Curriculum » Lower School

Philosophy

The thinking and learning style of students becomes broader as they progress from the primary grades to the intermediate grades. The students' approaches to learning are different as well as the teachers' expectations. They come to school confident and eager to do their best. They are urged to be organized and to plan ahead. These changes in behavior, attitudes, and expectations reflect the growth of the students' cognitive abilities. They are no longer focused only on themselves, but on their environment and those around them. They begin to understand the interaction of events and relationships. This leads to logical thinking. The curriculum in grades three through five responds to these developmental changes. The students are engaged in activities in which they work with others to solve problems. They become aware of the world around them and are exposed to different cultures. The broad range of experiences they gain through the curriculum allows the students to begin to understand their world and how they and others can effect it.

Grades 1-2

Mathematics Mathematics instruction in the Lower School helps students learn to think and reason mathematically through discovery approaches and the use of manipulatives. This is accomplished using the Investigations in Number, Data, and Space (TERC) curriculum units. These units of study focus on hands-on investigations that involve students in the exploration of the number system, addition and subtraction, measurement, statistics, patterns, estimation, geometry, and probability. Concepts are reinforced through the use of children's literature, games, and various other classroom activities. The TERC units are supplemented with Marilyn Burns "Math Solutions" units and activities, and relevant materials from other sources.

Language Arts The Language Arts Program in the Lower School is a literature-based, balanced reading and writing program. Its goal is to create independent, competent, lifelong readers and writers. Components include read-alouds, shared reading, guided reading, independent reading, interactive writing, shared writing, Writing Workshop, and independent writing. Students are immersed in numerous rich language experiences involving speaking and writing, and direct instruction is given in reading skills and strategies. Spelling focuses on word families and words students use most frequently in their writing. Grammar and mechanics are integrated into all elements of the program. The Lower School teaches students how to write using the 4 Square Writing Method in combination with the John Collins Writing Program. Some skills and concepts covered include: sentence and paragraph construction; poetry; reports; friendly letters; and creative story writing.

Social Studies Social Studies in the Lower School is a developmentally appropriate, well balanced (local, national, global), and consistent curriculum that leads to the cumulative and systematic study of people and their interactions. It sets the tone and lays the foundation for the social studies education that follows. In accordance with National Standards, program goals include teaching students to work in small groups; to learn and understand about people in our community; to understand that we are all alike; to know about other countries (places, culture, maps, and globes); and to foster a sense of social responsibility and moral development. Student activities are hands-on in nature and are introduced through integrated and thematic approaches. They include opportunities for role playing, beginning research, and field trips.

Science Science in grades 1-2 is based on a two-year cycle of study. Earth Science (air, soil, and weather) and Physical Science (force and motion, states of matter, and sink or float) are covered one year. Life (butterflies and moths, plant and animal populations) and Human Body (the senses) the following year. Delta Science Modules, AIMS, CTP and teacher created materials provide students with a wide variety of hands-on activities that lead to the development of the science processes of observing, communicating, comparing and categorizing. Through these processes, new ideas and science concepts are formed that are the foundation for more advanced studies that students will encounter as they move through Hampstead Academy's Science Program.

Drama The eight year Drama curriculum addresses the whole child's journey to explore their creativity and imagination, from the rudiments of basic stage movement techniques through voice and diction and on to character development. Every grade level will create a fully realized stage production with which they can demonstrate mastery of theatre knowledge for their particular developmental group. Both process and performance are valued, with most thorough emphasis on the discipline and collaboration of the rehearsal periods. Production titles are chosen with class sizes and gender breakdowns given great consideration, so that each student be given an equal chance to experience the magic of Drama.

Teacher narrated folk or fairy tales, simple line distribution and memorization. Focus on controlling body and gesture.

Grades 3-5

Mathematics: The math curriculum in Grades 3-5 uses a hands-on investigative approach to problem solving that includes both individual and group work. Students develop and demonstrate their own strategies and approaches to problem solving while expressing themselves mathematically. Students internalize approaches to mathematics, rather than just memorizing formulas or dictated strategies. TERC Investigations in Number, Data, and Space series is used in Grades 3 and 4. Math in Context is used in Grade 5. These curricula include multiplication, division, geometry, place value, fractions, decimals, percents, statistics, probability, graphing and measurement.

Language Arts: The curriculum for Grades 3-5 includes the components of reading, writing, grammar and spelling. These subject areas are integrated as much as possible. We use a combination of daily edit and a variety of teacher resources and teacher created activities for the instruction of grammar. The Zaner Bloser Spelling Connection series is used in conjunction with words from content areas for the instruction of spelling. Reading is taught using a variety of quality children's literature. Students work in small guided literature groups and are encouraged to develop multiple strategies for understanding a broad range of text. Writing skills include webbing, paragraphs, poetry, writing for different purposes, and research reports. The writing process is stressed throughout these years. The computer is utilized for much of students' writing.

Social Studies: Respect and understanding for other cultures are the central themes in the Social Studies program in these grades. Students are exposed to historical events with an emphasis on why people act and how the actions of others affect the world as a whole. The curriculum utilizes role playing activities to bring history to life. Topics covered include: The Age of Exploration, New Hampshire History, American History (Early settlers through the Westward Movement in Grade 4, Civil War to the present in Grade 5). Geography and mapping skills are taught through the five themes of Geography: Location, Place, Human Environmental Interaction, Movement and Region.

Science: Science in Grades 3-4 is based on a two-year cycle of study. Earth Science (earth movements, solar system, water cycle and weather instruments) and Physical Science (electrical circuits, liquids, magnets, measuring, powders and crystals, and sound) are covered one year. Life/Human Body (animal behavior, dinosaur classification, insect life, plant and animal life cycles, small things and microscopes, and food chains and webs) the following year. Science in Grade 5 is based on a two-year cycle of study with Grade 6. Earth Science (erosion, oceans, rocks and minerals, solar energy and weather forecasting) and Physical Science (color and light, electromagnetism, flight and rocketry, lenses and mirrors, and simple machines) are covered one year. Life/Human Body (fungi, pollution, pond life, and you and your body) the following year. Delta Science Modules, AIMS, Nature Scope and GEMS provide students with a wide variety of hands-on activities that support the National and State Science Standards. Through classroom experiences, students begin to understand concepts more fully and develop confidence in their ability to find things out and to understand science. Reasoning abilities are fostered as students move from direct experience to more abstract reasoning.

Creative Arts The Creative Arts program strives to develop students who are confident in observation and technical skills using a variety of mediums. We try to support our students in their individual strivings for aesthetic and expressive growth. The program promotes the understanding and use of basic art concepts, terminology, and tools. Students are exposed to art history and the art of other cultures. They render still-life, landscape, figure, portrait, and wildlife projects in both two and three dimensional mediums. We hope to build cooperation among students through partnership and team projects. Our studio environment provides the opportunity to create high quality pieces and to receive individual and group assistance.

Drama The eight year Drama curriculum addresses the whole child's journey to explore their creativity and imagination, from the rudiments of basic stage movement techniques through voice and diction and on to character development. Every grade level will create a fully realized stage production with which they can demonstrate mastery of theatre knowledge for their particular developmental group. Both process and performance are valued, with most thorough emphasis on the discipline and collaboration of the rehearsal periods. Production titles are chosen with class sizes and gender breakdowns given great consideration, so that each student be given an equal chance to experience the magic of Drama.

Grades 3-4: Larger volumes of text per student, focus on speech skills. Stories and tales with no on-stage adult narrator.

Grade 5: Multicultural stories, concentrating on developing characters from different cultures. Continued emphasis on movement and voice.

Music: The Music Educator's National Standards and the NH Curriculum Framework for the Arts provide the basis for our Music curriculum. In music classes, we offer a balanced sequential study of the art form. Topics explored include: musical history and culture, literacy, sight reading, sight singing, improvisation, solo, choral and instrumental performance, movement and dance. Students prepare, perform and assess their work in musicals, choruses and instrumental productions. We believe that the skills, knowledge and dispositions acquired from the study of music enriches all our lives.

Physical Education Hampstead Academy follows the standards set by the National Association for Sports and Physical Education. Physical Education units and Intramural offerings are rotated each year, and include the following: soccer, football, lacrosse, field hockey, orienteering, cross country running, basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, indoor soccer, team ball, fencing, track and field, softball, baseball, golf, floor hockey, dance, yoga, fitness, cooperative games and problem solving. Fitness testing is done in the fall and spring of each year. Students learn the importance of maintaining fitness and health. We strive to instill in students a quest for a lifetime of involvement in activity and sport.

Spanish Students are introduced to Spanish at the Nursery level, and continue yearly, building their mastery of this language. In the Primary grades, students are exposed to Spanish through singing, role-playing, games, stories, coloring, and simple writing activities. Basic topics are repeated yearly to ensure mastery. By third grade, students are introduced to the geography of the Spanish speaking world. In fourth grade, we begin a more formal study of Spanish, using a textbook. We continue progressively, learning grammar concepts and communication skills. This same method continues through the Upper School and prepares students to qualify for a Spanish II program in High School.

ComputersThe Computer program focuses on computer skills and strives to integrate computers with our classroom curriculum. In the younger grades, students work with KidPix, simple word processing, and software that supports the curriculum in reading and math. Appropriate Internet sites are used for research and enhancement of topics. Beginning in fifth grade, students have formalized computer instruction to meet the NH standards for computer literacy. These standards include: keyboarding, word processing, databases, spreadsheets, desktop publishing, programming in BASIC, and history of computers.