Enrichment Courses

Art surrounds our youngest students throughout the school year. Students work on art projects in their classrooms throughout their time in Primary School. Formal art classes begin in kindergarten with the introduction of new art mediums, and artist studies—Renaissance for the 1st trimester, Impressionism for the 2nd trimester, and Modernism for the 3rd trimester. 

Explorers, Seekers, and Preschool 3s enjoy library classes, during which they listen to a variety of stories, sing songs, retell stories, and recite nursery rhymes or poems. Three-year-olds begin to learn literacy skills such as making predictions about stories, making connections between books, and discussing characters.

In pre-K and kindergarten, students continue to listen to stories from different genres, sing songs, retell and reenact stories, and recite rhymes and poems. Literacy skills are expanded and include group discussions about books. Students also begin to learn how to navigate the library in order to choose and check out books. In kindergarten, students begin to learn research skills by using online databases.

Explorers, Seekers, Preschool 3s, and Pre-K: The music program in the first years of Primary School engages students in the earliest exploration of musical understanding, including tuneful singing, beat competency, listening skills, and instrument skills. Through organized lessons and the use of manipulative materials such as puppets, scarves, parachutes, and books, students explore music and develop their own musical abilities. They practice body awareness, self-control, and emotional regulation while singing and moving to a wide repertoire of seasonal songs. Starting in Preschool 3s, students perform in the Primary School Christmas Pageant. 

Kindergarten: Kindergarten students continue their musicianship journey with further practice of tuneful singing, beat competency, listening skills, and instrument skills. The kindergarten year sets the foundation for a multi-year music curriculum that will continue throughout Lower School. During this year, students will learn to differentiate between musical opposites such as singing voice and speaking voice, loud and soft, fast and slow, high and low chanting and melodies, and beat and rhythm. Through songs, singing games, classroom activities, and the use of manipulatives, Music exposes students to a wide repertoire of seasonal songs and musical experiences. Kindergarten students perform in the Primary School Christmas Pageant.

The PE program for Explorers, Seekers, and Preschool 3s focuses on fine and gross motor skills and finding joy through movement. All skills are worked consistently throughout the entire year, including body and tactile awareness, motor skills, and locomotor skills. The Preschool 3s program includes more fine motor skill development, traveling with body awareness, balancing, and participating in group activities. Students at this age take PE twice a week.

Pre-K and kindergarten students continue to develop motor skills and movement patterns needed to perform various physical activities. These skills include traveling in different directions at different speeds, throwing, catching, kicking, hand-eye coordination, and sequencing movements. They also begin to learn physical fitness concepts such as stretching and elevating their heart rate. Pre-K and kindergarten students learn and play a variety of games and participate in fun obstacle courses to practice movement, experience winning and losing, setting goals, and following directions.

The Religion curriculum aims to provide a foundation in the Christian faith while recognizing the diversity of our students. As an Episcopal school we welcome students of all faiths and encourage the sharing of religious traditions. The inclusive nature of St. Mark’s creates a deeper respect for denominational differences and different religious beliefs as students share their own faith experiences. The objective of religious education at St. Mark’s is to help students experience and realize the spiritual dimension of life.

Explorers, Seekers, and Preschool 3s: Religion classes in the early childhood years use the Frolic Nursery preschool curriculum. Frolic Nursery explores faith concepts through storytelling, interactive activities, music, and prayers to nurture faith through play. Each week, lessons follow the same process with a time to gather and share, play songs, listen to stories, and engage in a creative play space. This curriculum provides an age-appropriate introduction of faith concepts and offers consistency of routine for children.

Pre-K and Kindergarten: Primary School students have religion class weekly throughout the year. The Godly Play curriculum is a creative, imaginative, Montessori-based approach to religious education that spirals over three years, allowing children to explore the mystery of God’s presence, find direction in their lives, and make meaning through story, wonder, and play. As part of the Episcopal identity of welcoming other faiths, students learn about other religious observances incorporated throughout the year. 

Students in Primary School are introduced to the Spanish language through play and discovery. Young learners explore Spanish through the use of songs, rhymes, games, manipulatives, and stories. The focus for early language learners is the element of repetitive, simple, and comprehensible language through the use of context. Simple words and phrases when connected with movement, music, and visuals provide an excellent means for early language learners to begin their introduction to a second language. Primary School students are provided song books, manipulatives, games, and activities. Students learn about Spanish culture, as well as many seasonal words and phrases. Spanish classes incorporate thematic vocabulary and concepts used in students’ daily classroom learning, helping to develop a cross-curricular understanding for students as they learn elements of a new language.

Computer Science classes begin in pre-K, where students participate in a robotics program using KIBO robots. Students develop computational thinking skills as they learn what a robot is, about the symbols that make up KIBO’s programming language, and that a program is a sequence of instructions. Students use sequencing and decomposition to create programs for KIBO and algorithms with sequencing and decomposition, and learn how to debug programs. Students are introduced to the engineering design process and work collaboratively to create “debugging challenges” for each other.

Students begin using iPads in kindergarten, which they learn to safely and effectively navigate, and participate in digital citizenship lessons focused on responsibility and safety. Students practice research skills through online databases and use Wixie, a creativity application, to create projects demonstrating their learning. Kindergarteners learn coding basics using Kibo Robots and apps such as Kodable. They learn programming and debugging skills using block-based puzzles, sequencing commands in a logical order, and practicing loops.

1st and 2nd grade students attend art class once every six days, where they learn about artists and art techniques and produce works of their own. Some of the elements of art they learn include line, shape, color, texture, and form, and the principles of design, including emphasis, repetition/pattern, and balance, in nature and human-made environments. Students practice each technique or element they learn, and often create artwork in the style of notable artists. In addition, they create seasonal art and have many opportunities to make choices about how or what they create. Students learn creative problem-solving skills and explore a wide variety of art mediums. Each trimester, students will focus on one time period in art history—Renaissance for the 1st trimester, Impressionism for the 2nd trimester, and Modernism for the 3rd trimester. 

Lower School students attend Library class one time every six days, but are welcomed into the Library to explore and check out books several times each week. The school librarians love working with students to help them select diverse books from the robust collection. Lower School Library classes teach library skills, literacy skills, and research skills. Students learn skills needed to enjoy and navigate the library, such as using the catalog to search for books and place holds, checking books in and out, finding books in the library using alphabetical order or call numbers, and why and how books are shelved by topic in libraries. Literacy skills include listening to and learning about many genres and types of books as well as features of books. Students study award-winning authors and illustrators, and develop an awareness of characteristics unique to selected authors’ or illustrators’ books. They also learn research skills in Library classes that help them conduct research for their classroom projects, social studies lessons, and science classes. Students explore and practice using a variety of print and digital resources, including PebbleGo and World Book Online. Our Lower School librarian partners with classroom teachers to help students develop basic concepts of citing sources in 1st and 2nd grade, and independently cite sources by 3rd and 4th grade.

Lower School students attend Music class twice every six days. Our Lower School music classes follow the Kodály Today curriculum, a sequenced program emphasizing singing, music literacy, and musicianship skills. Musical elements such as pitches and rhythms are prepared, presented, and practiced through a multi-year sequence, allowing students to gain greater literacy skills. Students develop musicianship through singing, playing instruments, movement and folk dancing, using manipulatives, reading music, improvising, composing, and performing. Students perform for the school community at holiday chapel services and spring concerts, and they learn performance skills and audience manners in preparation for these exciting events.  

Lower School students attend PE classes twice every six days. In PE, students learn form and technique for many physical skills such as running, throwing, and catching. They learn about good sportsmanship, strategizing with others, and working as part of a team. Formal rules of several sports, including basketball, soccer, and volleyball, are taught and practiced. Students participate in games that involve individual competition, group competition, and cooperation. 

In addition to PE, Lower School students have athletic opportunities in the fall, winter, and spring to play on competitive sports teams including soccer, bounce ball, and basketball. These teams are open to all students without tryouts, and they practice and compete after school or on the weekends.

Our Episcopal identity is at the heart of our school. In addition to attending chapel service each week, students attend Religion classes. Our Religion class employs the Godly Play curriculum, a creative, imaginative, Montessori-based approach to religious education. Children explore the mystery of God’s presence, finding direction in their lives, and making meaning through story, wonder, and play. The Godly Play curriculum is a three-year, spiral curriculum. Within this time, students explore core stories, expanded core stories, and enrichment stories that continue to stretch our student’s biblical knowledge. Lower School students serve as acolytes or readers in chapel services, roles they prepare for during Religion class. As part of our Episcopal identity of welcoming other faiths, students learn about other religious observances incorporated throughout the year.

Lower School students build their communicative competence in the Spanish language through listening, speaking, reading, writing, and cultural activities. Meaningful communication is achieved through the use of TPR (Total Physical Response), which combines gestures with words to assist with comprehension in young students’ minds.  Social studies, science, language arts, and math topics are integrated into Spanish class, which help students review academic concepts while also acquiring the Spanish language. Students enjoy creating artwork, singing songs, dramatization, and movement to deepen their understanding of the Spanish language and Spanish-speaking cultures and celebrations.

Lower School Computer Science teaches students how to safely and effectively navigate technology devices, learn through using technology, share their learning using technology, and code. Students participate in lessons about digital citizenship, learning how to be safe, respectful, and responsible online. They learn how to use functions and features of iPads, apps, and websites. They also learn how to use several apps to conduct research, and practice research skills by working on social studies or science projects. Research apps include online encyclopedias, databases, Google Earth, and online books. Students learn a variety of ways to organize and present information using technology such as Google Docs, Google Drawing, and Google Slides. They use Wixie to create presentations including both visual and auditory components. Students build their typing skills by participating in the TypingClub web app lessons throughout the year. As we move further into technology education, students develop computational thinking skills in preparation for learning to write code and solve other problems.

In Art, middle school students learn about artists and art movements. They acquire art techniques and art vocabulary. Students have opportunities to think creatively and produce artwork using the skills they develop in class. Each trimester, they will focus on one time period in art history—Renaissance for the 1st trimester, Impressionism for the 2nd trimester, and Modernism for the 3rd trimester. In addition to studying the great masters in art, students will be exposed to contemporary art and local Houston artists. They develop creative problem-solving skills and explore a wide variety of art mediums to prepare them for high school and beyond.

Throughout the year, 5th graders experience a wide range of genres and books by a variety of authors. There are several opportunities for read-alouds, reading challenges, author visits, and checkout of books for independent reading. Students become proficient users of the school's suite of online databases and online catalog. Much of the year, the focus is on independent research, which culminates with an essay, bibliography, and presentation using stop motion. Study skills topics taught in Library are aimed to help students remain organized across their academic lives and include using a planner, organizing a home study space, time management, test-taking tips, and active listening. Students round out the year with a trimester experiencing the Tinker Lab, which includes creating and building using mediums such as 3D printing, textiles, woodworking, and a wide variety of technologies and building materials.

6th through 8th graders utilize the library for a variety of research projects, through classes, and for their own reading goals. Each of these grades participates in an open library rotation throughout their week, and can visit the library independently at different times throughout the school day.

In Music, middle school students focus on reading music and learning a variety of instruments, including the recorder, glockenspiel, chimes, ukulele, and ocarina. Music class teaches students to effectively read music in both treble and bass clefs. Students have opportunities to sight-read, perform in small and whole group ensembles, and engage in competition for chair positions. Along with playing instruments, students also learn various vocal techniques, musical styles, and composer and music history. In Choir, a middle school elective, students perform on and off campus and have the opportunity to audition for local and national honor choirs. 

Throughout the middle school PE experience, students are exposed to a variety of games and activities. PE units follow the seasons of middle school sports and offer students a foundational skill set for participating in athletics. Students also learn the importance of, and benefits around, exercising for a healthy lifestyle. They discuss muscle groups and how they are activated with different activities. In addition to PE classes, middle school students have athletic opportunities in the fall, winter, and spring to play on competitive sports teams.

5th Grade Religion is an introduction to the study of the Old Testament of the Judeo-Christian Bible. The course begins with an introduction to the history and structure of the Bible and an exploration of the connection between science and faith. Creation stories in the Bible and other world religions are examined, allowing students to form an understanding of how religious texts help to create cultural and spiritual understanding and meaning. The majority of the course is spent learning about the major narrative elements of the biblical story. Students gain an understanding of the major events, people, and geography of the biblical narrative.

In 6th grade, students take a survey course of the New Testament, focusing particularly on the life of Jesus. They learn to think critically about the stories in the Bible, while examining the historical, cultural, and theological history of what they are reading. Students engage with one another through inquiry, group projects, and various thinking routines. Students also learn about the influence of Christianity in our modern world and its application to social issues.

In 7th grade, students study world religions with an emphasis on Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Sikhism. Using the "belief, behavior, belonging" framework, students will understand that all religions are internally diverse, dynamic, changing, and embedded in culture. The course begins with a study of the nature of religion and how religion has developed and changed over time. Students will study each of the six largest world religions through source texts, class discussion, and project-based learning. The aim of the course is to help students understand the role of religion as an important factor in understanding society and forming community.

In Technology class in middle school, students become digital learners. Since students in middle school bring their device to every class, they begin the year learning how to utilize their iPad and become a successful student-learner. It is important for students to understand the uses of the productivity apps in order to properly communicate with their teachers and maintain organization. In addition, they continue to enhance their typing skills by improving their accuracy and words per minute. Students learn about digital citizenship and how to be aware of forming media balance in their lives, as well as proper communication across media platforms with peers and other users. The remainder of the year, they participate in individual and collaborative projects that allow them to explore the various Google Suite applications, engage in meaningful conversations about the functionality of these apps, and learn how to problem-solve issues as they arise. Lastly, throughout the year, students build on their problem-solving skills by participating in various levels of reading and writing code.