Lower School

Central Subject

The Pre-Kindergarten Central Subject curriculum is a journey of self-discovery and community exploration. The first unit “Who am I” delves into personal identity, celebrating uniqueness while fostering unity within our class. The second unit “Me and My Community” emphasizes cooperation and responsibility, highlighting the significance of community engagement and citizenship. The third unit “Me and My World” broadens horizons by exploring diverse cultures, nurturing cultural awareness and understanding. Concluding with the Science unit “Sprouting Seeds” and “Life on the Farm” students delve into the fascinating world of plant life, grasping the essential role of plants in nourishing our bodies and sustaining life. "Wrapping up with our Science units 'Sprouting Seeds' and 'Life on the Farm,' students will explore the captivating world of plants and animals. They'll discover how plants play a vital role in nourishing our bodies and sustaining life, as well as learn about the life cycles of both plants and animals. Additionally, they'll investigate the contributions of farm animals to our society and the specific habitats these animals need to thrive."

Unit 1: Who am I?

Essential Questions: 

• What makes me unique? 

• How am I the same and different from others? 

• What makes our class group special?

Unit 2: Me and My Community

Essential Questions:

• How does a community work together? 

• Why are rules important? 

• How do the people in our school community help us? 

• What makes me a good citizen of our class community?

Unit 3: Me in My World

Essential Questions:

• What are different cultures around the world? 

• What cultures make up our class community? 

• What ways do people live differently around the world?

Unit 4: Sprouting Seeds - Exploring the Wonders of Plant Life and Life on the Farm

Essential Questions

• How do plants grow and change over time?

• What do plants need to grow healthy and strong?

• Where does our food come from, and how do plants play a role in providing us with food?

• What is a life cycle?

• What do farm animals contribute to our society?

• What kind of habitats do the animals need?

Literacy

The Pre-Kindergarten literacy program focuses on each domain of literacy; reading, speaking, listening, and writing. "The Pre-Kindergarten literacy program is designed to nurture every aspect of literacy—reading, speaking, listening, and writing. Starting in September, students will engage daily in phonemic awareness and early literacy activities through Heggerty’s Pre-Kindergarten curriculum. As they become 'Letter Experts,' they'll take on the role of teaching others about letter sounds and formation, which not only boosts their confidence but also provides valuable opportunities to practice their speaking and listening skills."This helps to build their confidence and gives them opportunities to practice speaking and listening. The students are introduced to literature through active listening, asking questions, and making predictions about stories and poems. They learn to navigate the classroom library and use books effectively. Students engage in group discussions regarding stories and their own personal experiences. By June, students progress to retelling stories, identifying book elements, and describing characters and text structures. They enhance their phonemic awareness, rhyming skills, and basic print concepts. In speaking and listening, they practice expressing thoughts, continuing conversations, and articulating words clearly. Fine motor skills evolve from “scribbling”, to forming letter strings, to invented spelling. Ultimately, students will be able to produce their own stories by incorporating short phrases and illustrations. Throughout the year, interactive IMSE (Institute for Multi-Sensory Education) activities and assessments use the Orton-Gillingham approach to target phonological awareness and phonics skills through multi-sensory experiences. Throughout the year, students will engage in interactive activities and assessments from the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education (IMSE), which utilize the Orton-Gillingham approach. This method targets phonological awareness and phonics skills through dynamic, multi-sensory experiences, making learning both effective and engaging. Throughout the year, children will immerse themselves in a diverse collection of books, illustrations, and authors across various genres, both in the library and the classroom."They will focus on understanding different storytelling styles and how various authors present key story elements. With guidance from their teachers, the children will use these experiences to explore and express their creative ideas about each author study. Their work will culminate in a special presentation at our Spring Author's Tea Party, where they will proudly share their projects with parents.

Overview of Essential Knowledge and Skills: 

• Engage students with stories through questioning, predicting, retelling, and character enactment.

• Help students understand stories by discussing vocabulary, recognizing poem rhythms, and interpreting illustrations.

• Encourage predictions and connections to personal experiences.

• Foster active listening to diverse literature.

• Foster a love for reading and choosing stories regarding the student's interests.

• Introduce book handling and concepts of print.

• Develop phonics and rhyming skills.

• Encourage storytelling and expression of ideas using different tools. 

• Fostering communication skills for discussing literature with others.

• Fostering upper and lowercase letter formation

• Promote the development of a functional pencil grasp and fine motor skills through playdough, lacing, cutting. 

Mathematics

The PreK curriculum in the Bridges in Mathematics program offers a comprehensive and developmentally appropriate approach to early mathematical learning. Rooted in foundational mathematical concepts, the curriculum is designed to engage young learners through hands-on exploration and playful activities. Emphasizing a constructivist approach, students are encouraged to actively participate in building their understanding of numbers, shapes, patterns, and measurement through sensory experiences and interactive games. The curriculum incorporates rich mathematical language, themed-based children’s literature (stories), and multiple representations to support students in making connections and developing a strong conceptual foundation. Through carefully scaffolded activities and playful learning experiences, the PreK curriculum in Bridges in Mathematics fosters curiosity, critical thinking, and a positive attitude towards mathematics, laying the groundwork for future mathematical success. 

Overview of Essential Knowledge and Skills: 

• Identification and recognition of numbers 1-10

• Counting objects and understanding one-to-one correspondence

• Exploring basic shapes (e.g., circles, squares, triangles)

• Sorting and classifying objects based on attributes (e.g., size, color, shape)

• Recognizing and creating simple patterns

• Introduction to measurement concepts (e.g., length, height, weight)

• Developing spatial awareness and understanding positional concepts (e.g., over, under, beside)

• Engaging in basic addition and subtraction concepts through hands-on activities

• Developing fine motor skills through manipulative activities (e.g., using blocks, puzzles)

• Introduction to basic mathematical vocabulary and language development

• Participation in collaborative learning activities to foster social skills and teamwork

• Exploration of mathematical concepts through sensory experiences and play-based learning.

Social & Emotional Learning

Unit 1: Skills for Learning

• Make a friendly greeting and say their names 

• Demonstrate showing someone new around the classroom

• Demonstrate listening and following directions while doing activities

• Demonstrate focusing attention during a game

• Demonstrate new Listening Rules in a group

Unit 2: Empathy

• Identify the feelings happy and sad when presented with physical (face or body) clues 

• Tell about a time when they felt happy or sad

• Name the feelings surprised and scared when presented with physical and situational clues 

• Identify how others feel in response to scenarios

• Identify the feeling mad/angry when presented with physical clues 

• Tell others about a time when they felt angry

• Compare what is the same and what is different about two objects 

• Identify whether they feel the same as or different from others in response to scenarios

• Identify when something happens by accident 

• Demonstrate helping behaviors during an activity

• Demonstrate saying something kind in response to scenarios 

Unit 3: Emotion Management

• Identify worry as an uncomfortable feeling 

• Identify a grown-up to talk to when they feel worried

• Recognize and name when they or others are feeling frustrated 

• Demonstrate putting their hands on their tummies and saying “Stop”

• Name their feelings in response to scenarios 

• Demonstrate how to calm down in response to scenarios

• Demonstrate the Calming-Down Steps in response to scenarios

• Demonstrate relaxing their bodies

• Demonstrate waiting in a game 

Unit 4: Friendship Skills and Problem-Solving

• Demonstrate asking to play together, trade, or take turns when playing with another child

• Identify how they feel when other children do or do not play in fair ways 

• Name ways they have fun with their friends

• Demonstrate how to use inviting language 

• Demonstrate inviting others to play during a game

• Demonstrate calming down and saying the problem 

• Use words to describe problems presented in scenarios

• Think of lots of solutions to a problem

• Demonstrate speaking up assertively in response to scenarios

Unit 5: Transitioning to Kindergarten

• Demonstrate the Listening Rules 

• Demonstrate focusing attention, listening, and using self-talk during an activity

• Identify the feelings learned in the Second Step program when presented with facial clues 

• Demonstrate the Calming-Down Steps in response to scenarios

• Demonstrate the Fair Ways to Play 

• Demonstrate inviting others to play and asking to join in play

Physical Education

The PreK Physical Education curriculum is designed to introduce young students to the joy of movement and the basics of physical activity in a fun and engaging way. Throughout the year, students participate in a variety of playful activities that develop fundamental motor skills such as running, jumping, hopping, balancing, and throwing. The curriculum emphasizes exploration and experimentation with movement, allowing students to discover what their bodies can do. Activities are designed to be age-appropriate and focus on developing coordination, balance, and spatial awareness. Games and exercises often involve imaginative play, music, and storytelling to keep children engaged and excited about physical activity. Social skills such as taking turns, following simple instructions, and playing cooperatively with others are also integral parts of the curriculum. In addition to physical skills, the PreK PE curriculum introduces basic health and safety concepts, such as the importance of staying active, proper hydration, and understanding personal space. By the end of the year, students should feel more confident in their physical abilities, enjoy participating in group activities, and have a positive attitude towards exercise and healthy habits. The aim is to create a foundation for a lifelong appreciation of physical activity and wellness.

Music

PreK Music is an experiential music class, where students engage in singing and movement activities that explore concepts like patterning, high vs. low, fast vs. slow, and loud vs. soft. Through group vocal exploration, students build accuracy and confidence, while beat-keeping activities with and without manipulatives, such as scarves and rhythm sticks, enhance their understanding of rhythm and beat. They begin to demonstrate an understanding of patterns in songs and develop body and spatial awareness. Solo singing opportunities help students gain confidence in their own sound, fostering an open and trusting relationship with their peers.

Library

Our PreK library curriculum is designed to ignite a love for reading in young children while fostering essential early literacy skills. During story times, children will enjoy a variety of engaging books that introduce them to different narratives and storylines. Each session includes corresponding activities that reinforce the concepts explored in the stories. For example, after hearing a story about friendship, children might engage in collaborative art projects or role-playing exercises. We also focus on teaching young learners about story elements, such as identifying the main characters, understanding the plot sequence, and recognizing the overarching theme. Additionally, children are encouraged to explore the library independently, locating areas where they can find their favorite stories and fostering a sense of curiosity and discovery. Our goal is to create a fun and enriching environment that lays a strong foundation for future reading and learning.

Central Subject

The Kindergarten Central Subject curriculum begins with "Citizenship and Gratitude" and an exploration into happiness, thankfulness, and kindness. Students learn to make positive choices for themselves and others, fostering friendships and empathy. Next, in "Past & Present" students delve into historical lifestyles, tools, clothing, and food, comparing them to modern equivalents. In "Our Neighborhood," students examine community features and map their surroundings. During "Global Connections - Asia" introduces Asian countries, traditions, and cultural differences, fostering curiosity and understanding of diverse societies. In Science, students will engage in three units: Animal Exploration, Light & Sound, and Ocean Life. 

Unit 1: Citizenship and Gratitude

Essential Questions

• What makes us feel happy and thankful, and how can we show it to others? 

• How can we make good choices that make ourselves and others feel happy and cared for? 

• Why is it important to be kind to everyone and how can we make friends by understanding how others feel?

• How am I aware of myself and how can that be celebrated?

Unit 2: Past & Present

Essential Questions

• What can we learn about how people lived long ago? 

• How did people in the past use different tools and instruments, and how are they similar or different from the tools we use today? 

• What are the various foods and clothes people used in the past, and how does that compare to what we eat and wear today?

Unit 3: Our Neighborhood

Essential Questions

• What is special about where we live? How do different places help our community? 

• How can we map our neighborhood showing where things are, like homes, the library, the police station, and more?

Unit 4: Global Connections - Asia

Essential Questions

• How can we explore different countries in Asia, their traditions, and famous places? 

• What exciting things can we discover about other cultures by visiting different countries? 

• What are some unique things about cultures in Asia that are similar and different to ours? 

Unit 5: Science - Light & Sound

Essential Questions

• Where does light come from, and how does it help us see things?

• What makes sounds, and how do we hear different noises around us?

• How can we use simple experiments to see how light and sound work?

Unit 6: Science - Ocean Life

Essential Questions

• What are some animals that live in the ocean, and what are their names?

• Where do different ocean animals live, and what are their homes like?

• How do ocean animals look and behave, and how can we learn more about them?

Unit 7: Science - Animal Exploration

Essential Questions

• What are the names of some animals we can see at the zoo?

• How do different zoo animals look and act?

• How are zoo animals the same and different?

Literacy

In the early stages of their reading journey, Kindergarten students engage with books by authors like Eric Carle, Mercer Mayer, Mo Willems, Laura Numeroff, Lita Judge, Grace Lin, and Amy Krause Rosenthal, as well as non-fiction texts about various topics, such as ocean animals. They develop foundational skills in phonics, identifying and producing phonemes and graphemes for the alphabet using the Orton Gillingham approach The students practice reading conventions by moving from left to right and using one-to-one correspondence to track words. are introduced and reinforced using orthographic mapping techniques. Writing skills are cultivated through exercises like writing their first and last names with proper conventions, using sound boxes to write words, and practicing pencil grip. The students also learn to write sentences with correct spacing, punctuation, and capitalization. They engage in word work that includes recognizing and producing rhymes, segmenting syllables, and blending CVC words. Phonemic awareness and early literacy skills will be practiced daily using Heggerty’s Kindergarten curriculum.  Author studies encourage personal connections to texts, and students explore features of books, make predictions, identify plot points, and understand cause and effect. The Reading Workshop Model of the Daily 5 is implemented, where students read to themselves, read to others, listen to reading, and engage in word work. Through small group instruction, students read leveled books and apply strategies to identify unfamiliar words. They also author their own books, write reports, and practice writing opinions and narratives, progressively building their literacy skills in a comprehensive and engaging manner.

Overview of Essential Knowledge and Skills: 

• Ask and answer questions about key details in texts.

• Retell familiar stories, including key details.

• Identify characters, settings, and major events in stories.

• Recognize common text structures and characteristics.

• Explain the roles of authors and illustrators in creating books.

• Describe the relationship between illustrations and text.

• Compare and contrast adventures and experiences of characters.

• Demonstrate understanding of print concepts and phonological awareness.

• Compose opinion, informative/explanatory, and narrative texts.

• Participate in collaborative conversations, confirm understanding, and ask questions for clarification.

• Use vocabulary and grammar appropriately, determine meanings of words, and explore word relationships.

Mathematics

The Kindergarten curriculum in the Bridges in Mathematics program provides a comprehensive and engaging introduction to foundational mathematical concepts, laying a solid groundwork for future mathematical proficiency. Through a combination of hands-on activities, interactive games, and exploratory learning experiences, students delve into key mathematical domains such as number sense, geometry, measurement, and patterns. The curriculum fosters a deep understanding of numbers through activities that promote counting, comparing quantities, and exploring addition and subtraction within 10. Students also develop spatial reasoning skills as they investigate shapes, patterns, and positional relationships. The curriculum emphasizes the use of multiple representations and encourages students to communicate their mathematical thinking orally and visually. Additionally, collaborative learning environments promote teamwork, communication skills, and a positive attitude towards mathematics. Overall, the Kindergarten curriculum in Bridges in Mathematics program aims to instill a love for learning mathematics while providing students with the essential knowledge and skills needed for future mathematical success.

Overview of Essential Knowledge and Skills: 

• Developing number sense and recognition of numbers 1-20

• Counting and cardinality skills, including understanding one-to-one correspondence

• Basic addition and subtraction within 10

• Recognizing and creating simple patterns, both in numbers and shapes

• Identifying and describing basic geometric shapes (e.g., squares, circles, triangles)

• Exploring concepts of measurement, such as length, height, weight, and capacity, using non-standard units

• Developing spatial awareness and understanding positional relationships (e.g., above, below, beside)

• Exploring basic concepts of time (e.g., days of the week, sequencing events)

• Introduction to basic concepts of money (e.g., identifying coins and their values)

• Using visual representations and manipulatives to model and solve mathematical problems

• Engaging in collaborative learning activities to develop communication and teamwork skills

• Encouraging a positive attitude towards mathematics through interactive and play-based learning experiences.

Social & Emotional Learning

Unit 1: Growth Mindset and Goal Setting

Students learn how to develop a growth mindset and apply it to the task of paying attention.

The goals of this unit include students being able to:

• Name or show behaviors that help them pay attention (for example, turning toward the speaker, listening, watching, staying quiet)

• Suggest kind words to encourage themselves and others when they make a mistake

• Name “practice” and “keep trying” as ways to get better at something

Unit 2: Emotion Management

Students learn how to identify emotions in themselves and others and apply strategies to manage their emotions.

The goals of this unit include students being able to:

• Name the emotion someone is feeling (happy, sad, mad) in a given situation

• Name at least one clue (looking at face or body, thinking about what’s going on) they used to identify the emotion someone is feeling in a given situation

• Suggest slow breathing as a way to feel calm

• Demonstrate slow breathing

Unit 3: Empathy and  Kindness

Students learn how to recognize and demonstrate kind acts.

The goals of this unit include students being able to:

• Suggest kind acts they can do for others at school in given scenarios (for example, offering a hug, offering to share)

• Draw a kind act they have experienced at school, either as the giver or the receiver (for example, offering a hug, offering to share)

Unit 4: Problem-Solving

Students learn how to apply their emotion management and communication skills to solve interpersonal problems and demonstrate strategies for effectively dealing with interpersonal conflict.

The goals of this unit include students being able to:

• Repeat the problem in a given scenario

• Demonstrate an appropriate problem-solving strategy (for example, apologizing, taking turns, offering to share) in a given scenario

Physical Education

The Kindergarten Physical Education curriculum at Bancroft School is designed to introduce young learners to the basics of physical activity, fostering a love for movement and promoting overall health and well-being. Throughout the year, students engage in a variety of activities that develop fundamental motor skills such as running, jumping, throwing, and catching. Emphasis is placed on improving coordination, balance, and spatial awareness through playful exercises and games. The curriculum also integrates lessons on teamwork, cooperation, and following instructions, helping students to develop social skills and an understanding of fair play. Additionally, students learn the importance of regular physical activity and its benefits for their growing bodies, setting the foundation for a healthy, active lifestyle.

Music

In Kindergarten Music, students focus on securing beat-keeping, safe movement, spatial awareness, and vocal awareness. Singing and movement activities introduce proper musical terminology, allowing students to explore concepts such as high vs. low, fast vs. slow, loud vs. soft, and rhythm vs. beat. Manipulatives like beat and rhythm books, dots, popsicle sticks, and stickers are used to begin the notation of rhythm. The curriculum includes familiar songs and games, as well as instrumental pieces from around the world, helping students develop a foundational understanding of music in a diverse and engaging way.

Library

In Kindergarten, students embark on a journey into literacy through the school library. They discover it as a magical sanctuary filled with books waiting to be explored. They learn to handle books gently, understanding the library's quiet ambiance. Through guided exploration, they familiarize themselves with the library's layout and where to find different types of books. Encouraged to select books based on personal interests, they begin to develop literary preferences, whether adventurous tales, fairy tales, or factual accounts. A highlight of their library experience is listening to stories read aloud by the librarian. These sessions transport them into imaginary worlds. Following each story, students engage in extension activities to deepen their understanding. They may draw pictures, act out scenes, or discuss the story with classmates. These activities not only enhance literacy skills but also foster creativity, imagination, and empathy. The library becomes a beloved space where students explore, dream, and grow with each page turned.

Central Subject

The Grade 1 Central Subject curriculum starts with "The Power of Me," where students delve into understanding emotions and empathy. They explore their own feelings, learning how to identify and express them while also developing empathy by recognizing and appreciating others' emotions. This unit helps them see themselves as part of a broader community. Next, "Building Bridges" emphasizes kindness and cooperation, guiding students through lessons on friendship, problem-solving, and the influence of words and actions. In "Map Explorers," students are introduced to map skills, learning about different types of maps and their various uses. Finally, the curriculum concludes with an inquiry into Australia, where students step into the roles of researchers and presenters, delving into the unique aspects of this continent and sharing their discoveries with others.

Unit 1: The Power of Me - Exploring Emotions and Empathy

How do I see myself as part of a community?

Essential Questions

• What are the different emotions I have? 

• What are feelings, and how are they connected to our emotions? 

• How can I show empathy towards others?

• How do my emotions/feelings affect the people around me? 

Unit 2: Building Bridges - Exploring Kindness and Cooperation in First Grade

Essential Questions

• What does it mean to be a good friend? 

• What does a friendship look like between two people?

• How do we work together to solve a problem? 

• How can you see if someone is upset? 

• What does kindness look like in 1st grade? 

• How can I spread kindness outside of 1st grade? 

• How do your words and actions affect others?

Unit 3: Map Explorers - Navigating Our World with Curiosity and Compasses

Essential Questions

• What are the different features of a map? 

• Why are maps helpful to people?

• What are the different kinds of maps, and what are they used for? 

• How can a map help you locate different places? 

• How do people use maps?

• What country and state do we live in? 

• What is my global address? 

Unit 4: Global Connections - Inquiry - Australia

Essential Questions

• What do the different flags of Australia represent? 

• How can we explore the continent of Australia, its people, their traditions, and famous places? 

• How is Australia divided into territories, and how are they similar or different? 

• What exciting things can we discover about other cultures by visiting different countries? 

• What are some unique things about cultures in Australia that are similar and different to ours? 

• How do we research an animal or a landmark using appropriate resources and notecards? 

• How do we take our research and turn it into a presentation? 

Literacy

The first-grade literacy curriculum is designed to progressively develop essential reading, writing, phonics, and comprehension skills throughout the academic year. The year begins with engaging read-aloud sessions focusing on story elements and continues throughout the rest of the year to build comprehension skills. Interactive activities and assessments based on the Orton-Gillingham approach target phonological awareness and phonics proficiency, laying the foundation for reading fluency. Phonemic awareness will be practiced daily using Heggerty’s Primary Curriculum. As the year unfolds, phonics instruction advances, encompassing blends, digraphs, and vowel patterns. Handwriting and narrative writing experiences encourage students to express themselves, with prompts ranging from personal narratives to weekend news updates. Small reading groups are formed based on assessments, allowing for targeted instruction to build comprehension, reinforce phonics skills, and foster a love for reading. Throughout the journey, a variety of resources and instructional strategies, including guided reading, literacy footprints, and thematic writing prompts, support student engagement and comprehension. The curriculum culminates with a reflection on learning progress and consolidation of acquired skills, ensuring students are well-equipped for the transition to second grade.

The first-grade literacy curriculum is thoughtfully crafted to gradually develop essential reading, writing, phonics, and comprehension skills throughout the academic year. It begins with engaging read-aloud sessions that introduce story elements and progresses to more complex activities designed to enhance comprehension skills. Using the Orton-Gillingham approach, interactive activities focus on building phonological awareness and phonics proficiency, setting the stage for reading fluency. Daily practice of phonemic awareness through Heggerty’s Primary Curriculum reinforces these foundational skills. As the year progresses, phonics instruction deepens to include blends, digraphs, and vowel patterns. Handwriting and narrative writing exercises encourage students to express themselves creatively, with prompts ranging from personal narratives to weekend news updates. Small reading groups, formed based on assessments, provide targeted instruction to strengthen comprehension, reinforce phonics skills, and nurture a love for reading. Throughout the year, a diverse array of resources and instructional strategies, such as guided reading, Literacy Footprints, and thematic writing prompts, are employed to keep students engaged and improve comprehension. The curriculum culminates in a reflection on the students’ learning journey, consolidating their acquired skills to ensure they are well-prepared for the transition to second grade.

Overview of Essential Knowledge and Skills: 

• Ask and answer questions about key details in texts.

• Retell stories and demonstrate an understanding of their central message.

• Describe characters, settings, and major events in stories.

• Identify words and phrases that convey feelings or appeal to the senses.

• Identify the narrator in a text.

• Use illustrations to describe characters, settings, or events.

• Compare and contrast characters' adventures.

• Read and comprehend a variety of literary and informational texts with support.

• Demonstrate understanding of print concepts, phonological awareness, phonics, and fluency.

• Write opinion pieces, informative texts, and narratives with appropriate structure and detail.

• Produce writing appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

• Participate in collaborative conversations, follow discussion rules, and ask questions.

• Ask and answer questions about text details and oral presentations.

• Describe people, places, things, and events clearly, using appropriate vocabulary.

• Add visual displays to descriptions when appropriate.

• Demonstrate command of English grammar, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.

• Determine word meanings and demonstrate understanding of word relationships.

• Use acquired words and phrases effectively in writing and speaking.

Mathematics

The Grade 1 curriculum in the Bridges in Mathematics program offers a dynamic and comprehensive exploration of foundational mathematical concepts, building upon the skills and knowledge acquired in kindergarten. Through a blend of hands-on activities, problem-solving tasks, and interactive lessons, students delve deeper into key mathematical domains including number sense, addition and subtraction, geometry, measurement, and patterns. The curriculum focuses on developing an understanding of place value, addition and subtraction within 20, and the relationship between numbers and quantities. Students engage in activities that reinforce basic facts and strategies for mental math. Additionally, they explore geometric shapes, measurement concepts, and analyze and extend patterns. Through collaborative learning experiences and opportunities to communicate their mathematical thinking, students develop critical thinking skills, problem-solving strategies, and a deeper appreciation for the relevance of mathematics in their everyday lives. The Grade 1 curriculum in Bridges in Mathematics program aims to empower students to become confident and capable mathematical thinkers as they continue their mathematical journey.

Overview of Essential Knowledge and Skills: 

• Developing an understanding of place value up to 100

• Addition and subtraction within 20, including fluency with basic facts to 10 and combinations of 10

• Recognizing and extending patterns in numbers and shapes

• Exploring geometric shapes and their properties, including symmetry

• Introduction to measurement concepts such as length, weight, and capacity with standard and non-standard units

• Telling time to the hour and half-hour on analog clocks

• Identifying and comparing quantities using non-standard units

• Understanding and solving word problems involving addition and subtraction 

• Exploring concepts of data and graphing using pictographs and bar graphs

• Developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills through hands-on activities and mathematical tasks

• Engaging in collaborative learning experiences to develop communication and teamwork skills

Social & Emotional Learning

Unit 1: Growth Mindset and Goal Setting

Students learn how to develop a growth mindset and apply it to the task of paying attention.

The goals of this unit include students being able to:

• Pay attention while learning something new (for example, turning towards the speaker, watching and listening carefully, not talking)

• Behave in ways that help them manage distractions (for example, changing places, taking deep breaths, reminding themselves to pay attention)

• Practice and try again in order to improve a new skill

• Use helpful thoughts to encourage themselves when they make a mistake

Unit 2: Emotion Management

Students learn how to identify emotions in themselves and others and apply strategies to manage their emotions.

The goals of this unit include students being able to:

• Name the emotion someone is feeling (worried, calm, frustrated) in a given situation

• Name at least one clue (looking at face or body, thinking about what’s going on) they used to identify the emotion someone is feeling in a given situation

• Suggest strategies to feel calm (such as slow breathing, slow counting, or asking for help)

• Demonstrate slow breathing, slow counting, or asking for help

Unit 3: Empathy and Kindness

Students explore the value of kindness and learn how to recognize and demonstrate kindness across varied situations.

The goals of this unit include students being able to:

• Suggest kind acts they can do for others in various contexts and given scenarios (for example, asking “Are you okay?”, offering company, offering to help, inviting to join)

• Demonstrate kind acts they can do for others in various contexts and given scenarios (for example, asking “Are you okay?”, offering company, offering to help, inviting to join)

Unit 4: Problem-Solving

Students learn how to apply their emotion management and communication skills to solve interpersonal problems and demonstrate strategies for effectively dealing with interpersonal conflict.

The goals of this unit include students being able to:

• Say the problem in a respectful way in a given scenario

• Apologize for a problem caused by an accident (for example, saying “I’m sorry,” “Are you okay?” or “How can I help?”) in a given scenario

• Ask for what they want or need to solve a problem (for example, asking “Can I please . . . ?” or “Could you, please . . . ?”) in a given scenario

• Identify a way to make amends for a problem in a given scenario

Visual Arts

The 1st grade art curriculum introduces students to the joyful world of art, helping them recognize their power and potential as artists with unique questions, ideas, and abilities. By collecting and analyzing inspiring materials, students will engage in and contribute to artistic conversations that span time and space. Key projects include large-scale self-portraiture and figuration, as well as a handmade book project exploring realism and abstraction. Throughout the year, grade-appropriate exercises that support the mastery of art fundamentals will be integrated and collected in a portfolio.

Science

The Grade 1 science curriculum focuses on exploring the concept of energy through various lenses. Students will delve into how energy flows through ecosystems like ponds, understand different types of energy, and explore how energy interacts with matter and cycles like the water cycle and rock cycle. The curriculum emphasizes inquiry-based learning, fostering skills such as observation, generating questions, designing experiments, and working with models, in alignment with NGSS standards. Through hands-on activities and exploration, students will develop a foundational understanding of energy and its significance in the natural world.

Physical Education

The Grade 1 Physical Education curriculum at Bancroft School builds on the foundation laid in kindergarten, further developing students' motor skills and physical abilities. Throughout the year, students participate in a variety of activities designed to enhance their coordination, balance, agility, and strength. They engage in more structured games and exercises that incorporate running, jumping, throwing, and catching, with a greater focus on skill development and proper technique. Lessons also emphasize the importance of cooperation, teamwork, and following rules, helping students to improve their social interactions and sportsmanship. First graders begin to understand the basic concepts of health and fitness, learning how physical activity contributes to overall well-being and the benefits of maintaining an active lifestyle. This curriculum aims to instill a lifelong appreciation for physical activity while making exercise enjoyable and accessible for young learners.

Music

By Grade 1, students begin to shape their understanding of rhythm and melody notation. Songs and games are initially presented by rote and then by notation, with students expected to read simple rhythmic and melodic patterns by the end of the year to identify familiar songs. The use of xylophones, drums, and other percussion instruments enriches their singing experience and promotes rhythmic independence. The focus also shifts to collaboration, trust, and open-mindedness in both music and movement activities, with increased opportunities for folk dancing and classmate interaction.

Technology

The Grade 1 Technology curriculum is designed to teach students how to use a computer effectively. Focusing on problem-solving as a core value, the goals of this curriculum are to learn to operate a computer, explore activities that can be done on a computer, foster creativity, develop problem-solving skills, and introduce computer programming Students will learn to identify computer parts and their functions, and how to turn a computer on and off safely. Key skills such as mouse and keyboard control will be developed through practical activities. Basic software applications, like drawing programs, word processors, and slide presentation software, will be introduced to foster creativity. Students will be presented with both computer-based and unplugged activities and puzzles to enhance their logical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Scratch, Jr. and other age-appropriate programming tools will introduce basic programming concepts, promoting early computational thinking skills. Additionally, lessons on digital citizenship and safety will teach students about responsible technology use and appropriate online behavior. 

Library

In our Grade 1 Library curriculum, students embark on an exciting journey through literacy, guided by engaging activities. Central to our program is immersive storytime sessions where students gather on the storytime rug, listening attentively to the librarian's tales and participating in discussions. Beyond storytime, students explore the library shelves, honing their skills in locating and selecting books of interest across various genres and topics, fostering independent reading habits. Extension projects deepen understanding as students creatively engage with story themes, characters, and settings. Through art, writing, or other activities, critical thinking skills are nurtured. Additionally, students focus on unraveling story elements, identifying characters, settings, plots, and themes, building a strong foundation for comprehension. By Grade 1's end, students emerge with enhanced literacy skills, a passion for reading, and a keen understanding of storytelling elements, paving the way for continued growth in literacy and literature appreciation.

Drama

Welcome to 1st Grade Drama! Our curriculum offers an exciting journey through drama, focusing on creativity, confidence, and essential life skills. We emphasize the process and product of drama in a developmentally appropriate way by fostering teamwork, community, and empathy. Students will learn basic drama concepts, physical and vocal expression, and critical thinking through drama games, pantomime, puppetry, and improvisation. They'll also explore cultural and historical perspectives in drama. Our program encourages active observation, respectful feedback, and collaborative storytelling, building confidence and a strong sense of belonging. We're thrilled to support your child's growth in this creative and educational experience.

Spanish

The beginner-level Spanish curriculum for Grade 1 focuses on building foundational language skills through interactive and culturally rich activities. Students will learn to introduce themselves, understand basic greetings, and respond to yes/no questions. Key vocabulary will include numbers, colors, and basic commands. Through songs, stories, and daily routines, students will begin to engage in simple conversations, express their likes and dislikes, and understand basic commands. The curriculum also covers weather vocabulary, the Spanish alphabet, and essential school-related terms. Cultural lessons will introduce students to celebrations, butterfly migration, and family structures and traditions, fostering an early appreciation for Spanish-speaking cultures.

Central Subject

The Grade 2 Central Subject curriculum immerses students in American culture and geography, fostering an appreciation for  diversity and identity. Beginning with Worcester's rich history, students explore its cultural roots. Moving to Discovering Massachusetts, they broaden their understanding to include landmarks, people, and geography. Exploring America dives deeper into national diversity, examining various regions. The curriculum culminates in an inquiry project, where students delve into a chosen state's uniqueness, fostering unity understanding.

Unit 1: Wonderful Worcester - The History and Culture of our City

Essential Questions

• What is the history of Worcester and who are its famous people?

• How have landmarks and historical events influenced the development of Worcester?

• How have people and places in Worcester developed over time?

Unit 2: Discovering Massachusetts - Exploring Landmarks, Geography, and Communities

Essential Questions

• What are some important landmarks and natural features in Massachusetts, and how do they contribute to the state's identity?

• How does the geography of Massachusetts influence the way people live, work, and play in different parts of the state?

• How do maps and symbols help us understand the geography of Massachusetts and find our way around the state?

Unit 3: Exploring America: Symbols, Regions, and Maps - Unveiling the Diversity of the USA

Essential Questions

• What symbols, historical features and influential people make the United States unique and special?

• How do people in different regions of the USA live, work, and play, and how is life similar or different across the country?

• How can studying maps help us understand the different geographic and political regions of the USA?

Unit 4: Inquiry - Exploring America's 50 States

Essential Questions

• What makes my chosen state unique compared to other states in the USA, and how does its geography, history, and culture shape its identity?

• How do people in my chosen state live, work, and play, and what are some key aspects of daily life that make this state special?

• How does my chosen state contribute to the diversity and unity of the United States, and how do its resources, industries, and traditions impact the nation as a whole?

Literacy

In the Grade 2 Literacy curriculum, students focus on enhancing reading fluency, comprehension, and writing skills through a blend of targeted small group instruction and independent reading activities. The curriculum emphasizes confidence-building through partner reading and collaborative tasks. Small reading groups, formed using Developmental Reading Assessments (DRA), allow for personalized instruction that meets each student’s needs. Throughout the year, students review and expand their foundational phonics knowledge while engaging with a diverse selection of literary texts. They develop critical thinking by responding to literature and exploring various writing styles, including narrative, opinion, and biographical writing. This curriculum is designed to foster a love for reading and support each student's literacy growth through meaningful connections across subjects.

Overview of Essential Knowledge and Skills: 

• Ask and answer questions to understand key details in texts.

• Retell stories from diverse cultures, identifying central messages.

• Describe character responses to events and challenges in stories.

• Analyze how words and phrases contribute to text rhythm and meaning.

• Explain story structure, including beginnings and endings.

• Understand the role of dialogue in revealing character perspectives.

• Use illustrations and text to comprehend characters, settings, and plots.

• Compare different versions of the same story from various cultures.

• Read a variety of literary texts independently and proficiently.

• Identify main topics and connections in informational texts.

• Determine word meanings and utilize text features efficiently.

• Describe the main purpose of a text and its relevance to specific questions.

• Explain how images contribute to understanding a text.

• Compare and contrast important points presented in different texts.

• Apply phonics and word analysis skills to decode accurately and fluently.

Mathematics

The Grade 2 curriculum in the Bridges in Mathematics program provides a comprehensive and engaging exploration of fundamental mathematical concepts, building upon the foundational skills developed in previous grades. Through a variety of hands-on activities, interactive lessons, and problem-solving tasks, students delve deeper into key mathematical domains including number sense, addition and subtraction, geometry, measurement, and data analysis. The curriculum focuses on developing a solid understanding of place value up to 1,000, fluency with addition and subtraction within 100, and the relationship between operations. Students also explore geometric shapes and their attributes, measurement concepts such as length, weight, and time, and begin to analyze and interpret data using graphs and charts. Through collaborative learning experiences and opportunities to communicate their mathematical thinking, students develop critical thinking skills, problem-solving strategies, and a deeper appreciation for the relevance of mathematics in their everyday lives. The Bridges program emphasizes creating a positive learning environment where mistakes are seen as part of the learning process. This program aims to empower students to become confident and capable mathematical thinkers as they continue their mathematical journey.

Overview of Essential Knowledge and Skills: 

• Developing a strong understanding of place value up to 1,000

• Fluency with addition and subtraction within 100 (Friends of ten, number bonds, doubles +/- 1)

• Recognizing and extending patterns in numbers, shapes, and sequences

• Identifying and classifying geometric shapes and their attributes

• Introduction to measurement concepts and tools such as rulers, yard sticks, tape measures and digital and analog clocks

• Telling time to the nearest five minutes on analog clocks

• Identifying coins and their values, adding various combinations of coins

• Understanding and interpreting data using graphs and charts

• Solving simple word problems involving addition, subtraction, and basic multiplication concepts

• Exploring basic concepts of fractions, including halves and quarters

• Engaging in hands-on activities and problem-solving tasks to develop critical thinking skills

• Collaborating with peers to communicate mathematical ideas and strategies.

Social & Emotional Learning

Unit 1: Growth Mindset and Goal Setting

Students learn how to develop a growth mindset and use helpful thoughts to persevere through challenges.

The goals of this unit include students being able to:

• Identify the benefit of making mistakes

• Identify strategies to use after making a mistake

• Identify helpful and unhelpful thoughts in a given context

• Replace unhelpful thoughts with helpful thoughts

Unit 2: Emotion Management

Students learn how to identify emotions in themselves and others and apply strategies to manage their emotions.

The goals of this unit include students being able to:

• Identify what emotion they feel in the context of a scenario

• Explain the reasoning for their feelings in a given situation

• Identify a different feeling that someone else may have in the same situation

• Restate the reason someone else may feel differently than they do in the same situation

Unit 3: Empathy and Kindness

Students learn how to use empathy to show others kindness.

The goals of this unit include students being able to:

• Take the point of view of a specific person by thinking about how they might feel

• Generate ways of showing kindness in different situations

Unit 4: Problem-Solving

Students learn how to apply their emotion management, communication, and empathy skills to solve interpersonal problems and demonstrate strategies for effectively dealing with interpersonal conflict.

The goals of this unit include students being able to:

• State the problem clearly and without blame in a given scenario

• Generate multiple solutions to solve a given problem

• Identify which solutions work better than others for a given problem

Visual Arts

The Grade 2 Art curriculum focuses on understanding and appreciating community and how art can enhance our individual and shared experiences. Students will create two- and three-dimensional artworks that complement their studies in civics, geography, history, and the human experience, culminating in a collaborative project to design an imaginary city on Mars. Lessons include self-portraiture, figuration, and models of local landmarks like City Hall and the Worcester Art Museum. The Mars settlement project will incorporate each student's ideas and priorities. Throughout the year, grade-appropriate exercises supporting art fundamentals will be integrated and collected in a portfolio.

Science

The Grade 2 Science curriculum explores the intricate relationship between the energy cycle and sustainability, fostering a deeper understanding of how ecosystems function and how humans can contribute to their preservation. Students investigate essential questions about organic decomposition, energy transfer, biome diversity, and the impact of extreme weather events. Through inquiry-based learning experiences, students develop critical thinking skills and explore solutions to environmental challenges. Aligned with NGSS standards, the curriculum empowers students to engage in scientific inquiry, observation, and experimentation while gaining a holistic understanding of the natural world and their role in its sustainability.

Physical Education

The Grade 2 Physical Education curriculum at Bancroft School continues to expand on the skills and knowledge acquired in earlier grades, with a greater emphasis on refining motor skills and introducing more complex physical activities. Throughout the year, students engage in a variety of exercises and games that enhance their coordination, strength, endurance, and flexibility. Activities become more challenging, requiring improved balance, agility, and spatial awareness. Second graders also learn specific techniques for activities such as dribbling, kicking, and striking, along with the basic rules and strategies of various sports. Social development remains a key component, with a focus on teamwork, cooperation, and positive sportspersonship. Lessons also incorporate discussions about the importance of physical activity for health, the benefits of regular exercise, and simple concepts of nutrition. By the end of the year, students are expected to have a stronger understanding of how to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle, while continuing to find joy and fun in physical activities.

Music

In Grade 2 Music, students are introduced to melodic and rhythmic notation on a staff. Instruments are used to create accompaniments, deepening their understanding of melodic notation. Independent singing and dancing are encouraged through engaging games and songs, fostering greater musical independence. Beat-keeping skills are further challenged with passing games that involve more complex patterns, promoting rhythmic accuracy and coordination. This curriculum emphasizes the growth of students’ musical skills, building on their previous knowledge while encouraging creativity and collaboration through music-making activities.

Technology

The Grade 2 Technology curriculum is focused on reinforcing basic computer skills and becoming a technology user. We will be continuing work with the age appropriate Scratch JR programming tool. The students will be stretching their skills by tackling some more difficult programming challenges. Our students will also be honing skills using typing and precise clicking practice. We will be deepening the computer user skills with hot keys and by introducing new programs to express creativity such as Book Creator and TinkerCAD.  Towards the end of the year we will introduce Lego robotics and programming for the physical world. 

Library

In Grade 2, our Library curriculum focuses on nurturing literacy skills and a passion for reading. Students learn to navigate the library independently, exploring genres and making their own book selections. Through guided inquiries, they develop questioning and critical thinking abilities, analyzing story elements and exploring topics of interest. Creative activities, including storytelling and crafts, inspire imagination and self-expression. Sharing sessions foster a sense of community as students discuss favorite books and recommend reads, promoting communication and empathy. Our curriculum aims to support holistic development, blending literacy with inquiry, creativity, and social interaction. By integrating these elements, students not only enhance their reading skills but also cultivate a lifelong love for learning and literature. In Grade 2, the library becomes a space for exploration, discovery, and connection, laying the foundation for a lifetime of literacy and personal growth.

Drama

Welcome to 2nd Grade Drama! Our curriculum offers an exciting journey through drama, focusing on creativity, confidence, and essential life skills. We emphasize the process and product of drama in a developmentally appropriate way by fostering teamwork, community, and empathy. Students will continue to practice basic drama concepts, physical and vocal expression, and critical thinking through activities like drama games, pantomime, puppetry, and improvisation. In grade 2 students also explore costuming and set design to ponder cultural and historical perspectives in drama. Our program encourages active observation, respectful feedback, and collaborative storytelling, building confidence and a strong sense of belonging. We're thrilled to support your child's growth in this creative and educational experience.

Spanish

The beginner-level Spanish curriculum for Grade 2 focuses on building foundational language skills through interactive and culturally rich activities. Students will learn to introduce themselves, understand basic greetings, and respond to yes/no questions. Key vocabulary will include numbers, colors, and basic commands. Through songs, stories, and daily routines, students will begin to engage in simple conversations, express their likes and dislikes, and understand basic commands. The curriculum also covers weather vocabulary, the Spanish alphabet, and essential school-related terms. Cultural lessons will introduce students to celebrations, butterfly migration, and family structures and traditions, fostering an early appreciation for Spanish-speaking cultures.

Central Subject

The Grade 3 Central Subject curriculum delves into ancient civilizations worldwide, including the Greek, Chinese, Egyptian, and Mayan civilizations using a case study approach. Students explore each civilization's geography, culture, achievements, and legacies. The students will culminate their study of multiple cultures with an inquiry into First Nations, fostering cultural appreciation and understanding, while emphasizing connections between past and present societies.

Unit 1: Exploring Our World - Adventures in Global Geography and Amazing Migratory Journeys!

Essential Questions

• What can we learn from studying the beginning of human history?

• How did early humans move from one place to another, and what were the reasons for their migrations?

• What can people and cultures of other parts of the world teach us?

Unit 2: Legends of the Gods - Exploring Ancient Greece

Essential Questions

• What can people and cultures of other parts of the world teach us?

• What were the different ways of life in early Greek civilization and how did they contribute to shaping the world we live in today?

Unit 3: Dragons and Dynasties - Journey through Ancient China

Essential Questions

• What can people and cultures of other parts of the world teach us?

• What were the different ways of life in early Chinese civilization and how did they contribute to shaping the world we live in today?

Unit 4: Pharaohs and Pyramids - Unraveling Ancient Egypt

Essential Questions

• What can people and cultures of other parts of the world teach us?

• What were the different ways of life in early Egypt and how did they contribute to shaping the world we live in today?

Unit 5: Secrets of the Sacred Cities - Unveiling the Maya Civilization

Essential Questions

• What can people and cultures of other parts of the world teach us?

• What were the different ways of life in early Mayan civilization and how did they contribute to shaping the world we live in today?

Unit 6: Journey Through Turtle Island - Exploring the Haudenosaunee Nations of North America

Essential Questions

• What can First Nations’ stories and customs teach us about different ways of living?

• In what ways do Haudenosaunee Nations use their traditional knowledge to help them today?

• In what ways do Haudenosaunee Nations keep their cultures strong and sustain their cultural practices?

• In what ways can we show respect for First Nations and the values that are important to them?

• What similarities and differences are there between Haudenosaunee Nations and your culture? Or with another culture we have studied this year?

• In what ways have First Nations changemakers advocated for their rights?

Unit 7: Inquiry - First Nation case study

Essential Questions

• What can First Nations’ stories and customs teach us about different ways of living?

• In what ways do First Nations use their traditional knowledge to help them today?

• In what ways (case study) keep their cultures strong and sustain their cultural practices?

• In what ways can we show respect for First Nations and the things that are important to them?

• What similarities and differences are there between (case study) and your culture? Or with another culture we have studied this year?

• In what ways have First Nations changemakers advocated for their rights?

Literacy

In Grade 3, students embark on a literacy journey that combines cultural understanding with reading and writing skills. Through lessons with diverse picture books, they build empathy and cultural awareness. Role-play activities teach them to advocate for their needs, negotiate with peers, and communicate effectively. Sharing family stories helps students connect personal experiences to broader cultural contexts. A key program feature is the Living History pen pal project, where students write to elders, fostering intergenerational connections and deepening their understanding of the past and present. Multimedia resources on ancient civilizations like China, Egypt, and the Maya support inquiry, allowing students to explore cultural artifacts, customs, and traditions. Research projects further enable them to investigate historical contributions and their relevance today.

Overview of Essential Knowledge and Skills: 

• Ask questions and make connections (to self, to text, to world) to enhance understanding.

• Retell stories and explain the author's purpose.

• Describe characters and their impact on the story.

• Identify main ideas, supporting details, and fictional elements.

• Differentiate points of view.

• Compare and contrast themes, settings, and plots.

• Read and understand texts from various genres and cultures.

• Explore and understand new vocabulary and language.

• Identify nonfiction text features and their role in comprehension.

• Use text features to find information and present research.

• Write opinion, informative, and narrative texts effectively.

• Use standard English conventions in writing.

• Utilize technology in writing and research.

• Participate in discussions and communicate ideas effectively.

• Engage in the inquiry research process to build and share knowledge.

Mathematics

The Grade 3 curriculum in the Bridges in Mathematics program offers a comprehensive and immersive exploration of mathematical concepts, designed to build upon the foundational knowledge acquired in previous grades. Through a blend of interactive activities, problem-solving tasks, and collaborative learning experiences, students delve deeper into key mathematical domains including number sense, multiplication and division, fractions, geometry, measurement, and data analysis. The curriculum emphasizes developing a strong understanding of multiplication and division concepts, including fluency with multiplication facts up to 10x10 and division facts up to 100 ÷ 10. Students also explore fractions, geometric shapes and their attributes, measurement concepts such as area, perimeter, and time, and begin to analyze and interpret data using tables, graphs, and charts. Through hands-on exploration and real-world problem-solving scenarios, students develop critical thinking skills, mathematical reasoning, and a deeper appreciation for the relevance of mathematics in their everyday lives. The Grade 3 curriculum in the Bridges in Mathematics program aims to empower students to become confident and proficient mathematical thinkers as they progress in their mathematical journey.

Overview of Essential Knowledge and Skills: 

• ​​Developing fluency with multiplication and division facts up to 10 x 10 and 100 ÷ 10

• Understanding and applying multiplication and division strategies

• Exploring fractions, including equivalent fractions and comparing fractions

• Recognizing and analyzing geometric shapes and their attributes

• Understanding concepts of area and perimeter

• Telling time to the nearest minute and calculating elapsed time

• Understanding and interpreting data using tables, graphs, and charts

• Applying measurement concepts (length, weight, capacity, and temperature)

• Solving multi-step word problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division

• Engaging in hands-on activities and problem-solving tasks to develop critical thinking skills and mathematical reasoning

• Collaborating with peers to communicate mathematical ideas and strategies

Social & Emotional Learning

Unit 1: Growth Mindset and Goal Setting

Students learn how to develop a growth mindset and make an effective plan for how to get better at a skill.

The goals of this unit include students being able to:

• Name a repeated action they can do to practice a skill

• Identify who they can learn from or other ways they can try to learn a skill

• Explain what happens in their brain when they practice a skill

Unit 2: Emotion Management

Students learn how to identify emotions in themselves and others and apply strategies to manage their emotions.

The goals of this unit include students being able to:

• Explain the purpose of emotions

• Identify differences between three gradations of the same emotion

• Recall emotions have a purpose—emotions provide important information about what they may need

• Name an emotion-management strategy, including: taking a break, slow breathing, and slow counting

Unit 3: Empathy and Kindness

Students learn how to use kindness to make and maintain friendships.

The goals of this unit include students being able to:

• Explain how empathy and kindness can help build friendships

• Identify acts of kindness for others by thinking about how another person feels and what they might want or need

Unit 4: Problem-Solving

Students learn how to apply their emotion management, communication, and empathy skills to solve interpersonal problems and demonstrate strategies for effectively dealing with interpersonal conflict.

The goals of this unit include students being able to:

• Say the problem by restating what each person wants in a given scenario

• Think of solutions

• Explore the outcomes to see which solutions could meet the wants of each character

• Pick a solution for a problem and explain why they chose it

HGP Literacy

The Hope Graham Program supports students in Grades 3-5 who have been identified with language-based learning differences, offering small group instruction tailored to their needs. Teachers provide grade-level essential knowledge and skills, incorporating accommodations to enhance learning. Students also receive individualized Orton-Gillingham instruction to improve decoding and encoding skills. The program’s writing curriculum, based on the Hochman Method and The Writing Revolution, focuses on expository writing, sentence structure, paragraphing, and parts of speech. Accommodations may include reading aloud grade-level texts, explicit reading instruction, content previews, and review of prior grade-level skills. Additional supports include graphic organizers, sentence starters, word banks, modified writing expectations, scribing, checklists, time management tools, assignment chunking, flexible seating, fidget tools, Learning Ally access, Lexia, and assistive technology on Chromebooks. These strategies empower students to achieve success in their academic journey.

Visual Arts

The Grade 3 Art curriculum emphasizes a joyful and thoughtful approach to creativity, incorporating activities inspired by board games, video games, books, movies, and other media that generate excitement. Students will create expressive artworks exploring themes like Ancient Egypt, migration, and other topics from their main classroom studies. Lessons include self-portraiture, figuration, the art and culture of Ancient Egypt, and migration, featuring artists like Jacob Lawrence. Students will also design a board game. Throughout the year, grade-appropriate exercises supporting the mastery of art fundamentals will be integrated and collected in a portfolio.

Science

The Grade 3 Science curriculum delves into the fascinating structures of life, evolution, and sensation, offering students a deeper understanding of the natural world and the mechanisms that govern it. Through inquiry-based learning experiences, students explore essential questions about animal adaptations, fossil formation, skeletal systems, muscular function, and sensory perception. Hands-on activities and investigations empower students to conduct research, design models, and engage in coding exercises to comprehend complex scientific concepts. Aligned with NGSS standards, the curriculum encourages students to develop critical thinking skills, communication abilities, and a lifelong curiosity about the world around them.

Physical Education

The Grade 3 Physical Education curriculum at Bancroft School advances students' physical skills and knowledge with a greater focus on developing proficiency in various sports and activities. Throughout the year, students participate in more structured and skill-specific exercises that enhance their coordination, strength, endurance, and flexibility. Activities include advanced motor skills like dribbling, passing, and shooting in basketball; kicking and trapping in soccer; and more sophisticated movements in dance and gymnastics. Students begin to engage in more competitive games, learning the rules, strategies, and teamwork necessary for various sports. Emphasis is placed on improving individual skills while fostering cooperative play and positive sportsmanship. Lessons also incorporate health education topics, such as the importance of cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, flexibility, and being life-long active learners. By the end of the year, third graders should demonstrate a greater understanding of how physical activity affects their bodies, how to stay active and healthy, and how to work effectively as part of a team. The curriculum aims to instill a lasting appreciation for physical activity, encouraging students to embrace a healthy and active lifestyle.

Music

In Grade 3 Music, students are introduced to reading music on the treble clef and learning through standard notation. They explore music from around the world by engaging in group dancing and playing instruments, deepening their understanding of different musical cultures. Singing in parts is introduced, with rounds, partner songs, and ostinato providing opportunities for harmony and collaboration. The recorder is introduced as a new instrument, enhancing their skills in melodic and rhythmic notation. Additionally, students begin to explore meter and form, laying a solid foundation for more advanced musical concepts.

Technology

The Grade 3 Technology curriculum begins to reinforce the students' creative use of computer tools with the introduction of engineering lessons. Our third graders will be taken slowly through the design process in TinkerCAD. We will provide lessons that focus on the ‘how and why’ of designing objects to be 3d printed. Our students will also be introduced to Scratch Desktop, a more age appropriate programming tool for third grade. We will have a segment on online safety and digital sources in conjunction with the CS and Library lessons. We will be adding a sewing lesson and sewable electronics later in the year. We will introduce photo editing and basic photo manipulations. 

Library

In Grade 3, Library classes are an exciting blend of learning and discovery, where students delve deeper into the world of literature while honing essential skills. The curriculum focuses on striking a balance between information and imagination, building upon the foundation laid in grade 2. A significant aspect of the curriculum is teaching students effective note-taking skills. They learn to craft note cards using keywords and fact fragments, facilitating better organization and comprehension of information. Additionally, students are introduced to the concept of bibliographies, understanding the importance of crediting sources in their research or reading endeavors. As their literary journey progresses, students begin to recognize and appreciate different genres, from fiction to nonfiction, mystery to fantasy. This newfound awareness broadens their reading horizons and encourages them to explore diverse texts. Moreover, grade 3 library classes emphasize the joy of recreational reading, encouraging students to select longer chapter books and nonfiction titles. Through these activities, students not only enhance their academic abilities but also foster a lifelong passion for reading and learning.

Drama

Welcome to 3rd Grade Drama! Our curriculum offers an exciting journey through drama, focusing on creativity, confidence, and essential life skills. We emphasize the process and product of drama in a developmentally appropriate way by fostering teamwork, community, and empathy. Students will continue to practice basic drama concepts, physical and vocal expression, and critical thinking through activities like drama games, pantomime, puppetry, and improvisation. In grade 3 students also begin to study scripted scenes and build performance skills. These stories are explored with cultural and historical perspectives in mind. Our program encourages active observation, respectful feedback, and collaborative storytelling, building confidence and a strong sense of belonging. We're thrilled to support your child's growth in this creative and educational experience.

Spanish

The curriculum for Grade 3 students focuses on Spanish language learning through cultural themes from Hispanic countries like Mexico, Costa Rica, Perú, Guatemala, and Cuba. Each quarter, students develop language skills by following directions, identifying objects, and progressing to more advanced tasks like retelling stories and expressing preferences. The lessons incorporate geography, traditions, and cultural practices, encouraging students to compare their own experiences with those of Spanish-speaking cultures. Projects, authentic songs, and narratives are used to reinforce learning, with essential questions guiding students to explore how geography and culture shape individual and collective identities.

Central Subject

The Grade 4 Central Subject curriculum explores the concept of courage and community through the lens of upstandership. They learn about changemakers and the qualities they possess, as well as the drivers of positive change. Historical examples, such as early changemakers in Massachusetts and figures from the American Revolution, provide context for understanding the importance of taking a stand and speaking up against injustice. Ultimately, students are encouraged to harness their words, voices, and actions to become proactive changemakers in their own right.

Unit 1: Courageous Communities - A Journey of Upstanders

Essential Questions

• Who are we as individuals?

• Who are we as a community? 

• How do individual actions impact the community?

• How can we be upstanders in our class community?

Unit 2: Changemakers and Catalysts - Creating Ripples of Change

Essential Questions

• Who are changemakers?

• What qualities do changemakers share?

• What are the drivers of change?

• What are ways of enacting positive change?

Unit 3: Pioneers of Progress - Early Changemakers Amid Cultures Colliding

Essential Questions

• Who were the first changemakers in the land we now call Massachusetts?

• What happens when cultures collide?

Unit 4: Revolutionary Sparks - Changemakers in the American Revolution

Essential Questions

• American Revolution: Why is it important to take a stand when something doesn’t seem fair or right?

• When is it important to speak up even if it goes against someone in charge?

• How did opposition to laws fuel the American Revolution?

• Who were important changemakers during the American Revolution?

• Whose perspectives do we hear most?

• Whose perspectives are missing?

Unit 5: From Stand to Stand Out - Fourth Grade's Path to Changemaking

Essential Questions

• How can we use our words, voices, and actions to become Changemakers?

Literacy

The Grade 4 literacy curriculum is designed to engage students with a variety of texts and projects that encourage both personal reflection and social awareness, integrating with the year-long Central Subject theme of Changemakers. The year begins by reading realistic fiction stories, such as Front Desk by Kelly Yang, drawing from themes of "windows and mirrors" to encourage students to see themselves and others in literature. Students engage in realistic fiction writing projects to create the stories they wish existed in the world. Students then read inspiring nonfiction texts about changemakers like Mahatma Gandhi, Malala Yousafzai, and Wangari Maathai. Students undertake a "Changemaker Research Project," producing biography pages and art projects about changemakers of their choosing. Opinion writing assignments focus on letters and essays aimed at creating change. The historical fiction genre is explored with books like "Number the Stars." Students then participate in American Revolution realistic fiction book clubs. Research on Revolutionary changemakers culminates in a Wax Museum speech presentation, fostering both research and public speaking skills. Poetry is integrated through the year with "Poetry Cafe," where students appreciate and write poetry inspired by poets such as Kwame Alexander and Amanda Gorman. Students explore the world through the poet's eyes, learning tools such as onomatopoeia, similes, and descriptive language.

Overview of Essential Knowledge and Skills: 

• Refer to details and examples in texts.

• Determine themes, main ideas, and summarization in both literature and informational texts.

• Describe characters, settings, events, and structures within texts.

• Analyze figurative language and word meanings.

• Compare and contrast different narrative perspectives and textual elements.

• Make connections between written, visual, and oral presentations.

• Interpret information from various sources, including visuals and multimedia.

• Integrate information from multiple texts and cultural sources.

• Independently read and comprehend texts across genres, cultures, and subjects.

• Read fluently and accurately to support comprehension.

• Produce various types of writing, including opinion pieces, informative texts, and narratives.

• Demonstrate clear and coherent writing, with attention to organization and revision.

• Engage effectively in collaborative discussions and presentations.

• Apply language conventions, vocabulary acquisition, and word usage accurately and appropriately.

Mathematics

The Grade 4 curriculum in the Bridges in Mathematics program offers an enriching and comprehensive exploration of mathematical concepts, building upon the foundational skills developed in previous grades. Through a diverse array of interactive activities, problem-solving tasks, and collaborative learning experiences, students delve deeper into key mathematical domains including number sense, multiplication and division, fractions, decimals, geometry, measurement, and data analysis. The curriculum places a strong emphasis on developing fluency with multiplication and division algorithms, understanding fractions and decimals, exploring geometric shapes and their properties, and applying measurement concepts to real-world situations. Additionally, students engage in analyzing and interpreting data through various graphical representations, solving multi-step word problems, and honing their critical thinking skills. Through hands-on exploration and cooperative learning opportunities, students develop a deeper conceptual understanding of mathematics while fostering a growth mindset and appreciation for the relevance of mathematical concepts in their daily lives. The Grade 4 curriculum in the Bridges in Mathematics program aims to empower students to become confident and proficient mathematical problem-solvers as they continue their mathematical journey.

Overview of Essential Knowledge and Skills: 

• Fluency with multiplication and division algorithms

• Understanding and applying strategies for multi-digit multiplication and division

• Exploring fractions and decimals, including comparing and ordering fractions and decimals

• Understanding concepts of equivalent fractions and converting between fractions and decimals

• Recognizing and classifying geometric shapes and their properties, including angles

• Understanding concepts of area and perimeter, and applying measurement skills to solve problems

• Solving problems involving measurement conversions, including length, weight, capacity, and time

• Analyzing and interpreting data using tables, graphs, and charts

• Solving multi-step word problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division

• Developing critical thinking skills and mathematical reasoning through hands-on activities and problem-solving tasks

• Collaborating with peers to communicate mathematical ideas and strategies.

Social & Emotional Learning

Unit 1: Growth Mindset and Goal Setting

Students learn how to develop a growth mindset and apply strategies to make effective plans to reach goals.

The goals of this unit include students being able to:

• Set a group goal that is specific, challenging, and doable

• Make a plan to reach the group goal

• Evaluate progress toward reaching a group goal

• Identify roadblocks that may be getting in the way of achieving a group goal

• Make changes to overcome roadblocks

• Respond to reflection questions

Unit 2: Emotion Management

Students learn how to identify emotions in themselves and others and apply strategies to manage their emotions.

The goals of this unit include students being able to:

• Use helpful questions to think about new aspects of the situation

• Identify new ways to think about situations that could help them feel better

• Explain why it’s important to calm strong emotions

• Describe the benefits of rethinking

Unit 3: Empathy and Kindness

Students identify and demonstrate how perspective-taking skills influence empathy, their relationships, and their own thoughts and actions.

The goals of this unit include students being able to:

• Ask questions to learn about others’ points of view

• Describe another person’s point of view about a given question

• Describe how taking someone else’s point of view could influence their own thinking or actions

Unit 4: Problem-Solving

Students learn how to apply their emotion management, communication, and perspective-taking skills to solve interpersonal problems and demonstrate strategies for effectively dealing with interpersonal conflict.

The goals of this unit include students being able to:

• Say the problem in a way that is respectful of each person’s point of view

• Think of possible solutions that are safe and respectful

• Explore the outcomes of possible solutions by considering the points of view of everyone involved

• Pick a solution that is safe and respectful and could work for everyone involved

HGP Literacy

The Hope Graham Program supports students in Grades 3-5 who have been identified with language-based learning differences, offering small group instruction tailored to their needs. Teachers provide grade-level essential knowledge and skills, incorporating accommodations to enhance learning. Students also receive individualized Orton-Gillingham instruction to improve decoding and encoding skills. The program’s writing curriculum, based on the Hochman Method and The Writing Revolution, focuses on expository writing, sentence structure, paragraphing, and parts of speech. Accommodations may include reading aloud grade-level texts, explicit reading instruction, content previews, and review of prior grade-level skills. Additional supports include graphic organizers, sentence starters, word banks, modified writing expectations, scribing, checklists, time management tools, assignment chunking, flexible seating, fidget tools, Learning Ally access, Lexia, and assistive technology on Chromebooks. These strategies empower students to achieve success in their academic journey.

Visual Arts

The Grade 4 Art curriculum is designed to encourage students to experiment and develop meaningful concepts through student-centered inquiry, challenging them to apply their skills, knowledge, and aesthetics. Lessons include self-portraiture, figuration, creating three-dimensional painted hot-air balloons to be suspended from the ceiling, and designing luggage trunks that reveal sculptural scenes from specific times and places. Additionally, students will engage in graphic design by creating signs and appetizers for the art show. Throughout the year, grade-appropriate exercises supporting the mastery of art fundamentals will be integrated and collected in a portfolio.

Science

The Grade 4 Science curriculum provides a comprehensive exploration of the cycles and forces that shape our solar system, planet Earth, and human existence. Through inquiry-based learning experiences, students delve into topics ranging from celestial phenomena to electromagnetism and human survival strategies. Hands-on activities and investigations empower students to understand complex scientific concepts, develop critical thinking skills, and apply knowledge to real-world problems. Aligned with NGSS standards, the curriculum fosters curiosity, safety awareness, and a deep appreciation for the wonders of science and the natural world.

Physical Education

The Grade 4 Physical Education curriculum at Bancroft School continues to build on the skills and concepts introduced in previous grades, with an increased emphasis on skill refinement and application in various sports and physical activities. Throughout the year, students engage in a range of exercises designed to improve their strength, endurance, coordination, and flexibility. They practice advanced techniques in sports such as basketball, soccer, volleyball, and track and field, focusing on both individual skills and team dynamics. The curriculum introduces more complex game strategies and rules, encouraging students to think critically and make quick decisions during play. Cooperative activities and team sports help students develop leadership skills, effective communication, and positive sportsmanship. By the end of the year, fourth graders should demonstrate improved physical competence and confidence in a variety of activities, a deeper understanding of health and fitness concepts, and the ability to work collaboratively with peers. The curriculum aims to foster a lifelong interest in physical activity and promote a healthy, active lifestyle. 

Music

In Grade 4 Music, students are introduced to more complex rhythmic notation through engaging songs and dances. Independent instrumental playing is encouraged, with a focus on developing confidence and skill. Harmonic structures and chords are introduced, using Boomwhackers and xylophones to create more intricate harmonies. Both the bass clef and treble clef are reviewed and regularly utilized, deepening students' understanding of musical notation. The curriculum also includes an exploration of musical structure and form through listening activities, dancing, and learning songs, providing a comprehensive and interactive approach to music education. This year, students have the opportunity to join music ensembles, choosing between Choral or Instrumental music, allowing them to specialize and participate in group performances, further enhancing their musical abilities and appreciation.

Technology

The Grade 4 Technology curriculum introduces a whole set of new tools with which our students will become proficient. The first new tool will be how to do math with spreadsheets in the M&M lesson. We will be reinforcing 3d printing with our nametag and house-building lessons. 4th-grade technology will be collaborating with  Science to extend the introduction to electricity lessons into an electrical engineering segment. We will be introducing a new tool for programming the physical world called a Microbit as part of the electronics lesson. We will also be collaborating with the Theatre department to bring a puppet show to life. Students will design and build puppets in Technology, perform the show in Theatre, and edit the videos in our segment on non-linear video editing. We will reinforce photo editing throughout the year in small addendums to lessons. 

Library

In Grade 4, students embark on a journey to master essential research skills through a curriculum centered on key questions. They begin by understanding how information is organized, learning about alphabetical order, categories, and indexes. Through hands-on activities, they explore library catalogs and digital databases to access information efficiently. Guided by critical thinking, they evaluate sources for credibility and relevance, distinguishing between fact and opinion. With these skills, students retrieve information and communicate effectively, summarizing findings in presentations and written reports. By the end of the curriculum, Grade 4 students have developed a solid foundation in information literacy, empowering them to navigate the ever-expanding landscape of knowledge responsibly and confidently.

Drama

Welcome to 4th Grade Drama! Our curriculum offers an exciting journey through drama, focusing on creativity, confidence, and essential life skills. We emphasize the process and product of drama in a developmentally appropriate way by fostering teamwork, community, and empathy. Students will continue to practice basic drama concepts, physical and vocal expression, and critical thinking through activities like drama games, pantomime, puppetry, and improvisation. In grade 4 students continue to study scripted scenes and build performance skills. Cultural and historical perspectives are explored throughout the year. In the spring we work collaboratively with the 4th grade classroom teachers on a dramatic presentation related to their central subject topic. Our program encourages active observation, respectful feedback, and collaborative storytelling, building confidence and a strong sense of belonging. We're thrilled to support your child's growth in this creative and educational experience.

Spanish

The curriculum for Grade 4 students focuses on Spanish language learning through cultural themes from Hispanic countries like Mexico, Costa Rica, Perú, Guatemala, and Cuba. Each quarter, students develop language skills by following directions, identifying objects, and progressing to more advanced tasks like retelling stories and expressing preferences. The lessons incorporate geography, traditions, and cultural practices, encouraging students to compare their own experiences with those of Spanish-speaking cultures. Projects, authentic songs, and narratives are used to reinforce learning, with essential questions guiding students to explore how geography and culture shape individual and collective identities.

Central Subject

The Grade 5 Central Subject curriculum offers students a comprehensive exploration of U.S. history, focusing on key themes including early colonization, enslavement, and westward expansion. Through engaging activities and primary source analysis, students gain a deeper understanding of the complex forces and events that shaped the nation during these periods.

Unit 1: Frontiers and Fortunes: Early North American Colonization

Essential Questions

• How can we use historical sources to better understand the viewpoints of various groups of people?

• How can we use maps to gain a broader understanding of a region?

• How did the availability of natural resources drive European Colonization?

• How did the Mother Country’s worldview shape the economic policies they created?

Unit 2: Enduring Stories: The Legacy of African Resilience and Resistance

Essential Questions

• What were African civilizations like before the transatlantic slave trade?

• How did the transatlantic slave trade impact African societies?

• What were the experiences of enslaved Africans during the Middle Passage?

• How did enslaved Africans resist slavery and maintain their humanity?

Unit 3: Beyond Borders: Unraveling Westward Expansion in American History

Essential Questions

• What is willing expansion vs. forced expansion?

• Is westward expansion an example of colonization?

• Why did many Americans believe it was their destiny to expand westward to the Pacific Ocean?

• How did Lewis and Clark's expedition contribute to our understanding of the newly acquired western territories, and what challenges did they encounter along the way?

• What motivated pioneers to embark on the journey along the Oregon Trail, and what were some of the difficulties they faced during their westward migration?

Unit 4: Pioneering Progress: Innovations Shaping Westward Expansion

Essential Questions

• How did inventions like the railroad, steamboat, and telegraph help people travel and communicate during westward expansion?

• What challenges did pioneers face before these technological advancements, and how did these inventions make their journey easier?

• How did the expansion of transportation and communication networks change the lives of people living in different parts of the United States during the 19th century?

Unit 5: The Quest for the West: Westward Expansion 1830-1860

Essential Questions

• Why were Native American tribes forcibly relocated from their ancestral lands during the 1830s, and what were the consequences of Indian Removal for both Native Americans and settlers?

• How did conflicts, treaties, and changes in Native American life result from increased settlement and westward expansion during the 19th century?

• What role did the Gold Rush play in attracting settlers to the western territories, and how did it impact the rapid growth and development of those regions?

Literacy

The Grade 5 Literacy curriculum immerses students in diverse reading experiences and writing tasks throughout the academic year. Starting with Grit Book Clubs, students explore novels like "Hatchet" by Gary Paulson, "Fish in a Tree" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, and "Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus" by Dusti Bowling, focusing on comprehension strategies such as inferring and summarizing. Throughout the year, read-aloud sessions like "Restart" by Gordon Korman prompt discussions on themes like self-advocacy and leadership. Students will thoroughly research a chosen invention and skillfully present their ideas to others in an informational essay.  As the year progresses, students engage in historical fiction book clubs, strengthening their understanding of Westward Expansion as well as the perspectives of various groups of that time period. As a final demonstration of their skills, students will create an opinion essay grounded in thorough research, articulating and supporting their position with evidence. Through engaging texts, varied writing tasks, and collaborative projects, students develop as proficient readers, writers, and critical thinkers, enabling them to contribute to their communities.

Overview of Essential Knowledge and Skills:

• Gather evidence from literary and informational texts, both in print and digital formats, to support written analysis, reflection or research.

• Accurately quote or paraphrase, explaining explicit statements and inferring meanings.

• Determine themes from details in a text, including analyzing characters' responses to challenges.

• Compare and contrast characters, settings, or events, citing specific text details.

• Strengthen writing by planning, revising, editing, and rewriting; using guidance from peers and adults.

• Summarize a text; citing key ideas and details.

• Identify word meanings by decomposing words into their roots and affixes and by using context clues within the text.

• Interpret and write literary devices.

• Compare texts across genres on treatments of topics.

• Determine multiple main ideas within a text, identify and evaluate the supporting details.

• Use metacognitive strategies such as annotating a text to strengthen comprehension. 

• Explain relationships between individuals, events, ideas, and concepts in informational texts.

• Write opinion pieces, informative/explanatory texts, narratives;supporting views logically with textual evidence.

• Integrate information from multiple sources on the same topic to accurately report on the subject. 

Mathematics

The Grade 5 curriculum in the Bridges in Mathematics program offers a comprehensive and engaging exploration of advanced mathematical concepts, building upon the foundational knowledge acquired in previous grades. Through a blend of interactive activities, problem-solving tasks, and collaborative learning experiences, students delve deeper into key mathematical domains including number sense, operations with whole numbers and decimals, fractions, geometry, measurement, and data analysis. The curriculum emphasizes developing fluency with operations involving whole numbers, decimals, and fractions, as well as understanding concepts of place value, factors, and multiples. Students explore geometric shapes and their attributes, apply measurement concepts to solve real-world problems, and represent and interpret data. Additionally, students engage in solving multi-step word problems, honing their critical thinking skills, and developing mathematical reasoning abilities. Through hands-on exploration and cooperative learning opportunities, students deepen their conceptual understanding of mathematics and develop a growth mindset, preparing them for success in higher-level mathematics and real-world applications. The Grade 5 curriculum in the Bridges in Mathematics program aims to empower students to become confident and proficient mathematical thinkers as they continue their mathematical journey.

Overview of Essential Knowledge and Skills:

• Fluency with operations involving whole numbers, decimals, and fractions

• Understanding and applying concepts of place value, factors, and multiples

• Exploring and classifying geometric shapes and their properties, including volume

• Applying measurement concepts to solve real-world problems, including conversions between units

• Representing and interpreting data using various graphs, including line plots and and coordinate grids

• Solving multi-step word problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division

• Developing critical thinking skills and mathematical reasoning through hands-on activities and problem-solving tasks

• Exploring concepts of algebra, including understanding patterns and relationships

• Collaborating with peers to communicate mathematical ideas and strategies.

Social & Emotional Learning

Unit 1: Growth Mindset and Goal Setting

Students learn how to develop a growth mindset and to plan, modify, and achieve goals.

The goals of this unit include students being able to:

• Set a personal goal that meets the given criteria

• Make a plan to reach a goal

• Evaluate progress toward reaching a goal and identify roadblocks that may be getting in the way

• Make changes to overcome roadblocks

• Respond to reflection questions

Unit 2: Emotion Management

Students learn how to identify emotions in themselves and apply strategies to manage their emotions.

The goals of this unit include students being able to:

• Describe a recurring situation in which they typically feel a strong emotion

• Recognize what they can and cannot change about recurring situations in which they typically feel strong emotions

• Describe changes they will make to manage strong emotions the next time the situation occurs

Unit 3: Empathy and Kindness

Students learn how to apply their perspective-taking and empathy skills to define and help solve a community problem.

The goals of this unit include students being able to:

• Identify a potential solution to address a community problem

• Explain how a solution meets the wants and needs of people affected by a community problem

Unit 4: Problem-Solving

Students learn how to apply their emotion management, communication, and perspective-taking skills to solve interpersonal problems and demonstrate strategies for effectively dealing with interpersonal conflict.

The goals of this unit include students being able to:

• Say the problem in a way that is respectful of each person’s point of view

• Think of safe and respectful solutions that consider when and where to work on the problem, as well as who to involve

• Explore the outcomes of possible solutions by considering the points of view of everyone involved

• Pick a solution to an interpersonal problem that could work for everyone involved

HGP Literacy

The Hope Graham Program supports students in Grades 3-5 who have been identified with language-based learning differences, offering small group instruction tailored to their needs. Teachers provide grade-level essential knowledge and skills, incorporating accommodations to enhance learning. Students also receive individualized Orton-Gillingham instruction to improve decoding and encoding skills. The program’s writing curriculum, based on the Hochman Method and The Writing Revolution, focuses on expository writing, sentence structure, paragraphing, and parts of speech. Accommodations may include reading aloud grade-level texts, explicit reading instruction, content previews, and review of prior grade-level skills. Additional supports include graphic organizers, sentence starters, word banks, modified writing expectations, scribing, checklists, time management tools, assignment chunking, flexible seating, fidget tools, Learning Ally access, Lexia, and assistive technology on Chromebooks. These strategies empower students to achieve success in their academic journey.

Visual Arts

The grade 5 Art curriculum aims to empower students to create a substantial and refined body of artwork that explores self-identity and culminates in a collaborative, interactive exhibit reflecting their interests, aesthetics, and personalities. Lessons include self-portraiture, figuration, graphic design through poster creation for fictional events, and exploring depth, illusion, and perspective. Students will also design a collaborative sculpture garden in the form of a mini golf course. Throughout the year, grade-appropriate exercises supporting the mastery of art fundamentals will be integrated and collected in a portfolio.

Science

The Grade 5 Science curriculum offers an immersive exploration of energy cycles throughout the universe, from the intricate ecosystems of forests to the vast reaches of our solar system. Through inquiry-based learning experiences, students investigate essential questions about trees, planetary science, nutrition, climate change, and renewable energy sources. Hands-on activities and data analysis exercises empower students to understand complex scientific concepts, develop critical thinking skills, and apply knowledge to real-world challenges. Aligned with NGSS standards, the curriculum fosters curiosity, environmental stewardship, and a deep appreciation for the interconnectedness of all living things within the universe.

Physical Education

The Grade 5 Physical Education curriculum at Bancroft School focuses on advancing students' physical skills, knowledge, and understanding of health and fitness. Throughout the year, students participate in a variety of activities that enhance their strength, endurance, coordination, and flexibility. The curriculum includes more specialized and skill-intensive sports with an emphasis on refining techniques and understanding game strategies. Students are introduced to more complex physical activities that require higher levels of coordination and teamwork. They learn to apply advanced tactics in games and sports, developing strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. The curriculum also places a strong emphasis on leadership, cooperation, and positive sportsmanship, encouraging students to support and motivate their peers. Students learn about the principles of fitness, including cardiovascular health, muscular strength, and flexibility. By the end of the year, fifth graders should exhibit increased physical competence, a solid understanding of health and fitness concepts, and the ability to work effectively in team settings. The curriculum aims to inspire a lifelong commitment to physical activity and a healthy lifestyle, equipping students with the knowledge and skills they need to stay active and fit.

Music

In Grade 5 Music, students delve into chord progressions and perform music in various styles, emphasizing expression and performance throughout the learning process. The focus shifts toward refining their ability to convey emotion and intent in their performances. Throughout the year, students continue to solidify their skills in music reading and writing, ensuring a strong foundation for future musical endeavors. Independent instrumental practice, along with collaborative activities, helps students build confidence and fluency in their musical abilities, preparing them for more advanced challenges. This year students will continue to have specialized music ensembles, choosing between Choral or Instrumental music, to participate in group performances and further enhance their musical expertise and appreciation.

Technology

The Grade 5 Technology curriculum will be expanding and reinforcing our engineering lessons. Our students will expand on their gratitude letters from CS into a Scratch program. Our students will build on TinkerCAD skills to design a small dancing robot. This robot will be brought over to Art for decoration with an eye to it being part of a performance later. Our 5th graders will also be introduced to text based programming using Python on the Microbit. We will use the Microbit and python to teach sensor based robotics in our line following segment. Our students will then craft a program that makes their robot sing and dance. Towards the end of the year we will be organizing a performance of the dancing, costumed robots.  We will continue throughout the year lessons on digital citizenship and online safety. 

Library

In Grade 5, students embark on a journey into the realm of research, where they acquire indispensable skills for navigating the vast landscape of information. They learn to locate information effectively, employing various strategies to sift through libraries, digital databases, and online resources. Essential questions guide their exploration, encouraging curiosity and independent inquiry. Through collaborative activities, students share ideas and perspectives, enriching their understanding of different topics. Technology integration plays a crucial role, as students harness digital tools to access a wealth of information while honing their digital literacy skills. Emphasizing the importance of ethical behavior online, students learn to cite sources responsibly and critically evaluate the reliability of information. Additionally, fostering a culture of reading instills a lifelong love for learning, as students explore diverse genres and formats, expanding their knowledge base and nurturing their intellectual curiosity. By the end of Grade 5, students emerge with a deeper appreciation for the value of information and the joy of reading, equipped with essential research skills for their academic journey and beyond.

Drama

Welcome to 5th Grade Drama! Our curriculum offers an exciting journey through drama, focusing on creativity, confidence, and essential life skills. We emphasize the process and product of drama in a developmentally appropriate way by fostering teamwork, community, and empathy. Students will continue to practice basic drama concepts, physical and vocal expression, and critical thinking through activities like drama games, pantomime, puppetry, and improvisation. Cultural and historical perspectives are explored throughout the year. In grade 5 students explore scripted scenes and build performance skills in preparation for their mainstage play in the spring. In collaboration with the music teacher and with the support of the middle school and upper school theater technology classes, students learn how to audition, rehearse, and ultimately perform a musical for the school community, family, and friends.  Our program encourages active observation, respectful feedback, and collaborative storytelling, building confidence and a strong sense of belonging. We're thrilled to support your child's growth in this creative and educational experience.

Spanish

The 5th grade Spanish curriculum further hones language skills through more advanced and interactive activities. Emphasizing listening, speaking, reading, writing, and cultural awareness, students will expand their vocabulary and phrases related to more complex topics like careers, global issues, and technology. Activities include songs, interactive games, storytelling, role-playing, and more sophisticated writing exercises to deepen language comprehension and expression. Students will also explore cultural traditions, holidays, and geography from Spanish-speaking countries. Alongside language study, students can choose to participate in music ensembles, selecting either Choral or Instrumental music, enriching their learning experience through artistic and cultural exploration.