Kindergarten, First and Second Grade Curriculum Overview
The Primary Division consists of kindergarten, first, and second grades. Within our self-contained classrooms we strive to provide a warm, caring environment that allows young children to develop feelings of self-confidence and self-worth. Our academic program provides many opportunities to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Active learning and academic choices serve as the foundation for student growth and development.

Language Arts
In the primary grades we believe that children are active learners who construct knowledge through physical, social and cultural experiences. The learning of language, reading and writing is a complex and interactive process and occurs at different rates. The facilitation of continual growth in the learner, therefore, requires a broad range of instructional approaches, materials and experiences. At Lake Ridge we believe in a child-centered environment which aspires to honor students’ interests, prior experiences, and individual needs.

The goal of our reading program is to develop confident, enthusiastic and skilled readers. We are dedicated to meeting children where they are and to helping them progress at their own rate while celebrating their successes along the way. We provide authentic opportunities for reading using a literature-based environment. The vital interconnectedness of reading, writing and language is continually recognized.

The goal of the writing program is to develop confident, skilled writers. Writing is a process, a means of communication. Content is emphasized as students engage in writing for authentic purposes. Conventions of writing, such as spacing, punctuation, spelling and letter formations are introduced as tools for effective communication. Our curriculum helps children to see themselves as writers capable of sharing their personal experiences and knowledge.

A continuum of reading and writing development is useful for identifying challenging but achievable goals. Individual variation is to be expected and supported. The use of our developmental continuum enables teachers to assess individual children’s progress against realistic goals or benchmarks and then adapt instruction to ensure that children continue to progress. Additional instructional strategies are used for children whose learning and development are advanced or in need of more support.

Mathematics

Beginning number concepts are introduced through group and individual experiences in kindergarten. The program includes such activities as classifying and sorting objects, grouping by attributes, recognizing shape, estimating, discovering patterns, making comparisons, measuring using nonstandard units of measure, matching sets, assigning numbers to sets, and introduction to addition and subtraction. Manipulative materials encourage problem solving, experimentation and looking for more than one answer.

The K-2 program focuses on developing mathematical understandings and identifying numerical and analytical relationships. The curriculum is designed to include activity-centered programs and promote a cooperative learning environment. The children are actively involved in hands-on experiences using a variety of manipulatives and materials. They are encouraged to demonstrate flexibility in working with mathematical ideas and problems. Likewise, they are encouraged to apply a variety of strategies, techniques, and materials when completing problem-solving activities. The program provides a blend of experiences in computational skills, logical thinking, abstract reasoning, problem-solving techniques, and mathematical applications.

Thematic units of study allow children to have many opportunities to connect mathematics with real-life problems in the areas of science, social studies, and health. The children graph, measure, observe, discuss, and record data collected during theme activities. Calendar mathematics activities may include skip counting, looking for patterns, keeping a tally, beginning place value activities, and group problem solving.

Thematic Studies
Experience-based science and social studies activities are provided through thematic units of study. Hands-on experiences develop the children’s powers of informal observation, discrimination and description. New concepts develop through class discussion, field trips, live animals, videos, books, and experiments. Our large campus makes possible a strong outdoor education program. Major themes vary throughout the year and may include a “subject” such as rain forests or marine life, or “concepts” such as community or our time in history.

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