Lower School Course Guide

UMS-Wright Preparatory School

Lower School Course Guide 2011-2012 65 N. Mobile St. Mobile, AL 36607 (251) 479-6551 www.ums-wright.org

TABLE OF CONTENTS UMS-Wright Mission Statement………………………………………………………...1 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………......1 General Information………………………………………………………………………1 Reading and Language Arts……..………………………………………………………2 Mathematics …………….………………………………………………………………...5 Science …………….……………………………………………………………………...7 Social Studies .................................................................................................….....8 Special Classes…………………………………………………………………………10 Music……………………………………………………………………………………..11 Art…………………………………………………………………………………………11 Foreign Language ……………..……………………………………………………….12 Technology ……………..……………………………………………………………….13 Physical Education……………………………………………………………………...13 Library…………………………………………………………………………………….14 Counseling……………………………………………………………………………….14 Discovery Science……………………………………………………………………….14 Language Arts…………………………………………………………………………....14

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UMS-WRIGHT MISSION STATEMENT For the UMS-Wright Family to educate all students to their highest potential in mind, body, and spirit “and to produce in each student character of the highest possible order.”

INTRODUCTION Our Founder, Dr. Julius T. Wright instituted our tradition of excellence in 1893. Today, we strive to maintain the high principles and ideals established by Dr. Wright. We take our mission very seriously. UMS-Wright Preparatory School provides a variety of opportunities for our students to excel to their greatest potential in “mind, body, and spirit.”

This guide provides essential information on our academic program. Included are short explanations of each subject taught in the Lower School. For more specific information regarding the school program, parents are urged to contact the Lower School Principals or the Lower School Counselor.

GENERAL INFORMATION Reporting Student Progress: Parent/Teacher conference days are scheduled in the fall for students in Pre-K, Kindergarten and First grade and again in the spring for Pre-K and Kindergarten. Students in grade one through five receive progress reports at midterm and report cards at the end of each nine week term. Teachers communicate with parents frequently and are available for scheduled conferences.A progress report listing specific skills to be mastered is used in Pre-K and Kindergarten parent/teacher conferences.

Grading: Beginning in First Grade students are given numerical/letter grades in academic subjects. Grades must be 70 or above for promotion. Students whose nine weeks averages fall below 80 are closely monitored and extra help is often recommended.

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READING AND LANGUAGE ARTS GENERAL INFORMATION READING: The reading program reflects current research that effectively addresses five elements of the reading process: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and text comprehension. Clearly sequenced, well-supported literature introduces students to a variety of literature genres. Leveled materials offer differentiated learning while all students acquire knowledge in a given skill or theme.

Embedded in the program are content area links relating the literature selection to topics in social studies, math, science, and the arts. Diagnostic and ongoing assessments assist teachers in individualizing instruction to reach all learners.

With the focus of K4-2nd grade reading instruction on phonemic awareness, phonics, and fluency, most students enter third grade as strong, fluent readers. It is during the third grade year that the focus of instruction shifts to vocabulary development, reading skills, and comprehension strategies.

In order to pace the reading progression and optimize instruction in the content areas, children must be reading on grade level to be promoted to the next grade.

COURSE DESCRIPTION FOR K4 – Grade 3 READING Learning to read is a process with various stages of development. Phonemic Awareness begins in K4 with instruction based on the acclaimed research of Fountas and Pinnell. This program is an excellent forerunner to Houghton Mifflin, Nation’s Choice Reading. Houghton Mifflin’s program provides the resources for a language arts program in grades K5-third grade that integrates all aspects of reading, grammar, spelling, and writing, into one instructional block. With leveled materials available in all classrooms, instruction meets individual needs of students and promotes acceleration in all areas.

GRAMMAR Grammar instruction is clear, methodical, and thorough with development integrated in all areas of the language arts curriculum. Students practice grammar skills daily in writing, listening, and speaking assignments. Daily Oral Language (DOL) is another resource in grammar instruction with lessons beginning in second grade.

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SPELLING Beginning in K4, students experiment with letters and sounds and learn how those letters build words. Spelling instruction is coordinated with phonics instruction to allow the skills to reinforce each other. During early stages of writing, students invent spelling rather than interrupt the writing thought. As students progress, the purpose of the spelling curriculum is to help master conventional spelling. Houghton Mifflin Nation’s Choice focuses on spelling patterns and words students frequently misspell.

Dictation is a spelling strategy that develops visual memory, thereby strengthening both fluency and comprehension.

WRITING In the early years, writing skills are developed parallel to reading, emphasizing the importance of communication through print. Writing instruction follows a three-step process: shared writing, interactive writing, and finally independent writing where students can apply skills. Prompts for writing are included in the weekly reading curriculum beginning in first grade. As students emerge as independent writers, teachers reinforce the components of the writing process: brainstorming, pre-writing, drafting, revising, conferencing, editing, and publishing. Writing is not an isolated experience but is integrated throughout the school day across the curriculum.

LISTENING AND SPEAKING Communication skills are an integral part of the learning experience. Listening and speaking develop as the child progresses through the language program. Becoming comfortable with these skills enables the student to become an active participant in the learning environment.

Grades 4-5 READING Beyond learning to read, students must learn to read with understanding in order to interpret an author’s message and evaluate what is read. The reading program, Foundations and Frameworks, developed after years of research at Briarwood Christian School in Birmingham, is the resource for instruction in grades four and five.

This program is designed to increase the reading comprehension of children by teaching reading and thinking skills in depth, one strategy at a time, and by using books that represent high quality literature. Each strategy is matched with two or three books on different reading levels to accommodate grade level readers as well as advanced readers. For each strategy there is a visual tool for helping the student interpret his understanding. The journaling of daily reading is a component of the program. The comprehension concepts covered are genre, fact and opinion, author’s purpose and viewpoint, inference, compare and contrast, main idea, drawing conclusions, story elements, and theme. Mastery of these comprehension strategies prepare students to read deeper and for reading in the content areas in middle and upper school courses.

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ENGLISH AND WRITING Language instruction in the fourth and fifth grades continues to focus on grammar and writing. McGraw-Hill Language is the resource for the Language program. The writing emphasis in this series includes the Six Traits of Writing. Students are expected to write grammatically correct sentences and use correct punctuation in all content area assignments.

SPELLING Word-building skills are emphasized through the study of root words, prefixes, suffixes, and variant spellings. The spelling content is from Houghton Mifflin Spelling, which is a continuation of the spelling program taught in grades 1-3. Students are expected to spell words correctly in all content area assignments.

HANDWRITING K4-GRADE 5 Handwriting begins in K4 with activities that promote fine motor development. The use of clay, paintbrushes, large crayons, scissors, and small manipulative objects, serve as exercises to strengthen the small muscles a child uses to hold writing implements. At this early age, students are taught through fun, step-by-step lessons, the basic strokes used in manuscript letter formations. By the end of K5, students are learning the keys to legible handwriting: shape, size, spacing, and slant. Daily practice, with consistent teacher modeling and individual assistance, continues through the end of second grade.

Instruction in cursive handwriting begins in third grade. The use of Zaner-Bloser Handwriting in all grades promotes the continuity of the program from grade K4 to grade 5. This systematic process builds automaticity in the reproduction of the alphabet so that students are able to focus on meaning and expression as they write.

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MATHEMATICS

GENERAL INFORMATION The mathematics program in the Lower School is designed to provide each student with a solid understanding of the language of mathematics and the mastery of skills necessary for success in the mathematics courses offered at the Middle and Upper School level. Children learn best by exploring early math concepts in an organized, indepth, and engaging approach to mathematics. The learning environment provides a variety of opportunities for concrete learning experiences involving the exploration and manipulation of objects.

In grades K5 through Fifth Grade the resource for math instruction is Saxon Math.

Unlike a traditional chapter approach, Saxon Math introduces math concepts and skills that continue to build around previous knowledge and progresses to higher levels of thinking. There is a balance of direct, explicit instruction, with both guided and independent practice. Spiral review activities solidify the student’s understanding of the concepts. This approach produces significantly higher levels of student learning.

Assessments provide immediate support and assess retention of key mathematical concepts. Materials are provided for differentiated instruction, whether on grade level, or advanced level. Teachers support the mastery of math facts with supplemental materials and by providing structured practice on a daily basis.

GRADE LEVEL INSTRUCTION K4 Students in K4 are introduced to the language of mathematics through a hands-on, multi-sensory approach. The program used at this level, Every Day Counts, by Great Source Publishers, incorporates math lessons centered on daily calendar activities.

The concepts covered month-by-month include patterning, sorting, spatial relationships, graphing, comparing and measuring. This hands-on approach allows a teacher to structure the learning to meet the developmental needs of the primary learner.

K5 In the Saxon Kindergarten program students will develop skills including oral counting; recognizing and sequencing numbers; identifying ordinal position; acting out addition and subtraction stories; counting with one-to-one correspondence; sorting; patterning; graphing real objects and pictures; identifying and counting pennies, nickels, and dimes; identifying one half; identifying shapes; covering and replicating geometric designs; measuring using nonstandard units of measure; telling time to the hour; and using a calendar.

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Grade One In Saxon Math 1 children learn to skip count by one's, two's, five's and tens; identify ordinal position to tenth; master all basic addition and subtraction facts; and to measure by inches, feet, and centimeters. The program also teaches how to add quarters, draw polygons, and observe information from real graphs, pictographs, and bar graphs.

Grade Two The Saxon Math 2 curriculum continues teaching young minds in an incremental manner, slowly building upon previously learned concepts and increasing retention.

Saxon Math 2 covers working with larger numbers, geometric shapes, Venn diagrams, graphs, basic calculations, simple fractions and multi-step problems.

Grade Three Saxon Math 3 covers skip-counting; identifying ordinal positions; adding and subtracting multi-digit numbers; mastery of multiplication facts; dividing by single-digit divisors; adding positive and negative numbers; adding and subtracting fractions; plus measurements, mass, function rules, coordinate graphs, angles, and lines of symmetry. .

Grade Four Saxon Math 5/4 includes incremental development of whole number concepts and computation; arithmetic algorithms, geometry and measurement; elapsed time; fractions, decimals and percent; powers and roots; estimation; patterns and sequences; congruency and similarity; and statistics and probability .

Grade Five Expanding on Saxon Math 5/4, the incremental instruction of Saxon Math 6/5 teaches students to apply mathematical tools and techniques to real-life situations using word problems. Students are taught advanced divisibility concepts; multiplication; integers; prime and composite numbers; powers; roots; probability; statistics; patterns and sequences; geometry and measurements; and ratios.

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SCIENCE GENERAL INFORMATION Science instruction in the Lower School incorporates developmentally appropriate instruction, activities, and inquiry-based investigations, to provide students the foundation for scientific literacy and to enable students to answer questions about themselves and the world around them. Processes of scientific inquiry are developed that engage learners, explore new ideas, explain findings, extend understanding, and evaluate one’s own learning.

The selected text for Lower School Science is Harcourt Science. The text is designed to integrate into all curriculum areas, promoting a broader development of science concepts and skills while showing students the connectivity of science to all areas of their lives. In grades K4-3, science instruction is taught in units alternating with units of study in the area of social studies. In grades 4-5, students participate in daily science instruction.

GRADE LEVEL UNITS OF STUDY K4

Five Senses, Basic Needs of Living Things, Weather

K5

Animals, Plants, Earth’s Land, Air and Water, Weather, Magnets, Water

Grade 1

Living/Nonliving, Earth, Weather and Seasons, Matter and Energy, Energy and Forces

Grade 2

Growth and Change of Living Things, Habitats, Earth’s Surface, Space and Weather, Matter, Energy in Motion

Grade 3

Plants and Animals, Plants and Animals Interact, Earth’s Land, Cycles on Earth and In Space, Investigating Matter, Exploring Energy and Forces,

Grade 4

Living Things: Classifying and Adaptations; Human Body; Ecosystems; Earth’s Surface; Patterns on Earth and In Space: Weather, Water, Planets, Matter and Energy; Forces and Motion

Grade 5

Living Things: Single Cells to Body Systems; Growth and Reproduction; Plants and Adaptations; Plant Processes; Interactions in Nature: Cycles, Ecosystems, Biomes; Changes in the Earth: Earth’s Surface, Resources, Weather and Climate; The Ocean; Earth, Moon, and Beyond; The Sun and Other Stars

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SOCIAL STUDIES

GENERAL INFORMATION: The primary resource for social studies instruction in the Lower School is McGraw-Hill Social Studies. In addition to the textbook, teachers and students have a wide variety of resources available, including manipulative materials to help build conceptual understanding, professional teaching resources, fiction and nonfiction trade books, and maps and globes. With the implementation of Smart Boards, teachers are able to bring the sights and sounds of featured locations and events into the classroom.

GRADE LEVEL COURSE DESCRIPTIONS: K4 and K5 Kindergarten instruction follows a thematic, interdisciplinary approach with the emphasis of study on self and family. Students are beginning to understand events in the past, present, and future. Students recognize how they are alike and different from others and to accept and respect these similarities and differences. The concepts of justice, courage, cooperation, and leadership are introduced as they develop an awareness of their roles as family members, individuals, and members in a school class.

First Grade First Graders continue to develop a sense of time and place. The effective use of literature brings to life other people, places, and times. Students develop a sense of respect for the heritage, culture, and talents of others. First graders make comparisons of their family to families of the past in regards to work, home, and school. Map and globe skills are utilized to study the physical features of our school and community.

Second Grade Second Grade children enjoy learning about people, places, and communities outside of their immediate environment. Students use charts, maps, models and other simple representations. Instruction requires that students expand their prior knowledge of historical events, geography, and the concept of goods and services. Students broaden their understanding of civic affairs and of their rights and responsibilities to the community in which they live.

Third Grade The community is the emphasis of study in the third grade social studies program. A historical study of the nation’s earliest communities provides the foundation for the basic concepts of a community’s economy, citizenship, and government. Students expand their use of geographical tools to interpret information about the community’s past, present, and future.

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Fourth Grade Fourth graders participate in an in-depth study of Alabama. Students examine the history of the state, beginning with the early Native Americans and continuing to the present. They learn about geographic regions in Alabama, the structure of state and local governments, and past and present-day practices in the state. One resource for this instruction is Alabama: It’s History and Geography. As a culmination of this study, the fourth grade class travels to Montgomery.

Fifth Grade The fifth grade study is a focus on the United States from the earliest times through the formation and growth of the nation. The period of European explorations, the American Revolution, Westward Expansion and the Civil War are major events included in the study. Special emphasis is on the founding documents and the development of the government, as we know it today.

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SPECIAL CLASSES Students in K4 – 5th grades attend five special classes each week, with third through fifth grade students attending the Spanish class twice weekly. These non-graded special classes enhance the overall program and are a fundamental part of the student’s day. Students in grades K4-2 are scheduled for 30-minute sessions and students in grades 3-5 are scheduled for 40-minute sessions.

Special Classes by Grade Level: K4

K5

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3 -5

Music Art Computer Library Discovery Science

Music Art Computer Library French Language Arts Discovery Science

Music Art Computer Library French

Music Art Computer Library French

Music Art Computer Library/Guidance Spanish

MUSIC GENERAL INFORMATION Lower School students attend music class once weekly. In addition to the class instruction each grade level performs one musical presentation during the school year.

Additional opportunities for Lower School student participation include: • Fourth Grade students participate in a recorder instruction program.

• Lower School Chorus for grades 3-5. During the year this group performs at selected events in the community.

• 4th and 5th grade chorus students may audition to compete at the Young Voices competition held at the State Level..

COURSE DESCRIPTION Students learn basic music skills by singing and echoing short rhythm patterns. The course introduces conducting cues, basic rhythmic concepts, various instruments, and changes in the dynamics and tempo of music. Active participation allows children to experience an enjoyment of music while developing performance skill in the area of speaking, singing, moving, and playing instruments.

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ART GENERAL INFORMATION Students attend art class once weekly. The art lab is a spacious area that allows students to explore multiple art media. The lab is equipped with a kiln allowing the young artists experience in creating with clay. Students are encouraged to participate in art contests in the community as well as the Fine Arts exhibits scheduled during the year at UMS-Wright. There is a visual arts display at each of the grade level plays.

COURSE DESCRIPTION K4/K5 Tactile experiences provide opportunities to explore various art mediums, techniques, and styles. Students are introduced to the works of artists Monet, Michelangelo, and Seurat.

1-5 Grades Hands-on art experiences develop sensory awareness and motor skills. As students explore different media and techniques in drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, and clay modeling, students express ideas and feelings. Elements of art and famous artists are introduced to help the student relate to the art world as he/she depicts his/her own ideas.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE GENERAL INFORMATION: Foreign Language instruction begins at the Kindergarten level. Students in K5 through Second Grade attend French class once a week. Third Grade through Fifth Grade attends Spanish class twice weekly.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Both French and Spanish instruction encourages language acquisition skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing; taught in a fun, informal atmosphere. Students progress from learning to recognize and to speak basic phrases to the point of initiating conversation with fellow students and the instructor. Vocabulary centers on basic objects, places, and common kinship terms. Connections are made across the curriculum through literature selections and the study of the cultures of Spanish and French speaking countries.

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TECHNOLOGY General Information The intent of the Lower School computer program is to equip students with the necessary skills to live and work in the 21st Century. While the school is challenged to stay abreast of the latest developments in the area of technology, the aim is to provide our teachers and students with appropriate computer based learning tools and resources for instruction in the content areas. With the use of Smart Boards, technology is integrated across the curriculum with students having access to online resources within the classroom setting. This process allows active participation by the students.

All Lower School students receive instruction in the computer lab on a weekly basis.

While in the lab, students are monitored and educated in the safety issues of working online. All internet research is monitored, and sites accessed by students are bookmarked sites.

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In addition to the weekly computer class, third grade students attend a nine-week keyboarding class 30 minutes daily.

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The school maintains a subscription to Learning.com, a website that provides instruction in keyboarding, computer parts, and interactive lessons and activities.

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The Lower School subscribes to: UnitedStreaming.com and Britannica.com.

These sites provide valuable reference and instructional tools for both student and teacher.

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Students in grades 3-5 have the opportunity to compete in the Regional and State Technology Fairs held each spring.

GRADE LEVEL COURSE DESCRIPTION: K4-Second Grade The focus of instruction in the computer lab is for all students to be at ease with computer terminology and applications. Educational software that reinforces classroom instruction is used as a tool to teach computer skills. In the second grade students begin working in Microsoft Word.

Third – Fifth Grade Third Grade Microsoft Word-Basic App Power Point Creating Tables/Charts Map Skills Intro to Photo Editing

Fourth Grade Power Point with online inserts External audio and video inserts Photo Editing Research Projects/Reports

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Fifth Grade Advanced photo editing Advanced video editing Research Projects/Reports Writing

PHYSICAL EDUCATION GENERAL INFORMATION Students attend physical education class 3 or 4 times weekly depending on the grade level. Ample outdoor space, the PAC Gym, and the pool facilities enhance the environment for physical education classes in the Lower School. Weather permitting, students in grades 1-5 swim during the months of August, September, and May. Students are required to dress in the P E uniform for participation in class.

COURSE DESCRIPTION K4–K5 In the early years, the physical education focus is on the development of basic motor skills. Through simple games, dances, and rhythmic activities, there is opportunity for loco motor movements such as running, jumping, hopping, skipping, leaping, sliding, and galloping. Non-loco motor movements including bending, stretching, twisting, and swinging are also incorporated into the play. Students are learning to cooperate as a team member and to appreciate fairness.

GRADES 1 - 5 The refinement of basic motor skills continues to be the focus of instruction. Activities include opportunities for increased skill application, specifically throwing, catching, and kicking. The program helps students to practice and apply these skills and to play more effectively with a group or partner. Students learn acceptable behaviors for physical activity settings and are able to experience the fun of shared play. A connection is made of the relationship of physical activity to fitness and well-being, as well as a respect for all levels of physical abilities.

LIBRARY Each class visits the library once a week to enjoy literature and receive direct instruction in the workings of a library. The Lower School Library is a warm, friendly, and inviting place where students are encouraged to become lifelong readers. Young children enjoy shared reading on the “story steps” before browsing the book section.

In addition to the once per week class visit, students in grades 1-5 are allowed to move in and out of the library for book selection before, during, and after school. The automated system in the Harris Library provides a user-friendly system and promotes student independence. Parents are encouraged to visit the library with their students 13

and take advantage of the available resources. Student computers are available for research and online reading.

COUNSELING In grades 3 – 5, the Lower School counselor meets with each classroom on an alternating schedule with the Lower School library. The focus of the large group counseling session is on “Respecting Others” and Building Character”. The counselor is also available to meet with students and/or parents individually.

DISCOVERY SCIENCE Discovery Science is an introduction to the scientific process for students in K4 and K5.

The “hands-on” activities encourage and promote the young child’s curiosity regarding their environment.

LANGUAGE ARTS Students in K4 and K5 benefit from an additional block of time for work in the area of phonemic awareness, prewriting, and beginning reading. This additional time allows students the opportunity for practice and drill of early childhood concepts in the area of Language Arts.

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