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Curriculum Subject Areas

The following information is presented in an effort to provide an overview of the academic program in the Lower School. Our curriculum evolves with our continuing knowledge of best practices in teaching and learning.

Language Arts

The Lower School language arts curriculum promotes the development of students as readers, writers, speakers and listeners through experiences with meaningful communication. The faculty is committed to maintaining a developmentally appropriate curriculum, the goals of which are to foster children’s ability to use language effectively and to develop a lifelong enthusiasm for reading and writing. We use a variety of approaches in reading instruction, supporting differing rates of development and carefully monitoring the progress of each child. Students are introduced to reading strategies, including the use of picture, context, and phonetic clues, with the focus on reading comprehension. A guided reading program is implemented in first grade. Reading and writing are integrated throughout the day in all content areas. Children are immersed in quality literature beginning in preschool. Students learn about the structure of language, punctuation, and spelling through direct instruction and as they edit and publish written work. Phonetic spelling is encouraged for beginning readers and writers. As children become more skillful with written language, conventional spelling is expected. Students are introduced to the D’Nealian manuscript letter formations beginning in kindergarten. Cursive writing is introduced in grade three. Students use technology as a tool to support research and writing.

Mathematics

The Lower School math curriculum promotes the development of skills and concepts from the concrete to the abstract in keeping with the Standards of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). Primary goals include the development of problem-solving strategies, the acquisition of basic computational skills, and the exploration of numbers in data, patterns, and graphs. As part of everyday mathematical work, students spend time solving equations and exploring meaningful mathematical problems in depth. They communicate their mathematical thinking and problem solving through drawing, writing and conversation.

In preschool, children develop mathematical understanding and number sense through activities that introduce them to early math concepts/strategies. Students in K-4 use the Math Expressionscurriculum. Math Expressions is a second generation National Science Foundation integrated curriculum developed in conjunction with the NCTM Standards. Math enrichment groups supplement the curriculum.

Social Studies

Beginning with self (preschool) and moving to family (kindergarten), community (first and second grade), state (third grade), and nation (fourth grade), the Lower School social studies curriculum develops an understanding of self and one’s relationship to others and to the environment. Throughout the curriculum, students develop an understanding of community, study geography, and celebrate the diversity of our culture. In small group work, discussions, projects, and hands-on activities, social studies is integrated with other curricular areas. Multicultural education is embedded to increase our understanding of other people and cultures, learn and practice skills to live in a diverse community, and recognize opportunities for social response/action. Literature, presentation, research and large/small group activities are primary modes of instruction.

Science

Lower School students explore science concepts through a curriculum that promotes the development of science research skills. Our Real Science program provides opportunities for children to explore the natural world through observation, collection and measurement of data, journal writing, experimentation, inquiry, and prediction. General science concepts are introduced through the study of one broad topic at each grade level, covering life, earth, or physical sciences. In preschool, children explore the natural world (Minnesota through the seasons) and collect age appropriate data that reinforces concepts introduced. Kindergarten students study changing and growing. They learn about their body, what it is made of, how it works, and record measurements of their heart rate, height, and weight. First grade students focus on our ever-changing earth which includes geology; learning about rocks, minerals, fossils, and earth processes. Second grade students study the interdependence of plants with the environment. Students are given opportunities to study the life cycle of plants. They participate in a Journey North field study on the Breck campus. Third grade students explore phenology, the study of plants, animals, and elements as they experience seasonal change.Third graders participate in Project FeederWatch, in conjunction with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Outdoor science sites are visited regularly, and students work in cooperative groups observing and recording change. Fourth grade students study global weather patterns and are introduced to physical science through the study of magnetism and electricity. Students keep science journals and use technology for record keeping, graphing, and summarizing.

Modern Language

The modern language curriculum promotes the development of the effective use of a second language including confidence in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Students enhance their understanding of other cultures in the program. Lower School students begin the study of either Chinese or Spanish in preschool and continue to study this language through the fourth grade. In 2011-12, students in kindergarten, second and fourth grade will study Chinese. Students in preschool, first and third grades will study Spanish. Lower School language classes are taught by native speakers of the language, allowing students to best learn the correct intonations of the language. Students in kindergarten, grade one and grade two spend most of their language class time engaged in speaking and listening as they dance, sing, and listen to the language and engage in conversation with their teachers. Third and fourth grade students experience the language in conversation and written form. Technology is integrated into the modern language program. Students entering the fifth grade may choose to continue their Lower School language or choose from other Middle School language offerings.

Visual Arts

The Visual Arts program encourages personal fulfillment through art experiences as well as an appreciation of the artistic process and the role of art in society. Process is stressed equally with product. Concepts, vocabulary, and technique are all important. The child’s experiences, based on a sequential and developmental time line, include exploring art forms (drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, fibers, jewelry) as well as elements of design such as color, line, shape, form, texture and value. Preschoolers experience visits with the art specialist within the regular classroom with “art on a cart.” Kindergarten through fourth-grade students spend time weekly with the art specialists in the art room. The Lower School Art Show is an annual celebration of young Breck artists.

Music

The Lower School music program introduces students to music’s universal quality as a common bond in our diverse culture. Each grade level works toward mastery of appropriate learner outcomes within the basic concepts of music: melody, rhythm, harmony, form, dynamics, texture, timbre, tempo and movement. Orff-Schulwerk, Kodaly and Dalcroze are methodologies used in music instruction. Students in preschool through grade three attend music classes every other day. Fourth grade students participate in a rotation of instrumental and vocal music classes. Students may take private string or piano lessons, before/after school or during recess, for an additional fee.

Library/Media

The Lower School library/media program is designed to promote the pleasure of reading as a life-long activity. Students read aloud, discuss, and recommend books to each other. Each library period provides time to choose books and read silently. Our media center supports both an open and a scheduled system. Students in preschool through second grade have a regularly scheduled weekly class in the library or classroom with the Media Generalist. Third and fourth grade students participate in an integrated library/research experience. Students may also come to the library any time to do research or browse the collection. The library staff is committed to developing enthusiastic readers who are skilled library users, comfortable using electronic card catalogs and doing on-line research. The media generalist supports research using the Super 3 and Big 6 research processes.

Computer Education

Computer technology is used throughout the Lower School to enhance and support the academic program. The primary focus for preschool, kindergarten and first-grade students is exposure to technology and programs that enhance early learning. Second and third grade students use technology throughout the curriculum with word processing, presentation programs and online research. Students access technology in the classroom with laptop carts and in the Lower School computer lab. Fourth grade students are engaged in the school’s one:one laptop initiative. Technology is integrated throughout the day in all aspects of the curriculum.

Technology Core Values

• Treat your laptop with care.
• Use your laptop for academic work.
• Be honest and respectful in your communications.
• Be responsible for what your create.

Physical Education

The physical education department’s philosophy has four dimensions: to develop appropriate skills, to develop an atmosphere of cooperation and respect, to develop personal confidence, and to instill a healthy sense of well-being. The focus is on individual skill development and lifelong fitness. The curriculum is a carefully planned series of units that spiral from year to year. Lower School students participate in activities in our gym, swimming pool (grades 1-4), skating rink (K-4), and outdoor fields. Units include ball handling, soccer skills, track, gymnastics, aerobic fitness, swimming, ice-skating, and rhythms.  The Five for Life program integrates health, nutrition, and physiology in the physical education curriculum.

Religious Education

The Lower School religion curriculum focuses on the student’s relationship to God, to others, and to service. Stories from literature, the Bible, and our own lives are shared in classrooms and in Chapel worship services, becoming the path to learning about values, God, and religious traditions. We celebrate many faiths and cultures in the hope that through diverse spiritual experiences, we might all come to know God. Students gather for religious education in Chapel services and in their classrooms.

The Social Curriculum

Our C.A.R.E. (Character Always, Respect Everyday) curriculum promotes a safe, respectful community and helps children gain skills in responsibility, respect, friendship, honesty, acceptance and citizenship. Teachers use “Morning Meetings” and daily opportunities to integrate the C.A.R.E. curriculum and the Responsive Classroom program. Throughout Lower School, dimensions of good character are reinforced. Parents support the C.A.R.E program at home and have the opportunity to share ideas at grade-level parent meetings.

Assessment and Evaluation

Assessment and evaluation of Lower School students is an ongoing process involving classroom teachers and support personnel. At each grade level, teachers have developed common assessments to help in the evaluation of student progress. Informal and formal assessment activities include observation, testing, and performance-based evaluation. Portfolios encourage learners to reflect on their growth and to celebrate their progress. Students/teachers share portfolio work with parents.

Standardized tests are administered in kindergarten and grades three and four. In grade three, tests provide practice in standardized test taking and give a profile of class performance. Individual test scores are not recorded or disseminated. Grade four individual test scores are placed in the students’ school records with copies provided to parents. Emerging patterns, which reflect children’s learning styles and strengths, are studied by teachers and support personnel as part of the ongoing evaluation of the curricular program.

Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled in fall and spring. Written progress reports communicate student performance twice during the year, in December and June.

Homework

Regularly scheduled homework extends the learning that takes place at school and gives children an opportunity to develop individual responsibility. We expect parents to provide daily time and encouragement for homework. Note: Parents are advised to monitor/supervise their child’s computer use at home.  Lower School students will not have homework requiring use of the internet.

• Reading independently and/or being read to at home is expected in all grades on a daily basis.
• Students in grade one receive 15-20 minutes of homework three times a week. Students in grade two receive 20-30 minutes of homework four times a week.
• Students in grade three receive 30-40 minutes of homework four nights a week. Students in grade four receive 40-45 minutes of homework four nights a week.

Classrooms will remain locked after school for security reasons. Therefore, students will need to remember all homework and belongings when they leave school at the end of the day.