Collegiate Lower School Curriculum

Lower School Curriculum

From the Head of Lower School Lower School Parents, The Lower School years are significant ones for growth and development during which your child will begin to establish habits and attitudes toward learning that they will carry with them far beyond their time in Lower School. Within a nurturing environment, our teachers thoughtfully curate experiences to help your child build strong foundational skills and support them in developing social and emotional competencies. Lower School classrooms offer welcoming, inclusive, and engaging spaces with your child’s innate sense of curiosity and desire to seek and explore in mind.

The Collegiate Lower School curriculum guide provides insight into the philosophy, programs and practices that will shape your child’s journey throughout their time in Lower School.

During these years of rapid growth, children follow reasonably predictable patterns of physical, social and emotional, linguistic, and cognitive development. Our teachers foster this development through carefully designed lessons consisting of hands-on exploration, inquiry, and self-reflection both inside and outside of the classroom. We recognize that play is essential to how children explore the world, experiment with ideas, and develop essential social skills; therefore, outside exploration and recess are woven into the curriculum.

As we develop children with minds that seek and hearts that serve, we promote global competency and dexterity through a focus on leadership, citizenship, and empathy. Students gain the skills to collaborate on solutions to local and global challenges, and they develop independence as they seek a deeper understanding of the world.

Every child’s unique talents and interests are celebrated, whether they find joy in reading, flourish on the field or stage, thrive on academic challenges, or embrace a blend of these areas. Imagination is inspired. Our Lower School program is designed to instill in your child a love of learning that will last a lifetime.

Warmly, Khristi Bates 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS THE COLLEGIATE EXPERIENCE ............................................... Pages 4-5 PORTRAIT OF A GRADUATE ..................................................... Page 7 RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP.................................................... Page 8 ENVISION COLLEGIATE CAPSTONE .......................................... Page 9 STEAM ................................................................................. Page 10 TECHNOLOGY........................................................................ Page 11 WORLD LANGUAGES............................................................... Page 12 MATH OVERVIEW................................................................... Page 14 LITERACY OVERVIEW............................................................. Pages 15-16 THE JK EXPERIENCE............................................................... Pages 16-17 KINDERGARTEN EXPERIENCE.................................................. Pages 18-19 THE 1ST GRADE EXPERIENCE.................................................. Pages 20-21 THE 2ND GRADE EXPERIENCE................................................. Pages 22-23 THE 3RD GRADE EXPERIENCE................................................. Pages 24-25 THE 4TH GRADE EXPERIENCE.................................................. Pages 26-27 RESOURCE CLASSES - FINE ARTS............................................ Pages 28-30 RESOURCE CLASSES - PHYSICAL EDUCATION........................... Page 31 COUNSELING IN LOWER SCHOOL............................................. Page 32 LIBRARY IN LOWER SCHOOL................................................... Page 33

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The Collegiate Experience From Junior Kindergarten through 12th Grade, a comprehensive, integrated and innovative curriculum empowers our students to develop the skills, knowledge and dispositions necessary to thrive as scholars, citizens and leaders. Throughout students’ Collegiate experience, we instill in them lifelong traits that help build character, shape perspective and equip them not only for graduation, but also for the world that awaits.

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Lower School LET’S START AT THE BEGINNING From the first day our youngest students arrive, they are active participants in warm and welcoming classroom communities. Lower School students learn to negotiate new paths with confidence, whether it be the first time on the Fort Cougar monkey bars or figuring out fractions. Our commitment to inquiry-based learning taps into the natural curiosity of young children, and our teachers encourage deep thinking and provide opportunities for skill development as our students explore and connect the disciplines.

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Upper School THE LAST FOUR YEARS HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE Collegiate’s Upper School experience is based on an in-depth college preparatory curriculum. Hallmarks of our program include small class sizes, advisories and the support of guidance counselors, learning specialists and a team of college counselors. Advanced opportunities for growth in academics, arts and athletics give students the freedom to explore new things or dig deeper into what they love and expand their knowledge base. Their college prep process also includes opportunities to get to know themselves better and to find the confidence to stretch and grow into new opportunities — skills that will serve them well in college and beyond.

Middle School A WORLD OF EXCITEMENT AND CHANGE As students cross the bridge to Middle School, they discover classrooms filled with the same focus on integrated academics, inquiry-based learning and nurturing guidance. During this time of rapid transition and discovery of a student's sense of self, Middle Schoolers are separated by gender in most academic classes to allow teachers to focus intensively on students’ developmental and academic needs and to give boys and girls room to grow, speak up and be themselves.

"EXCELLENCE AT COLLEGIATE IS EMBRACING ALL THAT IT MEANS TO BE AN INQUISITIVE THINKER, COMPASSIONATE LEADER AND RESPONSIBLE CITIZEN. THE VERY BUILDING BLOCKS TO EVERY IMPORTANT AND MEANINGFUL LEARNING EXPERIENCE BEGIN IN OUR LOWER SCHOOL AS OUR STUDENTS EMBARK ON THEIR JOURNEY ALONGSIDE SUPPORTIVE AND JOYFUL TEACHERS." — TUNG TRIHN, DEAN OF FACULTY

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The Powell Institue for Responsible Citizenship Guided by Collegiate School’s founder, Helen Baker, and her vision of the School’s graduates as “good citizens in the widest sense,” “the mission of The Powell Institute for Responsible Citizenship at Collegiate School is to empower engaged, contributing citizens by nurturing students’ compassion, creativity and purpose.”

Collegiate’s promise is to nurture and equip its students as scholars, citizens and leaders. The mission of the Institute and promise of Collegiate are actualized through collaborations with faculty and full integration of programs in JK through grade 12 that build the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for today’s and tomorrow’s world through the identified areas of Economic Literacy, Entrepreneurship, Inclusion, Global Engagement, Civic Engagement, Ethics and Sustainability.

Focusing on the identified areas, common elements of The Powell Institute for Responsible Citizenship programming include a student-centered approach to learning, opportunities for experiential learning, collaboration, development of leadership skills, use of the community as a classroom, incorporation of public sharing as a way of demonstrating understanding, content taught in the context of applied skill sets, design thinking and a reimagined approach to assessment.

Some examples of The Powell Institute for Responsible Citizenship programming include: our Lower School garden, 3rd Grade social studies unit focusing on connecting economic concepts, classroom lessons and activities focused on fostering belonging, classroom visits from students and faculty from Collegiate’s international partner schools.

Here’s how we define the focus areas of Responsible Citizenship: CIVIC ENGAGEMENT promotes civic literacy, addresses issues and builds community both locally and globally through action by individual and collective citizens. Service Learning, one teaching strategy for civic engagement, connects meaningful service rooted in community needs with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience.

ECONOMIC LITERACY instills in students the foundations of economic education and financial literacy through experiences in and out of the classroom.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP structures opportunities for exploration, human-centered design, decision-making and risk-taking that cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset while contributing to social impact.

ETHICS challenges students to employ empathic understanding and compassionate consideration of others to critically assess situations, work through reasoned decision-making, arrive at morally sound solutions and then practice those principles.

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GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT provides learning and experiences that empower students to become global citizens through true engagement with their world.

INCLUSION ensures that all members of a community feel fully respected and valued through consistent work across all areas of school life.

Capstones at Collegiate Guided by the mission and common elements of The Powell Institute for Responsible Citizenship, the Capstone Program brings to life students’ classroom learning in a real-world context. Occurring in the final year of each division, Capstones create space, opportunity and challenge for our students to help prepare them for their futures. Each Capstone has a developmentally appropriate focus. 4th Graders participate in Envision Collegiate, 8th Graders participate in Envision Richmond and 12th Graders participate in Envision Your World.

4th Grade Envision Collegiate CHALLENGE: Our 4th Grade students collaborate to identify and design a possible solution to meet a need within the Collegiate community. Recently students have focused on the essential question, “How might we improve the sustainability of Collegiate’s campus?”

COMMUNITY: The Capstone experience allows the 4th Grade students to connect with people and programs across the Collegiate campus to foster a deeper understanding of the Collegiate community and to identify opportunities for growth and change. The students also travel off-campus to local organizations and businesses for additional learning and inspiration.

DESIGN THINKING JOURNEY: On their journey to envisioning a stronger Collegiate, 4th Graders use a design thinking process to answer the identified essential question. This process empowers them to develop and hone skills including creative thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, empathy building, questioning, interviewing, leadership development and public speaking.

PUBLIC PRESENTATION: The Capstone culminates with group presentations in which students bring together the skills they have learned and present their innovative ideas to a panel of Collegiate leaders.

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STEAM at Collegiate STEAM at Collegiate means an integrative learning approach to science, technology, engineering and mathematics with frequent, intentional and meaningful collaboration with the arts and humanities from JK through 12th Grade. Across the divisions, students take a design-based approach to problem-solving.

This consistent methodology provides relevant, hands-on opportunities for our students to develop the skills, understandings and habits of mind necessary for today’s and tomorrow’s world.

LOWER SCHOOL (JK-4TH GRADE) • Dedicated Makerspace in Burke Hall for engineering and math labs • Engineering curriculum beginning in Kindergarten • 1:1 iPads in 1st-4th Grade • Coding curriculum beginning in JK • STEAM coordinator collaborates with teachers and designs STEAM-related curriculum • Maker Faire • Quest STEAM opportunities

MIDDLE SCHOOL (5TH-8TH GRADE) • Dedicated Makerspace in Reed Gumenick Library • Technology classes for all 5th and 6th Grade students, elective for 8th Grade • STEAM and maker-related activities and clubs that support and reinforce classroom activities and other projects • 1:1 iPads in 5th-8th Grade • STEAM coordinator collaborates with teachers and designs STEAM-related curriculum • Underwater ROVs and SeaPerch compete each spring • Maker Faire • Quest STEAM opportunities

UPPER SCHOOL (9TH-12TH GRADE) • Fab Lab and Robotics Workshop • Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) approach to the use of instructional technology • STEAM coordinator collaborates with teachers and designs STEAM-related curriculum • AP Computer Science Principles Course • AP Computer Science A • Programming for Mobile Devices • STEAM Collaboratory/Engineering and Robotics Elective • Dedicated Farmbot garden • Maker Faire

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First Lego League (FLL) Jr. in 2nd and 3rd Grade FLL Teams in Middle School FIRST Robotics Team in Upper School

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Technology in Lower School Technology in the Lower School supports all areas of the curriculum by enhancing and extending learning goals. We aspire to engage students as they take an active role in choosing how to share what they are learning. We strive to help our young students become empowered learners, good digital citizens, knowledge constructors, innovative designers, computational thinkers, creative communicators and global collaborators. How we do this can take many forms, depending on the grade and age of the student.

A Kindergarten student might build bridges with Keva planks or create an algorithm for solving a coding puzzle, whereas a 3rd or 4th Grade student might use Google apps to produce a book report or share their understanding of a social studies concept by developing a 3-D designed model or video. Creating for an audience is motivating to students; our creations are often shared with classmates and/or parents, either in person or via class newsletters or websites.

Coding is also emphasized in the Lower School. Coding supports computational thinking, provides opportunities for students to break down big ideas into small tasks and provides opportunities for students to learn how to persevere as they look for patterns and problem solve. Students also learn to collaborate with their peers and communicate their ideas verbally.

Keyboarding is introduced to students in the 3rd Grade. Our 4th Graders begin the year with a review of basic keyboarding skills and continue their keyboarding practice.

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World Language Classes In Junior Kindergarten, Kindergarten and 1st Grade, our students receive an introduction to three world languages — Chinese, French and Spanish — through our Foreign Language Exploratory (FLEX) program. Students are exposed to a rotation of each of these languages and experience culture and language through music and songs, dance, stories and activities. Students learn to say basic expressions in the target language, such as common greetings and phrases, counting, colors and other descriptors, body parts, food, farm animals and family and geographic names. As students progress, vocabulary and content are expanded upon from the previous year.

At the end of 1st Grade, students select the target language they will study. Also in 1st Grade, our World Language education transitions to a Foreign Language in Elementary School (FLES)

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program, which focuses on the development of listening and speaking skills as well as cultural awareness. Grammar is learned through the teaching pedagogy Comprehensible Input. Our FLES program follows the natural sequence of language learning: understanding, speaking, reading and writing. In 2nd Grade, the primary focus is on understanding and speaking, while in 3rd and 4th Grades, the goal is increased development of linguistic communication with reading and writing. Faculty teach engaging lessons that use instructional techniques that include visuals, manipulatives, songs, rhymes, games and playacting.

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Math Overview Research indicates that a positive experience with mathematics at a young age has an effect on a child throughout school and continues to impact one’s mathematical experiences well into adulthood. Fostering a love for math and providing experiences that help our young students develop mathematical competency and confidence is an important goal in the Lower School. In addition to daily lessons in the classroom that are based on the program Everyday Mathematics, students in Kindergarten through 4th Grade visit the math lab for experiences that extend and enrich the math curriculum. Instruction provided in the lab complements the classroom lessons, nurtures the students’ love of math and its various strands and provides an extra level of challenge.

As soon as Lower School students learn to read and write, they also learn to read and write about mathematics. In a world where good communication is foundational to success, we want our students to be able to communicate mathematically. Throughout our curriculum, emphasis is placed on: problem-solving in everyday situations and mathematical contexts; an instructional design that revisits topics regularly to ensure depth of knowledge and long-term learning; distributed practice through games and other daily activities; teaching that supports “productive struggle” and maintains high cognitive demand; and lessons that engage all students and make mathematics fun. Beginning in Junior Kindergarten, Kindergarten and 1st Grade, students learn to justify, prove and explain their thoughts. They discover that mathematics is not only about finding a correct answer, but also about proving their result in an efficient manner. They learn that there are usually multiple paths to find a similar result and that perseverance plays a key part throughout the process. As we nurture these skills, we want our students to become mathematical thinkers — not only throughout their tenure at Collegiate, but also in the years and experiences to come.

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Literacy Overview Literacy is the foundation of all learning and involves the ongoing process of developing reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Lower School students are members of a learning community that engages in authentic inquiry within and beyond the classroom. They read, think, talk and write about their thoughts and experiences as well as about texts that reflect the diversity in our world and vary in genre, content and perspective.

Within a reader’s workshop model, we promote literacy experiences that are student-centered, language-based, process-oriented and outcome-based. Phonemic awareness, phonics and vocabulary instruction are taught explicitly with direct instruction that is sequential, structured and multi-sensory. During reading instruction, students acquire the necessary skills to analyze texts using systems of strategic actions to construct meaning. This approach helps provide a cohesive consistency to literacy instruction from JK through 4th Grade. Evidence of students’ control of these behaviors and understandings are gained by observing their oral reading, their conversations about text and their writing about reading. Within a writer’s workshop model, students develop an understanding of the process of a writing system. They ultimately view themselves as writers as they learn how to write effectively and with purpose.

Every classroom provides instructional practices in whole group, small group and individual contexts. Teachers work as a team with a common vision, common goals, common language and a strong belief that their work can transform children’s lives through literacy.

Our students apply the skills they gain in a variety of settings. They ultimately come to believe in themselves and in their ability to acquire and use language and literacy for learning and for enjoyment.

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Junior Kindergarten Experience

Shaped by collaborative and creative activities, Collegiate's Junior Kindergarten experience cultivates inquisitive thinkers. The relationships we form and the time spent in work and purposeful play encourage children to develop empathy for others and a resilience to adapt to “just right” challenges. Knowing that our students are learning for a lifetime, teachers guide them in developing strong habits of the heart and mind. Our students’ social and emotional development is as important as the cognitive skills they are learning. As the class becomes a community, each child develops an other-centered perspective, learning to respect and care for one another. Independence is fostered by encouraging each child to persevere when learning new skills, and their growth in self-confidence and joy are the result.

Literacy The natural curiosity of students is used to guide them toward literacy learning. They are motivated to engage in literacy experiences that are fun, playful and hands-on. Our students are immersed in books. Oral and written language are woven into daily activities. Early literacy skills introduced include letter knowledge, phonological awareness and an understanding of speech-sound correspondence. JK students come to see themselves as readers and writers through narration, drawing and writing some of their own pieces.

Math Math is naturally embedded into the daily life of the classroom. Students learn numbers and the patterns and relationships that are a part of using numbers. Our youngest students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Classrooms are designed to provoke creative thought and mathematical play, as students learn best when manipulating objects while singing and moving.

Science Our students observe, create connections, make predictions and draw conclusions in the science curriculum, which is designed to make learning experiences relevant to their daily lives and allows for hands-on inquiry. Teaching approaches and materials introduce children to science and engineering principles through play. Outdoor play areas allow for exploration and discovery with child-focused equipment and materials as well as with natural elements.

Collegiate’s Robins Campus is also incorporated into our JK learning environment. Taking trips to the outdoor campus gives our students opportunities to appreciate nature and share the experience with their classmates.

Understanding the World Our students learn about the world around them every day as they observe, question and ex16

plore. They learn to care about their community and appreciate various cultures. Students have weekly lessons in World Language, rotating among Spanish, French and Mandarin Chinese, with one-third of the year focused on each language. The social studies curriculum helps students learn about community roles in order to recognize that people have different functions and responsibilities. JK students also learn to recognize features and locations on the Collegiate campus. Walking across the bridge on Collegiate’s main campus to visit the School’s outdoor classroom is one of many opportunities that allows our youngest Cougars to explore their expanding world.

Junior Kindergarten Events • Project Share with Families • JK Family Picnic • Robins Campus Field Trips to Explore

Kindergarten Experience

As a Kindergartner’s world expands, this student begins to rapidly develop new skills and abilities. Kindergartners thrive in an environment that honors both the need for a structured routine for learning early literacy and math skills as well as time for playful exploration of ideas and concepts that interest them. Students are provided opportunities to develop independence and self-confidence while taking responsibility for their actions, their belongings and their words. Caring for one another and developing empathy for those in our community and beyond are perhaps the most important things we do in Kindergarten.

Literacy In Kindergarten, we build on students’ appreciation for reading and listening to stories as they become independent, strategic readers and writers. Throughout the year, whole groups and small groups are implemented for guided reading and writing, along with individual instruction. Language skills are taught and include concepts of print, letter recognition, phonological awareness and sight word vocabulary. Students explore comparing and contrasting, predicting and retelling stories. Letter formation, beginning phonics and spelling concepts are also taught using a multi-sensory approach.

Math The Kindergarten math curriculum is designed to nurture a love of math. Through informal and everyday experiences, our students discover that math is everywhere. Our curriculum works to create independent thinkers who are able to make sense of math through problem-solving, the use of multiple representations, reasoning, mathematical modeling and communicating about math. Throughout the Kindergarten year, an emphasis is placed on representing and comparing whole numbers as well as describing shapes.

Social Studies The social studies curriculum begins with a focus on our community. Students are immersed in understanding their roles in the classroom community and the larger Collegiate community. Field trips to the James River help us understand the role this vital ecosystem plays in our community.

Science and Engineering Students explore what a scientist does and the tools he or she needs to observe and experiment. The topics include physical science (experimenting with pushes and pulls), animal habitats and the patterns in nature and weather. Students in Kindergarten learn the fundamentals of engineering as they create and build while discovering the foundations of geometry, balance, equality and quantities. In addition, students use coding and engineering apps, such as Kodable, code.org and Scratch Jr. 18

Kindergarten Programs and Events • Kindergarten-Senior Buddies • Kindergarten Town Meetings • Service Learning Project with UMFS • Mother's and Special Friend's Tea • Kindergarten Family Picnic • Halloween Parade • Field Trips to the James River • Kindergarten Chapel

1st Grade Experience

Collegiate 1st Graders are eager workers, which is an important quality during this year of dramatic physical, emotional and academic growth. An understanding of what it means to be a learner who works hard and gives one’s best effort begins to form in one's habits. Our 1st Graders make great strides in all academic areas. Students consistently develop new skills and become fluid in reading, writing and in their ability to think mathematically. They possess a natural curiosity about the world around them and enjoy learning about new ideas and concepts through active and social engagement.

Literacy 1st Graders are immersed in a print-rich environment. Through daily reading opportunities, they explore texts that support their development. Students read words using code-based strategies. They develop a broad sight word vocabulary in addition to systematic instruction in phonics. The ability to read with expression and fluency develops throughout the year. Children explore plots, understand characters and engage in making predictions. Students enjoy daily writing opportunities during which they generate ideas and learn about the mechanics of writing. They begin to explore grammar skills, which include an introduction to nouns, verbs and adjectives.

Math We nurture a love of math and a growth mindset in our 1st Graders, teaching them to communicate their mathematical thinking verbally and in written work. Through a variety of number sense activities, strategy games and number talks, our 1st Grade students communicate their thinking. They are exposed to math skills in real-life contexts, connecting them to the world around them. The curriculum focuses on understanding addition and subtraction strategies, linear measurement, whole number relationships and place value, how to compose and decompose geometric shapes and form research about those shapes.

Social Studies Throughout the year, 1st Graders participate in project-based learning and service-learning opportunities. They learn about the Collegiate community and consider each person’s role in making the classroom a positive place. Students explore the similarities and differences in urban, rural and suburban communities in the Greater Richmond area. 1st Graders develop student-driven projects in partnership with the SPCA to raise community awareness. In addition, the students learn about economic terms and concepts.

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1st Grade Events • Grandparents Day and First Grade Performance • Field Trip to the Living Museum • SPCA Service Learning Project • SwimRVA Field Trip • Urban, Rural and Suburban Field Trips Science and Engineering: The study of science is optimized through an inquiry-based approach that encourages students to ask questions that drive their investigations. In 1st Grade, these concepts include sound and light, adaptations that allow Virginia plants and animals to survive in their habitats, similarities and differences between fully grown plants and animals and their offspring, and patterns of the sun, moon and stars.

Students are encouraged to plan and carry out investigations, develop and use models, analyze and interpret data and engage in evidence-based argument and communicate their findings. Students use the Engineering Design Cycle to guide their explorations and design challenges.

2nd Grade Experience

Collegiate 2nd Graders are hard workers who begin to develop an eye for detail and doing things with precision. The 2nd Grade is a year for students to become more fluid and secure readers and stronger, more accurate spellers. Students are able to hold numbers and facts in their minds as they think through problem-solving. This growth is supported by working cooperatively in a nurturing community. The diversity of students’ personalities and abilities enriches their experience. Each student contributes to the learning and growth of his or her peers. Our 2nd Graders are garnering more confidence as they develop independence and autonomy through their academic and social endeavors.

Literacy Language Arts in 2nd Grade is rich with collaboration and reflection. Reading is the most important part of a 2nd Grader’s day, as it introduces students to cultures, ideas and perspectives from around the world. Students delve into books in a myriad of ways, including shared reading, small groups, interactive read alouds, whole group reading and independent exploration. Critical thinking skills are fostered as they analyze and respond to reading. Students learn to express themselves through writing in genres such as personal narrative, poetry, realistic fiction, nonfiction, biography, letter writing, journaling and creative writing. In 2nd Grade, students are exposed to phonics rules through a multi-sensory approach. This approach not only helps students as they decode new words they encounter while reading, but also encourages them to use their words authentically in everday writing. To enhance fine motor skills, cursive writing is introduced.

Math In 2nd Grade, students continue to communicate math concepts in verbal and written work. As students talk about numbers and begin to reason with the concepts, they gain a greater flexibility with number sense that allows for a deeper understanding of concepts. Our 2nd Graders continue to learn problem-solving strategies that give them the independence to work through multi-step challenges. The curriculum focuses on understanding base-10 notation, fluency with addition and subtraction, application of standard units of measure and describing and analyzing shapes.

Social Studies Our 2nd Graders begin the school year by building a strong community of learners. They begin to utilize research skills to study the state of Virginia, which leads into an in-depth exploration of the 50 states that comprise America. Students conduct individual research on a particular state that is presented during a grade-wide program and parade called 2nd Grade States Fair.

Students also explore their role in the larger world around them. They look at several cultures around the world, specifically Cameron, through Studio 2 work. Through a service learning project, 2nd Graders create art and raise awareness and money for JAMS Academy, a longtime school partner.

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Science and Engineering: The study of science is optimized through an inquiry-based approach that encourages 2nd Graders to ask questions that drive their investigations into science-related concepts. In 2nd Grade, science concepts include materials and their properties, what plants need to grow and survive, the diversity of life in different habitats and how natural forces slowly change the shape of the land. Students are encouraged to plan and carry out investigations, develop and use models, analyze and interpret data gathered, engage in argument from evidence and communicate their findings. Students use the Engineering Design Cycle to guide them in many of their explorations and design challenges.

2nd Grade Events • States Fair • Field Trip to Ricmond Zoo • Field Trip to Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science • CenterStudio2: A Global Learning Art Experience

3rd Grade Experience

In 3rd Grade, students continue to develop independent work habits and cooperative problem-solving skills.

School is a place to stretch their learning, and 3rd Graders are beginning to work through their own ideas.

Using their acquired reading strategies, 3rd Graders begin the transition from “learning to read” to “reading to learn” by referring to the text as a basis for answers and opinions. There is a strong desire to invent and create, and 3rd Graders enjoy the process of learning and demonstrate a pride in what they produce.

As friendships continue to be important in cooperative work and for enjoyment, 3rd Graders operate with a desire that things be fair and just. This leads to opportunities to carefully consider others’ perspectives.

Literacy The 3rd Grade Language Arts program is designed to integrate reading, writing, spelling and listening. The classroom teacher encourages the love of reading, independence and self-advocacy as students delve deeper into 3rd Grade content. Through whole group, small group and one-on-one instruction, students are exposed to learning activities that focus primarily on reading comprehension, writing skills and vocabulary. Grammar skills already introduced continue to be practiced and reinforced. Within a reading workshop model, our interactive guided instruction and read-and-respond lessons build and develop working literacy knowledge. In 3rd Grade, spelling is taught in a multi-sensory, systematic and sequential approach.

Math In 3rd Grade, there is a focus on using math in everyday situations, practicing math through games and other activities and teaching in a manner that supports “productive struggle” and encourages a growth mindset. Students continue to learn that the process is just as important as the final result and discover the great benefit in learning from mistakes. The curriculum focuses on understanding multiplication and division within 144, applying unit fractions, understanding the structure of rectangular arrays and area, and describing and analyzing two-dimensional shapes.

Social Studies Our 3rd Grade Social Studies curriculum begins with an introduction to the classroom community and the grade-wide economics program. Students participate in a study of the Jamestown settlement and learn about Virginia's history through the lens of merging cultures and their different perspectives. Students research and discover life in pre-Revolutionary War Colonial Williamsburg. The 3rd Graders also participate in a yearlong classroom economy exercise, in which the students learn financial responsibility and economic concepts through fun, experiential learning that complements the overall curriculum.

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Science and Engineering In the Lower School, science learning is optimized through an inquiry-based approach that encourages the students to ask questions that drive their investigations into science concepts. In 3rd Grade, these concepts include energy, forces and interactions, animal adaptations and their relationship to ecosystems and climate in various regions of the world. Students are encouraged to investigate, develop and use models, analyze and interpret data, engage in argument from evidence and communicate their findings. Students use the Engineering Design Cycle to guide them in many of their explorations and design challenges.

3rd Grade Special Events • Virginia Studies • Concert of Carols • Field Trips – Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg • Market Day • Math Morning • Colonial Games and Explorations

4th Grade Experience

Collegiate 4th Graders are ready to further develop compassion, empathy and grit as they tackle the progression of curriculum. They are increasingly aware of the intricacies and subtleties of book plots, current issues and developing solutions for problems. Our 4th Graders enjoy the responsibility of being leaders of the Lower School and participating prominently in Town Meetings, recycling and other service areas. They build resiliency through academic challenges. Teachers work to know each child well and provide that “just right” stretch for learning that grows each student. Students enjoy individual accomplishments as well as being a part of something bigger than themselves through cooperative projects and learning.

Literacy Our 4th Grade students are authentically engaged in cross-curricular reading, writing and spelling activities. Using shared, guided and independent reading opportunities, they learn to apply fluency and comprehension strategies to better understand their reading through a variety of genres. During the writing process, students learn to organize and extend their ideas while improving written expression through multiple modes of fiction and nonfiction compositions.

Students learn to identify commonly misspelled words, spelling patterns, vocabulary and grammar within their written work. They are provided multiple opportunities to hone their presentation skills. The 4th Graders build literacy confidence through choice while cultivating a love of reading and writing.

Math In 4th Grade, math continues to focus on problem-solving in everyday situations, practice through games and other activities, and teaching that supports “productive struggle” and encourages a growth mindset. Students continue to learn that the process is just as important as the final result and discover the great benefit in learning from mistakes as emphasized throughout their Lower School experience. The curriculum focuses on understanding and fluency with multi-digit multiplication, multi-digit dividends, fraction equivalence, addition and subtraction of fractions with like denominators, multiplication of fractions by whole numbers and an understanding that geometric figures can be analyzed and classified based on their properties.

Social Studies Our 4th Graders learn and practice important skills such as community-building, research, collaboration, public speaking, empathy and understanding change in the world. During the immigration unit, students study geography, hear firsthand experiences from immigrants and refugees and participate in service learning opportunities. Students study the Declaration of Independence and the causes of the Revolutionary War. They also study the formation of the U.S. government, including the Charters of Freedom, culminating with a field trip to Washington, 26

4th Grade Events and Activities • Envision Collegiate Capstone Experience • Lower School Leaders • Serve as Campus Cubs • Community Outreach Project Tied to Immigration Study • Washington, D.C. Field Trip • Literature Performance • Fourth Grade Moving Up Celebration

D.C. To conclude the 4th Grade experience, students work in a collaborative group for the Lower School Capstone experience, Envision Collegiate. Using the design thinking process, students identify opportunities for change on our campus, create prototypes and deliver presentations to share potential solutions.

Science and Engineering In the Lower School, science learning is optimized through an inquiry-based approach that encourages the students to ask questions that drive their investigations into science concepts. In 4th Grade, these concepts include processes that shape the earth, patterns in waves, how animals and plants process information to survive and energy transfer. Students are encouraged to plan and carry out investigations, develop and use models, analyze and interpret data, engage in argument from evidence and communicate their findings. Students use the Engineering Design Cycle to guide them in many of their explorations and design challenges.

The Arts in Lower School Music Active and creative music-making is at the center of the JK-1st Grade music curriculum, which combines elements of the Orff, Kodaly and Dalcroze approaches to music education. Musicianship is developed in each child through the integration of music, movement, speech and drama.

Poetry, nursery rhymes, folk songs and games from around the world give students insight into themselves, their community and the world at large. Concepts are taught in the sequence of imitation, experimentation and personal expression, giving children the opportunity to experience verbal and nonverbal ways to express emotions. Students are taught traditional music notation and solfege in a scaffolded curriculum that progresses throughout their time in the Lower School, preparing them for success in the Middle and Upper School music ensembles.

In 2nd-4th Grades, students delve deeper into exploring the process of creating, analyzing and performing various types of music. With the continued influences of the Orff, Kodaly and Dalcroze approaches, students cultivate their ability to be thoughtful and artful musicians. New concepts are first introduced through experiences centered around a child’s aptitude to learn through play.

Once students are comfortable with a skill, labels are applied and students begin to manipulate and create their own music using that skill. There is a strong focus on musical literacy, and students grow in this through sight singing, playing instruments and composing with standard notation and solfege. Students are exposed to many different styles of music from around the world and are challenged to connect with the historical and cultural values of each place.

Kindergarten students are frequently invited to sing at various school events throughout the year.

In December, they also perform Christmas Chapel. (Due to the Christian focus of Christmas Chapel, Kindergartners who choose not to participate in the program are afforded the opportunity during rehearsal to take part in an alternate activity. Our 1st Graders perform in the School’s annual Chinese New Year program and participate in a reader's theater performance. Our 2nd Graders 28

perform in the States Fair, an annual program that showcases the 50 United States through song, instruments, dance and artwork. The signature event for 3rd Graders is Concert of Carols, held in December. (Due to the Christian focus of the Concert of Carols, 3rd Graders who choose not to participate in the program are afforded the opportunity during rehearsal to take part in an alternate activity. The 4th Graders prepare a literature performance with song, instruments, dance and artwork based on key 4th Grade literature.

Art JK-1st Grade art is designed to give students a wide range of art experiences as well as develop a love for creating and looking at art. Through exposure to numerous art forms, materials and techniques, students increase their manipulative skills, art vocabulary and perceptive abilities.

Students are exposed to works from many cultures, styles and artists. The students discuss and compare artworks, expand their knowledge of art elements and make aesthetic choices concerning their artworks while learning to care for art tools and materials.

The 2nd-4th Grade art program reviews the concepts introduced in JK-1st Grade art classes while taking group discussions and studio activities to a more advanced level. In an open and creative environment, students begin to focus more time on detail, overlapped imagery, blended color and movement while learning to decode works of art. Students identify the elements of art, visual motifs, media and techniques in the compositions studied and incorporate a variety of each into their own art. With each grade progression, students create more sophisticated images and sculptural forms, explore a wider variety of art media, elevate their understanding of two- and three-dimensional spatial concepts and begin to examine their own works as whole compositions.

The art program provides instruction that encourages higher-level critical thinking strategies 29

The Arts in Lower School continued and aesthetic decision-making skills. Throughout each year, students view, discuss, compare and respond verbally and visually to various artistic genre. They examine the process of creating art, the cultural importance and value of art and the relationship of the artist to his or her society. Additionally, visiting artists inspire student compositions. Numerous works are made in conjunction with overall grade-level studies of the various time periods and themes covered, and works are designed and created in collaborative units with other resource teachers.

Additional Lower School Arts Opportunities • Art Walk - Annual JK-12 Grade art exhibition that opens in April.

• Lower School Displays - Student art is showcased throughout the Lower School on bulletin boards and in display cases.

• 3rd/4th Grade Dance Companies (offered as after-school activities) • Private instruction, Band (4th Grade), Strings (2nd - 4th Grade)

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Physical Education in Lower School The Lower School Physical Education program is designed to create a challenging and enjoyable environment with age-appropriate lessons throughout the Lower School experience. The foundation of the curriculum includes developing motor skills and concepts, understanding the importance of maintaining personal fitness through an active lifestyle and instilling responsible behavior.

The main focus in Junior Kindergarten-1st Grade Physical Education is on movement exploration as it relates to personal and general space. Locomotor and non-locomotor skills, body control, balance and coordination are taught in relationship to spatial awareness at a variety of levels, speeds and directions. Students participate in structured and creative movement activities as well as use a variety of equipment to enrich the learning experience. The instruction and implementation of elementary fitness concepts and exercises promote an appreciation for an active lifestyle. Students are expected to demonstrate the core values learned in Physical Education during classroom activities and throughout their Lower School journey.

Physical Education in 2nd-4th Grades builds on the concepts and skills previously introduced in the Physical Education program. Developing an appreciation for lifelong personal fitness is reinforced through daily warmups and activities. Students

Special Activities: • Field Day • Morning Movement (1st - 4th Grade)

work to maintain the correct form when moving into activities that require strategy and cooperation. Manipulative skills are developed through a variety of activities and equipment. The expectation continues for students to demonstrate the core values of Collegiate School during classroom activities and throughout their Lower School journey.

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School Counseling in the Lower School The comprehensive Lower School counseling program is part of the overall wellness curriculum at Collegiate and aims to promote the intellectual, moral, social and emotional development of each student. The counselors deliver a core curriculum through monthly classroom lessons, small groups and individual support. The program equips students with strategies to confront social, emotional and learning challenges.

The Lower School years are when students begin developing self-concept, decision-making skills and confidence as learners. The counselors are uniquely trained to help students hone these skills through lessons on a variety of topics, including feeling identification, emotional regulation, friendship skills, conflict resolution and more. By collaborating with students, families and teachers, the counselors provide student support tailored to a student’s unique needs.

Small-group counseling provides a supportive environment where students can share thoughts and connect with one another. These short-term groups are usually comprised of four to seven students. Students may refer themselves or be referred by teachers or parents. Examples of groups include Backpack Bootcamp for organizational skills, girls’ or boys’ empowerment groups, changing families for support with separation or divorce, friendship groups to help students build connections with peers and mindfulness groups to help with emotional regulation and coping skills.

The Lower School counselors also offer several other workshops and programs throughout the year to students and parents. Topics vary from year to year.

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Library in Lower School The primary focus of the library program for JK-1st Graders is to nurture a love of reading. Each grade level becomes familiar with the areas of the library that foster reading both for pleasure and for information. As students’ needs and skills develop, their use of the library expands.

Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten lessons focus on sharing and listening to stories. In 1st Grade, students read and reflect together and learn developmentally appropriate research skills in connection with their classroom curriculum.

Students in 2nd-4th Grades continue to balance a love of literature with research skills. They develop research skills by formulating questions, devising strategies for finding and evaluating information and citing sources used. Students at these grade levels are ready to dig more deeply into stories, making connections, predictions and inferences across the genres. Programs such as Virginia Readers Choice give students the opportunity to reflect and discuss broader questions with their peers. Library Club — in which members collect library books from their classrooms, check in books and help younger students use the library — may be offered to 4th Graders.

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103 North Mooreland Road, Richmond, VA 23229 www.collegiate-va.org | 804.740.7077 The School admits qualified students and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its admissions, scholarships, and loans, and its educational, athletic, and other programs.