Academic Curriculum Summary - Lower School
Academic instruction for fourth and fifth graders takes place primarily in the Lower School wing of Grace Lambert Cottage. The combined class, with a maximum of 15 students, is taught by a head teacher and co-teacher. Differentiated instruction is provided to accommodate for students' varied ages, abilities, learning styles and experiences. As strong organizational skills and study habits are crucial for academic success at ABS, Lower School students are given much assistance and guidance in these areas. Within the integrated curriculum, projects, research and various hands-on and cooperative learning activities encourage students to be engaged in their learning. Class trips and guest speakers scheduled throughout the year supplement the curriculum. Lower School students participate in school-wide enrichment projects, which are often music-oriented. Homework during the week is completed in class at the end of the school day; students also receive weekend homework. As boys who enter ABS in fourth grade will be in the Lower School class for a second year, the curriculum for Reading, Science and Social Studies rotates on a two-year cycle.
On the Spring Resident Choir Tour, first-year students get their initial exposure to completing an academic tour packet. Boys who are in their second year at ABS may move up to the concert choir, where they have the opportunity to go on longer tours throughout the year. While on tour, enrichment activities, such as visits to museums and local sites, are scheduled whenever possible.
Along with their academics, Lower School boys are taught the routines and expectations for behavior at The American Boychoir School. The importance of good manners and strong character is constantly infused into the curriculum. Weekly class advisory sessions provide a forum for discussion of these topics and other relevant issues.
Language Arts
Grammar:
Grammar skills, including parts of speech, sentence structure, and mechanics are taught then practiced with a variety of exercises, and assessed through quizzes and written assignments. Mini-lessons are often presented in the context of writing assignments.
Goals:
- Demonstrate understanding of parts of speech
- Demonstrate understanding of mechanics
- Demonstrate understanding of sentence structure
- Put grammar skills into practice in writing across the curriculum
Writing:
With the focus being the writing process, a variety of different types of writing are introduced throughout the year including: journal writing, letters, narratives, short stories, poetry, and research reports. Writing takes place across the curriculum. Students keep a writing portfolio and enjoy sharing their published works.
Goals:
- Use the writing process
- Use the principles of grammar in writing
- Use proper sentence structure and style
- Produce various styles of writing
Spelling:
Spelling list words and corresponding practice exercises come from Spelling Workout Level D (4th grade) and E (5th grade) (Modern Curriculum Press). Each list focuses on a particular theme, such as spelling patterns, prefixes, suffixes, plurals, possessives, contractions, and compound words. Practice exercises involve skills such as identifying synonyms, alphabetizing, proofreading and using the words in a writing activity.
Reading:
The Lower School reading program centers on novels of various genres as well as non-fiction reading material. Novels often tie into what is being studied in science or social studies. Literature circles, class discussions, vocabulary, written responses, art, dramatization and book reports are all used to develop reading skills, comprehension and interest.
Goals:
- Decipher and decode words using word attack skills
- Comprehend grade-level reading material
- Recognize themes of reading material
- Recognize various literary devices
- Read orally, fluently and with expression
- Read silently for comprehension
Select Content:
- Fiction
- Realistic fiction (Where the Red Fern Grows, Shiloh)
- Historical fiction (Amos Fortune, The Fighting Ground)
- Mysteries (The Egypt Game, Who Really Killed Cock Robin)
- Myths/Folktales (D'Aulaire's Myths)
- Non-fiction
- Biographies (American Heroes, Inventors)
- Autobiographies
- Magazines/newspapers (Time for Kids, Current Science)
- Textbooks and other reference materials
- Poetry
Math:
The mathematics curriculum is designed to reinforce basic math concepts and introduce new ones. As basic concepts are expanded upon, they are applied to practical problem solving skills. Manipulatives are used to introduce a new concept, or as reinforcement for a student who may have difficulty understanding that skill. Students who demonstrate proficiency with particular skills will be offered challenging enrichment activities.
Goals:
- Perform the four basic operations with whole numbers
- Add and subtract decimals and fractions (5th grade - also multiply and divide fractions and whole numbers)
- Use statistics and graphs to make sense of data
- Use customary and metric measurements
- Use concepts of geometry
- Calculate perimeter, area and volume
- Use a variety problem-solving strategies to solve practical problems
Science:
Students are introduced to basic concepts of physical science, earth science and life science using the textbook, teacher-created packets and other resources. Topics are furthered explored in a project/experiment format either individually or in a group. Students complete a comprehensive science research report each year. Current Science magazine provides timely science-related issues for discussion.
Goals:
- Demonstrate comprehension of the science concepts presented
- Demonstrate understanding of science vocabulary presented
- Use tables and graphs
- Perform simple experiments using the scientific process
- Use research skills to locate information
- Take notes from resources
- Use notes to write a report or complete project
Select Content:
- Weather
- Ecosystems
- The Human Body
- Plants
- Earth & Its Resources
- Energy of Sound & Light
Special Activities:
- Dissecting owl pellets
- Making biome dioramas
- Constructing solar ovens
- Simulating distance of planets from sun
- On-campus nature activities with visiting conservation experts
- Nature programs at Stonybrook Watershed
- Trips to Franklin Institute Science Museum, NJ State Adventure Aquarium, Phila. Zoo, Terhune Orchard, Thomas Edison Factory
Social Studies:
In social studies, students are introduced to topics of geography, civics, world studies and American studies using textbooks, teacher-created packets and other resources. Then, students further explore topics in a project format either individually or in a group. Time for Kids magazine provides information about current events.
Goals and Objectives:
- demonstrate comprehension of the social studies concepts
- demonstrate understanding of social studies vocabulary presented
- use maps, graphs and tables
- use research skills to locate information
- take notes from resources
- use notes to write a report or complete project
Select Content:
- Geography
- Ancient Civilizations
- Indigenous People of the Americas
- Heroes
- American Symbols
- State Histories
Special Activities:
- Map-making
- American heroes skit
- Creating state pamphlets
- Designing Mayan codex
- Performing skits of Ancient Egyptian ceremonies
- Greek Day
- Trips to Princeton University Art Museum, Princeton Historical Society, Washington Crossing State Park
Health:
The school nurse teaches weekly health/wellness lessons to the class. See Health curriculum.
Physical Education:
Students receive 4 periods of physical education each week. See Physical Education curriculum.
Spanish:
When the concert choir is out on tour, the class receives Spanish instruction several times per week.
Computer Technology:
The class uses the tech lab and classroom computers for activities including: practicing keyboarding, typing up writing assignments, conducting research for areas of study, practicing basic skills (language arts, math), and using enrichment software across the curriculum.
