The Independence School - Lower School

THE INDEPENDENCE SCHOOL

IN THE JOURNEY OF LEARNING,

THESE ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT YEARS OF ALL.

LO W E R S C H O O L

P R O G R A M OV E RV I E W THE LOWER SCHOOL SERVES STUDENTS IN THE FOLLOWING GRADES: EARLY CHILDHOOD I (AGE 3), EARLY CHILDHOOD II (AGE 4/PREKINDERGARTEN), KINDERGARTEN, AND GRADES 1-4. OUR CURRICULUM INTRODUCES CHILDREN TO A BROAD RANGE OF

INSPIRE

SUBJECT AREAS AND SKILLS, ALWAYS IN AGE-APPROPRIATE WAYS AND WITH STRONG EMPHASIS ON HANDS-ON LEARNING AND CREATIVE PLAY.

E A R LY C H I L D H O O D P R O G R A M

CURRICULUM: Personal and Social Growth, Language and Literacy Development,

Math, Science, Social Studies, Fine Motor Skills, Gross Motor Skills CO-CURRICULAR: Music, Library, Art (beginning in ECII)

K I N D E R G A RT E N P R O G R A M CURRICULUM: Personal and Social Growth, Literacy and Language Development,

Math, Science, Social Studies, Fine Motor Skills CO-CURRICULAR: Music, Library, Art, Physical Education, Spanish

PROGRAM IN GRADES 1-4 CURRICULUM: Reading, English, Spelling, Penmanship, Mathematics, Science,

Social Studies, Economics (grade 4) CO-CURRICULAR: Music, Library, Art, Physical Education/Health,

Choir, Orchestra (grade 3), Instrumental Music (grade 4), Spanish, Technology/Computer Science

I M M E R S E A N D D I S COV E R Step into the world of dramatic play and expand your vocabulary as you become a postal service worker or organize a food market. Design and build your own robot, starting with a specific purpose and working from a real plan. Or, bring frontier times to life, with period costumes and food during Prairie Day. These and other colorful experiences immerse our students deeply in learning, engaging the full power of their imagination.

INSPI P H O N I C S A N D F U N DA M E N TA L S One of the strengths of our reading program is a systematic, daily focus on phonics, the skill of decoding words part by part. This is just one component of a balanced literacy program, but an important one, exemplifying our commitment to foundational skills. These range from the study of grammar to the mastery of math facts, and they are critically important to success in later advanced work.

W I D E H O R I ZO N S At Independence, excellent programs in music and art, PE, library, Spanish, and technology all complement the classroom experience. Our young students travel our 90-acre campus, from the auditorium, art rooms, and STEM lab to our pond and beautiful outdoor spaces. They are part of a larger community too, with our Middle Schoolers as great role models.

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C I T I Z E N S H I P A N D S E RV I C E When third graders plan their fabulous Patriotic Program—a pageant of songs and speeches—we look for the chance to share our performance with local veterans.

When we raise a bit of money through an entrepreneurial project, we donate part to hunger relief. Lower Schoolers may not be ready for major service projects, but they are never too young to learn that they have a responsibility to others and the power to make a difference.

A S M A L L S O C I E T Y, A B I G I D E A In an extended economics project the students refer to as “mini society,” fourth graders take on the thrilling challenge of starting their own businesses. They develop unique and creative products, selling them for “Indy Bucks,” and in the process, gain a real understanding of supply and demand. It’s part of our Entrepreneurial and Economic Education program and is a meaningful opportunity to put new ideas into action.

REAM T H E S K I L L S O F T H E ST U D E N T The process of becoming an independent and well-organized student starts in the early grades as teachers guide children in planning their time, managing their class materials, and working with organizational tools to track assignments and due dates.

The Middle School focuses even more strongly on these key skills, and our students are ready for the challenge.

ACHIEVE

WE SPARK CURIOSITY, BUILD CONFIDENCE, AND NURTURE INDEPENDENCE. THE LOWER SCHOOL SERVES STUDENTS FROM AGE THREE THROUGH GRADE FOUR—A PERIOD OF UNPARALLELED TRANSFORMATION IN CHILDREN’S COGNITION, SOCIAL RELATIONS, AND SENSE OF SELF. OUR JOB IS TO ENSURE THAT THIS TIME OF TRANSFORMATION IS SUCCESSFUL IN EVERY WAY WE CAN. THIS MEANS ESTABLISHING A SOLID FOUNDATION OF ACADEMIC SKILLS—AND SO MUCH MORE. AT INDEPENDENCE, WE WELCOME STUDENTS INTO A WARM, SUPPORTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT, SHOW THEM THAT THIS WONDROUS WORLD IS THEIRS TO DISCOVER, AND TEACH THEM TO PLAY THEIR PART AS CARING MEMBERS OF THEIR COMMUNITY.

INSPIRE. DREAM. ACHIEVE.

1300 PA P E R MI LL R OA D, N EWA RK , D E 1 97 1 1 • 302 . 239.0330 TH E I N DE P E N DE N C ESC H O O L .O R G