Language Arts

Work on skills/fluency continues as needed, but increased emphasis is placed on comprehension - reading for meaning, using facts, inference, and interpretation.

Children begin participation in "Reading in Common," a shared group-reading experience using trade books, intended to expose children to a variety of literature: fiction, poetry, and nonfiction including biography.

In writing the emphasis is on experiential writing. Cursive writing is introduced with mastery expected. Spelling is taught, along with grammar, usage, and mechanics.

Mathematics

The TERC Investigations Math Program is used and supplemented with teacher-selected materials to reinforce skills. Focus is on building understanding.Topics include:

Place value and numeration
Review of addition and introduction of subtraction using standard algorithms
Intro to x and ÷ (multiplication and division)
Estimation strategies
Measurement
Geometry
Time and Money

Math is integrated with other subject areas as appropriate.

Science

The Web of Life: Focus on Owls and Earthworms

Producers, Consumers and Decomposers
Predator/Prey

Also:

Chemical Tests
Electrical Circuits

Social Studies/Geography

Massachusetts: geography, history, culture, and landmarks
Paris: culture and landmarks.

Related Studies

Boston landmarks are visited as time permits. The study of Paris is integrated with a study of French Impressionist painting and a mini-study of the French language.