THE ACADEMY

The Academy of St. Johns Country Day School is an intensive program for students in Grades 4 and 5, emphasizing earlier recognition of, and advancement along, the college preparatory track. The program redefines the Lower School experience, preparing students for the transition to Middle School and the increased independence, academic rigor, and emotional maturity it requires. Across subject areas, the Academy curriculum reinforces the qualities St. Johns seeks to instill—respect for self and others, integrity, and self-confidence—while recognizing and enhancing individuals’ unique aspirations and strengths. Completing The Academy programming provides each student a pathway to success as they discover more about themselves and who they wish to become on their educational journey.

Grade 4

Language Arts

In Grade 4 reading, students attain meaning and comprehension through advanced sequencing to include flashbacks, foreshadowing, conflict and plotline. Students will understand character, setting, and plot within literature, develop an understanding of predicting outcomes, and learn how to use this knowledge in reading.

In writing, students will understand and practice formal writing (e.g., research projects, formal essays) and creative writing (e.g., fiction, short story, dialogue, poetry). They will develop and maintain writing mechanics to include complete sentences, spelling, capitalization, parts of speech, punctuation, paragraph structure, vocabulary, and organization. They will also identify the importance of word choice and voice.

Grade 4 Language Arts Standards

◆ Students can read with understanding, fluency, and expression.

◆ Students can determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple meaning words and phrases.

◆ Students demonstrate knowledge of standard English usage, mechanics, and spelling.

◆ Students can organize and write a multi-paragraph essay on a specific topic in sequential order with transition words and phrases.

◆ Students can communicate through writing to persuade, inform, and entertain.

◆ Students understand and can apply the eight parts of speech in order to enhance their writing.

◆ Students employ both contextual and decoding strategies to bring meaning to a passage as a whole through summarization.

◆ Students can determine the main idea and supporting details of a selected text.

◆ Students can derive meaning while reading by expressing reactions and personal opinions to a selection, make inferences, and draw conclusions based on evidence from the text.

◆ Students can retell, answer or formulate questions, predict outcomes, and challenge both the text and the author after reading a given passage in both fiction and nonfiction.

Mathematics

Grade 4 students will use problem-solving strategies to understand a given problem, make a plan, solve, and check for correctness. They will create a coherent representation of a problem and visual models to persevere in solving it. Students will be provided the opportunity to explore and interpret graphs (pie, bar, line, coordinate, etc.) and apply multiple problem-solving strategies relating to multi-digit multiplication and division. They will demonstrate an understanding of geometry, including spatial relationships, vocabulary, and geometric properties. Lastly, students will develop an understanding of fractions, including basic concepts, equivalency, comparison, addition, and subtraction.

Grade 4 Mathematics Standards

Students can:

◆ Solve multi-step word problems with whole numbers using the four operations and determine the unknown whole number in an equation.

◆ Generate a number or shape pattern that follows a given rule.

◆ Recognize that in a multi-digit whole number, a digit in one place represents ten times what it represents in the place to its right.

◆ Read and write multi-digit whole numbers using base-ten numbers, number names and expanded form.

◆ Use place value and understanding to round multi-digit whole numbers.

◆ Fluently add, subtract and multiply multi-digit whole numbers and find whole-number quotients with remainders.

◆ Compare two fractions with different numerators and different denominators, identify equivalent fractions and multiply a fraction by a whole number.

◆ Identify relative sizes of measurement units within one system of units including km, m, cm, kg, g; lb, oz.; l, ml; hr, min, sec. and use the four operations to solve word problems involving distances, intervals of time, and money.

◆ Apply the area and perimeter formulas for rectangles in real world and mathematical problems.

◆ Make a line plot to display a data set of measurements in fractions of a unit .

◆ Recognize angles as geometric shapes that are formed wherever two rays share a common endpoint, and understand concepts and angle measurement.

◆ Draw points, lines, line segments, rays, angles (right, acute, obtuse), and perpendicular and parallel lines.

◆ Classify two-dimensional figures based on the presences or absence of parallel or perpendicular lines, or the presences or absence of angles of a specified size.

◆ Recognize a line of symmetry for a two-dimensional figure.

Grade 4 Science

Students experience science within the classrooms and the campus grounds. In each science unit, students participate in a variety of hands-on discovery experiences that increase their understanding of the topics being explored. Through this hands-on learning, students are able to create and investigate further into concepts such as heat and energy, motion, electricity, plants and animals, ecosystems, and Earth’s resources. They will expand upon these concepts by conducting experiments and project-based learning assignments, which allows them to extend their knowledge of relevant writing and reading skills. Students will engage in the review and practice of the scientific method in every class period by design thinking, listening, asking questions, describing, sketching, making hypotheses/predicting, observing, experimenting, forming conclusions, classifying, taking appropriate risks, public speaking, and safety.

Grade 4 Social Studies

The purpose of social studies in Lower School is to assist students in understanding, participating in, and making informed decisions about their world. St. Johns’ social studies curriculum provides opportunities to learn about and understand the past while exploring different cultures and appreciating diversity. Students garner skills for productive problem-solving and decision-making as well as for assessing issues and making thoughtful value judgments. Students complete Current Event presentations, projects, and writing to help become responsible citizens through participation locally, nationally, and globally. Grade 4 students also focus on Florida history from the Native Indians that inhabited the land that is now Florida, to the explorers who settled in the area, through the growth of transportation, tourism, and industry that impacted the state of Florida.

Grade 5

Language Arts

The Grade 5 reading curriculum teaches students to derive meaning of vocabulary through the use of context clues. They will respond to various types and styles of writing through personal, critical, and creative essays and develop literal and interpretive meaning from various selections to include fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.

As writers, students will develop more powerful sentences by varying sentence beginnings; using strong, colorful words; using transition words; and crafting simple, compound, and complex sentences. They will be able to understand and use punctuation, capitalization, and eight parts of speech.

Grade 5 Language Arts Standards

◆ Students read books of different genres with a critical mind and with good fluency.

◆ Students can analyze character, plot, and setting in relation to the author’s purpose.

◆ Students can compare and contrast information to other texts.

◆ Students can identify the eight parts of speech within a sentence.

◆ Students write routinely over extended time frames (for research, comparison, and revision) and shorter time frames for a range of specific short essay assignments and purposes.

◆ Students demonstrate comprehension and understanding of a variety of literary and informational texts.

◆ Students participate in student-to-teacher-to-parent conferences, student-to-student collaboration groups, and group verbal presentations.

◆ Students develop vocabulary in context, word skills, and origins.

◆ Students can analyze current information through the use of technology, magazines, and informational texts.

◆ Students can demonstrate understanding of conventions and language mechanics of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

Mathematics

Grade 5 students will make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. They will develop the skills necessary to reason abstractly and quantitatively and construct viable arguments to critique their own reasoning and the reasoning of others. Through modeling with mathematics, they will learn to use tools strategically and attend to precision when solving problems across all four operations– addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. They will look for and make use of structure and express regularly in their repeated reasoning when using known strategies to expand new understandings.

Grade 5 Math Standards

Students can:

◆ Use parentheses, brackets or braces in numerical expressions and evaluate expressions with these symbols using the order of operations.

◆ Write simple expressions that record calculations with numbers, and interpret numerical expressions without evaluating them.

◆ Recognize that in a multi-digit number, a digit in one place represents 10 times as much as it represents in the place to its right and 1/10 of what it represents in the place to its left.

◆ Explain patterns in the number of zeros of the product when multiplying a number by powers of 10 and explain patterns in the placement of the decimal point when a decimal is multiplied or divided by a power of 10.

◆ Read, write, round and compare decimals to the thousandths.

◆ Fluently multiply multi-digit whole numbers and solve real-world problems involving multiplication and division of fractions and mixed numbers.

◆ Add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals to the hundredths.

◆ Add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators.

◆ Convert among different-sized measurement units (i.e., km, m, cm; kg, g; lb, oz.; l, ml; hr, min, sec) and use these conversions in solving multi-step, real world problems.

◆ Recognize volume as an attribute of solid figures and measure volumes by counting unit cubes, using cubic cm, cubic in, cubic ft, and improvised units.

◆ Use grade-appropriate vocabulary when discussing mathematical problems and ideas.

Grade 5 Science

Grade 5 students are immersed in the scientific experience within the lab and all over the campus grounds. The science units cover a broad range of topics, from Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Earth and Space Sciences, Engineering, Technology and Applications of Science. Application of ‘The Scientific Method’ is emphasized across the curriculum through hands-on experimentation as students delve deeper into myriad concepts, ranging from Properties of Matter and Forces of Motion to Ecosystems and Weather. Students will engage in the review and practice of design thinking, listening, asking questions, describing, sketching, making hypotheses/predicting, observing, experimenting, drawing conclusions, classifying objects and animals, taking appropriate risks, public speaking and communication, and safety.

Grade 5 Social Studies

The purpose of social studies in Lower School is to assist students in understanding, participating in, and making informed decisions about their world. In Grade 5, the St. Johns’ social studies curriculum provides opportunities to see the world in its proper context. Students explore the development of the original Thirteen Colonies, the Revolutionary War, and then finally the U.S. states and capitals. Diving deeper into the foundations of our country helps students grow their understanding of the impact of people’s actions, both positively and negatively. In turn, this helps students garner skills for productive problem-solving and decision-making as well as helps them with making thoughtful value judgments.

Enrichment Classes

Resource classes number of meetings varies by course and grade level.

Art

The philosophy of the Lower School art program is premised on the notion that children want and need to create art and the goal of the program is, in large part, the facilitation of this natural process. St. Johns’ Lower School art courses are designed to nourish this natural creative impulse.

All Lower School students take art and have the opportunity to experiment with a variety of media and techniques including watercolor, tempera, soft pastel, oil pastel, colored pencil, paper mache, weaving, and printmaking. Grade 4 and Grade 5 students work with clay and hand-build small vessels and objects. Students from age 3 through Grade 5 study a diverse range of artists, artistic styles, and traditions from numerous cultures and time periods. A strong emphasis is placed on encouraging students to think creatively, challenge themselves, and to be fearless as they make discoveries and grow.

Drama and Movement

The Arts are ideal for cross-curricular learning and work as a valuable tool in many subject areas, and especially in developing literacy skills focusing on the written language’s vocal and physical expression. St. Johns’ drama and dance program allows students to experience being on the stage in our 600-seat Performing Arts Center and develop performance skills that will benefit them in many future pursuits. In drama, Lower School students are introduced to vocal health as it relates to the stage. They learn to value the role and responsibility of actors and audience, develop essential listening skills, and explore various ways to express their emotions both physically and vocally. Students work collaboratively to create and present ideas and analyze their growth and development as it pertains to their performances. In movement, students develop ways to define and maintain personal space, kinesthetic awareness, and focus on non-verbal communication skills. Students can improvise, create, and perform dances, both as individuals and as a group. These skills encourage them to think and act creatively, thus developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills that can be applied in all areas of learning.

Library

The Lower School library seeks to build and maintain a collection of fiction and nonfiction books and information resources that will support and enhance students’ learning in school and at home. Grade level curriculum translates the following goals into age-appropriate instruction and materials. St. Johns’ program has been developed to:

◆ support classroom curricular units and centers

◆ instill in students a love of reading

◆ encourage students’ independent learning

◆ help students become effective library users

◆ teach students how to access and evaluate information in all formats

Music

General music classes consist of a broad-based, multi-faceted curriculum designed to provide a foundation of musical concepts and skills. Classes expose students to a variety of musical styles that are multicultural and international in scope. Through singing, listening, dancing, and playing instruments, students gain creative musical experiences and an understanding that music is an integral part of the lives of all people and cultures. In addition to general music classes, students in Grades 3 and 4 participate in chorus class each week. Grade 5 students choose between band and chorus. The groups perform for School events and in the surrounding community.

The main musical concepts taught to all grade levels with age-appropriate activities include rhythm, melody, harmony, form, style, expressive qualities, and tone color. These musical concepts are sequentially taught via the following skills: singing/chanting/using the voice, playing classroom instruments, moving, listening, creating, and evaluating.

Technology

Using computers and 3D and other technology in education should model a creative, problem-solving process. Basic computer knowledge and skills are presented in a logical, systematic order to facilitate selecting and organizing information, communicate ideas, increase the relevance of curricular content, and improve student performance. By integrating computer and general information skills with curricular content from the classroom the learning objectives become an ongoing process rather than an isolated list of skills. Teachers across all grade levels integrate iPads and the Google Suite into specific lessons using apps and programs that support the curriculum.

Wellness

The Academy Wellness program focuses on social, emotional, and mental health issues. Formal lessons include getting along with others, coping with stress and feelings, and making good decisions.

World Languages

In Lower School, the World Language program focuses on the development of listening and speaking skills and cultural awareness. The goal is to help students engage with languages and benefit from the educational and personal rewards that exposure to them can bring. In addition to developing a lifelong ability to communicate with more people, students may derive other benefits from early language instruction, including improved overall school performance and superior problem-solving skills.

After-School Activities

Through St. Johns’ Sparty Sports program (sjcds.net/ spartysports) a wide variety of activities are available after school for Lower School students. Enrichment classes in ballet, drama, lacrosse, basketball, and much more are led by St. Johns’ award-winning staff and by qualified outside instructors with a goal to help students discover new interests and cultivate their talents.