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The Lower School fitness program offers students in grades pre-kindergarten through four the opportunity to experience physical education in a structured and supportive atmosphere. The classes participate in a wide variety of activities designed to encourage the development of fundamental motor skills, manipulative skills and movement experience. The students focus on basic ball handling skills, the value of being physically fit and the ability to display appropriate behaviors during class and sports situations. Classes are held both outside on our beautiful fields (when weather permits), as well as in our Lower School multi-purpose room, complete with gym floor, high ceiling and climbing wall. All Lower School classes have fitness class three times per week.

The Lower School fitness program offers students in grades pre-kindergarten through four the opportunity to experience physical education in a structured and supportive atmosphere. The classes participate in a wide variety of activities designed to encourage the development of fundamental motor skills, manipulative skills and movement experience. The students focus on basic ball handling skills, the value of being physically fit and the ability to display appropriate behaviors during class and sports situations. Classes are held both outside on our beautiful fields (when weather permits), as well as in our Lower School multi-purpose room, complete with gym floor, high ceiling and climbing wall. All Lower School classes have fitness class three times per week.

The Lower School fitness program offers students in grades pre-kindergarten through four the opportunity to experience physical education in a structured and supportive atmosphere. The classes participate in a wide variety of activities designed to encourage the development of fundamental motor skills, manipulative skills and movement experience. The students focus on basic ball handling skills, the value of being physically fit and the ability to display appropriate behaviors during class and sports situations. Classes are held both outside on our beautiful fields (when weather permits), as well as in our Lower School multi-purpose room, complete with gym floor, high ceiling and climbing wall. All Lower School classes have fitness class three times per week.

The Lower School fitness program offers students in grades pre-kindergarten through four the opportunity to experience physical education in a structured and supportive atmosphere. The classes participate in a wide variety of activities designed to encourage the development of fundamental motor skills, manipulative skills and movement experience. The students focus on basic ball handling skills, the value of being physically fit and the ability to display appropriate behaviors during class and sports situations. Classes are held both outside on our beautiful fields (when weather permits), as well as in our Lower School multi-purpose room, complete with gym floor, high ceiling and climbing wall. All Lower School classes have fitness class three times per week.

The Lower School fitness program offers students in grades pre-kindergarten through four the opportunity to experience physical education in a structured and supportive atmosphere. The classes participate in a wide variety of activities designed to encourage the development of fundamental motor skills, manipulative skills and movement experience. The students focus on basic ball handling skills, the value of being physically fit and the ability to display appropriate behaviors during class and sports situations. Classes are held both outside on our beautiful fields (when weather permits), as well as in our Lower School multi-purpose room, complete with gym floor, high ceiling and climbing wall. All Lower School classes have fitness class three times per week.

Fourth grade is a time of dramatic growth. During this pivotal year, students take on increased responsibility as leaders of the lower school. They enjoy acting as role models for the rest of the student body. They lead by example, showing how best to act in the hallways and on the playground, as well as leading the Pledge of Allegiance at Morning Circle. They are responsible for the daily raising and lowering of the flag, as well as our school’s classroom recycling program. Additionally, fourth graders take on more independent work in the classroom than they did in the lower grades, achieving in both individual and group endeavors. This greater role that fourth graders play within the lower school community assists them in transitioning to the more significant level of personal and community responsibilities they will have when they move on to middle school.

Our math curriculum is a skill-based program from Houghton Mifflin in which we concentrate on the mastery of basic computational skills. These include advanced addition and subtraction, multiplication and two-digit long division. We use games and manipulative materials to reinforce and expand upon concepts such as place value, money, fractions, decimals and situational problem solving. Fourth graders are also introduced to basic algebra.

In reading, we explore several different genres, including historical fiction, biography, mystery and fantasy. In small, reading groups, we concentrate on oral reading with good voicing and expression, comprehension, character and plot development. At least one of the chapter books that the students read relates to the current All-School Theme. We also foster and develop confident presentation skills, such as speaking with expression and fluency, by reading aloud in both small groups and for the entire student body at morning Circle. Students also work on Spelling and the study of vocabulary is enhanced through the use of Wordly Wise.

In 4th grade we utilize the Collins Writing Program, which helps students to improve their writing fluency, organizational and editing skills. This program strives to help students become better writers through the use of five types of writing. The students will be given times to be “totally creative” (Type One,) times when they will move through a process of creative and critical thought (Types Two through Four,) and finally a time when the use of critical thinking and style is paramount (Type Five.) The progression of this program helps to remove obstacles that many people face when writing, such as fear of evaluation and fear of failure. We will use this program across all content areas.

In social studies, the fourth grade focuses on four different units. We begin the year with the study of Map Skills, which leads to our second unit, Landforms. This unit culminates in a project that is shared with the school. Our third unit concentrates on United States History with a focus on Westward Expansion, including the Oregon Trail, Pioneer Life and Lewis and Clark. Our final unit, which we explore throughout the year, includes various aspects of our yearly Lower School Study Theme. In past years we have explored themes such as, the Circus, Medieval Times, China, Maritime studies, Native American studies and Space. When working on projects, students learn to use many research tools including books in the library and the Internet.

The Indian Mountain Lower School Library was completed in 2006. The architect, Sam Posey, created a space using traditional and modern materials that welcome the beauty of the outdoor environment. Natural light pours in through the large windows creating a warm and inviting space that is both functional and very pleasant.

The Lower School Library houses an ever-growing collection of both fiction and non-fiction books appropriate for children in pre-kindergarten through fourth grade. Traditional reference materials including, dictionaries and child appropriate encyclopedias, are supplemented with instruction in the use of electronic reference. There are four Mac computers available for student use in the library.

Students in pre-kindergarten through fourth grade attend a weekly library class. During this time students receive instruction in the functions of a library. Students learn the difference between fiction and non-fiction and how the Dewey Decimal System serves to organize materials within the library. Most importantly, the students learn how to find appropriate books and the process for checking out their selected books.

During library class, the librarian reads aloud to students from specially selected books and kids are invited to explore the library, searching for a book to check out each week. A visitor to the library during class time will find that the Lower School Library is not your “traditional” library. It is a peaceful but also a lively place for children to learn the joys that reading brings and to generate excitement about reading books and sharing that joy with others.

The Indian Mountain Lower School Library was completed in 2006. The architect, Sam Posey, created a space using traditional and modern materials that welcome the beauty of the outdoor environment. Natural light pours in through the large windows creating a warm and inviting space that is both functional and very pleasant.

The Lower School Library houses an ever-growing collection of both fiction and non-fiction books appropriate for children in pre-kindergarten through fourth grade. Traditional reference materials including, dictionaries and child appropriate encyclopedias, are supplemented with instruction in the use of electronic reference. There are four Mac computers available for student use in the library.

Students in pre-kindergarten through fourth grade attend a weekly library class. During this time students receive instruction in the functions of a library. Students learn the difference between fiction and non-fiction and how the Dewey Decimal System serves to organize materials within the library. Most importantly, the students learn how to find appropriate books and the process for checking out their selected books.

During library class, the librarian reads aloud to students from specially selected books and kids are invited to explore the library, searching for a book to check out each week. A visitor to the library during class time will find that the Lower School Library is not your “traditional” library. It is a peaceful but also a lively place for children to learn the joys that reading brings and to generate excitement about reading books and sharing that joy with others.

Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten
In music class, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students engage in a variety of musical activities. They learn to match pitch and echo lyrics while singing. Recognizing and playing rhythms on percussion is an important activity as well. Students work as a group to develop cooperation, consideration, sharing, and performance skills. They experience musical elements: fast/slow, loud/soft, steady beat, and blending of louder and softer voices. They listen to examples of classical music, identifying instruments and melodic contour. For performance in our concerts, students learn songs in several different styles. In class, they dance and play musical games, which develop fine- and gross-motor skills, self-expression, and a sense of fair play.

Grade One and Grade Two
In music class, first and second grade students engage in a variety of activities. They develop more independence in singing, and continue to expand their melodic range and linguistic abilities. They enjoy singing rounds. Students work together as a group to develop cooperation, consideration, and problem-solving skills. They improve their ability to blend louder and softer voices within the group. Students recognize and perform rhythmic notation. They can play simple accompaniments on the xylophone. They listen to examples of classical music, identifying instruments and melodic contour. For performance in our concerts, students learn songs in several styles and play percussion instruments. First graders know how to follow cues and demonstrate good performance comportment. They enjoy musical games and dances; these enhance self-expression, music skills, and a sense of fair play. Students are very interested in our new computer software program, “Music Maestro,” which contains lessons and games for aural skills and music theory.

Grade Three
In music class, Third grade students learn to play the soprano recorder and engage in a variety of activities. They become more sophisticated in singing and continue to expand their melodic range, intonation, and linguistic ability; reading lyrics and enunciating clearly. They improve their ability to project their voices and to blend louder and softer voices in the class. Students work together as a group to develop cooperation, consideration, and problem solving skills. Third graders recognize and perform rhythmic and melodic notation. They develop fine-motor coordination.

While listening to examples of classical music, students focus on identifying instruments, melodic contour, and expressive elements. For performance in our concerts, students learn pieces in a variety of musical styles. Songs may include unusual rhythms and mixed meters. Third graders learn to follow a musical score. Students follow performance cues and demonstrate good concert comportment. They are very interested in our new computer software program, “Music Maestro,” which has lessons and games for enhancing music theory and aural skills.

Grade Four
In music class Fourth graders take part in a variety of musical activities. They continue recorder playing, learning new notes and more difficult songs. They develop fine-motor coordination. They learn about articulation, dynamics (loud and soft), and playing in tune. They become more sophisticated in singing and continue to expand their melodic range, intonation, and linguistic ability while reading lyrics and enunciating clearly. They improve their ability to project their voices and to blend louder and softer voices in the class. Students work together as a group to develop cooperation, consideration, and problem-solving skills. Fourth graders recognize and perform rhythmic and melodic notation.

While listening to examples of classical music, students focus on identifying instruments, melodic contour, and expressive elements. For performance in our holiday concert, students learn pieces in a variety of musical styles. Songs may include unusual rhythms and mixed meters. The fourth graders follow performance cues and demonstrate good concert comportment. They are very interested in our new computer software program, “Music Maestro,” which has lessons and games for enhancing music theory and aural skills.

In addition to our regular music classes, fourth graders have the option of taking up a band/orchestral instrument. Members of the Fourth Grade Ensemble learn basic care and assembly of their instruments. They learn to play major scales as well as chromatic notes. They learn pieces for enjoyment and for performance in school concerts while gaining the ability to play in a group and follow cues. Private and semi-private lessons are offered after school, and students participate in a weekly rehearsal. Students may choose among the following instruments:
Violin
Cello
Flute
Clarinet
Saxophone (alto)
Trumpet
Trombone
Baritone

Science is introduced to the Lower School students through hands-on investigations in the classroom and in our schoolyard. This curriculum is based on the Teaching for Understanding framework. The students build their understanding of fundamental scientific ideas through exploring, hypothesizing, investigating, researching, concluding, and generating new questions. The skills required for scientific inquiry, which include measurement, data collection, close observation, problem solving, collaboration, and participation, are developed progressively from one year to the next.
The content of the curriculum covered during the Lower School grades introduces the students to topics in biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science: the wonders of water,air, sound and light; the ecosystem and biodiversity; magnetism and electricity; simple machines and motion; force and structures; rocks and minerals; plants and trees; vertebrates and invertebrates; kitchen chemistry; design technology and engineering.