BUILDING BLOCKS TO BOUNDLESS POSSIBILITIES

Julie Knudsen, Head of Lower School

Lower School at Trinity Valley - the place where every day is a new adventure. The place where curiosity, creativity, and learning intersect to unlock boundless possibilities for our youngest Trojans. Lower School is designed to inspire our students to explore, to question, and to think critically during these six foundational and incremental years of growth and development. 

In PRE-K, teachers thoughtfully incorporate age-appropriate, play-based learning opportunities that nurture every aspect of early development while fostering a love of learning. Play is much more than “just play” – it supports essential developmental milestones and helps young learners build confidence and connections. Students build with blocks, create art, explore rhythm and movement, and use their imaginations in centers. To enhance these opportunities, we recently updated our Pre-K playground, adding new swings, slides, and climbing structures. This new equipment supports the development of gross motor, fine motor, and social-emotional skills, all while providing rich experiences for children to grow through active, joyful exploration. 

In KINDERGARTEN, learning comes alive through a variety of unique, hands-on experiences that engage young minds and hearts. Events like Pasta Day, Johnny Appleseed Day, and the Teddy Bear Picnic are steeped in tradition as they foster excitement and curiosity while building a sense of community. In late October, Kindergarteners donned dinosaur-themed t-shirts for their Fossil Hunt. They found and studied fossils while also impressing parent chaperones with their knowledge of ammonites, gastropods, and echinoids. Upon returning to campus, students eagerly turned to their writing journals, reflecting on their experiences. Memories were made, and a passion for discovery was ignited. 

In FIRST GRADE, thematic units create dynamic learning opportunities. Using a cross-curricular approach, themes such as bats, cookies, rodeo, owls, and Hawaii are used to teach reading, writing, science, math, social studies, and more. A recent “pickle” unit captured students’ interests as they read books such as Sloth and Squirrel in a Pickle, learned the science of pickling, and even used a mock production line with a conveyor belt to practice math concepts. Learning extended into the STEAM lab where students worked with Makey Makeys to explore circuits and program their own pickle instruments. These integrated experiences transform traditional lessons into creative, engaging adventures. 

In SEcOND GRADE, the year begins with activities designed to form bonds that make the classroom feel like a family. Through the study of the book Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox, students form connections as they learn about one another. The book features a young boy named Wilfred who learns about the meaning of memories from his elderly friend Miss Nancy Alison Delacourt. Miss Nancy describes memories as "something from long ago," "something warm and fuzzy," "something that makes you laugh," "something that makes you cry," and "something more precious than gold." This powerful lesson offers students a framework for reflecting on their own meaningful moments while fostering empathy for others, and guests around campus are invited to share their memory boxes with the students. Through these valuable conversations, students not only learn more about other individuals at TVS, but they also explore the importance of relationships and compassion. 

In THIRD GRADE, the annual performance of Charlotte’s Web is a beloved and longstanding TVS tradition. Each class brings the story to life through its own unique production, diving deeply into the novel to understand its themes of friendship, loyalty, and compassion. As they study the story, students focus on developing characterization and expressing emotions, learning to embody their roles, and sharing the tale’s heartfelt messages. Beyond the artistry, the production offers invaluable opportunities for teamwork and personal growth. Every role is significant, instilling in each student a sense of responsibility and pride. Parent involvement adds to the experience, helping build a strong community around this cherished event. For students, the final performance prompts wonderful celebrations of their hard work and friendships, leaving third graders with beautiful memories and a lasting sense of accomplishment.

Each Thursday morning, FOURTH GRADE students dedicate 30 minutes to Community Time, a program that offers them a unique opportunity to develop and showcase their skills as leaders of the Lower School. This special program uses an experiential education model and focuses on skills aligned with current learning objectives. Lessons have centered around topics such as digital citizenship, executive functioning, active listening, teambuilding, and friendship. As students learned about fourth-grade teacher Ms. Jannet Campos’s Mexican heritage, they deepened their empathy and broadened their understanding of diverse cultures. A recent presentation by former TVS drama teacher Mrs. Anna Carlson inspired students to project their voices with confidence and take command of the stage for their upcoming production of American Voices. Community Time provides students with tools they will carry forward in their educational journey, making a positive impact on themselves, their peers, and the broader TVS community.

Through innovative teaching methods, a diverse array of co-curricular activities, and intentional curriculum development, Lower School teachers are creating an environment that supports the continuous growth and development of all our students. These are the building blocks of boundless possibilities.