Lower School Curriculum

K-3 LITERACY

Our K-3 literacy curriculum is based on best practices that teachers have been trained in through the Children’s Literacy Initiative. CLI is a national organization based in Philadelphia that provides professional development to teachers on four literacy best practices as well as providing coaching for teachers. The literacy block is divided into four parts that are used to create a cohesive literacy experience for students.

Students engage in…

• Readers Workshop, a reading block where students practice skills taught in mini lessons utilizing books at their reading level.
• Writers Workshop which allows students to practice writing skills taught in mini lessons to expand their writing. They learn the specific stages of the writing process and work through these stages to publish written work.
• Intentional Read Alouds are used to demonstrate the skills taught in mini lessons.
• Message Time Plus is a shared reading and writing activity. Students read a message teachers have created aloud as it is being written.

4TH GRADE LITERACY

The basis of the 4th grade literacy curriculum is based on novel studies. Students in this grade read a minimum of 4 novels each year as well as engaging in a non-fiction text study. Students, having gained a sound foundation in K-3, are ready to engage in more complex texts and textual analysis. Writing and vocabulary development are also a big part of the 4th grade literacy program.

K-3 SCIENCE

Greenfield’s K-3 Science curriculum is fully aligned to hands-on lessons in Mystery Science. Classes meet with their Science teacher twice a week where they take part in classroom discussions and interactive investigations.  The K-3 curriculums focus on Physical Science, Earth and Space Science, and Life Science.

4TH GRADE SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES

SCIENCE

The students learn about the Schuylkill River Watershed. With our stream tables we can see the effects of weathering and erosion.  We have a few amazing virtual field trips.  One trip is with the Aurora Fossil Museum and another great virtual trip is through the Living Classrooms Foundation and Maritime Education.  

Our second unit is electricity and electromagnets.  

In our third unit we study the life cycles of animals and different ecosystems. 

SOCIAL STUDIES

In fourth grade, we explore the history of Philadelphia. We belong to a group called History Hunters. The students learn about 5 historic homes and the people who lived there.  Some of the sites are the place where the Battle of Germantown took place, a stop on the Underground Railroad and the site of the Walking Purchase. 

MATH

Math Expressions is based on NSF-funded research.

Contextual Learning

Students develop an understanding of mathematics through real-world situations and visual supports.

Multiple Strategies

Students learn multiple ways to solve problems, including algorithms based on reasoning.

Manageable Instruction

Teaching materials embody a “learn-while-teaching” style.