Lower School Curriculum

List of 10 items.

• Art

  All students experience the arts on a weekly basis.  Students work diligently through the school year to master a wealth of tasks and acquire a treasure trove of new experiences in the visual arts room. Students use their imaginations while experimenting with different techniques and sampling a variety of media. Art incorporates vocabulary, art history, the color wheel, the elements of art, the principals of design, and much more.  The lessons build sequentially throughout Lower School and are often integrated with the students' classroom studies to further their understanding and appreciation of particular subjects. The students will love sharing the processes and concepts learned through the portfolios they take home at the end of the year and at the annual art show.  

• Language Arts

  The Heritage School students incorporate the traditional skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking all across the curriculum. Our students receive a balance of learning new information and applying their newly acquired skills to think critically, problem solve, and experience learning through logical connections.

• Library

  Each week the students join the media specialist to listen to stories and to learn library, media, and research skills.  In the Library, students explore their own interests, find their literary passions, grow as independent readers, and develop a lifelong love of reading.

• Mathematics

  Lower School math involves sequential skill building and daily problem solving.  Our students are given a combination of traditional automaticity building strategies, and are encouraged to apply these skills in real world experiences.  Beginning with manipulatives and concrete experiences, students progress to the abstract as developmentally appropriate.

• Music

  Music class incorporates the use of musical instruments, singing, and performance during various assemblies and presentations.  Students make connections between music and other areas of study, as well as using music to reinforce concepts being taught in the classroom.  Lower School students visit the music room twice a week to engage in hands-on musical experiences, lessons, and rehearsals.  The goals of our Lower School music program are to develop the child's healthy singing voice, enrich the student's learning experience in the academic classroom, and foster their love for performing a variety of musical repertoire.

• Physical Education

  Development of the body is part of the School’s mission.  Our students attend P.E. daily in addition to their daily recess time. Competition through games and activities promotes teamwork, collaboration skills, and builds character.  

• Science

  Life, physical, and Earth sciences are a focus in our science curriculum.  Science labs are incorporated throughout the experiences in each classroom, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) is a student favorite.  Beyond the traditional science curriculum, science is also incorporated through the integrated social studies curriculum, such as studying the scientific characteristics and geography skills of oceans together.  In the Heritage makerspace, students learn to problem-solve through creativity, collaboration, and critical-thinking.

• Social Studies

  Through the use of integrated units of study, The Heritage Lower School student learns about the connections between American history, geography, economics, and civic duties.  They assimilate these connections into the social studies topics through reading, writing, and participating in hands-on learning.  Through simulations, activities, and field trips, they are learn both inside and outside the classroom.

• Technology

  A technology teacher comes to the classroom once per week to teach the students computer and technology skills including coding, keyboarding, word processing, and presentations.  The students also work with their classroom teachers to incorporate technology into the curriculum. beyond the traditional methods of learning.  The “4 C’s” of collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity are a focus during this time.

• World Languages

  Heritage first and second grade students learn and experience the French culture and language, while our third and fourth graders learn Spanish.  Lower School French and Spanish classes enrich overall student learning not only by means of thematically organized vocabulary and culture units , but also through units which correspond to the regular curriculum.