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Grades two through five
The bridge between early childhood and adolescence should provide a wide and beautiful view.
To those of us at IDS who teach second through fifth grades, this is
a time and place where real and vibrant learning occurs every day. The
classroom experience in our Lower School is a destination all its own,
as well as a journey. It’s where children shape and mold everything
from their own handwriting to the way they view the world, whether it’s
through a microscope or a part in the school play. By testing their
new skills, each child experiences the excitement of discovery.
We gently steer our students toward becoming more independent, increasing their responsibility for homework and basic decision-making. Developing a greater sense of the world around them requires study, effort, and an appreciation for differences. To reach their full intellectual height, however, children need the ground as well as the sky. We give equal emphasis to strengthening their character, affirming their emotional responses, and helping them feel comfortable and effective among their peers. It’s all part of nurturing the whole child.
Language Arts
Our academic program in Lower School is both challenging and
supportive. Our Language Arts program covers creative and expository
writing, and ranges from students creating their own poetry to Independent
Reading projects that focus on developing and strengthening critical
thinking and editing skills. In addition to writing, it is not uncommon
to find students' creative reading projects hanging from the classroom
ceilings or on display in the hallways.
Reading is an important part of our program, and novels are chosen for
both their ability to inspire and promote a love of reading and to complement
the curriculum. While reading choices vary from year-to-year, all-time
favorite novels such as Freckle Juice
in second grade, Plymouth Pioneers in
third grade, A Place in the Sun in the
fourth grade, and Maniac Magee in fifth
grade have become standards.
Math
The Lower School curriculum uses the Everyday Mathematics®
Program to promote higher level thinking skills through the use of manipulatives,
problem solving, and discovering alternative ways to make computations.
Our curriculum includes computational algorithms, introduction to negative
numbers, data collection and analysis, fractions, probability, as well
as an introduction to geometry.
Social Studies
The world around us is also explored through our social studies programs. Students study the various tribes of Native Americans, Colonial America, ancient Egyptians and Greeks through hands-on learning. They develop an appreciation of people, and their varied cultures and histories.
Science
Science in Lower School engages children in the process of inquiry through
work in the science lab. With guidance from the science teacher and
through hands-on investigations, students learn to do the work of scientists
as they observe, question, compare, predict, estimate, and ultimately
reach conclusions to their explorations. Cooperative learning and written
and oral communication are important parts of the process as students
learn about the Earth and Physical Sciences.
World Language
By the time children reach the Lower School, the teaching of language
becomes much more intensive. Grammatical structure becomes an integral
part of the curriculum; oral and written asssessments are more frequent
and even greater emphasis is placed on producing authentic-sounding
language.
Play-acting, sharing, and simple dialogue build skills children may not know they have.
Enriching learning experiences take place in our classrooms every day. To develop confidence and express themselves creatively, however, children need venues that take them away from the blackboard, textbook and computer screen.
Here are some that we provide:
>School Plays: Play-acting not only feeds the imagination, a love of language and the arts, but also builds confidence and social skills. Each year, every grade presents a play to the student body and the IDS community. Every child's participation is important and contributes to the success of the production.
>Lower
School Share: Pride in a job well done can be fostered
by the “show and tell” approach that children enjoy from their
earliest years. Intermediate School Share, which occurs monthly, is
just that and more. Students of each grade level have the opportunity
to lead Share, which includes sharing projects, creative writing, music,
and art with fellow Lower School students and teachers. They learn to
speak clearly and effectively before their peers, vital preparation
for the coming years.
>Lower School Art:
Students are provided with a variety of experiences in the visual
arts. Two art studios and a kiln allow students to explore a variety
of media as they develop their abilities to create. Children also travel
beyond the classroom to experience art through field trips and outdoor
activities, including sketching and painting “en plein air”.
Children are encouraged and taught to look carefully and to respond
to the visual qualities in their environment; to take the time to study
and appreciate details, whether it be in nature or in an artist ’s
work.
>Physical Education: Held
three times a week, our physical education classes help students refine
their large motor skills while reinforcing team work, cooperation, rules
and knowledge of team sports, and individual skills. Students have fun
while playing badminton, soccer, archery, hockey, basketball, and volleyball
to name just a few activities.
>Technology:
At IDS, technology is a tool for learning, so you'll find computers
in use in all of our classrooms. In addition to our dedicated computer
lab with 16 internet-connected iMac computers, each classroom has at
least one Internet-connected computer. Our teachers also have access
to a mobile MacBook computer lab. Students in grades 2-5 strengthen
their computer skills with weekly keyboarding classes, which lead them
into word processing. Students also learn about using spreadsheets,
conducting research, and how to use the Internet safely.
>Lower
School Band:
At IDS, musical instruments are seen and heard in the
hands of children from the fourth grade up. Participation in our band
gives children who enjoy music an all-purpose lesson in harmony and
teamwork. It teaches them that something as complex and thrilling as
a musical performance not only requires patience and practice, but also
a diversity of skills and efforts.
Here is what they learn to master in each year of the program:
The Fourth Grade Band: Our band of beginners receives quite an education in the basics of reading music, staying in tune and following the bandleader. Each young musician also receives a group lesson twice weekly to help prepare for performances in the winter and spring. We leave the choice of band instruments largely up to each student. Whether it's the trumpet, trombone, flute, clarinet, saxophone, bass clarinet, oboe, French horn or another choice, it will be a "teacher" in its own right.
Second and Third Year Band: Our instrumental students continue with lessons and regular band practice sessions, developing a command of technique as well as their own musical talents. These are particularly exciting years, as students prepare music for our annual concerts and special school events. We also perform outside the school. Whenever an opportunity arises at a public gathering or event, we love to share our music with the community.
Please visit our Teachers' Pages
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