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 Philosphy
In a school day filled with exploration and creativity, children master skills that will serve them throughout life. Whether in the classroom, on the playground, or at the lunch table, every activity is an opportunity for learning life skills. The Lower School gives students the space, time, and encouragement to discover the joys of learning in an active environment that offers more than just the basics in literature, math. science, and social studies.
Beginning in Kindergarten, learning centers provide opportunities to understand abstract ideas through exploration. Building with blocks, for instance, becomes the vehicle for constructng mathematical concepts. This approach continues throughout the child's entire education. In second grade, students learn economic lessons through their own student-run business; and in fifth grade, students learn to collaborate while exploring enveironmental studies at the Tremont Institute in the Great Smoky Moutnains. We are proud to offer extraordinary learning experiences unique to our school.
Curriculum
Language arts is presented as an integrated and whole process that includes reading and comprehension, creative and expository writing, research strategies, grammar and writing mechanics, spelling, vocabulary development, and oral presentation. A rich selection of quality children's literature. Students learn to locate and use information through activities integrated throughout the core curriculum. With access to the school's extensive library collection, multiple computers in each classroom, and a state-of-the-art computer technology lab, students learn research and communication strategies for every subject area and are encouraged to explore independent study.
Foreign Language
The Episcopal School now offers both French and Spanish in the Lower and Middle Schools. The goal of the French and Spanish programs is to take full advantage of the heightened receptiveness of the young mind. Oral proficiency is taught in the younger grades, with an introduction to reading and writing beginning in the third grade. Classes are taught in the foreign languages with very little translation, using an approach that includes songs, games, pictures, physicial activities, and grade-appropriate cultural experiences.
Art
Art is serious fun. It is serious in the sense that students learn about art concepts and artistis through a variety of media. It is fun in that students learn though some serious hands-on activities. All children are encouraged to develop their own individual artistic potential.
Music
The goal of the music program is to begin to build a lifelong love and appreciation for music. Students are exposed to the classics, contemporary and multicultural music. In the classroom, they will sing, move and play many varied classroom instruments. Students will begin the study of reading music, analyzing performances and creating their own melodies through improvisation.
Physical Education
The physical education curriculum provides an environment that maximizes our students' well-being by fostering the development of athletic skills, leadership, perseverance, and fair play. Students learn the importance of exercise and basic sports skills.
Guidance
Helping children meet their social and emotional needs in the school setting has a positive impact on their educational progress. The TRIBES process, developed by Jeannie Gibbs, provides the foundation for the guidance program. At the beginning of each year, students review or are taught the following Tribes Agreements:
- Attentive Listening
- Mutual Respect
- Appreciations/No Putdowns
- Right to Pass
- Let Go and Move on
These community agreements establish a classroom climate in which students feel emotionally safe and ready to learn. Through a variety of strategies in weekly guidance classes, students learn positive character traits, problem and conflict soling, study skills, manners. handling anger, dealing with teasing, improving relationships, personal safety, and many other developmentally appropriate skills.
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