Lower School
The Lower School consists of a primary continuum (1st and 2nd grades) and an intermediate continuum (3rd and 4th grades). Continuums are mixed age classes that provide children with a natural, real-life sociological setting, allowing children to learn from each other and providing opportunities for cooperative learning. Often, younger students look up to and respect older students as mentors. This reinforces the older students’ knowledge of subjects while increasing their confidence. Continuums also allow teachers to have flexibility to separate children by level of development, thereby meeting all students’ needs.
Children in the primary continuum begin to focus on writing skills and extensive use of oral presentations. The curriculum is integrated based on themes for science and social studies. The children share their theme projects with other students in the school by presenting their studies orally. Additionally, the Everyday Mathematics curriculum is used throughout the Lower School.
Writing continues with the development of more formal skills in the intermediate continuum. All lessons focus on the active process of sense making and knowledge construction. Students experience an extensive, hands-on exposure to science with projects such as the dissection of owl pellets and the building of motors. The intermediate continuum students have kindergarten buddies with whom they read and escort to school-wide functions.
