Lower School curriculum

Lower School Curriculum

 

Lower School Experience

In Lower School at Chesapeake Academy, kindergarten – fourth grade students become adept at working in a variety of settings, whether independently, collaboratively with others, or working individually with the teacher. Teachers encourage students to understand themselves as learners as teachers continually assess students progress. Using instructional strategies that are differentiated for learning preferences and academic performance, teachers design integrated units that allow students to build knowledge and skills most effectively.  Lower School students are challenged to fully engage with materials, teachers, classmates, and students of all ages in a variety of instructional experiences.  Project Based Learning and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) challenges make learning relevant as students apply content knowledge and skills to a variety of real world tasks.  Students learn how to choose and use materials that support their learning, whether those are library resources, online websites, or multimedia computer programs. 

The Lower School experience at Chesapeake Academy is one in which teachers truly know and understand each student as a person and as a learner.  Teachers provide both a nurturing and challenging atmosphere where students develop the confidence to attempt and master new skills.  Teachers and students work with the curriculum in ways that allow students to not just acquire knowledge, but also to apply information to new situations and create higher levels of understanding. Students have individual progress goals and also pursue topics of their own interest, presenting their research and findings to their peers.  Field trips and community service projects enrich the students' experiences.

 

LOWER SCHOOL CURRICULUM

The academic curriculum in Lower School builds on the language acquisition skills from Early Childhood and expands children's abilities to think critically--to organize, relate, and analyze information.  The Language Arts program emphasizes effective reading, writing, speaking and listening skills as students move from "learning to read" to "reading to learn."  The math curriculum focuses on seeing the patterns and "big picture" concepts while developing computation skills within the context of problem solving, reasoning, and application.  Students move from hands on work with manipulatives to more abstract concepts.  They understand mathematical thinking and are able to apply it to new situations.
The science curriculum is designed for students to develop methods of observation, classification, and research, while increasing reasoning ability.  Students work with scientific instruments as they test theories, learn the language of science, and communicate about the world around them.  The study of science at CA gives our students a greater understanding of the world in which we live and the relationships among the universe's components.  The social studies curriculum provides students with a sense of who they are and their relation to the past, present, and future.  Students understand the interconnection of peoples, communities, cultures, and historical events.  As an independent school, Chesapeake Academy is able to infuse academic instruction with a social and moral curriculum aimed at developing independent, competent students who demonstrate integrity in their actions and interpersonal relationships. 
In addition to the academic content in Lower School, the Chesapeake Academy experience is enriched by the integration of Spanish, art, performance, music, physical education, library, and technology instruction into daily life.  In Spanish classes twice a week, students learn basic vocabulary and how to apply it to speech and interpersonal conversation.  Weekly art, performance, and music classes allow students to express concepts in unique ways and to perform and present their work for larger audiences.  Through PE classes 3 times a week, students develop physical fitness, self-confidence, and a love of games and athletics.  Weekly library classes teach students to use resources effectively, while encouraging students to read for pleasure.  All third through eighth grade students learn principles of economics and financial literacy through participation in Mini-Economies at Virginia Commonwealth University, the Vault program, and Junior Achievement.  Students use technology daily to increase their keyboarding skills, research skills, and abilities to use multimedia effectively.

 

4TH-5TH GRADE BRIDGE TO THE MIDDLE SCHOOL

Our unique 4th and 5th grade program is designed to help students successfully "bridge" the transition from Lower School to Middle School over a two year period of time.  Students work with several teachers for the academic curriculum without the full departmentalization of Middle School.  The students develop the time management skills and individual responsibility needed to perform well with the increased expectations in the Middle School.  Fourth graders serve as safety patrols for the Lower School, learning leadership skills and responsibility.  Fifth graders are fully integrated in the life of the Middle School, participating in social activities and Student Council responsibilities. 

 

ACTIVITY PERIOD

Each marking period, faculty members and community volunteers offer a selection of clubs and learning opportunities for our 3rd-8th graders.  Students choose among a variety, including drama, photography, Lego robotics, knitting, cooking, stamp collecting, technology skills, and community service.  Students make different selections each marking period so that they can try new things throughout the year. 

 

TECHNOLOGY

Students at Chesapeake Academy develop their technology skills while engaged in instructional activities on a regular basis. Chesapeake Academy is home to MacBook mobile laptop carts for student use, as well as SMARTboards, digital audio and visual equipment. The mobile technology labs allow for teachers and students to take technology where it is most effectively used, whether in the academic classroom, the art room, or even outside. From using hands-on, visual SMARTboard software to mind-mapping software to collaborative online tools for publishing, discussing, and evaluating work, students and teachers use technology to extend learning across the curriculum. In addition to learning how to use multimedia programs and online websites, students also learn to use technology safely and ethically in our connected world.