LS: Specials

Incorporated into the richness and fullness of the Lower School experience is a balance of the core academic curricular program with Specials - which we do not consider an "extra," but as critical to our mission to teach the whole child. Specials span technology, library, music, visual arts, physical education and Life Skills.

Lower School classes come to the computer lab once or twice a week for formal instruction. The lessons are designed to integrate computer skills with classroom curruicula. Students learn word processing, computer art, Internet safety, photo and movie editing, among other skills. Our state-of-the-art technology equipment enables students to collaborate and express their ideas through writing, podcasting, movie making, computer art, and photography. Our goals are for the students to feel comfortable with the latest technology and to use it safely and appropriately.

Situated at the center of the school, both physically and philosophically, the Library Media Center is dedicated to the Day School's core mission to promote lifelong learning. All Lower School students visit the Media Center weekly. Story Time, encompassing a variety of genres and media, composes the bulk of class time in senior kindergarten and first grade. Stories continue in second, third and fourth grades, with the additional elements of bibliographic instruction and research. All Lower School students have borrowing privileges and are encouraged to select and exchange books each week. Parents have borrowing privileges, too!

Music at the Day School is fun and exciting! Younger students focus on movement and singing. As the students progress through the Lower School, they learn new dances, to play in a rhythm band, and to play recorder. Finally, in 4th grade, all students in the grade form our Beginning Band. Music learned includes traditional American folk music, classical music, contemporary music, Jewish holiday music, cultural Israeli music, and other ethnic music. Twice during each school year, the Day School puts on large-scale music festivals in which all students participate. Lower School grade levels perform together in both the Leona Molotzky Hanukkah Music Festival and the Morton and Zelda Reisman Spring Music Festival on Special Friends' Day. Additionally, students are invited to audition for solos beginning in second grade.

Visual arts in the Lower School emphasize exposure, exploration and experimentation in the arts. Students are exposed to artists' lives and works and are encouraged to discuss their observations and feelings about them. Highlighting prominent artists inspires students to create unique works and provides them with an appreciation of the importance of art in society. The students are asked to explore new media to create unique pieces of artwork. At no time is there a rigid expectation as to what a piece of finished artwork will look like. Unique and unpredictable results are not only encouraged, but celebrated.

Beginning in senior kindergarten, students participate in physical education (P.E.) twice weekly. In P.E., every student has the opportunity to explore and develop her/his skills in a warm nurturing environment. Competition is not stressed; rather, fun is the name of the game! Movement skills, sports skills and cooperative play days fill the program. Roller skating is a highlight when it's introduced in senior kindergarten, but is a favorite of all students.

Life Skills is taught in grades 2-5 and reflects a structured teaching model to enhance students' understanding of the emotional wellness, moral development and ethical choices inherent in the culture of the Day School. This curriculum is prescriptively tailored for each specific age group, addressing issues including: safety, human development, social relationships, drug education, health issues, eating disorders, anger management and goal setting. In second grade, Life Skills is taught once a week for 40 minutes during half the year. In grades 3-5 Life Skills classes meet once a week for 40 minutes throughout the entire year. The Life Skills program offers constuctive strategies to help students learn how to negotiate, problem solve, and make healthy decisions.

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