Lower School Curriculum

Reading and writing is taught through a workshop approach in which large and targeted small group instruction is utilized. Children are exposed to a variety of genres and authors throughout the year. Speaking, listening, word study (spelling), grammar and handwriting are an integral part of our students’ literacy development. These skills are taught explicitly as well as integrated into the daily context of their reading and writing.

Junior Kindergarten

Reading: Alphabet recognition and letter-sound correspondence; recognition of environmental print; recognition of rhyme; making inferences and predictions about books read aloud; sequencing and retelling main events of a story or book

Writing: Names; capital and lower case letters; label and explain illustrations; begin experimenting with inventive spelling

Speaking: Perform for each other and families through poetry, songs, movement and storytelling; show-and-tell

Listening: Stories; conversations; group discussions; songs; rhymes; poems; understand and interpret the spoken word

Senior Kindergarten

Reading: Reading Workshop focuses on developing identities and habits of readers, foundational skills, (concepts of print, phonemic awareness, phonics), and monitoring for understanding while reading fiction and non-fiction texts

Writing: Writing Workshop focuses on teaching that writers start with something to say and then do everything they can to put that meaning onto a page (through pictures and words). Experiences consist of shared writing, interactive writing, independent writing and letter and number formation.

Speaking: Small and large group conversations around developmentally appropriate topics; following agreed upon rules such as listening to others and taking turns speaking about group’s topic

Listening: Students develop and practice “whole body listening” skills (look toward the speaker, both ears ready to hear, wait for your turn to speak, quiet hands and feet).

First Grade

Reading: Small and large group instruction; independent practice; student/teacher conferring; strategy groups; phonics and word study; interactive read alouds 
Units: Building Good Reading Habits; Fluency; Phonics and Comprehension; Reading Different Genres

Writing: Small and large group instruction; independent practice; student/teacher conferring; strategy groups; shared writing; handwriting mechanics; grammar instruction
Units: Personal Narrative; Informational Books; Writing Reviews; Realistic Fiction Books and Series

Speaking: Opportunities for small and large group presentations; express and clarify ideas; ask and answer questions; engage in social conversation; advocate for self interests, needs and wants

Listening: Develop and practice listening skills that benefit learning styles

Second Grade

Reading: Reading Workshop, including reading habits, inferencing, fiction, nonfiction, poetry and books in a series. Large group, small group and one-on-one instruction based on needs and goals, word study, guided reading, shared reading, read alouds, independent and partner reading with leveled books.

Writing: Writing Workshop, including units on narrative, informational, opinion, and poetry. Large group and small group instruction, mechanics, grammar, word study and handwriting instruction. Building writing stamina and using mentor texts as examples of ways to write by using mechanics like adding voice and long descriptors. Exploration of lab reports.

Speaking: Small and large group sharing; presentations of research and information learned; express ideas clearly; ask questions and engage in social conversation; make connections to peers and community members; use feedback for self-improvement

Listening: Read alouds; comprehension; multi-step directions to use for independent work times; discussion; making genuine and thoughtful comments and connections

Third Grade

Reading: Reading Workshop will consist of four major units, including habits of good readers, critical informational text skills, study of characters and research clubs.

Writing: Writing Workshop will consist of four major units, including the habits of good writers, the art of informational writing, a unit on opinion/argumentative pieces and fairy tale writing.

Speaking: Students are regularly given opportunities to collaborate with one another, share their writing aloud, reading aloud, and using discourse to deepen their understanding of topics.

Listening: Students have the chance to use their critical listening skills during the opportunities they are given to collaborate and engage in discourse. We lay the foundation for these skills in the morning meeting, and monitor these in academic blocks.

Fourth Grade

Reading: During Reading Workshop, students will read, write, discuss, be read to, work on vocabulary and comprehension, and choose appropriate books.
Units: Interpreting Characters; Exploring Characters in Meaningful Ways: Comparing and Contrasting Lived Experiences Through Novel Studies; Obtaining Information from Non-Fiction Texts; Media Literacy/Social Justice

Writing: The Writing Workshop program provides opportunities for students to exercise writing skills that will support their ability to communicate ideas, thoughts and perspectives. 
Units: Writing Realistic Fiction; Informational Writing; and Media Literacy/ Social Justice. Grammar skills are honed at the beginning of the year and addressed in each writing unit. Cursive and keyboarding skills are practiced throughout the year.

Speaking: Students are regularly given opportunities to share their writing aloud and present in front of peers. Students also regularly read orally to aid their reading fluency.

Listening: Students practice active listening.

The Lower School social studies program is dedicated to providing a sound understanding of the world in which we live and an appreciation for the rich diversity of humankind. The curriculum reflects an age-appropriate, multidimensional, project-based approach to the study of people and the land. The goal is to give students a sense of others and the context of their place in the larger world. Specific units of study integrate literature, music, art, social studies and, where appropriate, math and science.

Junior Kindergarten

Units: First Six Weeks; Caring for Me and My Community; Peace; Art and Design
Research: Read and create books based on ongoing observations and accumulation of facts; explore what it means to become a peacemaker; hands-on study and exploration of various artists, architects and artistic styles and traditions

Senior Kindergarten

Units: First Six Weeks of School (including Creating Safety and Belonging, Building a Community); Identity (understanding you and me); Research: Personal Identity; Family History
Outreach: Making decorations for Inspiration Cafe in Uptown; welcoming elders from Little Brothers, Friends of the Elderly and students’ families to share their stories

First Grade

Units: First Six Weeks/School Community; Growth Mindset; Who are You?; Personal Communities and Family Stories; Peace; Changemakers
Research: Personal identity; leaders

Second Grade

Units: Getting to Know Our Classroom Community (The First Six Weeks); Getting to Know Ourselves and Each Other (Identity and Culture); Peace; Our 50 States
Research: State research

Third Grade

Units: The First Six Weeks/IdentiWE: Building Connections to Establish Community; Chicago History; Chicago Neighborhood Study; Urban Planning
Research: Chicago history; Chicago neighborhoods

Fourth Grade

Units: The First Six Weeks: Community, Empathy, Respect and Exploring Identities (Unit 1); Media Literacy and Digital Citizenship (Unit 2); Peaceful Activism (Unit 3) Project-Based Biographical Research (Unit 4); Exploring Illinois: Geography, Transportation, and the Indigenous Experience (Unit 5)
Research: Use informational texts, personal narratives, and literature to explore and discuss issues that matter to the students with an eye toward examining multiple perspectives; interviewing sources using oral and digital formats (e.g., Google Slides, iMovie, Keynote, Comic Life, Scratch, and posters)
Communication: Students practice engaging in respectful discussions and conversations and learn ways to navigate difficult conversations using accountable language.

JK and SK have collaborated with the Erikson Institute’s Early Math Collaborative to put into practice the Big Ideas of Early Mathematics. First through fourth grades use the Singapore math program, which teaches fewer topics per grade level, but does so in greater depth. There are two Lower School math specialists who provide weekly support and resources to teachers and students in a whole class setting or in small groups. For additional challenges, students in grades two through four have the option to attend a weekly challenge word problem session before school.

Junior Kindergarten

Number sense; counting; collections; 2D and 3D shapes; patterns; sets and sorting; introduction to number operations, data analysis, and measurement; exploration of mathematical concepts and understanding through intentional hands-on experiences and purposeful play

Senior Kindergarten

Sort, compare, and order sets; quantify and number sets up to 100, with a particular emphasis on 10 (compose/decompose); see/tell number stories and create/solve early operation problems; identify, extend, create and name patterns; explore and compare shapes and their attributes; measure and compare objects using non-standard measurement tools; collect, represent and analyze data

First Grade

Numbers to 120; Place Value, Number Sense, add and subtract within 20, flexibility to apply multiple strategies to solve problems fractions with halves and fourths; time to the hour and half hour; measuring with non-standard units and the concept of a ruler; basic 2D and 3D shapes; Data Collection

Second Grade

Numbers to 1,000; add and subtract within 1,000 with regrouping; multiplication and division with two, three, four, five and 10 (connecting repeated addition to multiplication and making equal groups in division); geometric vocabulary and problem solving, showing fractions with halves, thirds, fourths and eighths; time to the nearest five minutes; measuring length in U.S. and metric units; properties of 2D and 3D shapes; reading picture graphs, bar graphs and line plots; solve word problems involving dollar bills, quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies, using $ and ¢ symbols appropriately; solving math tasks using most efficient strategies; solidifying understanding of place value 

Third Grade

Numbers to 10,000; use place value to perform multi-digit addition and subtraction to 1,000; multiplication and division strategies within 100; extending basic facts to solve problems with two-digit numbers with regrouping in both multiplication and division; basic understanding of fractions, especially unit fractions (fractions with numerator one); rectangular arrays, area, and perimeter; describing and analyzing two-dimensional shapes; telling time to the nearest minute and elapsed time; measuring length to halves and fourths of an inch

Fourth Grade

Numbers to one million; addition and subtraction within one million; multiplication and division facts 0–12; multiplying numbers up to four digits by a one-digit number and multiplying two two-digit by two-digit numbers and dividing up to four-digit dividends and one-digit divisors; fractions greater than one and mixed numbers; writing, comparing, and ordering decimals; using decimal notation for fractions with denominators 10 or 100; angles and classification of triangles and quadrilaterals; tables and data interpretation; solve multi-step word problems involving all four operations, including problems in which remainders must be interpreted

Science in the Lower School encourages students to explore the world around them while introducing them to science concepts and vocabulary. In JK, science is integrated into daily activities and thematic units. In grades SK through four, science takes place in a stand-alone classroom. Students develop observational and record-keeping skills by collecting and recording data, taking notes and making written observations. Process skills are developed through hands-on activities and investigations. Some of the most important skills for students are observing, collecting and recording data, and developing and using models and diagrams. Through cooperative activities, students construct explanations based on evidence and design solutions. They engage in discussions, and learn to communicate their ideas to others. Technology is often integrated into the science curriculum. Students use iPads to explore concepts in depth, research and use creative applications to present information. Engineering and design challenges take place in the context of the curriculum at every grade level.

Junior Kindergarten

Topics of study: Life cycle; animal observations; caring for our Earth; conservation; seasonal changes; data analysis through hands-on activities that develop science investigation, exploration, observation and critical thinking

Senior Kindergarten

Topics of study: Animal observations; force and motion; simple machines; magnetism; buoyancy

First Grade

Topics of study: Vertebrates and invertebrates; skeletal system; life cycles; properties of matter; rock cycle; sun, Earth and moon system; water cycle

Second Grade

Topics of study: Vertebrate classes; human body systems; trees; dinosaurs and fossils; electricity

Third Grade

Topics of study: Rock and mineral observations; force and motion; planets of our solar system; parachute design project

Fourth Grade

Topics of study: Trees and tree identification; acids and bases; physical and chemical changes; oil spill project, indoor and outdoor egg drop

Latin’s language program seeks to encourage students to become motivated language learners and global thinkers, connecting to the school’s mission of providing students with an educational program that embraces diversity of people, cultures and ideas. Latin has implemented a best practices program that stresses proficiency in language acquisition. The primary goal of the program is to build a vocabulary base that fosters communication and creates a degree of comfort with the language. An interactive approach to teaching through music, movement, and playful engagement enhances student learning and provides cultural connections in a meaningful, student-centered way.

Junior Kindergarten

Spanish: During the JK and SK years, students focus on developing a confident, enthusiastic approach toward learning a world language and acquiring an early foundation of language learning skills. Through music, movement and play-based activities, the children build their vocabulary and comprehension of basic topics such as greetings and goodbyes, personal introductions, and naming, counting and describing items using colors, shapes and sizes.

Senior Kindergarten

Spanish: Students continue building their language learning confidence and foundation of skills. Through music, movement and play-based activities, the children expand their vocabulary and hone their comprehension topics such as greetings and goodbyes, introducing and describing oneself, family, and friends, and naming school activities. A second semester storytelling unit incorporates a review of the JK and SK topics and encourages students to demonstrate both receptive and expressive language skills.

First Grade

Spanish: Students develop conversational language skills by exploring the essential question: What are my routines... at school? ...at home? ...and in my free time? Language goals include describing a typical school day, comparing morning and night routines, and exchanging information related to personal free time interests.

Second Grade

Spanish: Students continue building conversational language skills by exploring the essential question: Who are the children of the Spanish-speaking world, and how are our lives the same or different? Language goals build on the first grade topics of school, home, and free time to draw comparisons to daily life in different Spanish-speaking countries.

Third Grade

Spanish: Students expand their conversational language skills by exploring the essential question: “What is special about living in a big city?” Language goals are centered around learning about our own Chicago neighborhoods and using that information to broaden our understanding of other Spanish-speaking communities around the world.

Fourth Grade

Spanish: Students deepen their acquired language skills by exploring the essential question: “How can I use my Spanish to get to know someone and the world around me?” Language goals focus on sustaining a complex conversational exchange. In culmination of their language learning experiences, students use their skills to develop and present fictional group stories as a capstone project.

Our comprehensive physical development and health program is designed to help students learn to identify and work toward short- and long-term goals, to utilize fitness technology, to persevere in solving problems, to follow directions responsibly, and to work both independently and cooperatively with others. The program seeks to help students achieve active and healthy lives.

Junior Kindergarten

Participation in age/developmentally appropriate games and activities that support gross motor development, body and spatial awareness.

Senior Kindergarten and First Grade

Skill-building in games and sports begins with the premise that every child has athletic potential to be developed and celebrated. Physical education in the Lower School emphasizes fine and gross motor skills through games, activities and sports that contribute to the growth, development and social attitudes of each student. The physical education program includes basic body management, skill development and improvement, visual-motor integration and spatial awareness. The program stresses civility and good sportsmanship for all. Low-level activities include golf, field hockey, soccer, floor hockey, bowling, scooter activities, tumbling, math games, yoga and Baggo. Multi-level activities include swimming, rock climbing and rope jumping. High-level activities include lacrosse, volleyball, softball, flag football, tee ball, softball and racket sports. Physical education teachers will coach during free choice to help with fair play and game skills.

Second, Third and Fourth Grades

Skill-building in games and sports begins with the premise that every child has athletic potential to be developed and celebrated. Physical education in the Lower School emphasizes fine and gross motor skills through games, activities and sports that contribute to the growth, development and social attitudes of each student. The physical education program includes basic body management, skill development and improvement, visual-motor integration and spatial awareness. The program stresses civility and good sportsmanship for all. Low-level activities include golf, field hockey, soccer, floor hockey, bowling, scooter activities, tumbling, math games, yoga and Baggo. Multi-level activities include swimming, rock climbing and rope jumping. High-level activities include lacrosse, volleyball, softball, flag football, tee ball, softball and racket sports. Physical education teachers will coach during free choice to help with fair play and game skills.

The Lower School's performing arts program is represented by a predominantly Orff-based general music program in grades JK–4, band in fourth grade, and dance/movement activities in JK and SK. The Lower School has a stand-alone music curriculum that aligns with the National Performing Arts Standards and integrates elements from the curricula for language arts, mathematics, science, art, computer science and social studies. Orff Schulwerk is an approach to music where musicianship is developed through singing, playing instruments, speech, and movement. Improvisation is key to finding, inventing, and discovering musical knowledge. Carl Orff explains this kind of music making as elemental music. “Elemental music is never music alone but forms a unity with movement, dance and speech. It is music that one makes oneself, in which one takes part not as a listener but as a participant” (Orff, 1963/2011b, p. 144).

The Orff approach to teaching is a model for optimal learning in 21st century classrooms. It facilitates curiosity and provides the space to explore and be challenged. Music is treated as a holistic subject that integrates content from mathematics, logic, science, language and social studies, and develops skills and strategies for learning and citizenship. Orff Schulwerk music and movement pedagogy contribute to the development of the individual far beyond specific skills and understandings in the arts.

Junior Kindergarten

In the music room, children begin with what they do instinctively: play. Imitation, experimentation and personal expression occur naturally as students become confident, life-long musicians and creative problem solvers. Junior kindergarteners explore and experiment with various aspects of music making. They are introduced to instruments and encouraged to create musical stories to stimulate their imagination, foster creativity and develop self confidence to express themselves within a group.

Senior Kindergarten

Senior kindergarteners develop a musical vocabulary as they explore and discover concepts such as rhythm, pitch and form. Graphic and iconic notation is introduced to facilitate music literacy. Students learn to create and compose using this form of notation. In the music room, students explore rhythm, metric-relationships, pitch and pitch-pattern relationships, timbre, pulse, dynamics and simultaneity of sounds. They are encouraged to try new patterns and see if they are functionally valid in movement, speech, singing, and the playing of instruments.

First Grade

In first grade, students learn to play barred instruments with proper technique. Folk dance and creative movement reinforce musical concepts of beat, rhythm and form. Students read, create and collaboratively compose short pieces.

Second Grade

In second grade, students learn, explore and improvise in the major and minor pentatonic modes. They create accompaniments for songs and learn the rudiments of song writing.

Third Grade

In third grade, students learn the recorder. Students apply prior knowledge of literacy and improvisation to the recorder. Third graders also begin to learn traditional Western music notation.

Fourth Grade

Fourth graders learn the ukulele and engage in a Modern Band unit that leads them through the basic techniques of playing electric guitar, bass and a drum set. They learn more advanced techniques of playing, improvising and composing on the barred instruments.

The program in grades one through four familiarizes students with how art functions in different cultures and increases students’ understanding of artists and how they use art to communicate about the world. Students learn about the elements and principles of art through a wide range of media and techniques.

Junior Kindergarten

The junior kindergarteners will be exposed to art and artists of different cultures, backgrounds, and abilities through a unit on art and design. This unit helps students develop a sense of creativity and appreciation of art. At the end of the unit, the students host a self-led conference via the "JK Art Museum."

Senior Kindergarten

Regular participation in art activities and exploration of materials and media, including collage, construction, printmaking, painting and drawing; opportunities to reflect on process and discuss work with the group.

First Grade

Students develop fine motor skills and practice a variety of lines, recognize shapes, learn the color wheel, explore texture, construct a balanced and stable three-dimensional form, model a form in clay, and learn about a range of artists and styles from different cultures.

Second Grade

Examine the color wheel in depth; experiment with the elements of texture; explore printmaking; model in clay; build a three-dimensional sculpture; learn the genres of still life, portraiture and landscape.

Third Grade

Drawing from observation; design and paint a landscape with illusionistic depth; use printmaking tools to make a Day of the Dead print with Spanish titles; model in clay; study form in creating a realistic still life; study a range of artists and styles from different cultures.

Fourth Grade

Discover contemporary art; use different drawing techniques to create value in a self-portrait; mix tints and shades with acrylic paints on canvas; carve a linoleum block for printmaking; fold origami cranes; practice Chinese calligraphy with a bamboo brush and ink and make a bamboo painting; build and model in clay.

The Lower School counseling program provides a range of prevention and intervention services to support the social and emotional well-being of all students. The Roundtable program helps children gain a foundation in the areas of self-awareness, self-management, relationship skills and responsible decision making. Counselors visit each JK-4 classroom to build relationships, lead discussions, and facilitate activities that promote the positive mental health and well-being of students. In the early grades, the goal is to help children develop a vocabulary to talk about feelings. As they get older, the curriculum shifts to help children think about group dynamics and forming healthy relationships.

The library program serves all Lower School students. Goals are organized into four curricular areas: accessing information, evaluating information, using and creating information, and appreciating information and literature in all formats. The librarian collaborates with homeroom and special subject teachers to ensure an integrated curriculum. Students, teachers and parents/guardians are encouraged to visit the library to select materials for pleasure reading, for assignments and to satisfy natural (and encouraged) curiosity.

The Lower School learning resources program is designed to work with children who have diagnosed learning differences or who are at risk for learning challenges based on the development of their foundational skills. In collaboration with teachers and families, support is provided to students through research-based interventions, as well as individualized remediation, modifications, accommodations and/or consultative services. The primary goal of this program is to meet the unique needs of our youngest students, preparing them to be confident and resourceful learners.

Latin employs full-time registered nurses who provide immediate emergency care, do initial assessments and work with parents/guardians and health care providers to help children with chronic conditions remain healthy at school. They also educate students, faculty and parents/guardians about health issues and good health practices.