Lower School Curriculum
Overview
Your child will enjoy a personalized, engaging curriculum at our private elementary school. From 1st grade through 5th grade, our private elementary school curriculum provides students with rich opportunities for intellectual, creative, physical, emotional and social growth. We emphasize hands-on exploration and meaningful problem-solving in an engaging, stimulating environment that is both challenging and supportive.
Intellectual discovery and critical thinking are vital parts of our elementary school curriculum. We nurture natural curiosity by encouraging students to ask and respond to meaningful essential questions, and then give students the tools and resources they need to begin to discover, or uncover, their own answers. In this way, our elementary students build their critical thinking and higer order reasoning skills, along with their ability to become independent learners ready to succeed and flourish in our Middle School.
- Offers small class sizes and differentiated education to each student
- Small group instruction to support areas of academic growth
- Emphasizes collaborative work alongside teachers and peers
- Teaches critical thinking and introduces students to global awareness
- STEAM-based educational activities includes math, science, reading, writing, Spanish, computer science, fine arts, physical education, and more
Language Arts
Reading comprehension, writing mechanics, writing skills, verbal reasoning, and vocabulary are developed throughout our private Lower School experience. Students participate in our Accelerated Reader program and have regular visits to our Learning Commons, where students can select a book of choice to challenge and advance their reading skills. Whether writing a novel, researching for a presentation, or reading aloud among class friends, students will gain essential skills to prepare them as life-long learners.
Social Studies
The social studies program is designed to help students understand the world today by building an awareness of its history and geography. Our Living History Museum has been a long standing tradition at Henderson International School and is one of many ways, we bring history alive. We create an environment for students to learn which is both challenging and supportive.
Math
Our private Lower School math courses give students the opportunity to apply problem-solving skills, mathematical reasoning, and mathematical knowledge. The curriculum is organized into: numbers/number relationships, number systems/theory, geometry/spatial sense, measurement, statistics/probability, math communication, and quantitative reasoning. Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) is a supplemental approach used with the math curriculum in the classroom and is a way of listening to students, asking smart questions, and engaging with their thinking—all with the goal of uncovering and expanding every student's mathematical understanding.
Science
Our enhanced and highly engaging science curriculum instills an understanding of the natural world and a comprehension of scientific inquiry. Themes of cause and effect, the scientific method, and engineering and design are infused throughout the curriculum, which is informed by the standards set forth by the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
Spanish
Our Spanish program is rooted in second language acquisition theory. Students are immersed and engaged in the language through comprehensible input and storytelling at each level of study. Our highly engaging curriculum provides lower school students with repeated exposure to the highest frequency Spanish vocabulary in context through fun stories, songs and games. Students develop the interpretive skills they need to understand written and oral language at the novice level, as outlined by the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).
Computer Science
We prepare children to become tech-savvy adults. They learn how to best utilize computer technology for a more enriching, current learning experience. Every classroom is fully equipped with iPads for student use. Students are provided with robust opportunities to utilize technology in the classroom to enhance their learning through a wide range of resources safely accessible through our secure network and internet.
Our graduates are responsible digital citizens that have mastered the four C's of technology – creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration – and are prepared to be active participants in tomorrow's global community.
Cultural Development
Henderson International School makes the cultural development and cultural awareness of its students a top priority. Social skills such as teamwork and leadership are taught through lessons on communication, inclusivity, diversity awareness, and relationship building. Our students also learn the importance of being outstanding citizens and are recognized through our Citizenship Awards.
The Arts
Beginning in 1st grade and as part of our arts curriculum, students learn to play the violin and work towards class performances. The class provides an introduction to violin and vocalization. Students learn to read music, proper posture and performance skills, and train their ears to identify pitch. Henderson International School uses violin as a general music tool, which provides ancillary benefits of increased math scores and acquisition of foreign language. Through music, the Performing Arts Department focuses on the aesthetics and the mechanics of various genres. The blend of these approaches instills creative and critical thinking.
Our fine arts program is an essential component of the educational experience we provide. We believe that teaching artistic skills and techniques provides a pathway to help students develop as individuals while providing venues for students to express themselves and demonstrate their academic learning.
Physical Education
All students participate in physical education classes. Students are taught basic rules and skills in a variety of sports including football, basketball, floorball, soccer and volleyball. Healthy lifestyles, sportsmanship and teamwork is an essential part teaching. In Spring, Henderson International Lower School students also have the opportunity to participate in swim classes.
Student Experiences
We believe that learning should also take place outside of the classroom. Lower school school students participate in field trips and experiences, whether it be trips to museums, theatrical performances, other local venues, or from campus visitors, who can enhance the students learning experience.
In-Class Field Trip Experiences
We believe that learning should also take place outside of the classroom. Lower school school students participate in field trips and experiences, whether it be trips to museums, theatrical performances, other local venues, or from campus visitors, who can enhance the students learning experience.
Programs
Programs
Programs
Overview
Your child will enjoy a personalized, engaging curriculum at our private elementary school. From 1st grade through 5th grade, our private elementary school curriculum provides students with rich opportunities for intellectual, creative, physical, emotional and social growth. We emphasize hands-on exploration and meaningful problem-solving in an engaging, stimulating environment that is both challenging and supportive.
Intellectual discovery and critical thinking are vital parts of our elementary school curriculum. We nurture natural curiosity by encouraging students to ask and respond to meaningful essential questions, and then give students the tools and resources they need to begin to discover, or uncover, their own answers. In this way, our elementary students build their critical thinking and higer order reasoning skills, along with their ability to become independent learners ready to succeed and flourish in our Middle School.
Programs
- Offers small class sizes and differentiated education to each student
- Small group instruction to support areas of academic growth
- Emphasizes collaborative work alongside teachers and peers
- Teaches critical thinking and introduces students to global awareness
- STEAM-based educational activities includes math, science, reading, writing, Spanish, computer science, fine arts, physical education, and more
Language Arts
Reading comprehension, writing mechanics, writing skills, verbal reasoning, and vocabulary are developed throughout our private Lower School experience. Students participate in our Accelerated Reader program and have regular visits to our Learning Commons, where students can select a book of choice to challenge and advance their reading skills. Whether writing a novel, researching for a presentation, or reading aloud among class friends, students will gain essential skills to prepare them as life-long learners.
Social Studies
The social studies program is designed to help students understand the world today by building an awareness of its history and geography. Our Living History Museum has been a long standing tradition at Henderson International School and is one of many ways, we bring history alive. We create an environment for students to learn which is both challenging and supportive.
Math
Our private Lower School math courses give students the opportunity to apply problem-solving skills, mathematical reasoning, and mathematical knowledge. The curriculum is organized into: numbers/number relationships, number systems/theory, geometry/spatial sense, measurement, statistics/probability, math communication, and quantitative reasoning. Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) is a supplemental approach used with the math curriculum in the classroom and is a way of listening to students, asking smart questions, and engaging with their thinking—all with the goal of uncovering and expanding every student's mathematical understanding.
Science
Our enhanced and highly engaging science curriculum instills an understanding of the natural world and a comprehension of scientific inquiry. Themes of cause and effect, the scientific method, and engineering and design are infused throughout the curriculum, which is informed by the standards set forth by the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
Spanish
Our Spanish program is rooted in second language acquisition theory. Students are immersed and engaged in the language through comprehensible input and storytelling at each level of study. Our highly engaging curriculum provides lower school students with repeated exposure to the highest frequency Spanish vocabulary in context through fun stories, songs and games. Students develop the interpretive skills they need to understand written and oral language at the novice level, as outlined by the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).
Computer Science
We prepare children to become tech-savvy adults. They learn how to best utilize computer technology for a more enriching, current learning experience. Every classroom is fully equipped with iPads for student use. Students are provided with robust opportunities to utilize technology in the classroom to enhance their learning through a wide range of resources safely accessible through our secure network and internet.
Our graduates are responsible digital citizens that have mastered the four C's of technology – creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration – and are prepared to be active participants in tomorrow's global community.
Cultural Development
Henderson International School makes the cultural development and cultural awareness of its students a top priority. Social skills such as teamwork and leadership are taught through lessons on communication, inclusivity, diversity awareness, and relationship building. Our students also learn the importance of being outstanding citizens and are recognized through our Citizenship Awards.
The Arts
Beginning in 1st grade and as part of our arts curriculum, students learn to play the violin and work towards class performances. The class provides an introduction to violin and vocalization. Students learn to read music, proper posture and performance skills, and train their ears to identify pitch. Henderson International School uses violin as a general music tool, which provides ancillary benefits of increased math scores and acquisition of foreign language. Through music, the Performing Arts Department focuses on the aesthetics and the mechanics of various genres. The blend of these approaches instills creative and critical thinking.
Our fine arts program is an essential component of the educational experience we provide. We believe that teaching artistic skills and techniques provides a pathway to help students develop as individuals while providing venues for students to express themselves and demonstrate their academic learning.
Physical Education
All students participate in physical education classes. Students are taught basic rules and skills in a variety of sports including football, basketball, floorball, soccer and volleyball. Healthy lifestyles, sportsmanship and teamwork is an essential part teaching. In Spring, Henderson International Lower School students also have the opportunity to participate in swim classes.
Class Trips
We believe that learning should also take place outside of the classroom. Lower school school students participate in field trips and experiences, whether it be trips to museums, theatrical performances, other local venues, or from campus visitors, who can enhance the students learning experience.
Class Experiences
We believe that learning should also take place outside of the classroom. Lower school school students participate in field trips and experiences, whether it be trips to museums, theatrical performances, other local venues, or from campus visitors, who can enhance the students learning experience.
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