Summit Country Day School Lower School Curriculum Overview

Kindergarten Art Children explore various artists and artistic styles as the students reproduce famous paintings and take a trip to the Cincinnati Art Museum. A fine arts unit culminates the year for the Advanced Enrichment Program.

Computer Students are introduced to the basics of computer technology. Web-based programs provide information and experiences in the areas of art, music, math, language, geography, and science.

The children and teachers use the computer as an educational tool that supports continuous technology learning.

Language Arts During the ages of 3 to 6, children are in the sensitive period for acquiring language. Through broad exposure to language and rich experiences, their absorbent minds are adding new words to their vocabulary at a rate that will never again be equaled. The process of learning to read is complex. It is composed of auditory and visual discrimination in addition to cognitive construction. In our Montessori classroom, the materials help the child in developing critical communication, expression, organization, and classification skills. The environment is prepared to build a scaffold of learning that aligns with a student’s cognitive development, enabling a child to master the language.

Pre-Reading Children begin to build a sophisticated vocabulary through conversation by learning the correct names of objects in their environment, storytelling, and introduction to a variety of excellent literature. Phonemic awareness and auditory discrimination exercises allow children to identify, isolate, and manipulate discrete sounds. The use of sandpaper letters assists students in building the sound-symbol relationship. Visual discrimination is evolving at this stage as children begin to match object to object, parts to whole, and recognize patterns. As the foundation for future reading is constructed, students develop concepts such as simple sequencing, things that go together, and classifying.

Reading At this stage, a child understands that written words are actual thoughts put to paper.

Using the moveable alphabet and other language materials, students practice wordbuilding skills, such as segmenting and blending three- or four-letter phonetic words. A child progresses from “writing” a single word to “writing” a complete thought or story that has a beginning, middle, and end. Phonetic books and whole language books reinforce spelling patterns and high frequency words and foster comprehension skills as well as fluency. A variety of genres such as fiction, nonfiction, poetry, short stories, fables, fairy tales, and biographies enrich our students’ reading experience. During this “total reading” stage, a child begins to read for pleasure, is able to communicate fully, and can understand the literal and implied meaning in text.

Writing A child’s need to write emerges from the attention on oral language development.

Writing is taught before reading through direct and indirect aims of Montessori’s practical life and sensorial materials. A child’s work in the practical life and sensorial areas of the classroom assists in cultivating gross and fine motor skills, eye-hand coordination, differentiating contrasting symbols and sounds, directionality, and the ability to perceive figures in space. Students learn proper letter formation through tracing the sandpaper letters; writing the letters in sand, rice or the air; and during handwriting lessons. Students explore writing through creative story writing, journaling, responding to literature, letter writing, and more.

Math The Montessori math program begins by using concrete materials that work toward the goal of internalizing number concepts. A variety of sensorial materials are used to teach the one-to-one concept of quantity-to-symbol relationship. The physical quantities are supported using cards and counters, spindle boxes, and numerical rods. Progression continues through teens, tens, hundreds, and thousands. Montessori materials such as sandpaper numerals, teens boards, tens boards, the stamp game, the bead box, and the hundred board support this goal. The decimal system is represented with the golden bead materials and the bank game. These materials intermix to provide experience with addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The children use square and cube chains to learn squaring and cubing, practice linear and skip counting, and memorize multiples. These concrete materials prepare for abstract memorization.

Music All Montessori and Lower School children are exposed to a progressive music program that uses Orff percussion instruments. These simple mallet-struck melody-makers were invented by Carl Orff, a German composer, educational theorist, and contemporary of Maria Montessori. He believed that any child could partake of the joys of playing music with little or no traditional training. The simple-to-play Orff instruments are designed to make the music-learning experience fun and exploratory while teaching the language of music.

Physical Education Physical education is an important component of the educational experience for Montessori students. The curriculum includes a foundation of basic movement and manipulative skills so the students experience success and feel comfortable during physical activity adventures. As the children experience personal feelings of success and achievement through movement, they begin to recognize others, acknowledge that others may occupy their space, learn to move about in their space without interfering with others, and begin to learn to take turns and share interactions with others.

Religion Weekly presentations of Bible stories using hands-on materials encourage student participation in their own spiritual experience. Students hear and interact with Bible stories, offer insight into these stories, and sing songs of praise. Christian service is also a part of the religion curriculum, with Montessori students providing Christmas gifts to families in need.

Science Science is an integral element of the Montessori curriculum for ages 2-6. The materials present the world in a way that children can observe, experiment, demonstrate, and record what they have learned. The scope of the Montessori science curriculum includes a sound introduction to botany, zoology, chemistry, physics, geology, and astronomy. The Montessori approach to science cultivates children’s fascination with the universe and helps them develop a lifelong interest in observing nature and discovering more about the world in which we live. The focus here is that the child learns how to be a scientist — to be objective, organized, able to perform tasks in a predetermined order, and record the results.

Social Studies This curricular area covers the universe, from the concepts of land, air, and water, to various landforms, to maps, to cultural studies. Students learn map skills using a continent map, six continent puzzle maps of countries, and a map of the United States. Cultural studies include presentations about Romania, England, Ireland and Brazil.

World Language Montessori’s World Language Program provides students with an early introduction to languages and best practices. Starting in preschool (Early Enrichment), students have both French and Spanish classes before choosing one language of study beginning in Kindergarten.

The seamless design of the program promotes high levels of fluency through a spiraled curriculum and the opportunity for 13 consecutive years of study of either French or Spanish.

Classes meet for 30 minutes twice a week. The program’s goal is to build upon the students’ natural curiosity to foster understanding of language and culture, and to develop speaking and listening skills, as well as a love of language.

Grade 1 Art Young artists learn beginning drawing skills, color concepts, basic elements of design, and develop a sense of artistic composition by creating their own art through drawing, painting, constructing and sculpting clay, and turning common objects into art. Students practice seeing these aspects of art and understanding how they convey thought or feeling by discussing and critiquing works of art.

Computer Children learn the keyboard and mouse as well as how to open, close, and use applications. They learn to navigate to websites and use them, and practice skills using mathematics and reading programs. Students combine all their first grade learning by digitally creating and illustrating their own story.

Language Arts Building on the phonetic approach introduced in the Montessori School, teachers guide students in phonetic skills, recognition of sight words, and relating spoken sounds to written words.

Students study weekly spelling words to improve vocabulary and word recognition. Children improve fluency by reading interactively with computers, aloud to each other, and independently to themselves. They learn how to select literature with a good level of challenge and a variety of genres to expand experience and reading choices. Students lean strategies to improve comprehension, make inferences, and draw conclusions.

Teachers introduce the basic mechanics of writing, and students practice them by writing about real or imaginary topics. Writing is infused into the school day, and children write in different ways in science, social studies, religion, and mathematics.

Math Using manipulatives, the students continue the concrete experiences in math they began at the Montessori level and gain a greater understanding of place value and operations. Fluent mastery of math facts is critical to building a rich and useful understanding of mathematics in the world.

Therefore, students practice addition and subtraction facts to mastery. To help students become strong mathematical thinkers, students use math vocabulary, journal writing, and practice strategies that include looking for patterns, logical reasoning, or estimation to learn different ways to solve problems.

Music Teachers seek to instill a lifelong love of music using the Orff-Schulwerk approach to music education. Children sing, play instruments, improvise, start reading music, and learn folk dances.

Students listen to different kinds of music and learn the difference between melody and harmony, recognize pitch and timbre, and identify music themes. Children of any religious background can choose to participate in the music at prayer service and Masses. First grade students present a yearly concert demonstrating the vocal, instrumental, theatrical, and movement skills they have learned.

Physical Education The Lower School physical education program is designed to introduce and develop athletic skills, cooperation, sportsmanship, and an appreciation for physical activity. Cooperative challenges, free-play situations, and independent thinking are all key elements in the development of these important values. Students take part in a fitness test at the beginning and end of the year so they can easily see how much they have learned and developed.

Religion In the first grade, students learn about God's revelation of Himself using the story of Creation, the birth of Jesus, and His death and resurrection. We teach students, by word and action, about the two greatest commandments: love God, and love your neighbor. Using parables, Bible stories, songs and prayers, the students grow closer to God and their knowledge of Jesus's life and how He lived on earth. In celebrating and participating in liturgies and prayer services, the students recognize their importance in the church. They learn how the sacraments are a sign of God's love. Teachers emphasize the individuality of each child as a unique creation of God and a sign that God has a special plan for each of us.

Science Students experiment and learn about the scientific method in the science lab. Teachers develop learning centers where students study animal adaptations, magnets, force and motion, sound, light and the sun, moon and stars, and material objects and their properties in a more individualized and self-paced manner. Experts from the Cincinnati Zoo and the Children’s Museum visit the students to deepen and broaden scientific understanding.

Social Studies Students learn collaboratively about map and globe skills including uses for the compass, map key, and scale symbols. Students use these skills to locate continents, countries, and states, and incorporate literature, animals, and cultures native to these areas. Students learn about famous historical figures and study various holidays. Teachers incorporate the first grade character trait, caring, directly into lessons.

World Language The Lower School World Language Program’s goal is to increase understanding of language; develop speaking, listening, writing and reading skills; and enhance awareness of customs and traditions of Spanish- and French-speaking countries and cultures. First grade students take Spanish or French for a period of 30 minutes twice a week.

Grade 2 Art Second grade art students build upon their first year’s content to further their skills in a variety of techniques Students learn about artwork in other cultures. Children create portraits, seascapes and still-life works, practicing and expanding their drawing skills. Teachers introduce composition and perspective in artwork.

Computer Students practice keyboarding skills and use web-based resources in developing computer literacy skills, including how to use the internet as a research tool. They also use programs to reinforce their math, reading, and writing skills. Children use computers to transform their writing into published pieces.

Language Arts Teachers reinforce and expand students’ phonetic, vocabulary, spelling, and comprehension skills. Students improve their reading fluency by reading to others and independently, developing more literacy independence. In second grade students become stronger readers through reading carefully selected literature that challenges their skills while continuing to capture their sense of wonder and imagination. Mysteries, biographies, poetry, and fairy tales are some of the included genres. Students write works that they edit and publish. They also deliver oral presentations based on their own research.

Math Math computation in second grade requires mastery of addition and subtraction facts through 18, and students practice those facts regularly. These skills are essential as the students move toward increased computing in abstract form. Students use manipulatives to understand more complex problems and practice the transition to abstract written form. Problem solving becomes an even more critical piece of the math program in second grade as students learn to understand and solve story problems with more than one solving step.

Music Children sing, play instruments, improvise, dance, and listen as they build their musical appreciation. They begin to listen and play together as an ensemble, with each Orff instrument playing a different part. All children, regardless of religious affiliation, are invited to assist in the leading of the music at prayer services and Masses. The second grade children present a yearly concert demonstrating the vocal, instrumental, theatrical, and movement skills they have learned.

Physical Education Students continue to build on the knowledge and skills learned in first grade. Teachers continue to emphasize the importance of cooperation, sportsmanship, and team-building with the introduction of differentiated activities to provide the students with the opportunity to progress at their own level for optimal success. The annual physical fitness test shows students how much they have improved since last year.

Religion God's revelation of Himself through the gifts of Creation and Scripture is a recurring theme throughout second grade. Students discuss the understanding of God's love at the time of preparation for the sacrament of reconciliation. Jesus's mission and identity are emphasized through Bible study, song, and prayer. Students come to know their mission and identity by emulating Jesus's example. Catholic students also prepare to receive the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist by participating in a re-enactment of the Last Supper and reading Bible verses. The role of parents is extended in the preparation of the sacraments in order to provide for continued practice of faith formation of their children. Students participate in formal prayer in the classroom and liturgical prayer in the chapel.

Science Students investigate and experiment to understand science. They study plant life cycles and factors that affect plant growth in the school’s organic garden. Children learn about the solar system by conducting investigations about the properties of and the relationships between the Earth, moon, and sun. Students eagerly look forward to using the portable planetarium Star Lab, bringing stars and constellations to life. Experts from the Cincinnati Zoo and the Children’s Museum visit the students to further expand their scientific understanding.

Social Studies Students build on their map and globe skills in studying North America, discussing the Northern and Southern hemispheres in terms of Christmas customs in winter and summer lands, and learning more about other holidays. Teachers use the second grade character trait of respect throughout the process of historical empathy. Students learn about people of character who changed history. Students perform a play for the first grade students about the “I Have a Dream” speech by Martin Luther King Jr. Nonfiction reading is incorporated into the curriculum to increase students’ comprehension skills within nonfiction texts.

World Language Children build on their existing language skills to increase understanding of their selected world language; develop speaking, listening, writing, and reading skills; and enhance awareness of customs and traditions of Spanish- and French-speaking countries and cultures. Students take Spanish or French for a period of 30 minutes twice a week.

Grade 3 Art Students explore true self-expression with several lessons that challenge them to consider their own unique traits, personalities, and interests. Through sculpture, they advance skills and knowledge pertaining to the elements and principles of design. Students continue to paint and draw to practice and expand skills and techniques. Students study artists and their work to learn more about how art conveys feelings and stories.

Computer Students create individual digital portfolios containing written works, graphs, PowerPoint social studies projects, and math spreadsheets. Teachers introduce more online resource across curricular areas. Additionally, students share their knowledge and understanding with each other through collaborative projects. Students are introduced to coding using the MIT-developed Scratch program. Students work in teams coding in Scratch to design math fact games for first grade students.

Language Arts Students develop their personal reading lives and recognize who they are as readers. Students learn strategies and skills to improve their reading and writing abilities. They apply these strategies daily and read independently or with a partner. Teachers provide students with additional guidance on choosing personal reading materials that fit their interest and reading ability. Children use a Reader’s Notebook to keep track of the books they read, record their thinking, log their reading goals, track their growth, and respond to current books. Teachers guide the students through small group instruction and individual conferences. Students write pieces from additional styles including personal narratives, poetry, opinion writing, and essays.

Teachers assess students’ reading and writing at the beginning, middle, and end of the year.

These assessments drive personalized instruction and measure student growth.

Math By the end of third grade, students should be fluent in their multiplication facts. They continue to work with Montessori materials and other manipulatives to ensure greater understanding of multi-digit multiplication and division and practice the transition to abstract written form.

Teachers introduce computation with fractions and decimals. Students explore geometry and its connections to life experiences. With more complex problems to solve, teachers dedicate time to the application of problem-solving strategies as students work through the process of inquiry and think critically about their unique approaches to solve problems. The third grade math experience culminates with a math scavenger hunt in O'Bryonville, hunting for real-world examples of recently learned mathematic concepts.

Music Third grade students continue to grow and develop their skills as singers, ensemble instrumentalists, dancers, actors, and musicians. Literacy is an important piece of the third grade curriculum as the children continue to read, improvise, and play music on classroom and Orff instruments. Children of any religious background can choose to participate in the music at prayer service and Masses. Students apply all they have learned in a spring musical production.

Physical Education Through enhanced differentiated instruction, third grade students learn more advanced skills.

Students revisit the skills they need to improve and practice more challenging skills. Good sportsmanship and teamwork are reinforced throughout the program.

Religion In the third grade, students focus on the mission of the church. We teach students how to reflect upon prayer and discover the importance of ministry, how they can minister to others, and spread the Good News. Children become familiar with the liturgical year of the Catholic Church and realize the importance of the life of Christ. Students continue to learn about God's forgiveness through the sacrament of reconciliation. Children learn to recognize God as the Trinity and that their soul, although invisible, is a creation of God. We discuss the community of God's family in terms of the Catholic Church and its hierarchical structure. Students gain a greater respect of people of all faiths.

Science Students expand their use of the scientific method, doing more in-depth study while recording detailed notes in their science journals. Curriculum concepts include electricity, soils, living organisms, the food chain, weather, and various health-related topics (for example, body systems).

Social Studies Teachers introduce new map terms and ideas, such as longitude and latitude, using grids to identify location, and scale to find distances. Children learn about Ohio and Cincinnati history and government through video and a historical novel. The third grade character trait of fairness is applied when they study and discuss the American modern civil rights movement, emphasizing the contributions of people of character. To broaden their cultural horizons, students compare and contrast American customs and cultures with other countries through global presentations and activities.

World Language Children build on their existing language skills to increase understanding of their selected world language; develop speaking, listening, writing, and reading skills; and enhance awareness of customs and traditions of Spanish- and French-speaking countries and cultures. Students take Spanish or French for a period of 30 minutes twice a week.

Grade 4 Art Teachers emphasize realistic proportions and plans for predetermined effects. Students use recognizable works of art, such as the Cubist work of Pablo Picasso, to expand visual awareness.

Students practice and expand existing skills in painting, drawing, sculpture, and creative art forms.

Computer Students use computers more as a tool for word processing and publishing and expanding their research capabilities via internet resources. Curricular topics include using word processing software, graphing software, and art and drawing programs. Students produce unique coding projects with using MIT's Scratch programming tools. The students learn more about presentation skills, both oral and visual, using PowerPoint as part of a unit on cyber safety.

Language Arts Writing and reading are integral parts of the entire fourth grade curriculum. Students focus on content-specific literacy strategies and research skills, gaining a deeper understanding and an internalization of subject area content. They explore expository, narrative, creative, and opinion pieces, as well as literature responses. Students develop their unique style and voice. They work on the fundamentals of writing by developing formal paragraphs that incorporate an opening statement, a body containing supporting evidence and detail, and a closing sentence.

Teachers prioritize developing strategies and reading comprehension skills as students explore the roles of inference, connections, visualization, prediction, and drawing conclusions to create deeper meaning in text. Students read in a variety of genres with an emphasis on the elements of cause and effect, comparing and contrasting, sequencing, and character development.

Math Students learn new concepts in fourth grade math with a focus on accurate computation in all four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division). Students learn to use flexible and diverse mental math, estimation, and problem-solving techniques. Numbers and number relations, data analysis, fractions, decimals, graphing, measurement, and geometry units are covered this year with a focus on multi-digit multiplication and developing a deep understanding of division. Students still use manipulatives as appropriate and transition from the concrete to the abstract. Students journal to reinforce their math understanding, use technology to practice and learn, and work in cooperative groups to reinforce understanding and implementation of new concepts.

21st Century Math In this math laboratory, students investigate the decision-making processes underlying economics, the budgeting for and planning of an event, and the importance of math in art. Realworld simulations and experiences help students practice applying mathematic concepts. They achieve their goals collaboratively through the design, evaluation, testing, and revision of projects. The culmination of the course is selection of the student-developed party proposals. The winning team will implement their proposal for the end-of-year party.

Music Students deepen and broaden their musical skills and knowledge, continuing emphasis on singing, speech, movement, and playing Orff instruments. Students create songs and performance pieces, practice singing simple harmonies, and begin to study the soprano recorder.

Teachers provide instruction in music theory, ear training, literacy, and singing folk songs from diverse cultures. Children of any religious background can choose to participate in the music at prayer service and Masses.

Physical Education Students learn the more strategic aspects of sports games and activities. Sports skills are continually developed and refined, as are teamwork skills, to include more strategic maneuvers.

Good sportsmanship is reinforced at all levels.

Religion Fourth graders study morality, conscience formation, and moral discernment as embodied through an in-depth study of the sacraments, the Ten Commandments, and the Beatitudes.

Students learn about the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy in how we live Jesus's command to love God and neighbor by helping those in need. Students learn how the Holy Spirit guides them in making good moral decisions in their daily life. Teachers encourage children to examine their lives in the light of Jesus’ teachings and example. We encourage students to actively participate in liturgies as the elder role models of the Lower School.

Science Using a guided inquiry approach, students explore and investigate science through experimentation and observation. Teachers emphasize the importance and relevance of science in our daily life. Students study the interconnection between science and other curricular areas, learn how to answer questions and solve problems. Students demonstrate understanding of the scientific method and science process skills in engineering design challenges. Topics include processes of the Earth, animal adaptations, the environment, and the study of light and color.

Social Studies The students explore United States geography and the 50 states through various activities and research of six regions. Teachers instruct and guide students in state research projects; using and reading maps; and understanding our country's physical features, climate, history, economy, and government structure.

World Language Children build on their existing language skills to increase understanding of their selected world language; develop speaking, listening, writing, and reading skills; and enhance awareness of customs and traditions of Spanish- and French-speaking countries and cultures. Students take Spanish or French for a period of 30 minutes twice a week.