes. Social studies units focus on Who am I and what is family? and include discussions of friendship and conflict resolution and problem solving. Their studies include geographic awareness of continents and countries. Kindergartners gain an understanding of celebrations, holidays and traditions in a variety of cultures. Service learning occurs at the Salem Lutheran Home elder care facility and the Oakland SPCA. In science students gain an understanding of living and nonliving, the inter-relationship between plant and animal life, the concept that all living things require space, air, water, food and shelter. Units may include biological studies of plant and animal life, food and nutrition, birds, marine mammals, dinosaurs, insects, and spiders. Physical science includes changes in matter and space.
Texts:
Social Studies Alive: Me and My World and My School and
Family, Teachers’ Curriculum Institute

ART
Art is integrated into all aspects of the curriculum. Projects include, finger painting, painting with tempera, acrylic and watercolors, paper mache, collage, sketching with chalk, crayon, pastels, sewing and working with clay.

First Grade

LANGUAGE ARTS
The first grade language arts program promotes an excitement for reading, systematically teaches the discrete skills of the reading process and empowers each child to be an author. The reading curriculum is designed to meet a variety of skill levels and learning styles. Reading instruction includes phonics,
comprehension and fluency skills. Children work in small groups, independently or with partners and have opportunities for oral, group, partner, quiet, and choral reading, and drama. Materials include multiple copies of children’s literature, phonics and comprehension workbooks, Word Study program, student writing, poetry and songs.

Reading and writing are often integrated. Written activities frequently accompany a reading selection. Through a developmental writing program children express themselves in many areas, particularly reading and social studies. For creative writing, children are encouraged to spell the way they think a word sounds. Children write for a variety of venues and audiences, such as poetry, story and journal writing, letters, plays and puppet shows.

Examples of authors included in language arts: Patricia Polacco, Robert McCloskey, Tomie de Paola, Paul Goble, Robert D. San Souci, Arnold Lobel, James Marshall, Cynthia Rylant, William Steig, Kevin Henkes, Jan Brett, Eric Carle, Marc Brown.

MATHEMATICS
The first grade math program promotes excitement for mathematics while practicing the basic skills in computation and problem solving. A key first grade concept is place value and mastery of understanding numbers to 100. Other first grade concepts and skills include: counting sequentially into the hundreds, reading and writing numbers from 1- 100, skip counting, identifying and writing two and three digit numbers, learning relationships between numbers, addition and subtraction facts to 12, and addition and subtraction without regrouping. Fractions, weight and linear measurement, coins, clock and calendar time are included. Students are expected to identify and reproduce shapes such as rectangles, hexagons, and trapezoids. Number, visual and spatial patterns are integrated throughout the curriculum. Manipulative materials and strategies are used throughout. Mathematical reasoning is introduced through addition and subtraction word problems.
References and Texts:
Progress in Mathematics (Sadlier-Oxford)
University of Chicago: School Mathematics Project:
Everyday Math, (Everyday Learning Corp.)
Teacher Reference Books: Marilyn Burns; Lawrence Hall of
Science; Marcy Cook

SOCIAL STUDIES
First grade builds a respectful and nurturing classroom culture with studies of community, Mexico, and community outreach. Each class operates as a model town with businesses and jobs, such as banker, postmaster, and community manager. The children gain familiarity with the larger communities of Head-Royce School and Oakland through interviews, field trips and community service. They study Mexico to experience customs, traditions, art, and geography, and to build a foundation of celebrating differences and similarities among groups.
Individual students and their families share cultural customs and traditions. Field trips support the studies.
References and Texts:
Multicultural Literature – Theme of Friendship, Patricia Polacco, Vera B. Williams, Ezra Jack Keats, Kevin Henkes, Carmen Lomas Garza, Tomie de Paola; Social Studies Alive: My School and Family and My Community, Teachers’ Curriculum Institute

SCIENCE
The first grade science program develops a love and fascination for science. Students develop skills in observing, exploring, experimenting, predicting, and collecting and recording simple data. Units of study include the sun, Earth, the night sky, solids and liquids, the human body, and the beach or a forest habitat. Field trips and the science lab support classroom studies.
References and Texts:
Solids and Liquids
GEMS Guides
Magic School Bus Series, Patricia Lauber, Ruth Below Gross,
Science Books by Gail Gibbons, Seymour Simon

Second Grade

LANGUAGE ARTS
The second grade language arts program fosters independent readers and writers and encourages reading for pleasure. Phonics skills are reviewed and comprehension skills are emphasized: reading for specific details and the main idea, sequencing, predicting outcomes and interpreting figurative language. Critical reading skills are used to identify fiction and fact, cause and effect, inferential and evaluative thinking. Students read orally for fluency and expression. Spelling and word study units include: multiple meanings, homonyms, synonyms and antonyms, rhyming words, simple analogies, comparisons and categorizing, alphabetizing words, simple dictionary skills and vocabulary extension. Oral language, active listening and group participation are practiced.

Writing complete sentences, independent use of writing mechanics, punctuation, capitalization, as well as developing beginning, middle and ends to stories are the focus of the second grade writing program. Creative expression is encouraged. A Writer’s Workshop that includes brainstorming, drafting, sharing, conferencing, editing, and publishing, further develops the writing process. Manuscript skills are practiced.
References and Texts:
Going Places (Silver Burdett & Ginn)
Garden Gates (Silver Burdett & Ginn)
A New Day (Silver Burdett & Ginn)
Working Words in Spelling B, C (Houghton Mifflin Co.)
Daily Oral Language Level 2 (McDougal, Littell)
Barnell Loft, Specific Skills

MATHEMATICS
Second grade math students continue work in the six math strands. The key concepts for the year are addition and subtraction with regrouping and the introduction of multiplication. Other concepts and skills include: place value, from ones to thousands, mastery of addition and subtraction facts through 20, math vocabulary for whole number operations: sum, difference, product, quotient; the addition and subtraction of like fractions, liquid and weight measurements, computation of dollars and cents, telling time to the five minutes, adding and subtracting minutes to and from the hour, symmetry, lines, line segments, angles. Spatial reasoning and numeric and geometric patterns are included. Mathematical reasoning is reinforced with one and two step addition and subtraction word problems. Problem solving and reasoning strategies are extended. Pictorial, bar graphs and tables build skills in data analysis.
References and Texts:
Making Math Real, David Berg
Progress in Mathematics (Sadlier-Oxford)
Techniques of Problem Solving, Dale Seymour
TILES, Marcy Cook
University of Chicago: School Mathematics Project:
Everyday Math, (Everyday Learning Corp.)

SOCIAL STUDIES
The second grade social studies curriculum is concerned with relationships among people, families and the community. Through literature, film and discussion, students compare and contrast our culture with others. Students study Egypt and Indonesia in depth. Beginning map and globe skills are introduced. The family unit is a study of various family configurations, including the nuclear family, divorce, gay/lesbian parenting, adoption, guardianship, and step parenting. The unit focuses on a family’s love, care and support for its members regardless of the composition. A multigenerational study promotes understanding and appreciation of the attitudes and experiences of multiple generations within our culture.
References and Texts:
Junior Classroom Atlas (Rand-McNally)
A collection of resource books and literature on Indonesia & Egypt
A sample of the books and literature for the Family Unit:
Dinosaurs Divorce, Brown
How I was Adopted, Cole
We Adopted You, Benjamin Koo, Girard
Zack’s Story: Growing Up with Same Sex Parents, Greenberg
Beginnings: How Families Come to Be, Kroll
All Kinds of Families, Simon
That’s a Family (video), National Council on Family Relations
Social Studies Alive: My Community and Our Community and Beyond, Teachers’ Curriculum Institute

SCIENCE
Pebbles, sand and silt, balance and motion, a study of our local creek and watershed, a silkworm and mealworm unit as well as an introduction to microscopes compose the science studies. Students develop observation, classification and predictive skills and use the processes for research and experimentation. Science is also integrated with the language arts and math programs.
References and Texts:
Pebbles, Sand and Silt (FOSS)
Kids in Creeks (The Watershed Project)
Balance & Motion (FOSS)
Silkworms and Mealworms (Teacher Created Materials, Inc.)
Microscope Explorations (GEMS)

Third Grade

LANGUAGE ARTS
Third grade is the bridge between the primary and upper elementary curriculum. The third grade program solidifies the primary reading and writing skills and begins the development of inferential and evaluative skills. Students continue to grow as independent readers. Comprehension and critical reading skills are practiced. Students read orally to enhance expression, phrasing and enunciation. Vocabulary and word study skills are expanded to include analogies, homonyms, synonyms and antonyms, contractions, possessives, prefixes, suffixes, and syllabification rules. Dictionary skills including multiple meanings, guidewords and pronunciation key are studied. Students practice active listening and oral skills through the presentation of reports, puppet shows, plays, and poetry recitation.
Written language skills emphasize creativity and clarity. Students are expected to write in complete sentences adding active words and descriptive vocabulary. Skill development includes the use of beginning, middle and end in short stories and of punctuation marks and capitalization. Emphasis is placed on paragraph development using topic sentences and supporting details. Beginning research and note taking skills are introduced, culminating in a formal, written report. Handwriting continues to be emphasized with practice in manuscript and the introduction and practice of cursive writing.
References and Texts:
Barnell Loft Specific Skills
Catching On (Open Court)
Reading and Thinking (Continental Press)
Word Study, Level D (Modern Curriculum Press)
Working Words in Spelling D (Houghton Mifflin)

MATHEMATICS
The third grade math curriculum solidifies the skills learned in the primary grades and applies concepts to larger numbers. Concepts and skills include: recognizing and writing numbers to 1,000,000; comparing and ordering numbers; rounding to the nearest 10 and 100 place. Practice of basic facts in adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing for accuracy and speed; addition with regrouping to 1000’s place and subtracting with regrouping and with zeros through 100’s; multiplication of two and three digit numbers by one digit numbers; estimation is practiced; identifying fraction parts, comparing fractions and finding equivalent fractions.

In measurement and geometry concepts and skills include: standard, non-standard and metric units, measurement of length, weight, and temperature, volume, perimeter, area and estimation; facility with coins and making change; the decimal point and computation with money; telling time to the minute, simple elapsed time problems, and the concept of a.m. and p.m. Sets, palindromes, Venn diagrams and fact families develop numerical and geometric patterns. One and two-step word problems, estimation skills, problem solving, logic and reasoning strategies are developed. Data collection and graph design help predict results and solutions.
References and Texts:
Progress in Mathematics (Sadlier-Oxford)
Supplemental materials, math games

SOCIAL STUDIES
The focus of the social studies curriculum is the study of the history and geography of California, with the primary emphasis upon examining and building an awareness of the multicultural diversity found within the San Francisco bay area. In addition, students learn about people and situations that have had a historically significant impact upon our state, Units include: Immigration to California, the San Francisco Earthquake, the Donner party and the Gold Rush. Major themes throughout the year include historical perspective, comparing and contrasting cultural traditions and differences, investigating the process of assimilation into new cultures as well as the impact one culture can have upon another. Literature, writing and science are integrated with the social studies topics. Maps, globes, diagrams and models are studied.
Text: Social Studies Alive: Our Community and Beyond,
Teachers’ Curriculum Institute

SCIENCE
An extensive study of the San Francisco Bay Area integrates science with language arts, computers, and social studies. It includes field trips to study the ecology and marine life of the San Francisco Bay. Other science units may include: earthquakes, prairie ecosystems, mystery powders, construction (i.e. bridges), and Wisconsin Fast Plants. Third graders develop skills of observation and classification, make and test simple hypotheses, keep simple records and graph experimental results. A unit on animals includes the study of habitat, adaptations, classification, and behavior and culminates with an individual written research project.

References and Texts used in reading, social studies, and science:
San Francisco, Deborah Kent
...If You Lived at the time of the Great San Francisco Earthquake, Ellen Levine
People of California, Ansary
Dragon Parade, Stephen A. Chin
A Day’s Work, Eve Bunting
Dnitra Brown, Grimes
The Skirt, Gary Soto
Harvesting Hope, Krull
How Many Days to America, Eve Bunting
Coolies, Soentpiet
The Bracelet, Yoshiko Uchida
Red Means Good Fortune, Barbara Diamond Goldin
Terror in the City, Bonnie Taylor
Search for Gold Mountain, M. J. Cosson
Pioneers:
If You Traveled West in a Covered Wagon, Levine
Next Spring an Oriole, Whelan
Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie, Dear America Series
One Day on the Prairie, George
Native Americans:
Children of the Wild West, Freedman
Buffalo Jump
Living in a Prairie, Baldwin
Native American legends by a variety of authors,
primarily Paul Goble
Bay Area: Our Region, Past, Present and Future, Teacher’s
Curriculum Institute

Fourth Grade

LANGUAGE ARTS
The fourth grade language arts program expands the upper level reading and writing skills. Through written work, literature circles and oral discussion students continue to expand their reading comprehension skills as well as their thinking and inferential reasoning skills. Vocabulary development and word analysis skills focus on spelling patterns, root words, suffixes and prefixes, homonyms, synonyms and antonyms. Sentence and paragraph structures are broadened with the addition of detail, attention to language mechanics, such as subject and verb agreement, parts of speech, punctuation and capitalization, and topic and concluding sentences. Skills are applied to a variety of writing styles: creative and expository writing, poetry, journals, opinion papers, note taking and dictation. Writing assignments are frequently integrated with the reading and social studies curriculum. Cursive writing is refined for legibility and speed. Dictionary skills are practiced.
Texts:
Daily Oral Analogies (Houghton Mifflin)
Daily Oral Language (Houghton Mifflin)
Working Words in Spelling E (Houghton Mifflin)
Catching On (Open Court)
Daybook (Houghton Mifflin)
Vocabulary for Achievement (Houghton Mifflin)
The Winston Grammar Program (Precious Memories
Educational Resources)

Literature:
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Judy Blume
Fourth Grade Rats, Jerry Spinelli
Sing Down the Moon, Scott O’Dell
Land of Hope, Joan L. Nixon
Journey Home, Yoshiko Uchida
In the Year of the Boar, Betty Bao Lord
The Summer of the Swans, Betsy Byars
By the Great Horn Spoon, Sid Fleischman
My Side of the Mountain, Jean C. George
Number the Stars, Lois Lowry
Racing the Sun, Paul Pitts
Roll of Thunder Hear my Cry, Mildred Taylor
From the Mixed-up Files of Basil E. Frankweiler, E.L. Konigsberg
Call It Courage, Armstrong Sperry
Island of the Blue Dolphin, Scott O’Dell
A Single Shard, Linda Sue Park
Shiloh, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

MATHEMATICS
Fourth grade math applies basic skills to numbers to 100,000,000. Concepts and skills include: rounding numbers to the nearest 1000, mastery of place value to 1,000,000, prime numbers and factors are introduced; addition and subtraction with regrouping of numbers to 1,000,000; multiplication using one and two digit multipliers, division using one digit divisors, averaging numbers and estimation; mental math, word problems; fraction reduction and equivalents, adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators and mixed numbers, multiplication of fractions, renaming fractions; ratio is introduced; decimal place value, operations, reading and rounding decimals.
Geometry skills include, calculating the area and perimeters of squares and rectangles using standard and metric units; compasses and protractors are introduced. Geometric vocabulary, such as simple angle measurements, lines, line segments and rays, and the concept of parallel lines are introduced. Practice continues with money in problem solving, telling time to the minute and second, using the symbols of a.m. and p.m. and elapsed time problems. Measurement is also covered.

References and Texts:
Progress in Mathematics (Sadlier-Oxford)
TILES, Marcy Cook
Techniques of Problem Solving, Dale Seymour
Making Math Real, David Berg

SOCIAL STUDIES
Fourth grade social studies is the study of the five land regions of North America. The year begins with a study of the Navaho, past and present. The curriculum develops though the study of other regions and in particular california and its flora and fauna. Geography skills include the physical features of the United States, states and capitals, state reports and mapping skills. Current events are also discussed. The fourth grade study goes outside with a three day overnight to Big Sur and Salt Marsh National Parks.
References and Texts:
Time for Kids, Weekly news magazine for students
Atlas (Rand McNally)
Individual student maps
Songs from the Loom, Monty Roessel
The Navaho, Alice Osinski
Daily Oral Geography (Houghton Mifflin)
Social Studies Alive: Regions of Our Country
(Teacher’s Curriculum Institute)
Interactive student notebook

SCIENCE
Fourth grade science includes life science units involving ecosystems, food webs, the human body and nutrition; physical science units include magnetism and electricity; earth science units include earth materials and the flora and fauna of California coastal regions. A scientific reasoning and technology unit focuses on simple machines using Legos.
References and Texts:
Food Web (Delta)
Electricity & Magnets (FOSS)
Earth Material (FOSS)
Human Body/Nutrition (AIMS)
Simple Machines (Legos)

Fifth Grade

LANGUAGE ARTS
Fifth grade language arts brings together the reading and writing skills of the previous grades. Novels that incorporate values, multiculturalism, and decision-making are read and discussed. In large groups and literature circles short stories are used to practice active reading and develop inferential comprehension. Reading is connected to writing through discussion and practice. Specific and critical reading skills are taught in literature, social studies texts, news and children’s magazines, and research materials including Internet sites and on-line databases.
Writing instruction emphasizes paragraph formation using topic sentences, narrowing ideas from general to specific, and expanding detail and description. A writing portfolio helps develop the process of writing, conferencing, editing and publishing. Assignments include a variety of genres: creative, expository, and poetic. Research papers synthesize research ideas and utilize note taking, outlining and organization skills. Written language skills include: formal grammar and mechanics, expanding vocabulary, daily analogy practice, and selected spelling/phonics exercises. Oral language skills are developed through speeches, drama, recitation, and listening.
References and Texts:
Daybook of Reading and Writing (Great Source)
Barnell Loft Specific Skills (Barnell Loft)
Vocabulary for Achievement (Great Source)
Grade appropriate novels by well-known authors, such as:
Best Bad Thing, Yoshiko Uchida
Freedom Train, Dorothy Sterling
The Real Thief, William Steig
Phantom Tollbooth, Norman Juster

MATHEMATICS
Fifth grade math synthesizes the math concepts and skills taught in the earlier grades. Problem solving, flexible thinking and mental math play important roles in skill acquisition. Concepts and skills include: working with numbers to the trillions, scientific notation, prime factors and factorization, rounding and integers, exponents, estimation skills; whole number operations, two digit division, positive and negative number function, order of operations; converting fractions and decimals into percents, and finding the percent of a number, adding and subtracting fractions with common denominators. Measurement becomes more accurate and includes length, width, height, depth, elevation, and volume, circumference and conversions with standard measurements. Geometry topics include: vertical and adjacent angles, parallel and perpendicular lines, circumference and pi, geometric solids, polygons, quadrilaterals and scale drawings.
Skills in mathematical reasoning include solving multi-step problems and word problems, using logical reasoning, and flexibility in choosing strategies and problem solving. Pre-algebra equations and use of variables to represent unknowns are introduced. Data analysis skills are introduced and reinforced using tables, sample size, variety of graph types, median, mean, mode, and likely and unlikely outcomes.
References and Texts:
University of Chicago: School Mathematics Project:
Everyday Math, (Everyday Learning Corp.)

SOCIAL STUDIES
The social studies curriculum begins with a comprehensive study of government. The first unit of study follows the evolution of U.S. Government from the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation to the structure of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights and how they affect the modern world. This unit concludes with a study of local governments in the Bay Area. The second unit is a study of the geopolitical, social, and economic events that led up to the American Revolutionary War and the Civil War. The far reaching ramifications of the wars is a primary focus of the in depth study. The final unit is an examination of American social justice. Students study the civil rights of American citizens. They conduct research on a wide range of civil rights topics and integrate language arts, social studies and technology in an integrated, multimedia project.

The Mind That’s Mine unit follows the science unit on the human brain and focuses on memory, diverse learning styles and developing appropriate strategies to become a more effective student.
References and Texts:
History Alive: America’s Past, Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
History of United States Books 5 & 6, Joy Hakim
Freedom Train, Dorothy Sterling
Gold Rush (Interact)

SCIENCE
The anatomy, structure and functions of the human brain form a core unit in fifth grade science. Sheep and human brains are observed; the development of the brain, learning styles, and disabilities are studied; and brain based learning strategies are explored. A unit on mixtures and solutions introduces simple topics in chemistry through experimentation. Skills in measurement, observation, deduction, and experiment design are developed. Robotics, a program developed by Lego Dacta, involves the building of complex working models that incorporate lights, sound, motors, switches and sensors, and electrical connections with programming on Macintosh computers to control robots. Mini-units in vision, chemistry, and meteorology extend the fifth grade studies.
References and Texts:
The Mind That’s Mine, Mel Levine
Computer Program “Robolab” (Lego Dacta)
Mixtures and Solutions (FOSS)

Specialist Programs

ART
The four main components of the Lower School art program are: 1) exploration, the making of art through a variety of medium, 2) art history, the study of individual artists, art movements and cultures, 3) criticism, learning to critique and assess one’s own work as well as the work of other students and artists, and 4) aesthetics, defining art while developing personal ideas and an appreciation of art. Art lessons focus on: 1) artistic perception - the essential vocabulary of the visual arts and the basic knowledge and skills necessary to communicate in the visual arts, 2) creative expression - experiences that foster problem solving, reflective thinking and that promote originality, imagination and creativity, 3) historical and cultural context – the confidence that comes from making connections with great traditions and the critical judgment that comes from considering one’s work with that of predecessors and contemporaries, 4) aesthetic valuing – to criticize justly and value a work artistically using the first three components. Media include: collage, watercolor, drawing, clay, papermaking, painting, printing, and many others.

LANGUAGES
The French and Spanish language program, in grades 2-5, is based on communicative language learning. The aim is to create excitement for learning and discovering a new language and culture. The program includes aural immersion, the development of speaking skills and some reading and writing skills. Students manipulate concrete materials, share ideas and feelings, and are given opportunities for movement and physical activities. Visuals, props, realia, and hands-on activities are essential for successful student involvement. A wide range of language tools is provided to help students express themselves. Students are introduced to cultural customs and celebrations from language-specific cultures around the world.

LIBRARY
The Lower School Library supports and enhances the curriculum by providing materials for kindergarten through fifth grades, and is also a resource for older students and faculty. The library fosters an appreciation of traditional and current literature, as students are exposed to the best fiction and non-fiction books. Students also learn skills to help them understand the organization of libraries, and use the library for research, incorporating information from reference sources, databases, and the Internet. Story times enhance and extend issues in the curriculum, highlight special classroom content, and provide cultural literacy. The librarian collaborates with teachers to provide experiences that connect with learning in the classroom. Time in the library offers children an opportunity to enjoy and share books with friends in a relaxing atmosphere.

MUSIC
The K-5 music program is based in the Orff-Schulwerk approach developed in Europe by composers Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman. It explores and then defines the basic elements of music: rhythm, pitch, dynamics, articulation, and expression. Children are presented with musical ideas through a variety of modes including games, songs, chants, rhymes, poems, folk dances, creative movement, and playing classroom instruments. Music literacy follows these direct experiences. Our musical selections include a wide variety of cultural musics. Our instruments include barred instruments (such as xylophones), recorders, and a myriad of percussion instruments. Every year students perform at the Holiday Program. Third through fifth graders also present a spring performance in the theater.

There are also after school music opportunities for Lower School students. There is a band for grades 3-5 that meets twice a week; Da Capo is a choir of 4th and 5th graders that meets once a week. And instrumental private lessons are offered after school on campus starting in third grade. The band and the choir perform on and off campus during the year.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION
The physical education program, in grades K-3, provides a variety of experiences to promote physical growth and development of the children in an environment that is conducive to fun and relaxation. Activities used at this level are selected to meet the needs, interests and abilities of the group. The goal is to help children become more physically skilled and to succeed according to their individual abilities. A basic understanding of motor behavior in relation to sports, dance and fitness helps children develop positive self-images and physical skills.
In grades 4 and 5 the physical education program incorporates skills learned in the primary years in playing team sports. Rules and strategies are stressed at this level. Confidence in physical skills as well as the development of conditioning, cardiovascular efficiency and total fitness are important goals. Students work together to develop the qualities of leadership, cooperation, honesty and self-control. Group swim lessons are included for grades 2-5 in the fall and spring.

TECHNOLOGY
The technology program strives to prepare technology-literate students who can make informed decisions regarding the use of technology in their lives as well as use technological resources with ease. All Lower School students regularly visit the computer lab. Classroom activities are reinforced with projects in the computer lab.
Keyboarding, with proper finger placement, is introduced in second grade and continues through fifth grade. There are grade-level expectations for speed and accuracy. Every effort is made to insure that each student can reach the grade level expectations through individual instruction and alternative keyboarding programs.
Students work on word processing: delete, copy, keystrokes, beginning a new document, copy and paste, incorporating graphics, working between two programs (graphics and word processing, for example) and saving their work to the server.
Software programs support classroom curriculum. Examples:
* word processing and draw programs that reinforce beginning math and reading skills,
* mapping software for map skills and geography,
* a timeline program for historical reference,
* skill-specific math software to practice basic math facts,
* interactive reading programs and stories to support reading instruction.
Web sites are previewed and teacher-created web pages assist students in their Internet research. Upper elementary students use online resources as well as our library databases. Digital images are used to enhance creative writing and to document field trips. By fifth grade, students design and present their research in Power Point.

 

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First Grade

LANGUAGE ARTS
The first grade language arts program promotes an excitement for reading, systematically teaches the discrete skills of the reading process and empowers each child to be an author. The reading curriculum is designed to meet a variety of skill levels and learning styles. Reading instruction includes phonics,
comprehension and fluency skills. Children work in small groups, independently or with partners and have opportunities for oral, group, partner, quiet, and choral reading, and drama. Materials include multiple copies of children’s literature, phonics and comprehension workbooks, Word Study program, student writing, poetry and songs.

Reading and writing are often integrated. Written activities frequently accompany a reading selection. Through a developmental writing program children express themselves in many areas, particularly reading and social studies. For creative writing, children are encouraged to spell the way they think a word sounds. Children write for a variety of venues and audiences, such as poetry, story and journal writing, letters, plays and puppet shows.

Examples of authors included in language arts: Patricia Polacco, Robert McCloskey, Tomie de Paola, Paul Goble, Robert D. San Souci, Arnold Lobel, James Marshall, Cynthia Rylant, William Steig, Kevin Henkes, Jan Brett, Eric Carle, Marc Brown.

MATHEMATICS
The first grade math program promotes excitement for mathematics while practicing the basic skills in computation and problem solving. A key first grade concept is place value and mastery of understanding numbers to 100. Other first grade concepts and skills include: counting sequentially into the hundreds, reading and writing numbers from 1- 100, skip counting, identifying and writing two and three digit numbers, learning relationships between numbers, addition and subtraction facts to 12, and addition and subtraction without regrouping. Fractions, weight and linear measurement, coins, clock and calendar time are included. Students are expected to identify and reproduce shapes such as rectangles, hexagons, and trapezoids. Number, visual and spatial patterns are integrated throughout the curriculum. Manipulative materials and strategies are used throughout. Mathematical reasoning is introduced through addition and subtraction word problems.
References and Texts:
Progress in Mathematics (Sadlier-Oxford)
University of Chicago: School Mathematics Project:
Everyday Math, (Everyday Learning Corp.)
Teacher Reference Books: Marilyn Burns; Lawrence Hall of
Science; Marcy Cook

SOCIAL STUDIES
First grade builds a respectful and nurturing classroom culture with studies of community, Mexico, and community outreach. Each class operates as a model town with businesses and jobs, such as banker, postmaster, and community manager. The children gain familiarity with the larger communities of Head-Royce School and Oakland through interviews, field trips and community service. They study Mexico to experience customs, traditions, art, and geography, and to build a foundation of celebrating differences and similarities among groups.
Individual students and their families share cultural customs and traditions. Field trips support the studies.
References and Texts:
Multicultural Literature – Theme of Friendship, Patricia Polacco, Vera B. Williams, Ezra Jack Keats, Kevin Henkes, Carmen Lomas Garza, Tomie de Paola; Social Studies Alive: My School and Family and My Community, Teachers’ Curriculum Institute

SCIENCE
The first grade science program develops a love and fascination for science. Students develop skills in observing, exploring, experimenting, predicting, and collecting and recording simple data. Units of study include the sun, Earth, the night sky, solids and liquids, the human body, and the beach or a forest habitat. Field trips and the science lab support classroom studies.
References and Texts:
Solids and Liquids
GEMS Guides
Magic School Bus Series, Patricia Lauber, Ruth Below Gross,
Science Books by Gail Gibbons, Seymour Simon

Second Grade

LANGUAGE ARTS
The second grade language arts program fosters independent readers and writers and encourages reading for pleasure. Phonics skills are reviewed and comprehension skills are emphasized: reading for specific details and the main idea, sequencing, predicting outcomes and interpreting figurative language. Critical reading skills are used to identify fiction and fact, cause and effect, inferential and evaluative thinking. Students read orally for fluency and expression. Spelling and word study units include: multiple meanings, homonyms, synonyms and antonyms, rhyming words, simple analogies, comparisons and categorizing, alphabetizing words, simple dictionary skills and vocabulary extension. Oral language, active listening and group participation are practiced.

Writing complete sentences, independent use of writing mechanics, punctuation, capitalization, as well as developing beginning, middle and ends to stories are the focus of the second grade writing program. Creative expression is encouraged. A Writer’s Workshop that includes brainstorming, drafting, sharing, conferencing, editing, and publishing, further develops the writing process. Manuscript skills are practiced.
References and Texts:
Going Places (Silver Burdett & Ginn)
Garden Gates (Silver Burdett & Ginn)
A New Day (Silver Burdett & Ginn)
Working Words in Spelling B, C (Houghton Mifflin Co.)
Daily Oral Language Level 2 (McDougal, Littell)
Barnell Loft, Specific Skills

MATHEMATICS
Second grade math students continue work in the six math strands. The key concepts for the year are addition and subtraction with regrouping and the introduction of multiplication. Other concepts and skills include: place value, from ones to thousands, mastery of addition and subtraction facts through 20, math vocabulary for whole number operations: sum, difference, product, quotient; the addition and subtraction of like fractions, liquid and weight measurements, computation of dollars and cents, telling time to the five minutes, adding and subtracting minutes to and from the hour, symmetry, lines, line segments, angles. Spatial reasoning and numeric and geometric patterns are included. Mathematical reasoning is reinforced with one and two step addition and subtraction word problems. Problem solving and reasoning strategies are extended. Pictorial, bar graphs and tables build skills in data analysis.
References and Texts:
Making Math Real, David Berg
Progress in Mathematics (Sadlier-Oxford)
Techniques of Problem Solving, Dale Seymour
TILES, Marcy Cook
University of Chicago: School Mathematics Project:
Everyday Math, (Everyday Learning Corp.)

SOCIAL STUDIES
The second grade social studies curriculum is concerned with relationships among people, families and the community. Through literature, film and discussion, students compare and contrast our culture with others. Students study Egypt and Indonesia in depth. Beginning map and globe skills are introduced. The family unit is a study of various family configurations, including the nuclear family, divorce, gay/lesbian parenting, adoption, guardianship, and step parenting. The unit focuses on a family’s love, care and support for its members regardless of the composition. A multigenerational study promotes understanding and appreciation of the attitudes and experiences of multiple generations within our culture.
References and Texts:
Junior Classroom Atlas (Rand-McNally)
A collection of resource books and literature on Indonesia & Egypt
A sample of the books and literature for the Family Unit:
Dinosaurs Divorce, Brown
How I was Adopted, Cole
We Adopted You, Benjamin Koo, Girard
Zack’s Story: Growing Up with Same Sex Parents, Greenberg
Beginnings: How Families Come to Be, Kroll
All Kinds of Families, Simon
That’s a Family (video), National Council on Family Relations
Social Studies Alive: My Community and Our Community and Beyond, Teachers’ Curriculum Institute

SCIENCE
Pebbles, sand and silt, balance and motion, a study of our local creek and watershed, a silkworm and mealworm unit as well as an introduction to microscopes compose the science studies. Students develop observation, classification and predictive skills and use the processes for research and experimentation. Science is also integrated with the language arts and math programs.
References and Texts:
Pebbles, Sand and Silt (FOSS)
Kids in Creeks (The Watershed Project)
Balance & Motion (FOSS)
Silkworms and Mealworms (Teacher Created Materials, Inc.)
Microscope Explorations (GEMS)

Third Grade

LANGUAGE ARTS
Third grade is the bridge between the primary and upper elementary curriculum. The third grade program solidifies the primary reading and writing skills and begins the development of inferential and evaluative skills. Students continue to grow as independent readers. Comprehension and critical reading skills are practiced. Students read orally to enhance expression, phrasing and enunciation. Vocabulary and word study skills are expanded to include analogies, homonyms, synonyms and antonyms, contractions, possessives, prefixes, suffixes, and syllabification rules. Dictionary skills including multiple meanings, guidewords and pronunciation key are studied. Students practice active listening and oral skills through the presentation of reports, puppet shows, plays, and poetry recitation.
Written language skills emphasize creativity and clarity. Students are expected to write in complete sentences adding active words and descriptive vocabulary. Skill development includes the use of beginning, middle and end in short stories and of punctuation marks and capitalization. Emphasis is placed on paragraph development using topic sentences and supporting details. Beginning research and note taking skills are introduced, culminating in a formal, written report. Handwriting continues to be emphasized with practice in manuscript and the introduction and practice of cursive writing.
References and Texts:
Barnell Loft Specific Skills
Catching On (Open Court)
Reading and Thinking (Continental Press)
Word Study, Level D (Modern Curriculum Press)
Working Words in Spelling D (Houghton Mifflin)

MATHEMATICS
The third grade math curriculum solidifies the skills learned in the primary grades and applies concepts to larger numbers. Concepts and skills include: recognizing and writing numbers to 1,000,000; comparing and ordering numbers; rounding to the nearest 10 and 100 place. Practice of basic facts in adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing for accuracy and speed; addition with regrouping to 1000’s place and subtracting with regrouping and with zeros through 100’s; multiplication of two and three digit numbers by one digit numbers; estimation is practiced; identifying fraction parts, comparing fractions and finding equivalent fractions.

In measurement and geometry concepts and skills include: standard, non-standard and metric units, measurement of length, weight, and temperature, volume, perimeter, area and estimation; facility with coins and making change; the decimal point and computation with money; telling time to the minute, simple elapsed time problems, and the concept of a.m. and p.m. Sets, palindromes, Venn diagrams and fact families develop numerical and geometric patterns. One and two-step word problems, estimation skills, problem solving, logic and reasoning strategies are developed. Data collection and graph design help predict results and solutions.
References and Texts:
Progress in Mathematics (Sadlier-Oxford)
Supplemental materials, math games

SOCIAL STUDIES
The focus of the social studies curriculum is the study of the history and geography of California, with the primary emphasis upon examining and building an awareness of the multicultural diversity found within the San Francisco bay area. In addition, students learn about people and situations that have had a historically significant impact upon our state, Units include: Immigration to California, the San Francisco Earthquake, the Donner party and the Gold Rush. Major themes throughout the year include historical perspective, comparing and contrasting cultural traditions and differences, investigating the process of assimilation into new cultures as well as the impact one culture can have upon another. Literature, writing and science are integrated with the social studies topics. Maps, globes, diagrams and models are studied.
Text: Social Studies Alive: Our Community and Beyond,
Teachers’ Curriculum Institute

SCIENCE
An extensive study of the San Francisco Bay Area integrates science with language arts, computers, and social studies. It includes field trips to study the ecology and marine life of the San Francisco Bay. Other science units may include: earthquakes, prairie ecosystems, mystery powders, construction (i.e. bridges), and Wisconsin Fast Plants. Third graders develop skills of observation and classification, make and test simple hypotheses, keep simple records and graph experimental results. A unit on animals includes the study of habitat, adaptations, classification, and behavior and culminates with an individual written research project.

References and Texts used in reading, social studies, and science:
San Francisco, Deborah Kent
...If You Lived at the time of the Great San Francisco Earthquake, Ellen Levine
People of California, Ansary
Dragon Parade, Stephen A. Chin
A Day’s Work, Eve Bunting
Dnitra Brown, Grimes
The Skirt, Gary Soto
Harvesting Hope, Krull
How Many Days to America, Eve Bunting
Coolies, Soentpiet
The Bracelet, Yoshiko Uchida
Red Means Good Fortune, Barbara Diamond Goldin
Terror in the City, Bonnie Taylor
Search for Gold Mountain, M. J. Cosson
Pioneers:
If You Traveled West in a Covered Wagon, Levine
Next Spring an Oriole, Whelan
Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie, Dear America Series
One Day on the Prairie, George
Native Americans:
Children of the Wild West, Freedman
Buffalo Jump
Living in a Prairie, Baldwin
Native American legends by a variety of authors,
primarily Paul Goble
Bay Area: Our Region, Past, Present and Future, Teacher’s
Curriculum Institute

Fourth Grade

LANGUAGE ARTS
The fourth grade language arts program expands the upper level reading and writing skills. Through written work, literature circles and oral discussion students continue to expand their reading comprehension skills as well as their thinking and inferential reasoning skills. Vocabulary development and word analysis skills focus on spelling patterns, root words, suffixes and prefixes, homonyms, synonyms and antonyms. Sentence and paragraph structures are broadened with the addition of detail, attention to language mechanics, such as subject and verb agreement, parts of speech, punctuation and capitalization, and topic and concluding sentences. Skills are applied to a variety of writing styles: creative and expository writing, poetry, journals, opinion papers, note taking and dictation. Writing assignments are frequently integrated with the reading and social studies curriculum. Cursive writing is refined for legibility and speed. Dictionary skills are practiced.
Texts:
Daily Oral Analogies (Houghton Mifflin)
Daily Oral Language (Houghton Mifflin)
Working Words in Spelling E (Houghton Mifflin)
Catching On (Open Court)
Daybook (Houghton Mifflin)
Vocabulary for Achievement (Houghton Mifflin)
The Winston Grammar Program (Precious Memories
Educational Resources)

Literature:
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Judy Blume
Fourth Grade Rats, Jerry Spinelli
Sing Down the Moon, Scott O’Dell
Land of Hope, Joan L. Nixon
Journey Home, Yoshiko Uchida
In the Year of the Boar, Betty Bao Lord
The Summer of the Swans, Betsy Byars
By the Great Horn Spoon, Sid Fleischman
My Side of the Mountain, Jean C. George
Number the Stars, Lois Lowry
Racing the Sun, Paul Pitts
Roll of Thunder Hear my Cry, Mildred Taylor
From the Mixed-up Files of Basil E. Frankweiler, E.L. Konigsberg
Call It Courage, Armstrong Sperry
Island of the Blue Dolphin, Scott O’Dell
A Single Shard, Linda Sue Park
Shiloh, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

MATHEMATICS
Fourth grade math applies basic skills to numbers to 100,000,000. Concepts and skills include: rounding numbers to the nearest 1000, mastery of place value to 1,000,000, prime numbers and factors are introduced; addition and subtraction with regrouping of numbers to 1,000,000; multiplication using one and two digit multipliers, division using one digit divisors, averaging numbers and estimation; mental math, word problems; fraction reduction and equivalents, adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators and mixed numbers, multiplication of fractions, renaming fractions; ratio is introduced; decimal place value, operations, reading and rounding decimals.
Geometry skills include, calculating the area and perimeters of squares and rectangles using standard and metric units; compasses and protractors are introduced. Geometric vocabulary, such as simple angle measurements, lines, line segments and rays, and the concept of parallel lines are introduced. Practice continues with money in problem solving, telling time to the minute and second, using the symbols of a.m. and p.m. and elapsed time problems. Measurement is also covered.

References and Texts:
Progress in Mathematics (Sadlier-Oxford)
TILES, Marcy Cook
Techniques of Problem Solving, Dale Seymour
Making Math Real, David Berg

SOCIAL STUDIES
Fourth grade social studies is the study of the five land regions of North America. The year begins with a study of the Navaho, past and present. The curriculum develops though the study of other regions and in particular california and its flora and fauna. Geography skills include the physical features of the United States, states and capitals, state reports and mapping skills. Current events are also discussed. The fourth grade study goes outside with a three day overnight to Big Sur and Salt Marsh National Parks.
References and Texts:
Time for Kids, Weekly news magazine for students
Atlas (Rand McNally)
Individual student maps
Songs from the Loom, Monty Roessel
The Navaho, Alice Osinski
Daily Oral Geography (Houghton Mifflin)
Social Studies Alive: Regions of Our Country
(Teacher’s Curriculum Institute)
Interactive student notebook

SCIENCE
Fourth grade science includes life science units involving ecosystems, food webs, the human body and nutrition; physical science units include magnetism and electricity; earth science units include earth materials and the flora and fauna of California coastal regions. A scientific reasoning and technology unit focuses on simple machines using Legos.
References and Texts:
Food Web (Delta)
Electricity & Magnets (FOSS)
Earth Material (FOSS)
Human Body/Nutrition (AIMS)
Simple Machines (Legos)

Fifth Grade

LANGUAGE ARTS
Fifth grade language arts brings together the reading and writing skills of the previous grades. Novels that incorporate values, multiculturalism, and decision-making are read and discussed. In large groups and literature circles short stories are used to practice active reading and develop inferential comprehension. Reading is connected to writing through discussion and practice. Specific and critical reading skills are taught in literature, social studies texts, news and children’s magazines, and research materials including Internet sites and on-line databases.
Writing instruction emphasizes paragraph formation using topic sentences, narrowing ideas from general to specific, and expanding detail and description. A writing portfolio helps develop the process of writing, conferencing, editing and publishing. Assignments include a variety of genres: creative, expository, and poetic. Research papers synthesize research ideas and utilize note taking, outlining and organization skills. Written language skills include: formal grammar and mechanics, expanding vocabulary, daily analogy practice, and selected spelling/phonics exercises. Oral language skills are developed through speeches, drama, recitation, and listening.
References and Texts:
Daybook of Reading and Writing (Great Source)
Barnell Loft Specific Skills (Barnell Loft)
Vocabulary for Achievement (Great Source)
Grade appropriate novels by well-known authors, such as:
Best Bad Thing, Yoshiko Uchida
Freedom Train, Dorothy Sterling
The Real Thief, William Steig
Phantom Tollbooth, Norman Juster

MATHEMATICS
Fifth grade math synthesizes the math concepts and skills taught in the earlier grades. Problem solving, flexible thinking and mental math play important roles in skill acquisition. Concepts and skills include: working with numbers to the trillions, scientific notation, prime factors and factorization, rounding and integers, exponents, estimation skills; whole number operations, two digit division, positive and negative number function, order of operations; converting fractions and decimals into percents, and finding the percent of a number, adding and subtracting fractions with common denominators. Measurement becomes more accurate and includes length, width, height, depth, elevation, and volume, circumference and conversions with standard measurements. Geometry topics include: vertical and adjacent angles, parallel and perpendicular lines, circumference and pi, geometric solids, polygons, quadrilaterals and scale drawings.
Skills in mathematical reasoning include solving multi-step problems and word problems, using logical reasoning, and flexibility in choosing strategies and problem solving. Pre-algebra equations and use of variables to represent unknowns are introduced. Data analysis skills are introduced and reinforced using tables, sample size, variety of graph types, median, mean, mode, and likely and unlikely outcomes.
References and Texts:
University of Chicago: School Mathematics Project:
Everyday Math, (Everyday Learning Corp.)

SOCIAL STUDIES
The social studies curriculum begins with a comprehensive study of government. The first unit of study follows the evolution of U.S. Government from the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation to the structure of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights and how they affect the modern world. This unit concludes with a study of local governments in the Bay Area. The second unit is a study of the geopolitical, social, and economic events that led up to the American Revolutionary War and the Civil War. The far reaching ramifications of the wars is a primary focus of the in depth study. The final unit is an examination of American social justice. Students study the civil rights of American citizens. They conduct research on a wide range of civil rights topics and integrate language arts, social studies and technology in an integrated, multimedia project.

The Mind That’s Mine unit follows the science unit on the human brain and focuses on memory, diverse learning styles and developing appropriate strategies to become a more effective student.
References and Texts:
History Alive: America’s Past, Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
History of United States Books 5 & 6, Joy Hakim
Freedom Train, Dorothy Sterling
Gold Rush (Interact)

SCIENCE
The anatomy, structure and functions of the human brain form a core unit in fifth grade science. Sheep and human brains are observed; the development of the brain, learning styles, and disabilities are studied; and brain based learning strategies are explored. A unit on mixtures and solutions introduces simple topics in chemistry through experimentation. Skills in measurement, observation, deduction, and experiment design are developed. Robotics, a program developed by Lego Dacta, involves the building of complex working models that incorporate lights, sound, motors, switches and sensors, and electrical connections with programming on Macintosh computers to control robots. Mini-units in vision, chemistry, and meteorology extend the fifth grade studies.
References and Texts:
The Mind That’s Mine, Mel Levine
Computer Program “Robolab” (Lego Dacta)
Mixtures and Solutions (FOSS)

Specialist Programs

ART
The four main components of the Lower School art program are: 1) exploration, the making of art through a variety of medium, 2) art history, the study of individual artists, art movements and cultures, 3) criticism, learning to critique and assess one’s own work as well as the work of other students and artists, and 4) aesthetics, defining art while developing personal ideas and an appreciation of art. Art lessons focus on: 1) artistic perception - the essential vocabulary of the visual arts and the basic knowledge and skills necessary to communicate in the visual arts, 2) creative expression - experiences that foster problem solving, reflective thinking and that promote originality, imagination and creativity, 3) historical and cultural context – the confidence that comes from making connections with great traditions and the critical judgment that comes from considering one’s work with that of predecessors and contemporaries, 4) aesthetic valuing – to criticize justly and value a work artistically using the first three components. Media include: collage, watercolor, drawing, clay, papermaking, painting, printing, and many others.

LANGUAGES
The French and Spanish language program, in grades 2-5, is based on communicative language learning. The aim is to create excitement for learning and discovering a new language and culture. The program includes aural immersion, the development of speaking skills and some reading and writing skills. Students manipulate concrete materials, share ideas and feelings, and are given opportunities for movement and physical activities. Visuals, props, realia, and hands-on activities are essential for successful student involvement. A wide range of language tools is provided to help students express themselves. Students are introduced to cultural customs and celebrations from language-specific cultures around the world.

LIBRARY
The Lower School Library supports and enhances the curriculum by providing materials for kindergarten through fifth grades, and is also a resource for older students and faculty. The library fosters an appreciation of traditional and current
literature, as students are exposed to the best fiction and non-fiction books. Students also learn skills to help them understand the organization of libraries, and use the library for research, incorporating information from reference sources, databases, and the Internet. Story times enhance and extend issues in the curriculum, highlight special classroom content, and provide cultural literacy. The librarian collaborates with teachers to provide experiences that connect with learning in the classroom. Time in the library offers children an opportunity to enjoy and share books with friends in a relaxing atmosphere.

MUSIC
The K-5 music program is based in the Orff-Schulwerk approach developed in Europe by composers Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman. It explores and then defines the basic elements of music: rhythm, pitch, dynamics, articulation, and expression. Children are presented with musical ideas through a variety of modes including games, songs, chants, rhymes, poems, folk dances, creative movement, and playing classroom instruments. Music literacy follows these direct experiences. Our musical selections include a wide variety of cultural musics. Our instruments include barred instruments (such as xylophones), recorders, and a myriad of percussion instruments. Every year students perform at the Holiday Program. Third through fifth graders also present a spring performance in the theater.

There are also after school music opportunities for Lower School students. There is a band for grades 3-5 that meets twice a week; Da Capo is a choir of 4th and 5th graders that meets once a week. And instrumental private lessons are offered after school on campus starting in third grade. The band and the choir perform on and off campus during the year.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION
The physical education program, in grades K-3, provides a variety of experiences to promote physical growth and development of the children in an environment that is conducive to fun and relaxation. Activities used at this level are selected to meet the needs, interests and abilities of the group. The goal is to help children become more physically skilled and to succeed according to their individual abilities. A basic understanding of motor behavior in relation to sports, dance and fitness helps children develop positive self-images and physical skills.
In grades 4 and 5 the physical education program incorporates skills learned in the primary years in playing team sports. Rules and strategies are stressed at this level. Confidence in physical skills as well as the development of conditioning, cardiovascular efficiency and total fitness are important goals. Students work together to develop the qualities of leadership, cooperation, honesty and self-control. Group swim lessons are included for grades 2-5 in the fall and spring.

TECHNOLOGY
The technology program strives to prepare technology-literate students who can make informed decisions regarding the use of technology in their lives as well as use technological resources with ease. All Lower School students regularly visit the computer lab. Classroom activities are reinforced with projects in the computer lab.
Keyboarding, with proper finger placement, is introduced in second grade and continues through fifth grade. There are grade-level expectations for speed and accuracy. Every effort is made to insure that each student can reach the grade level expectations through individual instruction and alternative keyboarding programs.
Students work on word processing: delete, copy, keystrokes, beginning a new document, copy and paste, incorporating graphics, working between two programs (graphics and word processing, for example) and saving their work to the server.
Software programs support classroom curriculum. Examples:
* word processing and draw programs that reinforce beginning math and reading skills,
* mapping software for map skills and geography,
* a timeline program for historical reference,
* skill-specific math software to practice basic math facts,
* interactive reading programs and stories to support reading instruction.
Web sites are previewed and teacher-created web pages assist students in their Internet research. Upper elementary students use online resources as well as our library databases. Digital images are used to enhance creative writing and to document field trips. By fifth grade, students design and present their research in Power Point.