Lower School: Grades 1 through 3

Our curriculum in kindergarten through third grades has a twofold purpose. It seeks to provide a solid foundation in the skills of reading, spelling, writing, arithmetic, and grammar; and it seeks to help the child toward the acquisition of a Christian world-view through systematic worship and a study of Christian doctrine. The program is so thoroughly integrated that each area of study reinforces the others. In addition to the academic subjects, we give the children instruction in art, music, highland dancing, and physical education.

First through third grades continue to build elementary skills while exposing students to a range of subjects and disciplines that enhance the school experience. Beginning in first grade all students attend the daily chapel service.

Phonics

Phonics training, begun in kindergarten, continues throughout each of the Lower School years. By the second semester of the first grade most children can read any book or story suitable to their individual interests. We place particular emphasis on the comprehension of general reading material as well as scripture, and on the development of both passive and active vocabulary.

Grammar

Instruction in composition begins with a consistent and thorough examination of the structure of the complete sentence and progresses to the paragraph. Students throughout the Lower School learn to write using correct style, complete sentences, and proper punctuation and capitalization.

Although students in the first and second grades are instructed in grammatical topics, the formal study of English grammar begins in the third grade with a study of the parts of speech, usage, dictionary skills, syntax of the simple sentence, and related topics. The parsing of sentences and sentence diagramming are important instructional tools in the third grade.

Arithmetic

Instruction in arithmetic throughout the Lower School emphasizes computation and reasoning. We use the American abacus, the “Numberaid,” to familiarize the student with the decimal numeration system. We give particular attention to the structure and mechanics of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

All St. Thomas’ students must memorize all addition, subtraction, multiplication, and related division facts by the end of the second grade year. By the end of the third grade our students have become proficient in all four arithmetic functions using whole numbers.

Arithmetic instruction in the Lower School also includes the study of time, calendars, weights and measures, money, fractions, and descriptive geometry. Additionally, extensive drill in the solution of word problems provides ample opportunity for the development of mathematical concepts and reasoning.

Science

Science in Lower School uses the A Beka Science Series as well as hands on activities to teach basic concepts in life, earth, and physical science.

The students learn about plants and animals and their interdependence through the understanding of elementary ecology. They are introduced to their own planet, the sun, the moon, and the relationships between them. Physical science studies include introduction to the scientific method, measurement, and different ways to record data.

History

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the source of all truth and the foundation for our school. This belief is reiterated through daily attendance at the Chapel service by all students and faculty members. All students learn the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, the Morning Prayer Canticles, and the Ten Commandments, as well as many Bible verses.

As soon as the children are able to read well enough, they follow the daily Chapel lessons in their Bibles. The religious training is the favorite part of the curriculum for many of the children. Moral training is emphasized throughout the Lower School curriculum and is reinforced through the study of the Bible, Psalms, Aesop’s Fables, McGuffey’s Readers, and numerous other texts.

We introduce history in the first and second grades through a study of selected Bible stories. The formal study of history in the third grade begins with the book of Genesis: the creation, the Flood, the patriarchs, and the life of Joseph.

French

First grade French is an introduction to French songs and sounds. We learn the numbers 1 through 100, colors, and several songs. Students also "discover" words that are spelled the same in French and English.

Second graders begin to write numbers and dates in French as well as learn simple phrases and verb conjugations. Students learn the placement of different parts of speech and memorize several poems.

 Third grade builds on the foundation established in first and second grades. After a thorough review of the previous years' knowledge, we quickly progress to reading and writing and arithmetic. Poem memorization continues to further facility with French pronunciation and vocabulary memorization. Students learn irregular verbs to be, to have, and to go are learned as well as the regular first conjugation ER verbs.

Cursive Writing

During the first week of the first grade year we begin instruction in cursive writing; by the end of the first semester our students are able to prepare written assignments using cursive script.

The early introduction of cursive handwriting provides students with a better method for written expression, enabling them to produce in precise form a greater volume of written work.

Activities

The student’s time is occupied not only with academics but also in collateral instruction in art, music, dancing, and physical education.

Art in the Lower School is a time of exploration and development of skills. The structured teaching encourages the children to develop their own imaginations and talents as well as an awareness and appreciation of design in their environment.

The music program teaches children to sing and appreciate great music. Frequently they perform in Chapel. At Christmas the students give a concert of complex and inspiring pieces. An added benefit is that learning and singing the texts helps to reinforce the reading program.

Instruction in Scottish dancing with our world-class instructors is not only excellent physical exercise but also helps develop precision of movement and coordination of body and mind.