GRADES 3 - 5
St. Andrew’s Lower School provides an idyllic setting and dynamic learning environment in historic Hardy Hall. Many of our students have chosen St. Andrew’s because they desire a school that’s small and intimate with an individualized focus, and others have chosen us because they have not reached their potential at their current school. Our Director of the Lower and Middle School, Nanci DeRobbio, along with her team of teachers will incorporate community building that teaches students developmentally appropriate skills for school and life through daily classroom Morning Meetings. We believe these skills are fundamental to living a responsible life. Our innovative programs are integrated and engaging while offering students a chance to taste success through a balance of systematic direct instruction, small group activities, independent practice, and cooperative learning. Class size in the Lower School is no more than ten students per grade giving all students a chance to obtain the success that is within their grasp.
GENERAL CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
Integrated thematic studies across the disciplines with a focus on the Arts
I. LANGUAGE ARTS - Teaching Reading is Rocket Science
Literacy is fundamental. St. Andrew’s Lower School builds the foundation for the years to follow. Literacy is taught throughout the day integrated across the curriculum by themes that build strong vocabulary, rich content knowledge, reading fluency, reading comprehension, written expression, speaking and listening skills, all while connecting to our world. Teachers build on student strengths, identify their challenges and design lessons to “reach and teach” each student. The faculty support students through universal learning integrated into the classroom setting.
Balanced Language Arts Program with Disciplinary Literacy in Science,Math, Social Studies, the Environment, Music, Technology, Theater, and Visual Arts
Thematic Reading instruction – Imagine It!
(McGraw-Hill/SRA –“Open Court”)
• Assessment driven – Assessments provided with the reading program. (Alternate assessments available include: Fountas and Pinell Benchmark Reading Assessment, Developmental Spelling Inventory,WADE, etc.)
• Additional Strategic Direct Instruction to address learning differences as identified
• Shared Reading – Inquiry based
• Interactive Read Alouds and Interactive Writing – Concept development – character, setting and Vocabulary development, comprehension strategies
• Independent Reading Skills - choosing a “just right read” , reading with fluency, and comprehension
• Systematic approach accelerating the learning one child at a time.
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II. MATHEMATICS AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE - Math and hands-on science
Math and science are not exclusive of each other. Skills and conceptual understanding are taught thematically, linked to explicit real world connections. Students learn through a multi-sensory, hands-on approach to deepen the understanding of concepts. Students learn by “doing.” Skills are explicitly taught and practiced, and applied through opportunities to problem solve. Environmental awareness is emphasized. Analyzing eco-systems surrounding St. Andrew’s School brings science to life. Students have access to a variety of habitat that include: woodlands, wetlands, streams, fields, and proximity to Narragansett Bay. The Lower School is alive with math and science!
THINKMATH! PUBLISHED BY HARCOURT
• Skills and Conceptual understanding
• Hands-on
• Explicit Real World Connections to all disciplines – Science, Art, Music, Social Studies
• Strategic problem solving
• Individual and collaborative work (emphasizing social development for school to career)
HANDS-ON SCIENCE PROGRAM connected through Literacy Themes –NSF/NCTM Standards addressed
• Supported by Thematic Instructional Units
• Literacy, Math, and Environmental connections
• AIMS - Activities IntegratingMath and Science
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III. SOCIAL STUDIES
Students take time to connect with their world in the present, past, and future. Students learn about culture, art, history, science, environmental issues, and technology. Concepts embedded in the lessons teach students about community, cooperation, decision making, problem solving, and themselves in relation to the world we live in. Each grade level will have a unique focus associated with the integrated theme for each quarter.
Interdisciplinary studies presented thematically for deeper connections to content
• Culture – Art, History, Rituals and Relationships
• Time, Continuity and Change – past and present affecting the future
• People, Places and the Environment (Historical and cultural perspectives – Art, Music, Technology, Science
• Self study as an individual in society (Identity)
• Responsive Classroom – (speaking and listening skills, decision making, clear expectations, fairness and order related to governance, cooperation and collaborative skills)
• Production, Distribution, and Consumption (Multi-disciplinary project – Math, Literacy)
• Science and Technology Connections - (integrated throughout the day)
• Global connections – Literacy, media, and technology (Research)
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IV. INTEGRATED ARTS LITERACY
The Arts make all kinds of learning exciting. The classroom teacher integrates the arts throughout the curriculum, throughout the day. Teaching literacy through the Arts is unique to St. Andrew’s and will include music, visual arts, theater and drama, plus dance and movement. Our Lower School Artist-in-Residence program continues to reinforce the teaching of literacy and content by bringing in the community connection to the Arts. As a result, the Arts are not simply a “special” program but, an essential part of the curriculum that promotes focus, perseverance, creative thinking, cultural and global awareness, body-mind connections, visual and spatial awareness, cooperation, collaboration and stronger literacy skills in reading fluency, reading comprehension, and writing.
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V. PHYSICAL EDUCATION - Health and Wellness
We encourage health and wellness in the Lower School because lifelong enthusiasm for activity is formed in the early years. Health topics are brought to life in science, physical fitness, the Arts, and cultural studies with real world connections. At St. Andrew's we go beyond traditional physical education by developing self esteem, perseverance, and focus through fitness activities as well as a variety of team sports.
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VI. SOCIAL CURRICULUM
Responsive Classroom – “Teaching Children to Care” (R.S. Charney) developmentally appropriate skills for success in life and school life integrated throughout the day. Development of self-directed learning, self control strategies, ownership/responsibility, collaboration, cooperation, community building, and conflict resolution skills (with self and others).
Educational Kinesiology - Mind body connections through strategic exercises for enhanced whole brain learning.
Brain Gym – a series of movements used daily that result in improvement in behavior and achievement.
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VII. LEARNING SERVICES
Given our belief that all children learn differently, it’s no surprise that St. Andrew’s is one of the very few private schools in the country that is state-certified in programs for students with learning disabilities, including attentional difficulties. Because of our commitment to individualized teaching and a focus on learning how to learn, St. Andrew’s is well suited to students who need additional academic support.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION
The best way to discover all that St. Andrew’s has to offer your student is to visit the school and experience our community firsthand. If you have further questions, do not hesitate to call us at 401-246-1230.
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