Lower School Academic Program

LOWER SCHOOL ACADEMIC PROGRAM

 

Pre-Nursery – Grade 5

 

The Lower School provides a supportive environment in which children can develop their academic skills and establish a strong foundation in all disciplines.  Small classes enable teachers to work with each student every day; a cheerful and pleasant approach in a relaxed and safe setting encourages a spontaneous, inquisitive attitude and confidence that school is a happy place in which to learn. 

 

Each classroom provides a daily routine that gives children a clearly directed program with increasing departmentalization each year.  Students assume increasing responsibility in completing academic assignments and other tasks, in caring for their possessions, in respecting the wishes and properties of other people, and in appreciating individual and group accomplishments.           

 

The Lower School program is predicated upon several basic principles: the awareness that each child needs to be challenged individually because each child matures individually; the understanding that routines, while necessary to bring security to children, must be flexible; the belief that learning can be fun even when it involves hard work; and the commitment to building the skills that lead to a college-preparatory program in secondary school.

 

Pre-Nursery, Nursery, Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten           

 

The Early Childhood program at Portledge encourages young children to be independent thinkers and problem-solvers while igniting curiosity about the world they live in. The development of respect, social awareness, empathy, and trust are integral parts of our well-rounded program.  They are inspired through cooperative learning experiences within a warm and nurturing community.

 

Learning for young children is embedded in everyday activities and experiences through exploration using authentic materials.  Children construct knowledge as they discover connections during hands-on experiences.  Early Childhood educators use these “teachable moments” to scaffold/build upon/add/connect new information, ideas, and academic skills to the children’s natural discoveries.  Creative thinking, decision-making, risk-taking, independence, self-help skills, and awareness of the needs of others are all developed while children build self-esteem, self-confidence, resilience, and relationship strategies in our child-centered environment.

 

The Early Childhood program strives to help each child grow and flourish individually, with peers, and within the community.  The program provides a bridge between home and school through parent and family involvement in class activities, assemblies and all-school events, as well as parent education and discussion groups on topics relating to young children.

 

The Early Childhood program supports the child and the family and builds the foundation of Portledge’s school mission and core values.

 

To allow for the many aspects of each child's growth, Portledge offers a unique schedule in kindergarten.  The full-day program presents an array of special activities including art, environmental studies, library, drama, computers, French, music, and physical education.  In addition, each child is grouped homogeneously with three or four other students for an individualized academic program twice a week.  The reading, writing and arithmetic materials used are varied and geared to individual needs.  This stimulating program provides a wonderful preparation for grade school.    

 

In order to provide children with the best chance for enjoying success, the School has designated September 1 as an entrance birth date; children entering Pre-Nursery will be two-years-old by September 1 of their first school year and a similar age grouping will characterize succeeding classes.  Pre-Nursery children attend three mornings a week with an optional fourth day available; Nursery children attend school three or five mornings a week.  Pre-Kindergarten children have a half-day program Monday through Friday with an optional extended day each afternoon until 3:30.  Kindergarten children attend full-day programs Monday through Friday.

 

Grades One through Five       

 

In each grade, the emphasis is on acquiring the fundamental academic skills necessary for later success.  Students are taught in both large and small groups in a self-contained classroom for English, mathematics, and social studies.  Specialists present specific subjects in greater depth.  Frequent field trips at all levels provide enrichment to supplement classwork and assignments.  Homework in each grade gradually increases in length to about twenty minutes per subject, per night  Throughout the Lower School, there are many forms of assessment; students engage in projects, write extensively, and learn study skills in all academic disciplines.

 

English - Literacy        

 

In reading, students work on locating main ideas and supporting details, understanding the sequence of events, comprehending inferences, and drawing conclusions.  Written work focuses on creativity and accuracy in communication using the writing process.  Students develop basic writing skills which enable them to write with meaning and purpose using a rich vocabulary.  Students in all grades write stories, descriptions, dialogues, and poems and add constantly to their reading, speaking, and writing vocabularies.  Roots, prefixes, and suffixes are studied, as are the basic spelling rules.  Students begin the study of grammar and practice summarizing, pre-writing, note-taking, and proofreading.  Emphasis is placed on using library and technology resources for gathering information.  A balanced literacy approach exposes children to a wide variety of genres.  Students learn to appreciate literature as they enhance their reading ability by making “just right” selections.

 

Mathematics   

 

In June 2008, the Lower School adopted Everyday Mathematics, a program introduced by the University of Chicago.  This program is hands-on, student-centered, and leads to an in-depth understanding of mathematical concepts and familiarity with the language of mathematics while not sacrificing computational skills.  Because it is a spiraling program, students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade Five will repeatedly encounter skills in each of  the content strands, including Numbers and Numeration, Operations and Computation, Data and Chance, Measurement and Reference Frames, Geometry and Patterns, Function and Algebra.  Each exposure builds and expands on understanding, and important concepts are studied over consecutive years through a variety of formats.  Parental understanding and cooperation are important to the success of this program, which reflects the standards of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

 

Social Studies  

 

Social Studies bring the world to the classroom as the students study geography, the family, community organizations, the global community, and particular historical periods.  Class discussions, projects that revolve around the child's world and the child's perceptions, current events, observation skills, and oral reporting are stressed at each level.  Report writing is introduced in third grade through the study of the Presidents, Long Island, and the United States.   Historic literature forms the basis for the study of the Revolutionary War, Colonial America, Westward Expansion, and the Civil War in the fourth grade.  Students participate in role-playing and simulations to reinforce concepts and values.  The fifth grade social studies program focuses on the history, geography, anthropology, political science and economics of Latin America including a unit on Mesoamerica.  Note-taking from the chalkboard, from reading, and from class discussions is required.

 

In addition, each Lower School class chooses a country to research throughout the year.  The in-depth study culminates in a celebratory day when each class presents what it has learned about their special area of the world.  This sharing of information develops appreciation for the differences and similarities in world cultures.

 

Science            

 

The Science curriculum in the Lower School covers life science, earth and space science, and the human body.  Classes are based on the discovery method using hands-on experiments.  Topics of study include ecology, the life cycle of plants, animal adaptations, chick embryology, rockets, and electricity.  Students record their investigations by writing lab reports.  Students learn and use metric measurement, and they develop skills in the use of balances and microscopes.

 

The curriculum is enriched by nature studies on our campus, utilizing our Insect Garden and adjoining nature preserve.  Field trips to Atlantis Marine World, the Cradle of Aviation, and other destinations also enhance classroom studies.  All students in grades 3 – 5 participate in the Science Fair each spring.

 

French  

 

French instruction begins in kindergarten with emphasis on the spoken language and the continuous study of French culture.  Reading begins with word recognition, the identification of objects, songs, and poetry.  Formal writing begins in fourth grade.  The curriculum is based on oral communication and the focus is on the child's environment.  Activities include games, role-play, and hands-on activities.  Third Graders perform the yearly French Assembly, most recently presenting “Le Petit Prince” en François.

 

Computers       

 

Computer skills are an integral part of the Portledge education.  The Lower School boasts an updated, multimedia PC-based computer lab with 18 complete workstations.  Small classes allow each student access to his or her own computer for computer instruction.  Mini labs are also present in the Lower School library, fifth grade annex and science lab.  Additionally, computer centers are present in every classroom from Kindergarten through Fifth Grade.

 

Sound computer skills and responsible computer use are employed from the early years.  Beginning in Pre-Kindergarten, students visit the computer lab for scheduled classes.  These classes provide the foundation for our ever-changing technological world.  Instruction in word processing, spreadsheets, project presentation and safe internet usage is provided at an age-appropriate level.  The use of educational software and CD-Rom based exploration is also part of the program.  Our students participate in keyboard instruction beginning in first grade and continuing throughout their lower school years.

 

Library             

 

All grades visit the Peter Franklin Dunn Library at least once a week, and receive regular instruction in library skills.  Classes utilize the library to do research when needed.  The library immerses children in the world of literature and imagination through storytelling, creative dramatics, and creative writing.  Students learn to use research skills to locate information and to use online encyclopedias, the Internet, and other technology when conducting research.  Third, fourth and fifth grade students are encouraged to be independent users of the library.

 

Art        

 

Children meet regularly in the Art Room beginning in Pre-Kindergarten.  All children are encouraged to express themselves individually and cooperatively as they solve creative problems introduced in class.  Children are introduced to a variety of media as they acquire skills in drawing, painting, ceramics, textiles, printmaking, sculpture, and photography.  Aesthetic appreciation of art and history are examined through the presentation of master works by artists from the past and present.

 

Children participate in annual art field trips to world class museums on Long island and in New York City beginning in First grade.  Pre-Kindergarten and First grade students participate in a special Art Partnership program with the Tilles Center at C. W. Post, Long Island University.  In this annual program, these students participate in two projects focused on visual or performing arts productions with the guidance of teaching artists from the Tilles Center.

 

Student creations are displayed in the Lower School and on the Portledge School website throughout the year with a school-wide art exhibition of student creations scheduled during the spring.  Individual achievement in art is recognized during the year through the presentation of “Artist of the Month” awards.

 

Drama  

 

Creative Dramatics classes begin in Pre-Kindergarten.  Children are encouraged in creative expression and empathy for others through the use of theatre games, improvisations, theatrical exercises and problem-solving.  Basic theatrical terms and techniques, theater etiquette, and skills such as improvisation, sense memory, monologues, and scene study create an introduction to the Performing Arts.  In addition, each Lower School class presents two short plays during the year in the informal setting of the weekly assemblies.  These plays frequently reflect an area of the curriculum and are often based on familiar folk tales. The Lower School offers one large-scale musical production annually, in which grades 1-5 participate.

 

Music   

 

The Lower School general music curriculum is cumulative and activity-based.  The Early Childhood (Pre-Nursery, Nursery, Pre-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten) coursework incorporates singing and movement and is derived in part from well-known pedagogue, John Feierabend.  Students in grades one through five experience and Orff-Schulwerk approach that addresses every aspect of musical behavior – performing, creating, listening, and analyzing – and meets the National Standards for Music Education.

 

Studies on band and orchestra instruments commence in grade four and continue in grade five, with students receiving instrumental group lessons weekly, in addition to their general music classes.

 

Physical Education

 

The primary purpose of the Lower School Physical Education program is to provide an opportunity for students to feel successful, and to get a sense of enjoyment while participating in various physical activities.  Our goal is to increase children’s opportunities for leading a healthy, physically active lifestyle.  Students participate in activities that are physically wholesome, mentally stimulating, and socially sound.

 

Pre-Kindergarten students are taught basic spatial and body awareness, as well as how to participate in a physical education setting.  Cooperative games with simple concepts allow the student to engage in various movement, locomotor and manipulative skills.

 

Kindergarten students expand on these concepts with fitness components, expanded locomotion, and manipulative skills.  Cooperative games are integrated throughout this year.  Throwing with opposition is introduced at this level as well.

 

First and Second grade students learn more advanced manipulative skills, and are able to use opposition while throwing.  Game play continues to focus on cooperation, with basic lead-up activities introduced.  Fitness is also a major component.

 

Third and Fourth grade students are introduced to more advanced lead-up activities to sport skills.  Game play and fitness activities are also major components for these students.

 

Fifth Grade students join Sixth Grade students in team sports including intramural activities with neighboring schools

 

Guidance         

 

Groups of teachers meet regularly with the Lower School Director and the Coordinator of Educational Services to discuss the progress of each child and to identify children who are experiencing difficulty.  Occasionally, the help of the school’s psychologist may be sought to assess learning problems and to recommend strategies for improvement.  The Coordinator then works with classroom teachers to implement these strategies.  Regular communication with parents by faculty and administrators is a crucial ingredient in the guidance of each child.

 

The School is a member of the Educational Records Bureau and administers its academic assessment tests each year in grades five through nine.  The results are reported to parents as a helpful guide that shows a child's progress in comparison with national percentiles.

 

Health education is part of the self-contained classroom and homeroom program.  Each year there is instruction about communicable diseases and healthy lifestyles.  Self-esteem is the central focus of the health-and-guidance program and is seen as the primary defense against drugs and alcohol. 

 

The Lower School does not have a specific program in sex education. The open and trusting relationship between children and teachers encourages communication, and questions about sexual matters are answered as they arise.  Fourth and Fifth grade students meet with the school nurse, the Lower School Director, and members of the Physical Education department to discuss puberty.  Science classes provide information about reproduction.