Lower School

The Lower School literacy curriculum promotes the development of students as readers, writers, speakers and listeners through experiences with meaningful communication. The faculty is committed to fostering children’s ability to use language effectively and to develop a lifelong enthusiasm for reading and writing.  Our program uses research-informed practices, including the science of reading. Instruction includes the five pillars of reading as identified by the National Reading Panel: phonics, phonemic awareness, comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency. Students in grades kindergarten through fourth grade participate in structured, systematic phonics instruction using the Sonday curriculum. Early childhood classrooms incorporate daily phonemic awareness lessons using the Heggerty curriculum. Classrooms implement a workshop model to teach reading comprehension, vocabulary, fluency and writing. Whole group instruction, small group work, and independent work time make-up the workshop model. The workshop model helps teachers address each child’s individual needs, build choice, supports small group work, and helps personalize the literacy experience. Our literacy program supports differing rates of development and the careful monitoring of each child’s progress using a variety of assessments and collection of literacy data. 

Preschool

• Storytelling and writing through pictures and words
• Vocabulary development
• Meeting students where they are on the reading continuum
• Nurturing confidence in communication skills

Kindergarten-4^th grade

• Explore a variety of genre
• Form readers as thinkers
• Build solid foundational reading skills and habits
• Develop narrative and expository writing
• Establish a writing voice and style
• Focus on grammatical precision
• Manuscript and cursive writing skills
• Engage with informational text for research writing
• Develop public speaking and listening skills

Primary goals of the Lower School math curriculum include the development of problem-solving strategies, the acquisition of basic computational skills, the understanding of measurement, the introduction to algebraic thinking, and the exploration of numbers in data, patterns, and graphs. We want all students to see themselves as mathematicians. As part of everyday mathematical work, students develop skills and concepts moving from concrete to pictorial to abstract, and apply their skills in meaningful problems. They communicate their mathematical thinking and problem solving through drawing, writing and conversation. 

In preschool, children develop mathematical understanding, number sense, and skills through play and explorations that introduce them to early math concepts/strategies. Kindergarten and 1st grade use the Singapore Math Dimensions curriculum which focuses on building number sense and problem solving skills. Students in grades 2-4 use the Singapore Math in Focus curriculum. The focus of the curriculum is on mastery of a limited number of concepts in order to develop understanding at a deeper level. Students are asked to share their mathematical thinking in a variety of ways. 
 

Preschool  

• Use number patterns and objects to learn number conservation
• Focus on counting, sorting, and classifying
• Develop problem-solving skills
• Develop number sense using concrete objects

 K-4^th grade

• Develop conceptual and analytical thinking
• Use drawing, writing, and conversation to solve complex problems
• Build mental math skills and flexible thinking
• Use concrete, pictorial, and abstract problem-solving strategies
• Build number sense and computational skills

Lower School students explore science concepts through a curriculum that promotes the development of science research skills. Our 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, and physical sciences. In preschool, the focus is on curiosity and wonder as children explore the natural world with a focus on Minnesota through the seasons. Kindergarten students lean into their curiosity of animals as they focus on zoology. First-grade students explore geology as they learn about rocks, oceans, and the ever-changing earth. Second-grade students do an interdisciplinary study of botany through the interdependence of plants with the environment. Third-grade students explore phenology with the study of plants, animals and elements as they experience and document seasonal change. Fourth graders study physics by investigating magnetism, electricity, force, and motion. Inquiry-based research projects are a focus in the second semester.

The Lower School social studies curriculum develops an understanding of self and one’s relationship to others and to the environment. Through the curriculum, students study history, culture, geography, economics, government and citizenship. In small group work, discussions, projects, and hands-on activities, social studies is integrated with other curricular areas. Students develop skills to participate in a diverse community, and practice social responsibility/civic action. Readings, presentations, research and large/small group activities are primary modes of instruction.

The world languages 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 through the program. Lower School students begin the study of Chinese or Spanish in preschool and continue to study this language through fourth grade. Students in preschool, 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 world language program. Students entering fifth grade may choose to continue their Lower School language or choose from other Middle School language offerings.

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 timeline, 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. Lower School students spend time with Breck art faculty, who are artists in the community, as well. The Lower School Art Show is an annual celebration of Breck’s young artists.

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. Our winter and spring performances showcase the curriculum. Fourth-grade students also participate in a band and orchestra rotation class designed to give them hands-on, introductory experiences in playing wind and string instruments. Students may take private string, brass, woodwind, voice, or piano lessons before school, after school, or during recess, for an additional fee.

The Lower School library program is designed to promote the pleasure of reading as a life-long activity. The collection includes more than 20,000 titles, including e-books and magazines. Students read aloud, discuss, and recommend books to each other. Students in preschool through fourth grade have a regularly scheduled library class. Third- and fourth-grade students participate in an integrated library/research experience. Students may also come to the library to do research or browse the collection. Authors come to Breck to highlight the writing and publishing process. The library staff is committed to developing enthusiastic readers who are skilled library users, and comfortable using electronic catalogs and doing online research. Parents are invited to use the library for book recommendations, audiobooks or parent education resources.

Technology is used throughout the Lower School to enhance and support the academic program. Online learning has enhanced ways teachers and students use tools to engage with learning. Students in preschool through grade three use technology in the classroom with iPads and laptops. Fourth-grade students are engaged in the school’s 1:1 laptop initiative. Digital citizenship and safety are part of the curriculum. 

We expect students to be responsible for the Technology Core Values according to Breck School’s Acceptable Use Policy (see All-School Policies section of the Handbook).

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

Preschool through fourth graders participate in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) activities in connection with classroom curriculum. STEAM focuses on design thinking, coding, and developing collaborative problem-solving abilities. 
 

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 gyms, 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. We integrate health, nutrition, and physiology in the physical education curriculum.

The Lower School religion curriculum focuses on tradition, inclusivity, and service. Stories from literature, the Bible, and our own lives are shared in classrooms and in Chapel worship services. These become the path to learning about values and religious traditions. We celebrate many faiths and cultures in the hope that through diverse spiritual experiences, we might all gain a deeper understanding of our own beliefs. Students gather for religion in Chapel services and in classroom lessons.