Lower School

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 how to conduct research for their classroom projects, social studies lessons, and science classes. 

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.  

Godly Play allows children to explore the mystery of God’s presence, finding direction in their lives, and making meaning through story, wonder, and play. Students explore core stories, expanded core stories, and enrichment stories that continue to stretch our students' biblical knowledge. Lower school students serve as acolytes or readers in chapel services, roles they prepare for in Religion. As part of our Episcopal identity of welcoming other faiths, students learn about other religious observances incorporated throughout the year.

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.

Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) are integrated into problem and project based learning using Project Lead the Way, fostering a love for STEAM by engaging students in hands-on, interdisciplinary projects that develop critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and creativity. The program support these goals through real-world problems and scaffolded learning. Additionally, STEAM includes elements of digital citizenship, teaching students responsible and ethical use of technology, and introduces coding to build foundation programming skills, further enhancing their technological literacy and preparing them for future STEAM opportunities.