Lower School

Curriculum

Language Arts Social Sciences Science Mathematics Personal and Social Development Service Learning Specialty Curriculum
Language Arts
Students develop language arts skills in the following areas first through fifth grades: oral language, reading, and writing. Oral language consists of speaking, listening, presenting and viewing skills. Reading consists of phonological and phonemic awareness skills, word study including spelling, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension skills. Writing consists of the following skills: writing in a variety of forms and genres for different audiences, writing clearly and effectively, using the writing process, analyzing and evaluating one’s writing.

First Grade The balanced literacy program in first and second grade consists of guided and independent reading and writing, and word study.

Reading: Students are taught both decoding and comprehension strategies to become lifelong readers. Students participate in small and large groups reading new and familiar, easy and challenging texts. Students read with teachers, parent volunteers, and with each other. Students study story formats as well as events, plot, and character. High frequency-use words and spelling patterns are introduced during word studies.

Writing: Emphasis is placed on expressing ideas in writing and illustration. Through the writing process, students are introduced to and practice story structure, revising, editing, parts of speech, and beginning punctuation. Students are taught manuscript.
Second Grade The balanced literacy program in first and second grade consists of guided and independent reading and writing, and word study.

Reading: Students are taught both decoding and comprehension strategies to become lifelong readers. Students participate in small and large groups reading new and familiar, easy and challenging texts. Students read with teachers, parent volunteers, and with each other. Students study story formats as well as events, plot, and character. High frequency-use words and spelling patterns are introduced in word studies.

Writing: Emphasis is placed on expressing ideas in writing and illustration. Through the writing process, students are introduced to and practice story structure, revising, editing, parts of speech, and beginning punctuation. Students are taught manuscript.
Third Grade Reading: Transition from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.” Review and increase usage of 100 most frequently used words, spelling patterns, and rules. Strategies for word decoding and comprehension taught through literature-based curriculum (novels, poetry, non-fiction, Cinderella stories from around the world, and biographies).

Writing: Emphasizes clarity, editing, proofreading, fluency, content, and writing mechanics across a variety of genres. Students are introduced to the research process and are introduced to and develop cursive writing skills.

Fourth Grade Reading: Literature-based curriculum develops the skills of inferring, comparing, contrasting, and drawing conclusions. Reading for understanding in fiction and non-fiction while learning to use a variety of research materials is a main focus.

Writing: Emphasis on clarity, fluency, content, and writing mechanics using a variety of formats through the writing process with proofreading and editing skill reinforced. Consistent use of and refinement of cursive handwriting continues.

Fifth Grade Reading: Literature based curriculum that includes multiple fiction and non-fiction collections. Reading independently from assigned genres and monthly book projects. Comprehension and vocabulary skills are emphasized.

Writing: Clarity, organization, content and mechanics using a variety of forms/genres is developed using the writing process. Emphasis is placed on all aspects of the research process including note-taking, outlining, composing, peer-editing, and publishing final drafts. Cursive and manuscript writing are used.


Social Sciences
Students study social science themes through five main areas of focus: individual development and identity; civic ideals and practices of citizenship; culture and connections; place and environment; and economy and technology.


First Grade Explore the greater school and neighborhood communities, cultural diversity, safety, cooperation and conflict resolution, the importance of rules, taking care of animals and how animals help people, and making and keeping friends.
Second Grade Study of people of the Salt Lake valley, immigrants, refugees, citizenship, city/county government, cultural traditions in SL valley, compass and mapping skills.
Third Grade Study the seven continents with emphasis on history, culture, geography, economics, current events, oceans, map skills, and historical figures.
Fourth Grade Study of Utah is highlighted through hands-on learning and multiple field studies focused on geography and topography. Students learn about democracy and the political process through exploration of contemporary state government.
Fifth Grade Research skills are honed through comprehensive study of events leading up to and including the age of exploration, the colonial period, the Revolutionary War, and the origins of the Civil War. Geography and mapping skills continue to be developed.
Science
Through selected topics infused with process and analytical skills central to science, students learn question formation, observation, experimentation, measurement, analysis, inference and deduction, critical thought, and communication skills.


First Grade Units include the structure, function, diversity, and seasonal changes of trees; botany of the rainforest; the lifecycle of amphibians; and the life of Brassica rapa plants.

Second Grade Units include the properties of sound and light; insect behavior and adaptation; weather; the structure and function of human cells; an introduction to human body systems, and earthworm study.
Third Grade Emphasis increases on designing and conducting science experiments, recording data and observations, and summarizing and organizing information. Topics include animal diversity, habitats and behaviors of snails and spiders, food webs, biomes, bird diversity, and simple machines.
Fourth Grade Field studies connect the classroom to studies with the Great Salt Lake and Wasatch Mountain environments. Units include geology and earth science, microbiology, botany, water systems’ quality and treatment.
Fifth Grade Study of chemistry, select human organ systems, cellular and sub-cellular structure, flight, and motion. Skills related to design and experimentation are honed, with increased emphasis on identification and control of variables, use of more complex tools and equipment, and precision. Individual science projects highlight the year’s study.
Mathematics
Through selected topics infused with process and analytical skills central to science, students learn question formation, observation, experimentation, measurement, analysis, inference and deduction, critical thought, and communication skills.

The goal of the mathematics program is authentic problem-based inquiry that enables students to construct conceptual knowledge, apply it in context, while developing procedural knowledge. The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) national content and process standards are used as the foundation for the curriculum.

Grade level details are contained in the Lower School Mathematics Benchmarks downloadable, printable pdf here.

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Personal and Social Development
The Lower School is committed to the healthy emotional and social development of children. The Second Step curriculum taught by classroom teachers is a research-based program designed to promote social competence and reduce children’s social and emotional problems. The curriculum teaches problem solving skills through a focus on three main areas: empathy, impulse control, and anger management. The fifth grade uses Steps to Respect, a curriculum similar to Second Step, that teaches students how to resist, and respond to, bullying situations.
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Service Learning
Service learning is an essential part of the Lower School experience. Each grade level conducts at least one major community service project during the year, as well as participating in school-wide projects such as food drives for the Utah Food Bank. Grade level projects connect with the general curriculum to extend and enrich learning.
First Grade A penny drive to raise funds to purchase rainforest acreage for protection extends from a curricular focus on rainforest ecology. Students also participate in the Navajo Santa project that supports children and families living on the Navajo Reservation and collect towels and blankets for the Humane Society.
Second Grade The second grade organizes the 100 days of school canned food drive, by challenging all grade levels to match the donations of the second grade. Additionally, the classes work with the International Rescue Committee to prepare welcome bag for children who are refugees. Second graders also create Halloween goody bags for children at Shriners' Hospital.
Third Grade Students apply science knowledge about biomes, plants, and birds to service projects with the Tracy Aviary Bird Sanctuary.
Fourth Grade Students raise money through an aluminum can collection effort to support Tree Utah and participate with actual reforestation along the Jordan River.

Fifth Grade Weekly trips to the Utah Food Bank highlight the service work of fifth grade students, who assist with the unloading, sorting, and stocking of food at the center.

 

School Life

Lower School