Programs\Lower School
Second Grade
Fifth Grade
Kindergarten Curriculum Overview
Language Arts: The language arts program nurtures oral
language skills,
emphasizes the value of print, and offers a wealth of reading and writing
opportunities. The development of strong oral language is a priority as
students practice rhyming, segmenting, and blending sounds and participate
in phonemic awareness games and activities. The retelling and creation of
stories through drama encourages kindergartners to understand elements of
literature and organize ideas. Cross-curricular literature selections help
our students integrate information from science, folk tales and fairy tales,
poetry, and non-fiction. Instruction in written language enables students to
understand the connection between oral and written language. Activities
encourage purposeful writing experiences such as composing letters and
creating lists. Kindergartners also learn to communicate ideas by drawing,
labeling, and creating simple sentences.
Math: The math program emphasizes the use of concrete experiences to develop an understanding of number relationships, algebraic thinking, statistics and probability, measurement, and geometry. Integrating math activities across the curriculum motivates students to use mathematical thinking as they process information and solve problems. Math Their Way and Everyday Mathematics materials support a hands-on approach to learning as children work with a variety of different materials during whole group instruction and center time. Activities encourage skill development in the following areas: sorting and comparing, patterning, counting, measuring, problem solving, and interpreting data.
Science: A discovery approach to science encourages young students to ask questions, observe, investigate, problem solve, and share information with others. Kindergartners use the scientific method and learn basic science terminology during experimentation and classroom demonstrations. The program's emphasis on integrated curriculum underscores the importance of being able to use a scientific perspective to understand art, math, and social studies. Students study the following life and physical science topics during the kindergarten year: the five senses, the seasons, nutrition and healthy habits, sound as vibration, the polar and desert biomes, and the life cycles of people, plants and animals.
Social Studies: Social studies activities help our children
develop an understanding of themselves in the contexts of family, school,
and nation. Students examine the geographic, economic, and socio-political
characteristics that define local and world communities. Themes of study in
kindergarten include: classroom democracy, my role in the community,
introduction to geography tools, our country, Arctic communities, and
Mexico. This integrated curriculum nurtures an appreciation of the diversity
of talents and cultures that comprise a community as students study
artifacts, read folk tales, and engage in real life experiences during field
trips and demonstrations.
First Grade Curriculum Overview
Language Arts: In first grade the language arts components are
thread through a reading workshop block. A variety of literature is utilized
to teach students skills in small or whole group settings that they may
apply during independent reading. Read aloud, guided reading, independent
reading, and literacy stations provide opportunities for students to build
upon previously learned skills. During word study, students learn to spell
sight words and pattern words based on their prior knowledge of letter-sound
relationships. Reading and writing are constantly modeled for students in
order for them to gain an understanding of the reading-writing connection.
Students write about a variety of topics including social studies and
science, as well as different forms of writing such as: journal writing,
research, poetry, and letter writing.
Math: Math is hands-on and minds-on using a variety of manipulatives in order to have students have a concrete understanding of concepts. Games are also utilized to practice or review skills. Constant review of previously learned skills allows for student mastery at varying rates. Students learn that math is a crucial part of their everyday lives.
Science: Students get an introduction to the scientific processes through numerous experiments. First graders also gain new understandings based on experiments, non-fiction texts, technology, and field trips. Weather, diversity of life through the African grasslands, simple machines, and dental health are explored in first grade.
Social Studies: Students learn about themselves, their community, and parts of the world. Lessons are geared toward their developmental level and prior knowledge. Literature is integrated into each unit of study broadening student understanding of various topics. Units studied are government, peoples of the nation through the study of China, geography using maps and globes, economics and history.
Second Grade Curriculum Overview
Language Arts: The joy of reading is contagious in the second
grade classroom. During reading workshop, students can be found reading
independently on a cozy sofa, in director chairs or even in a teepee.
Students share their enthusiasm for reading by suggesting favorite books and
authors to one another, peer buddy-reading, and reading with other grade
reading buddies. Second grade students self-select chapter books from the
classroom and school libraries, reading independently, and keep a literature
journal. In addition, students read extensively as a whole class as well as
in guided reading groups from a wide range of literature including the
Open Court reading anthology for second grade. Strategies for decoding
and development of reading comprehension skills are taught through whole
class directed instruction, mini-lessons, guided reading, and class
activities. Novels related to social studies and science curricula are read
aloud to the class. There are many opportunities to develop comfort and the
skill of speaking in front of a peer group through the presentation in
Readers' Theatre, and acting in the class play. The second grade class
treats Trinity families to a dinner theatre performance integrating
literature, music, drama, and art.
Writing workshop focuses on developing the steps of the writing process: pre-writing (brainstorming), first draft, editing, revising, and presentation of a final product. Second graders gain experience in writing for a variety of purposes including original stories, letters, and poetry. Grammar, spelling, and the mechanics of writing are strengthened through daily Mountain Language activities, guided exercises, and directed instruction.
Math: Math continues to build number and numeration concepts, addition, subtraction, multiplication facts, word problem application, algebraic thinking, identification, and classification. Focus is placed on the development of strategies for problem-solving that encourage thinking and reasoning. Students learn to tell time to the nearest minute, count money, and use linear measurements while applying math to the real world. The Everyday Mathematics curriculum is used and supplemented by a variety of other materials. Making connections that link math concepts and processes to content areas and the real world are consistently integrated into the math curriculum.
Science: Science is hands-on; students learn through experimentation while using the scientific method to generate a hypothesis, conduct experiments, and record and illustrate their findings. They can be seen racing cars with magnets attached to car roofs, measuring magnetized paper clip distances, or comparing magnet strengths. Through their study of the solar system, students learn facts about each planet, the earth's moon, the sun, comets, and asteroids and even simulate an eclipse. During an exciting study of the rain forest, students investigate aspects of regional climate, animals, plants, insects, and conservation. Field trips and class projects make science something to be explored and not just learned. During a study of fire safety, students learn how to develop a house exit plan for their family.
Social Studies: Students in second grade study Native American Indians concentrating on tribes from four areas of the United States: the Northeast, the Plains, the Southwest, and the Northwest. Students are divided into tribes and cooperatively construct an item to represent each tribe such as a teepee, a pueblo, or a totem pole. Hands-on activities include making music, transportation and trade, communication, clothing, and games of various tribes. Students also learn the elements that define culture and apply that knowledge to in-depth studies of Japan and Costa Rica during which they learn Japanese calligraphy, origami, and words and phrases in Japanese and Spanish. Comparisons and contrasts of these three distinct cultures are made in the areas of education, food, language, religion, games, clothing and housing. Using a wide variety of materials including library and Internet resources, second graders do cross content activities such as individual research reports about a specific insect of the rain forest where they compile, compose and present findings.
Third Grade Curriculum Overview
Language Arts: During reading workshop, third graders focus on
broadening their interest and knowledge of literary genres. The emphasis is
on the student's ability to independently choose and read level-appropriate
novels and biographies. Students maintain a reading journal and learn to
write responses about the setting, the characters, the conflict and
resolution, and their personal connections with literature. Teacher-selected
novels and non-fiction material complement the social studies and science
content areas. Students learn to read for information and create several
research projects. Word study includes a spelling program that concentrates
on word patterns, features, and etymology. Students practice from
individualized lists and develop their ability to edit spelling in writing
assignments. Word study also includes making analogies, learning cursive
writing, and using a dictionary. Writing workshop provides opportunities for
creative writing and includes weekly grammar and writing mechanics practice.
Students are expected to compose paragraphs with an emphasis on developing a
strong topic sentence and conclusion, and supporting details. The writing
process, including editing and publishing, is utilized. Writing for a
purpose includes researching social studies and science projects, completing
book reports, and writing personal narratives. Poetry workshop occurs weekly
and introduces students to poetic devices and allows students to compose and
publish poems using their senses, emotions, and poetic formats.
Math: The math curriculum encompasses six strands: number relationships and computations, algebraic representation, patterns, measurement, geometry, probability and statistics. The Everyday Math program is used and supplemented with additional materials. Problems solving, reasoning, communicating and representing mathematical concepts is emphasized as students are taught to justify approaches and solutions to math problems. Students use manipulatives to develop and demonstrate understanding of concepts.
Science: Third graders continue to use the scientific method while conducting experiments and investigations. The emphasis is on developing a hypothesis, collecting and recording data, and making conclusions using the data. Units studied are: the changing earth which includes the impact on the earth of plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, and erosion, rocks and minerals, deserts, and the water cycle. Field trips include Sideling Hill, Crystal Grotto Caverns, and Frederick's Earth and Space Lab.
Social Studies: Grade three students expand their knowledge of their place in the world as they learn about the earth's continents and oceans and develop more detailed map skills. A study of the early explorers, especially the exploration of the Americas, includes a research project in which the students present an Explorer Wax Museum. In their study, students include the impact of exploration on indigenous peoples. The early colonization of the Americas, including the geographic, political, economic, and social reasons for colonization, begins the study of our nation's history. A study of Canada's geography, history, tradition, government, and cultural diversity helps students explore their understanding of the world around them. Weekly Reader is used to explore current events.
Fourth Grade Curriculum Overview
Language Arts: Fourth graders develop deeper comprehension
skills by reading a variety of novels and genres in literature circles
during reading workshop. Students broaden their connections to literature by
acknowledging their own experiences in life as well as to other books they
have encountered. Many opportunities are given to develop critical thinking
skills in responding to both fiction and non-fiction. Special attention is
given to note taking and learning how to make outlines. Reading response
journals are kept by students and provide different ways to respond to text.
Students engage in the writing process as they learn the different purposes
of writing with an emphasis on writing for a variety of audiences. Poetry
workshop occurs on a weekly basis with attention to different forms and
poetic devices. Word study is composed of a spelling program which focuses
on patterns and word features. Students work on an individualized program
that helps them understand etymology of words with an ability to transfer
knowledge of word patterns and vocabulary to daily writing. Grammar and
writing mechanics are also a daily focus with an emphasis on learning
proofreading techniques.
Math: Fourth grade math encourages students to become life-long mathematical thinkers. Everyday Mathematics developed by The University of Chicago School of Mathematics is followed with supplements from other programs. There are six mathematical content strands that cover many skills and concepts. A focus will be placed on numeration and computation with an emphasis on geometry, data, and algebraic thinking. Students establish connections to past experiences, problem solve, and communicate explanations of solutions. Multiple methods and hands-on manipulatives continue to provide a solid understanding of concepts and skills.
Science: Fourth graders are engaged in a variety of investigations and experiments requiring observation, analysis and collaborative discussions. Students use a variety of scientific instruments to improve their skills. They use the scientific method while documenting their observations and experiments. Units covered complement the four different areas of science: earth studying the Chesapeake Bay, life studying plant development, life studying nutrition and healthy habits, and physical studying sound and light energy. Field trips are taken to various areas in order to enhance understanding of a particular topic.
Social Studies: The focus is on state history by learning about the state of Maryland. Students will examine geography, climate, history, government, and economics. The text used is The Maryland Adventure by Gibbs Smith Publisher. Students create a living history by becoming a colonial artisan in a mock town, "Trinityburg". A field trip to Annapolis and an overnight trip to Jamestown and Williamsburg broaden students' understanding of Maryland's history and colonial life. The regions of the United States are also explored as students write an in-depth report of a selected region. Current events are also discussed on a weekly basis through an examination of Weekly Reader.
Fifth Grade Curriculum Overview
Language Arts: In literature, students will be focusing on
many different genres including historical fiction which will directly
relate to the social studies unit being taught, mystery, fantasy, and
different styles of poetry. Students will continue to practice identifying
character, setting, plot, problem, solution, and theme. Students will work
as a class and in small groups to discuss and analyze different pieces of
literature and poetry. Journal entries, poems, and a class novel are just a
few of the ways students will display their understanding of literature and
the writing process. Grammar skills and vocabulary will be practiced on a
daily basis through direct instruction, writing activities, and games.
Math: The fifth grade math curriculum is designed to give students the opportunity to use the math foundation from their K-4 experience and those skills to begin to apply algebraic logic to math problems. Students will use traditional algorithms while using hands-on activities to reinforce concepts. In addition to four days of instruction in the classroom, the fifth grade will pilot a "Math Lab" where they will work in the Technology Lab to explore their math lessons in computer programs and web-based learning programs. Students are assessed in math through their math journal work, class participation, homework, quizzes, and tests. The text book used is Glencoe Mathematics: Applications and Concepts, Course 1 which is the first in the Glencoe Series that is used throughout grades 5-8 at Trinity.
Science: The fifth grade science curriculum is designed to give students the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities including investigations, experiments, and journal writing that continue to build upon their current knowledge of the scientific method. The fifth grade science curriculum is also designed to help prepare students for middle school lab science. Students will explore units in meteorology, matter and change, body systems, and family life. Students are assessed in science through their science journal work, class participation, homework, quizzes and tests. The meteorology unit uses the textbook Operation: Monster Storms from National Geographic, as well as materials from Delta Science Modules. Other units of study also use materials from Delta Science Modules.
Social Studies: The
social studies and language arts curricula are integrated as much as
possible so that the reading students do for their literature often relates
to the social students units being covered, and the vocabulary and grammar
lessons are put into action in daily writing in all subject areas. Social
studies topics include: the Revolutionary War and the founding documents,
post-Revolutionary War in the U.S., the westward expansion, the Underground
Railroad, the Civil War, the Industrial Revolution, immigration, World War
I, and the Great Depression.
Students investigate the United States and its development, history,
geography, and diverse cultures. Students will examine the growing tensions
between the colonies and Great Britain that eventually led to the
Revolutionary War. Students will also examine the Constitution and Bill of
Rights in order to understand the structure and functions of the United
States government. As students focus on western expansion, they include
studies of regional immigration and its effect on the development of our
country's economy and cultures. Students make connections with the
contributions of diverse groups of people to our American culture, past and
present. Evaluating the first states in terms of economy and culture,
students analyze some basic causes and effects of the American Civil War.
Finally, students will explore major events in 20th century history
including WWI, the Great Depression, and WWII. Historical fiction, maps,
timelines, primary sources documents, photographs, non-fiction text, songs,
and poems provide students with opportunities to deepen their understanding
of the history and development of the United States.