The Lower School academic program provides a strong foundation
of concepts and skills in the areas of reading, writing, mathematics, social
studies, science, art, world 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 into the reading, social studies
and science curricula. 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 build from year to
year 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. Concepts are taught from concrete to abstract
levels with manipulative materials, texts, workbooks and technology.
The social studies curriculum develops an understanding of
the components of a respectful and nurturing community. Study begins with family,
friendships, and self, and moves out to local, regional 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 supports
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. Each year brings
more complexity to the skills of questioning, observing, hypothesizing and experimenting.
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 important is the affective curriculum which 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.
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 students
work on 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
Guided Reading Leveled Books, Secret Stories, Mosaic of Thought
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. 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.
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, secret
stories, 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, Mo Williams, John Burningham, Ronald Dahl
References and Texts:
Mosaic of Thought, Secret Stories, Guided Reading, Explode The Code, SRA Multiple
Skills Series
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:
Making Math Real, David Berg
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
other cultures 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
LANGUAGE ARTS
The second grade language arts program fosters independent readers and writers
and encourages reading for pleasure. Regular small group and independent reading
of thematically selected texts bolsters reading enjoyment.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 Series
Mosaic of Thought
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 minute, 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 graphs, 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. Citizenship
and community leaders are studied with an emphasis on African-American and female
leaders in American history. 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.
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
The students develop observation, classification, and predictive skills in second
grade, beginning with the study of earth materials in the Pebbles, Sand and
Silt FOSS kit. They build on these skills by doing research and experimentation
throughout the second grade in a year-long study of our local Sausal Creek.
The FOSS kit, Balance and Motion gives the children an opportunity to learn
about physical science through the forces of balance and motion. An introductory
unit on magnification, through the use of hand lenses and compound microscopes,
provides the children with an opportunity to use scientific tools. The year
culminates with a study of life cycles, by watching the growth and development
of silkworms and mealworms. Science is integrated throughout all curriculum
areas.
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)
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)
Mosaic of Thought
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. Computation is also emphasized through
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 and estimation is also taught. Fraction
skills include identifying fraction parts, comparing fractions and finding equivalent
fractions. Facility with time, money and measurement is also developed. Telling
time to the minute, simple elapsed time problems, schedules and the concept
of a.m. and p.m. are covered. Fluency with coins, making change, the decimal
point and computation with money is strengthened. Measurement skills cover non-standard,
standard and metric units of length, weight, volume and temperature. Perimeter,
area and estimation are also introduced. 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:
Making Math Real, David Berg
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
Supplemental materials, math games
SOCIAL STUDIES
The focus of the social studies curriculum examines and builds 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. Particular emphasis is given to Japanese, Hispanic (Latino),
and Chinese immigrants. Units include: Immigration/Emmigration to California,
the San Francisco Earthquake, and the Donner Party. Major themes throughout
the year include the "What does opportunity mean?" 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.
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: the
watercycle, 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:
Social Studies Alive: Our Community and Beyond, Teachers’ Curriculum
Institute
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
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 all other curricular areas. 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)
Daybook (Houghton Mifflin)
Vocabulary for Achievement (Houghton Mifflin)
The Winston Grammar Program (Precious Memories
Educational Resources)
Literature:
Mosaic of Thought
Fourth Grade Rats, Jerry Spinelli
Sing Down the Moon, Scott O’Dell
Journey to Topaz, 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
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
Shiloh, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Rules, Cynthia Lord
Bandit's Moon, Sid Fleischman
The Ballad of Lucy Whipple, Karen Cushman
Riding Freedom, Pam Muñoz Ryan
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
Math Quest (Interact)
SOCIAL STUDIES
Fourth grade social studies is the study of the five land regions of North America.
The year begins with a study of California. past and present. The curriculum
develops through the study of other United States regions with an emphasis on
multiculturalism, globalism and sustainability. Geography skills include the
physical features of the United States. Other areas emphasized are the states
and capitals and mapping skills. Current events are also discussed. The fourth
grade study goes outside with a two-day overnight to Coloma, CA. The year ends
with a culminating report on a state within the USA.
References and Texts:
Time for Kids, Weekly news magazine for students
Atlas (Rand McNally)
Individual student maps
Daily Oral Geography (Houghton Mifflin)
Social Studies Alive: Regions of Our Country (Teacher’s Curriculum
Institute)
Oh, California (Houghton Mifflin)
Understanding California (The California Historical Society)
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 geological
features 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 (Delta)
Simple Machines (Legos)
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.)
Sadlier-Oxford
Making Math Real, David Berg
Math Olympics
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 Mindstorms, involves the building of complex working models that incorporate
lights, sound, motors, switches and sensors, and electrical connections with
programming on computers to control robots. Mini-units on the eye and energy
sources extend the fifth grade studies.
References and Texts:
The Mind That’s Mine, Mel Levine
Computer Program “Robolab” (Lego Dacta)
Mixtures and Solutions (FOSS)
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.
WORLD 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 practice using
the target language in whole group and partner activities, games, songs, and
skits. Visuals, props, realia, and hands-on activities are essential for successful
student involvement. A wide range of language tools is provided to help students
comprehend and 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, ukuleles, 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. Additionally, 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
All Lower School students regularly visit the computer lab. The technology program
strives to prepare media-literate students who can use technological resources
with ease. Creativity is encouraged through art, writing, and recording activities,
and flexible thinking is developed as students apply learned skills to increasingly
complex applications. Students employ a variety of software tools for creating
graphics, slide presentations, text documents, video, animations, and podcasts.
Classroom studies are often reinforced with projects in the computer lab. Software
programs also support classroom curriculum.
Examples:
• problem solving and critical thinking programs that support math, science,
and social studies topics
• interactive activities to develop historical background
• skill-specific math software to practice basic math facts
• interactive phonics and reading software for the younger students
Keyboarding, with proper finger placement, is introduced in first grade and
continues through fifth grade through age appropriate software.
Students begin computer-based research in second grade, practice yearly, and
solidify their skills in three rigorous research cycles in fifth grade. Our
library data bases and teacher-approved web sites assure quality resources,
and an online citation builder helps fourth and fifth graders credit their sources.
Back to main Course Catalog page
Updated February 1, 2011