Grades 1-4 Curriculum

PROGRAM OVERVIEWS

Language Arts
The Lower School language arts program creates a solid foundation for students in both reading and writing. Spelling and phonics are included through the use of high-frequency words and a structured spelling program. First graders begin with simple sentences and progress to a structured paragraph with a main idea, supporting details and a conclusion by the third grade.

Keyboarding is introduced to students in the first through fourth grade.

The approach to literature also changes at each grade level. For first graders, the approach is teacher-directed, while in second, both student and teacher share in the decision-making so that by the third grade, the approach becomes more child-directed. Small class size enables teachers to conference with students on a regular basis; teachers’ aides are available to provide additional assistance.

Mathematics
The Lower School mathematics program focuses on problem-solving through formulas and cross-curriculum activities. Strategies for problem-solving are introduced in the first grade, developed and practiced in second grade and further developed and utilized in the third and fourth grades. The goal is for students to appreciate the value of problem-solving within the mathematical context. For example, students learn to use or look for a pattern, make a table or graph, use logical reasoning, create a diagram or brainstorm to solve problems.

Math journals are also used, which allow the student to grasp the progression of his or her thinking in mathematics.

Foreign Language
The foreign language program at the Lower School level is a FLEX Exploratory Program, which focuses on the exposure of students to one or more languages and cultures for one or more school years. It emphasizes cross-cultural appreciation and contrasts. It is considered a minimal foundation in language learning with limited goals in foreign language proficiency. This program is primarily language-, cultures-, and motivation-based. FLEX also permits a wide variety of formats and scheduling patterns. K-5 students take Spanish or French for a period of 30 minutes twice a week. Sixth graders take Latin for 30 minutes every other day for one year.

Language learning takes place in meaningful, communicative contexts, including social situations, cultural experiences, and lessons in other school subjects, songs, games, rhymes, and stories. The curriculum focuses on the national standards or the “Five C’s”: communities, communication, cultures, connections, and comparisons. The TPRS (Total Physical Response Storytelling) methodology is used in the Lower School foreign language program. The goal of TPRS is to provide students with an enormous amount of comprehensive speech while allowing students to absorb rules and vocabulary well before they are expect to express themselves in the target language.

Social Studies
The Lower School social studies program provides continuity by teaching a unit on unique geographic areas at each grade level. The first grade studies the rain forest, the second grade learns about deserts, while mountains and grasslands are covered in the third and fourth grades. These topics easily lend themselves to extension into other curricular areas. Literature, art, music and writing have all been incorporated into the teaching of social studies. Each grade level also devotes time to map skills. The Lower School students participate in National Geography Week and Kids Vote.

Religion
Readings and stories from the Bible are used extensively within the religion curriculum. Students fully participate in the liturgies as each child has the opportunity to be involved in reading and singing at all Masses and prayer services. Constant awareness of Christian values is promoted through service projects geared to the Lower School student along with the Educating for Character and Family Life programs. Small group instruction allows for a more personal approach to religious instruction. The students, in turn, carry this personal and religious approach back to the larger peer group.

Science
The Lower School utilizes a hands-on program in science with a spiral curriculum of common themes. Two state-of-the-art science labs are available for class use. Students begin by learning about physical science, including simple machines, gears and pulleys and interactive systems. Next, they study the environment, organisms and the solar system. Science processing skills are learned through written work as well as discussions. Students also learn observation techniques, prediction, data collection, experimentation, inference and application of data, interpretation, analysis and how to form a hypothesis.

Fine Arts
Following a sequentially developed and skill-based curriculum, the Lower School’s fine arts program focuses more on the process of students’ artistic growth than on the final product. The culmination of student work is represented in many musical performances and art exhibits throughout the school year. A major goal of the program is to help the students become problem-solvers and risk-takers, while developing creativity and originality. For instance, students of music have been encouraged to develop their own accompaniments to simple melodies based on the pentatonic scale.

Art students study pictures of buildings, noting their architectural designs and structures, then work to create their own models, complete with site drawings, photographs and written reports. Success within the fine arts program arises from a dedicated and supportive Lower School faculty which maintains an individualized approach within a small teacher-to-student ratio.

Physical Education
The Lower School physical education program is designed to introduce and develop athletic skills, cooperation, sportsmanship and an appreciation for physical activity. The curriculum is presented in a challenging and sequential manner throughout the grade levels. For example, a running/acceleration unit is introduced each spring, beginning with an introduction to proper running form, and progressing to resisted running using speed parachutes and bungee chords. Drills are age-appropriate and training modalities increase in intensity with each grade level. All other units are progressive in nature and appropriate to grade level. Emphasis is placed on working and playing with intensity, concentration and self-discipline. Cooperative challenges, free-play situations, independent thinking and sport games are all key elements in the development of these important values.

Athletics
The kindergarten to sixth grade parent-run athletic program exists to provide students an opportunity to participate and learn a variety of sports and activities. This program is managed by parents of Summit students, and all coaches and sponsors are volunteers from the parent community.

K-6 Summit Sports Offered

Fall Sports

Boys