A Day in the Life of the Lower School

A DAY I N T H E L I F E L OW E R S C H O O L

O F. . .

By Nicole Peddy

I

n the Lower School, the day begins with students and teachers meeting in the classroom at 8 a.m. to welcome and greet each other and organize the day. They convene and walk together to Lower School Chapel.

The daily Chapel service is a gathering of the entire student body. It’s a time of daily centering, spiritual reflection, song and convocation. Led by school chaplains, this purposeful start to the day allows students to understand and explore traditions, character and develop a sense of community and camaraderie.

Teachers lead their students back to their classrooms to focus on growth, learning and well-being, especially in four core aspects of child development: academic, social, emotional and spiritual.

A rich and comprehensive Lower School curriculum of reading, writing, math, science, social studies, visual and performing arts, social sciences, physical education, computer literacy, science, foreign language and an understanding of faith traditions well prepares them for future success in St. Margaret’s rigorous college-preparatory curriculum.

Critical-thinking, creativity, problem solving, exploration and collaboration skills are nurtured in every subject through a focus on enduring understandings and essential questions.

The St. Margaret’s Lower School has small classes, with a teacher-to-student ratio of 10:1. This enables teachers to differentiate instruction—to know every student and meet and support them where they are in their learning. The Lower School is structured on a six-day schedule to support

8:10—8:30 a.m.

> > 8 a.m.

Instruction begins. Students are gathered by their teachers from the Lower School playground and escorted to their classrooms for a day of instruction.

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Chapel. Students of all faiths and denominations come together four times weekly to explore common bonds, create awareness of the needs of others and deepen relationships.

8:35—9:55 a.m.

Students in grades 1 - 3 participate in English language arts instruction in their respective classrooms.

the breadth of the curriculum offerings. The schedule also allows for grade-level planning to ensure consistency in instruction and support of every student. Faculty, teaching assistants, Library and Student Academic Support Center educators strive to create a physically and emotionally safe environment where students are motivated to learn and empowered to take risks because they feel comfortable and loved.

“Our expert faculty use differentiated instruction to meet the needs of the various individual learners in their classrooms,” said Academic Dean and Lower School Principal Dr. Regina McDuffie. “Teachers differentiate for learning ability and learning style by using assessments before instruction to get to know what students are interested in, how they approach learning and where they are developmentally.” For additional information, see Dr. McDuffie’s article, “What is Differentiated Instruction?” in the March/April 2011 Tartan newsletter.

The reading and writing instruction is conducted within small groups allowing students to read and write at their own instructional level and be appropriately supported, one-onone with their teacher. Math incorporates both the learning of traditional skills as well as conceptual understanding. In addition to Chapel services four times a week, students attend Christian life skills class each week to develop spiritual awareness, deepen their relationship with God, build moral character and learn about other faiths and cultures. Beginning in kindergarten, Lower School students are also introduced to the Spanish language through conversational and academic Spanish. The curriculum sets a solid grounding for success in foreign language study throughout their lives and inspires understanding, excitement and confidence about foreign language and other cultures.

In addition to expansive technology resources to support student learning and skills across all subject areas, students are engaged in technology through learning programming,

>> House Leagues The St. Margaret’s House League system was established in the British tradition of longstanding teams that encourage team spirit and support. Children entering the Lower School are placed on one of four teams and usually remain on the same team throughout their Lower School years. House League teams accumulate points in athletic, service and citizenship competitions, and compete for rewards such as free-dress days.

Physical Education Students attend physical education classes two to three days a week. During these periods, students will develop sportsmanship, teamwork, and leadership abilities through developmentally appropriate competition.

10—10:45 a.m.

Recess. After a morning of classroom time, kindergarten students venture outdoors to enjoy the Lower School playground during recess. This is a time for students to use their social skills while engaging in games and activities.

10:10—11:45 a.m.

Students in grades 1 - 3 embark on instruction in special subjects including: art, Christian life skills, library, music, science, physical education and Spanish.

10:30—11:00 a.m.

Grade 5 students continue their morning instruction with one of the following: math, reading, science, social studies or writing.

summer 2011

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engineering and robotics, while applying the concepts of math, science and design. Through these programs, students cultivate challenging engineering, math and computer science concepts, as well as creative problem solving and working collaboratively supporting our 21st century learning initiative.

This year, the Lower School introduced robotics programs: PicoCrickets in grade 3, and Bee-Bots in kindergarten and grade 1. Additionally, next year, students in grades 2-4 will be working in a small Lower School garden growing seedlings for the larger school garden (see “A School Garden Growing Sustainability and Community” on page 23). They will learn about composting, water sources, the implication of water on our food, garden-to-table concepts, develop naturalist intelligence and an appreciation for the Earth.

As the day comes to a close at 3 p.m., students pack their bags before heading home or perhaps to an after-school club such as art, choir, chess, computers, cooking, dance, drama, foreign language, sports, math or science where learning continues with St. Margaret’s faculty. ●

“Our STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) program is aimed at helping to prepare our students for the demands of our rapidly changing world,” said Dr. McDuffie.

“We want to introduce engineering concepts as early as possible and make our students aware of their role in environmental sustainability. We accomplish this in many ways but we are particularly excited about our new ecology and robotics programs.”

Music and Choir For kindergarten-grade 3, children develop their music awareness through singing, movement and understanding of basic music concepts and terminology. The concert band and orchestra programs is open to grades 4 and 5 and introduces students to the technical fundamentals of playing a musical instrument, along with reading music. The choir program exposes students to a variety of music and provides a fun, quality musical experience.

Participation in the after-school Piper’s Choir program is available, as well as beginning choir for grades 4 and 5.

Drama The Lower School theatre program is a process-oriented, experientially-based program available to students in grades 1-5. Educational theatre at St. Margaret’s reflects the school’s core values where inclusion and participation are emphasized. The annual Lower School musical provides the framework for teaching theatre at this age level. All Lower School students who audition are cast in the play.

Technology Lab Lower School students learn to use technology as an effective tool promoting critical thinking, creative problem-solving, communication, collaboration and productivity to prepare them to be lifelong learners and global citizens in the 21st century.

Computer instruction in kindergarten-grade 2 has an emphasis on technology skill development. Grades 3-5 begin digital media literacy while increasing their exposure to emerging technologies.

10:45 a.m.—12:15 p.m.

1:15—2:30 p.m.

Kindergarten students take this time to focus on special subjects such as computers, social studies and Spanish.

Kindergarten students participate in math and social science instruction, as well as have a short rest.

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12:15—1:00 p.m.

1—3 p.m.

Lunch for Lower School students is staggered throughout the day. Students sit together by classroom, and have a PTF hot lunch or a lunch they have brought from home on the Lower School picnic tables. Grade 5 students have lunch during this time.

Grade 4 students spend their afternoon filled with special subjects including: art, music, science, physical education and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) instruction.