Lower School Curriculum

• Identification and reviewing of letters, sounds, digraphs, clusters, and blends
• Daily large and small group reading according to individual ability beginning in October
• Phonetic introduction to reading using a multi-sensory approach to word-attack skills
• Reinforcing perceptual skills
• Promoting a love of reading

The reading program is uniquely and carefully designed to allow advanced groupings with great emphasis on phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension.

• Developing listening skills, including listening to books and poetry
• Printing letters and words using the D'Nealian method
• Proofreading
• Beginning expository/creative writing
• Formal spelling

The English program incorporates all aspects of language arts including grammar, creative writing, and expository writing in all grades.

• Place value to hundreds
• Patterning with numbers and shapes
• Relationship of a set to numbers
• One-to-one correspondence
• Extensive use of math manipulatives
• Reading and writing numbers to 100
• Graphing
• Calendaring skills
• Money
• Telling and showing time to the hour and half-hour
• Problem solving
• Addition to 18
• Introduction to subtraction
• Introduction to fractions/measurements

The mathematics program is accelerated and stresses logical thinking, conceptual understanding, and problem solving as well as accurate computation.

• Learning about community including discussions, related projects, community service, and field trips
• Celebrating holidays and holiday customs from around the world
• Welcoming community guests for career exploration
• Learning about farms

The social studies program includes a very strong research program of expository writing with a global perspective.

• Physical Science
  • Pushes and pulls
  • Matter
• Earth Science
  • Sunlight
  • Earth's weather
• Life Science
  • Needs of living things
  • Environments
• Learning scientific process skills
• Understanding lab and safety rules

Science classes are based on explorations in Physical Science, Earth Science, and Life Science and include coordinated lab experiences at all grade levels.

• Development of listening skills
• Following directions in Spanish
• Beginning conversation in Spanish
• Singing songs and playing games to reinforce vocabulary
• Use of visual aids and manipulatives to reinforce content area vocabulary
• Acting out activities
• Beginning decoding skills
• Introduction to writing

Spanish is required at all levels with an emphasis on conversation and correct accent.

• Reading for intellectual, personal, and emotional growth
• Establishing reading behaviors for lifelong learning and growth
• Differentiating between illustrators and authors
• Learning how to use the library including locating books in the labeled bins and early readers

All classes have weekly scheduled library visits and have daily access to the library. Library classes prepare all students for research and technology work.

• iPad usage and care
• Coding including following directions, repetition, and problem solving
• Boolean search logic

All classes have weekly scheduled library visits and have daily access to the library. Library classes prepare all students for research and technology work.

• Drawing and painting from imagination
• Exploring various mediums
• Patterns
• Teacher-directed activities designed to build a strong foundation in:
  • Listening and following directions
  • Developing fine motor and perceptual skills

Art is incorporated into classroom activities as well as in formal instruction. Creativity is encouraged.

• Sensitivity to pulse in music
• Movement games and reaction training
• Exploration of long and short rhythm patterns
• Creative movement
• Differentiating high/low and up/down
• Differentiating fast/slow
• Differentiating vocal qualities including speaking, singing, whispering, and shouting
• Development of independent singing
• Singing games and repertoire
• Preparing solfege intervals
• Unpitched percussion
• Body percussion
• Beginning skills in playing Orff instruments
• Recognizing timbres

Music classes are based on the Orff-Schulwerk approach, integrating movement, speech, song, instrumental play, and creative dramatics. Creative thinking is encouraged and developed through improvisation.

• Growing physical fitness skills
• Exercises developing flexibility, balance, and strength
• Performing sequence of auditory instructions
• Beginning ball handling skills including throwing, catching, and dribbling
• Focus on teamwork, sportsmanship, and playing cooperatively with classmates
• Conflict resolution
• Emphasis on safety

The physical education program is a sequential development of physical, mental, and emotional fitness through basic, creative movement and fun physical activity. 

• Learning respect for self and others including:
  • Courtesy/manners
  • Kindness and dedication to high academic and moral standards
  • Honesty/integrity
  • Tolerance
  • Social skills and friendship
  • Preventing verbal/physical abuse
• Responsibility to self and others including:
  • Independent thinking
  • Service to others
  • A commitment to excellence
• Community service including:
  • Pumpkin decorating for UMC and hospital visits
  • Letters to Air Force troops and performing at the Air Force base
  • Lunar New Year Parade
  • Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF
  • Make-A-Wish
  • Board game donation drive

• Focus on phonics in reading and writing including regular consonants and short and long vowels
• Digraphs and blends
• Continuing development of perceptual skills, vocabulary, structural analysis, and comprehension
• Promotion of independent reading
• Oral reading practice

The reading program is uniquely and carefully designed to allow advanced groupings with great emphasis on phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension.

• Developing D’Nealian manuscript handwriting skills
• Focus on grammar including nouns, verbs, adjectives, complete sentences, usage, and punctuation
• Spelling words and dictation
• Expository and creative writing
• Dictionary skills
• Introduction to research including paragraph writing

The English program incorporates all aspects of language arts including grammar, creative writing, and expository writing in all grades.

• Continuing place value to hundreds
• Geometric shapes, congruency, and lines of symmetry
• Time, calendar, and money
• Measurement including temperature, perimeter, and area
• Odd and even numbers
• Patterning
• Graphing
• Fractions
• Computation including addition and subtraction with/without regrouping
• Quick recalling of addition/subtraction facts

The mathematics program is accelerated and stresses logical thinking, conceptual understanding, and problem solving, as well as accurate computation. 

• The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens
• Using Maps and Globes
• National and State Symbols and Celebrations
• How the Past Shapes our Lives Today
• Goods and Services

The social studies program includes a very strong research program of expository writing with a global perspective.

• Physical Science
  • Sound
  • Light
• Earth Science
  • Sky and Earth
  • Weather and seasons
• Life Science
  • Living things
  • Parents and offspring
• Learning scientific process skills
• Understanding lab and safety rules

Science classes are based on explorations in Physical Science, Earth Science, and Life Science and include coordinated lab experiences at all grade levels.

• Development of listening skills
• Acting out simple conversations
• Vocabulary building
• Use of songs and games to motivate students to use the language and improve pronunciation 
• Introduction to basic grammar
• Cultural awareness

Spanish is required at all levels with an emphasis on conversation and correct accent.

• Reading for intellectual, personal, and emotional growth
• Establishing reading behaviors for lifelong learning and growth
• Learning how to use the library including the location of chapter books, specific picture books, and nonfiction animal books
• Meaning of text through format and text features
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the physical features of reading materials (cover, spine, title page, and end pages)

All classes have weekly scheduled library visits and have daily access to the library. Library classes prepare all students for research and technology work.

• iPad usage
• Coding including multi-step directions, loops, and conditionals
• Boolean search logic

All classes have weekly scheduled library visits and have daily access to the library. Library classes prepare all students for research and technology work.

• Emphasis on creative and self-directed work/following directions
• Painting
• Collage
• Cutting and pasting
• Design
• Experimenting with style/mediums and primary/secondary colors
• Use of mixed mediums

Art is incorporated into classroom activities as well as in formal instruction. Creativity is encouraged.

• Sensitivity to pulse in music
• Differentiation of pulse and rhythm
• Movement games and reaction training
• Tempo
• Creative movement
• Kodaly rhythmic notation
• Independent singing and tone production
• Children's repertoire
• Differentiating high/low and upward/downward melodic contour
• Curwen hand signals (Sol-Mi-La)
• Mallet technique
• Symbolization of same/different phrases
• Simple bordun accompaniments on Orff instruments
• Ostinato accompaniment
• Classification of instrumental timbres
• Vocal qualities
• Forte/piano
• Body percussion
• AB form

Music classes are based on the Orff-Schulwerk approach, integrating movement, speech, song, instrumental play, and creative dramatics. Creative thinking is encouraged and developed through improvisation.

• Growing physical fitness skills
• Directionality (left and right, up and down, forward and backward)
• Eye/hand coordination and ball handling
• Eye/foot coordination
• Manipulative skills (bean bags, hoops)
• Focus on teamwork, sportsmanship, and playing cooperatively with classmates
• Conflict resolution
• Emphasis on safety

The physical education program is a sequential development of physical, mental, and emotional fitness through basic, creative movement and fun physical activity. 

• Learning respect for self and others including:
  • Courtesy/manners
  • Kindness and dedication to high academic and moral standards
  • Honesty/integrity
  • Tolerance
  • Social skills and friendship
  • Preventing verbal/physical abuse
• Responsibility to self and others including:
  • Independent thinking
  • Service to others
  • A commitment to excellence
• Community service, including:
  • Spread the Word Book Drive
  • Holiday cards to veterans
  • Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF
  • Make-A-Wish
  • Board game donation drive

• Continuing development and practice of basic reading, word attack skills, phonics, vocabulary, and structural analysis
• Increased emphasis on comprehension, interpretation, and figurative language
• Reading for pleasure and information
• Using reference materials
• Oral reading twice daily
• Novel Studies and Basal Anthologies
  • A blend of high-quality literature, student centered-discussion, and activities that support reading comprehension, critical thinking, speaking, listening, and writing

The reading program is uniquely and carefully designed to allow advanced groupings with great emphasis on phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension.

• Developing handwriting including manuscript transition to cursive
• Capitalization, simple punctuation, sentence structure, grammar, introduction to parts of speech, and dictionary usage
• Spelling and Dictation
• Expository and creative writing
• Composition including imaginative and factual
• Poetry
• Introduction to note-taking

The English program incorporates all aspects of language arts including grammar, creative writing, and expository writing in all grades.

• Continuing place value to hundred-thousands
• Quick recalling of basic facts
• Multi-digit computation with/without regrouping in addition/subtraction
• Problem solving with addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; estimation
• Graphing
• Roman numerals
• Computation with money and time
• Geometry including area, perimeter, lines, angles, and polygons
• Measurement including standard and non-standard units, temperature
• Squares/square roots
• Fractions

The mathematics program is accelerated and stresses logical thinking, conceptual understanding, and problem solving as well as accurate computation. 

• Learning about communities and how they change
• Geographical features/influences
• Environmental awareness
• Culture
• Map skills
• Government
• Citizenship

The social studies program includes a very strong research program of expository writing, especially history and geography. 

• Physical Science
  • Properties of matter
  • Changing matter
• Earth Science
  • Earth's water and land
  • Earth's processes
• Life Science
  • Plants and animals
  • Habitats
• Learning scientific process skills
• Understanding lab and safety rules
• Introduction to lab equipment 

Science classes are based on explorations in Physical Science, Earth Science, and Life Science and includes coordinated lab experiences at all grade levels.

• Development of listening skills
• Acting out simple conversations
• Continuing vocabulary building
• Introduction of basic grammatical concepts through meaningful context
• Reading of short dialogues
• Forming simple questions and sentences to express feelings, describe nouns, and identify actions
• Regular verb conjugation and its application
• Identifying Spanish-speaking countries

Spanish is required at all levels with emphasis on conversation and correct accent.

• Reading for intellectual, personal, and emotional growth
  • Using selection criteria (e.g., interest, content) when choosing materials for a defined purpose
• Establishing reading behaviors for lifelong learning and growth
• Differentiating between literary (fiction) and informational (non-fiction) text
• Learning how to use the library including
  • Searching for books using the computer search engine and then finding them
  • Learning how the nonfiction section is organized for use (Dewey Decimal System)

• Digital Citizenship
• Chromebook usage
• Google Applications basics
• Learning about passwords and safety
• Logging in
• Typing
  • Keyboarding with a focus on home row and finger placement
• Coding
  • Programming multi-step directions
  • Learning block coding

• Emphasis on creative and self-directed work/following directions
• Painting
• Collage
• Cutting and pasting
• Design
• Experimenting with style/mediums and primary/secondary colors
• Use of mixed mediums

Art is incorporated into classroom activities as well as in formal instruction. Creativity is encouraged.

• Sensitivity to pulse in music
• Differentiating pulse and rhythm
• Movement games-reaction training
• Creative movement
• Kodaly rhythmic notation
• Time signatures
• Differentiating high/low; upward/downward melodic contour
• Vocal technique and production
• Children's repertoire 
• Curwen hand signals (Sol-Mi-La)
• Three-line staff
• Mallet technique
• Symbolization of same/different phrases
• Simple bordun accompaniments on Orff instruments
• Ostinato accompaniment
• Pitched instrument classification
• Hand drum technique
• Coda
• ABC form
• Bar line/double bar line
• Classification of instrumental timbres

Music classes are based on the Orff-Schulwerk approach, integrating movement, speech, song, instrumental play, and creative dramatics. Creative thinking is encouraged and developed through improvisation.

• Growing physical fitness skills
• Performing locomotor and non‑locomotor skills successfully
• Developing sequential skills
• Relays
• Lead-up games
• Focus on teamwork, sportsmanship, and playing cooperatively with classmates
• Conflict resolution
• Emphasis on safety

The physical education program is a sequential development of physical, mental, and emotional fitness through basic, creative movement and fun physical activity. 

• Learning respect for self and others including:
  • Courtesy/manners
  • Kindness and dedication to high academic and moral standards
  • Honesty/integrity
  • Tolerance
  • Social skills and friendship
  • Preventing verbal/physical abuse
• Responsibility to self and others including:
  • Independent thinking
  • Service to others
  • A commitment to excellence
• Community service, including:
  • Bake sale to benefit NSPCA
  • Performing at retirement homes
  • Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF
  • Make-A-Wish
  • Board game donation drive

• Continuing development of word attack skills
• Increasing emphasis on:
  • Drawing inferences
  • Interpretation/comprehension
  • Critical thinking
  • Oral expression
• Independent reading of quality literature
• Story elements including character, setting, problem, and solution
• Oral reading twice daily
• Novel Studies and Basal Anthologies
  • A blend of high-quality literature, student centered-discussion, and activities that support reading comprehension, critical thinking, speaking, listening, and writing

• Cursive handwriting
• Creative writing/poetry
• Expository writing for research papers
  • Sentence/paragraph structure
  • Organizational skills
  • Note-taking for rough draft
• Spelling and dictation sentences
• Oral presentations
• Punctuation/capitalization
• Parts of speech
• Essay format for test questions

The English program incorporates all aspects of language arts including grammar, creative writing, and expository writing in all grades.

• Continuing place value to hundred millions
• Computation including money and time
• Multi-digit addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
• Problem solving, logic, and probability
• Time
• Polygons and three-dimensional objects
• Measurement/area/liquid measure/perimeter/reading scales
• Fractions, decimals, and equivalent (addition, subtraction, and multiplication)
• Percentages
• Exponents
• Squares and square roots
• Estimating; averaging and rounding
• Making change
• Metric and English system

The mathematics program is accelerated and stresses logical thinking, conceptual understanding, and problem solving, as well as accurate computation. 

• Local, state, and federal government; citizenship
• Ancient civilizations
• Communities including urban, suburban, and rural
• American history
• Timelines, graphs, tables, and charts
• Conservation issues
• Geography including map and globe skills
• American ideals, symbols, holidays, commerce, and economy
• Introduction to essay test-taking
• Third Grade Trade
  • Students design a mini-store to barter and trade used items

The social studies program includes a very strong research program of expository writing, especially history and geography. 

• Physical Science
  • Motion and forces
  • Electricity and magnetism
• Earth Science
  • Weather
  • Climate
• Life Science
  • Life cycles and traits
  • Adaptations and survival 
  • Fossil evidence
• Learning scientific process skills
• Understanding lab and safety rules
• Usage of lab equipment 

Science classes are based on explorations in Physical Science, Earth Science, and Life Science and includes coordinated lab experiences at all grade levels.

• Continuing vocabulary building
• Asking and answering questions
• Acting out stories
• Describing people, places, and things
• Expressing likes, dislikes, and preferences
• Reading of short passages
• Writing of short paragraphs
• Spanish-speaking countries
• Continuation of regular verb conjugation
• Introduction to irregular verb conjugation

Spanish is required at all levels with emphasis on conversation and correct accent.

• Reading for intellectual, personal, and emotional growth
  • Use selection criteria (e.g., interest, content) when choosing materials for a defined purpose
• Establishing reading behaviors for lifelong learning and growth
• Introduction of novels
• Learning how to use the library
  • Navigating the fiction section
  • Locating nonfiction books relevant to research topics

All classes have weekly scheduled library visits and have daily access to the library. Library classes prepare all students for research and technology work.

• Digital Citizenship
• Chromebook usage
• Google Applications continued and skill mastery
  • Google Forms
  • Google Drawing
  • Google Slides
  • Google Docs
• Introduction to online databases
• Typing
  • Keyboard with focus on all letters and finger placement
• Coding
  • Advanced block coding
  • Programming multi-step directions

All classes have weekly scheduled library visits and have daily access to the library. Library classes prepare all students for research and technology work.

• Integrated fine arts
• Art appreciation
• Still life
• Self-portraits
• Elements of design
• Variety of mediums

Art is incorporated into classroom activities as well as in formal instruction. Creativity is encouraged.

• Sensitivity to pulse in music
• Differentiation of pulse and rhythm
• Movement games-reaction training-folk dance
• Creative movement
• Kodaly rhythmic notation
• Time signatures
• Conducting patterns
• Question/answer technique
• Vocal technique and production
• Children's repertoire
• Curwen hand signals (Do-Re-Mi-Fa-Sol-La-Ti-Do)
• Five-line staff
• Musical alphabet-treble clef lines and spaces
• Mallet technique
• Score reading
• Canon
• Crescendo/decrescendo
• Orchestral families
• Fermata
• Symbolization of simple forms (AB, ABA)
• Simple bordun accompaniments on Orff instruments
• Ostinato accompaniment
• Pentatonic improvisation and mirroring
• Classification of instrumental timbres

Music classes are based on the Orff-Schulwerk approach, integrating movement, speech, song, instrumental play, and creative dramatics. Creative thinking is encouraged and developed through improvisation.

• Growing physical fitness skills with limited physical fitness testing
• Perform locomotor and non‑locomotor skills
• Receptive motor skill development
• Lead‑up games skill instruction for basketball, volleyball, badminton, hockey, football, and soccer
• Exercising
• Focus on teamwork, sportsmanship, and playing cooperatively with classmates
• Conflict resolution and decision making
• Emphasis on safety

The physical education program is a sequential development of physical, mental, and emotional fitness through basic, creative movement and fun physical activity. 

• Learning respect for self and others including:
  • Courtesy/manners
  • Kindness and dedication to high academic and moral standards
  • Honesty/integrity
  • Tolerance
  • Social skills and friendship
  • Preventing verbal/physical abuse
• Responsibility to self and others including:
  • Independent thinking
  • Service to others
  • A commitment to excellence
• Community service, including:
  • Three Square Food Drive
  • Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF
  • Make-A-Wish
  • Board game donation drive

• Daily oral reading and literature discussion
• Independent reading in a variety of genres
• Reading short stories, poetry, drama, and mythology
• Structured reading and skill building
• Increasing emphasis on using inference and context clues
• Vocabulary and comprehension–literal to critical
• Novel Studies and Basal Anthologies
  • A blend of high-quality literature, student centered-discussion, and activities that support reading comprehension, critical thinking, speaking, listening, and writing

• Penmanship
• Vocabulary and spelling
• Oral presentations
• Study skills
• Grammar including parts of speech and word usage
• Punctuation and capitalization
• Creative writing including poetry
• Analogies
• Use of dictionary and digital or print reference books
• Paragraphs and multi-paragraph essays
• Composition and report writing
• The writing process including proofreading, editing, and revising

The English program incorporates all aspects of language arts including grammar, creative writing, and expository writing in all grades.

• Problem solving and word problems
• Computation including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division including fractions and decimals
• Equivalent decimals, percents, and fractions
• Geometry including geometric solids, perimeter area, volume, lines, angles, and circles
• Measurement–U.S. customary and metric
• Reading and drawing charts, graphs, and tables
• Ratio, proportion, probability and chance
• Exponents and square roots
• Introduction of integers

The mathematics program is accelerated and stresses logical thinking, conceptual understanding, and problem solving, as well as accurate computation. 

• Overview of the five regions of the United States:
  • Geography 
  • Early history 
  • Growth 
  • Life in each region 
• Study of Nevada
  • Geography
  • Natural resources
  • Early history
  • First people
  • Life in Nevada today
• Greek mythology

The social studies program includes a very strong research program of expository writing, especially history and geography. 

• Physical Science
  • Energy and motion
  • Human uses of energy
  • Waves and information
• Earth Science
  • Earth's features
  • Earth's natural hazards
  • The history of planet Earth
• Life Science
  • Structures and functions
  • Human body systems
• Science and engineering practices
• Learning scientific process skills
• Understanding lab and safety rules
• Usage of lab equipment 

Science classes are based on explorations in Physical Science, Earth Science, and Life Science and includes coordinated lab experiences at all grade levels.

• Continuing vocabulary building
• Requesting and providing information on a number of topics
• Acting out stories
• Holding short dialogues
• Expressing wants and making requests
• Reading of longer passages
• Writing of short paragraphs

Spanish is required at all levels with emphasis on conversation and correct accent.

• Reading for intellectual, personal, and emotional growth
  • Use selection criteria (e.g., interest, content) when choosing materials for a defined purpose
• Establishing reading behaviors for lifelong learning and growth
  • Exploring what ignites a love of reading for each student
• Identifying personal reading preferences
  • Authors and genres of interest
• Learning how to use the library
  • Choosing nonfiction books relevant to research topics
  • Locating books appropriate for kindergarten buddy

All classes have weekly scheduled library visits and have daily access to the library. Library classes prepare all students for research and technology work.

• Digital Citizenship
• Laptop usage
  • Using the library website for research
  • Syncing Google Chrome
  • How to log in
• Online databases
  • Choosing the database most appropriate for a given research topic
• Google Applications continued and skill mastery
  • Google Docs
  • Google Slides
  • Google Drawing 
  • Google Forms
• Typing
  • Complete typing lessons
• Coding
  • Begin learning coding language to parallel block coding

All classes have weekly scheduled library visits and have daily access to the library. Library classes prepare all students for research and technology work.

• Drawing/sketching
• Still life; landscapes
• Printing
• Reproduction of design
• Perspective
• Watercolors and pastels
• Illustration

Art is incorporated into classroom activities as well as in formal instruction. Creativity is encouraged.

• Sensitivity to pulse in music
• Differentiation of pulse and rhythm
• Reaction training-folk dance-creative movement
• Kodaly rhythmic notation
• Conducting
• Question/answer technique
• Accelerando/Ritardando
• Children's repertoire
• Vocal technique and production
• Curwen hand signals
• Musical alphabet-treble clef lines and spaces
• Soprano recorder
• Canon
• Mallet technique
• Symbolization of simple and extended forms (AB, ABA, AABA, ABC, Rondo)
• Simple bordun, moving bordun, tonic and chord accompaniments on Orff instruments
• Orchestral families
• Recorder family
• Pianissimo/Fortissimo
• Pentatonic improvisation and mirroring
• Score reading
• Classification of instrumental timbres

Music classes are based on the Orff-Schulwerk approach, integrating movement, speech, song, instrumental play, and creative dramatics. Creative thinking is encouraged and developed through improvisation.

• Growing physical fitness skills 
• Specialized perceptual motor development
• Throwing, catching, kicking, dribbling
• Lead-up games
• Focus on teamwork, sportsmanship, and playing cooperatively with classmates
• Conflict resolution and decision making
• Emphasis on safety

The physical education program is a sequential development of physical, mental, and emotional fitness through basic, creative movement and fun physical activity. 

• Learning respect for self and others including:
  • Courtesy/manners
  • Kindness and dedication to high academic and moral standards
  • Honesty/integrity
  • Tolerance
  • Social skills and friendship
  • Preventing verbal/physical abuse
• Responsibility to self and others including:
  • Independent thinking
  • Service to others
  • A commitment to excellence
• Community service including:
  • Operation Smile candy drive for troops
  • Letters to Army troops
  • Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF
  • Make-A-Wish
  • Board game donation drive

• Structured reading with skill building to add comprehension
• Independent Reading Program
• Use of a basal anthology
• Reading/studying novels
• Emphasis on inferential skills
• Reading correlated with other curricular areas
• Daily oral reading/discussion
• Novel Studies and Basal Anthologies
  • A blend of high-quality literature, student centered-discussion, and activities that support reading comprehension, critical thinking, speaking, listening, and writing

• Composition and report writing
• Vocabulary using Wordly Wise 
• Creative writing including fantasy and fact and poetry
• Grammar including nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, and conjunctions
• Diagramming Sentences
• Punctuation, capitalization, and penmanship
• Study skills and organization
• Oral language and speech

The English program incorporates all aspects of language arts including grammar, creative writing, and expository writing in all grades.

• Computation including properties, numeration, rational numbers, Roman numerals, and decimals
• Geometry
• Problem Solving
• Metric measurement
• Patterns and sequencing 
• Graphing
• Area and perimeter
• Data analysis
• Probability
• Review of fundamental operations
• Whole numbers, fractions, decimals, estimation, statistics, percentages, prime numbers, square roots, and integers
• Using a compass and protractor

The mathematics program is accelerated and stresses logical thinking, conceptual understanding, and problem solving, as well as accurate computation.

• United States history, government, and economy
• Geography and research skills including atlas, graphs, diagrams, and tables
• Early explorers and American heroes
• Major current events
• Motivation/attitudes of people
• Propaganda
• Religious freedom/persecution
• Citizenship
• Civics: the Great American Pride Program
  • Award given to all fifth graders who complete the following requirements:
    • Recite the Gettysburg Address
    • Recite the names of the 45 presidents in order by the date office was held
    • Locate and spell correctly the states and capitals on a map
    • Recite or sing the National Anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner"
    • Recite the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States
    • Write the Pledge of Allegiance

The social studies program includes a very strong research program of expository writing, especially history and geography. 

• Physical Science
  • Properties of matter
  • Changes in matter
• Earth Science
  • Earth's systems
  • Earth's water
  • Human impact on Earth's systems
  • Solar system
  • Patterns in space
• Life Science
  • Energy and food
  • Matter and energy in ecosystems 
• Science and engineering practices
• Learning scientific process skills
• Understanding lab and safety rules
• Usage of lab equipment 

Science classes are based on explorations in Physical Science, Earth Science, and Life Science and includes coordinated lab experiences at all grade levels.

• Continuing vocabulary building
• Continuing development of conversational skills in a variety of topics
• Describing people, places, things, and activities using the correct verb forms in the present tense, present progressive, noun/adjective agreement, and expressions of comparison
• Introduction to past tense
• Discussing obligations, schedules, and plans
• Comparing cultures
• Short presentation using vocabulary about school, sports, family
• Comparing the different cultures of Spanish-speaking countries

Spanish is required at all levels with emphasis on conversation and correct accent.

• Reading for intellectual, personal, and emotional growth 
  • Use selection criteria (e.g., interest, content) when choosing materials for a defined purpose
• Establishing reading behaviors for lifelong learning and growth
• Identifying author intent and purpose beyond the book itself
  • Engaging in discussion regarding what events were going at the time a book was written and why the author thought the topic was relevant 
  • Analyzing titles from authors and discussing common themes and/or characters
• Learning how to use the library
  • Identifying the best books for research

All classes have weekly scheduled library visits and have daily access to the library. Library classes prepare all students for research and technology work.

• Digital Citizenship
• Laptop Usage
  • Troubleshooting basic issues
  • Syncing Google Chrome
• Online databases
  • Choosing the database most appropriate for a given research topic
• Google Applications
  • Combined use of applications
    • Google Docs
    • Google Slides
    • Google Drawing 
    • Google Forms
    • Google Sheets
• Typing
  • Using the computer without keyboard letter visibility
• Coding
  • Continuing with coding language

All classes have weekly scheduled library visits and have daily access to the library. Library classes prepare all students for research and technology work.

• Chalks, watercolors, and pencils
• Maps
• Scale drawing
• Contour, abstract, and concrete drawing
• Depth perception and shadowing
• 3-dimensional patterning

Art is incorporated into classroom activities as well as in formal instruction. Creativity is encouraged.

• Sensitivity to pulse in music
• Reaction training-folk dance-creative movement
• Kodaly rhythmic notation
• Question/answer technique
• Musical alphabet-treble clef lines and spaces
• Soprano recorder
• Canon
• Symbolization of extended and larger forms (AB, ABA, AABA, ABC, Rondo, Theme and Variations)
• Simple bordun, moving bordun, tonic and chord accompaniments on Orff instruments
• Classification of instrumental timbres
• Differentiation of pulse and rhythm
• Conducting
• Mixed meter and uneven meters
• Children's repertoire
• Vocal technique and production
• Melodic intervals
• Treble clef, note names, and leger lines
• Counter-melody and descant
• Mode experience
• Mallet technique
• Chord change accompaniment
• Ostinato accompaniment
• Partner songs
• Orchestral families
• Mezzo forte/Mezzo piano
• Expression, emotion, mirror, and shadowing
• Score reading
• Theme and variations

Music classes are based on the Orff-Schulwerk approach, integrating movement, speech, song, instrumental play, and creative dramatics. Creative thinking is encouraged and developed through improvisation.

• Growing physical fitness skills 
• Skill instruction: lead-up games for various sports
• Application of concepts to motor skill development
• Cardio and strength training through game playing
• Experience positive feelings of success, no matter the skill level
• Focus on teamwork, sportsmanship, and playing cooperatively with classmates
• Conflict resolution and decision making
• Emphasis on safety

The physical education program is a sequential development of physical, mental, and emotional fitness through basic, creative movement and fun physical activity. 

• Learning respect for self and others including:
  • Courtesy/manners
  • Kindness and dedication to high academic and moral standards
  • Honesty/integrity
  • Tolerance
  • Social skills and friendship
  • Preventing verbal/physical abuse
• Responsibility to self and others including:
  • Independent thinking
  • Service to others
  • A commitment to excellence
• Community service including:
  • Recycling
  • Pen pals with retirement home residents
  • Floyd Lamb State Park clean-up
  • Lunar New Year Parade
  • Running Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF
  • Make-A-Wish
  • Board game donation drive