Lower Elementary 
The Lower Elementary program at BHMS consists of the three-year cycle of Grades 1–3.

Lower Elementary students work on gaining understanding of mathematical concepts. Through working with Montessori math materials, students develop a deeper understanding of number properties and relationships. Skill development and understanding of place value and operations, starting with single digit and expanding to multi-digit addition and subtraction, continues throughout the three-year cycle. Multiplication and division are also introduced.

In first grade students focus on place value into the thousands along with static and dynamic (regrouping of numbers) addition and subtraction. Second grade students review place value, explore multiplication through the study of multiple, continue their work in addition and subtraction with multi-digit operations, and are introduced to the commutative law (i.e., a+b is the same as b+a). As they move towards abstraction, students continue working with dynamic addition, subtraction, and multiplication problems. By third grade, students have been introduced to long division using the Montessori racks and tubes; and work on solving various operations with fractions. While basic facts about perimeter, area and volume are introduced earlier, these concepts are explored more deeply in the third grade. Topics covered in math are explored each year with every grade, at a deeper and more complex level of study according to the grade.

In addition, all students work on learning concepts of telling time, money, patterns, mapping, measuring, graphing, and geometry through their work with manipulatives, real-life experiences, games, small group lessons, and follow-up class work. Word problems provide opportunities for problem-solving and meaningful use of computational skills. Students develop a growing understanding of how numbers work through continued use of skip counting and repeated work on times tables. Using ‘doubles’ and ‘make ten’ activities, students work towards the goal of having times tables mastered by Grade 4 along with addition and subtraction facts of 1 to 20.

In Lower Elementary, children spend three years building on their reading, writing and language skills. Montessori materials give them a sensorial experience of forming words, understanding parts of speech, and analyzing sentence structure. The Word Tower contains sets of cards that children can manipulate to explore language concepts such as synonyms, antonyms, compound words, affixes, suffixes, and homophones.

Literacy skills are supported daily during Literacy Block. Literacy Block is a block of time where students have independent literacy work options, meet with their Reading & Writing Group, and have 1:1 literacy conferences with their teachers.

Teachers build a routine structure during this block, allowing students to build stamina and independence as theyand engage in meaningful, authentic reading and writing tasks each day. There are five different choices students can make to work on developing their literacy:

1. Read to Self

2. Work on Writing

3. Read to Someone

4. Word Work

5. Listen to Reading
   

In 1st grade, students begin with acquiring decoding strategies necessary to access increasingly complex texts. As they progress, they are introduced to comprehension strategies that give them practice with inference and analysis. Children receive focus lessons or reading group lessons that target reading accuracy, comprehension, fluency and vocabulary. Students work independently on one of the five choices when not in a 1:1 literacy conference or Reading & Writing Group.

Spelling is taught using a program called Instructional Level Spelling. This program teaches children spelling patterns, with differentiated word lists that aim to allow for growth as they build on their spelling abilities from one year to the next.

Lower Elementary students are observant and curious about the world around them. Special presentations of the Montessori “Great Lessons” give them an impressionistic introduction to understanding the cosmic questions of how the Universe and life on the planet began. Traditionally there are Five Great Lessons, which include:

• The Coming of the Universe and the Earth

• The Coming of Life

• The Coming of Human Beings

• The Story of Writing

• The Story of Numbers

These lessons, told in a story-telling style, open up the Montessori curriculum for the Lower Elementary child. The rich topics touched upon during the Great Lessons will often resurface in other areas of the curriculum, creating deep and meaningful connections across the curriculum.

In the Lower Elementary program, all students delve into life science, earth science, and physical science through formal lessons, hands-on experiences, independent research, the exploration of objects and materials, and observing and caring for plants and animals. Students are introduced to the Scientific Method and conduct experiments to test their hypotheses. They develop skills in how to observe, record, and summarize their observations and findings. Each spring, their science studies culminate in presentations to classmates of self-selected science experiments.

Each grade level approaches their science work from a different perspective, using different materials to further develop their understanding of our physical world. While a first grader may be able to name the three states of matter and grasp the simple differences between them, this knowledge culminates in third grade with understanding the states of matter and their effect on the composition of the earth. Similarly, a first grader can name the simplest parts of a plant, a second grader will learn about the functions of the different parts of the plant, and a third grader can recognize that each part of the plant serves a purpose, without which the plant would die, and that plants have an impact on human existence. Every topic covered in science is explored each year with every grade, at a deeper and more complex level of study according to the grade.

The Lower Elementary global cultures curriculum provides an interdisciplinary framework that connects across all subjects. Each year, students explore several countries in great depth across multiple continents. The Lower Elementary team uses daily integrated science and math connections, music, art work, language, poetry, folktales, mythology and field trips to tie together the global cultures curriculum. This coming year, each 7-8 week immersive study will culminate in a Cultural Immersion Day, where program teachers and community members plan and give lessons across many subjects relating to that country’s culture. This rich, comparative study of each country’s cultures, food, religions, geography, and plant and animal life, through the lens of fundamental human needs, helps children build their understanding of our common human experience.

Here is an example of what might be covered during a three year cycle:

Lower Elementary students continue to learn Spanish through spontaneous and playful activities, sing-alongs, the use of concrete materials and TPR (Total Physical Response). The TPR method combines listening and physical gestures to help students gain comfort, confidence and skill with a new language. The TPR skills of observing, listening to, interpreting, executing and giving commands increase in difficulty as the students advance.

In first grade, the students prepare to identify graphemes (letters) and their corresponding phonemes (sounds) in Spanish, as they train their auditory skills for recognition and identification of words. Through second and third grades the students are introduced to theme-based vocabulary, grammar, and spelling according to their grade level. The program is based on the Montessori methodology, and uses technology as a supporting tool.

At each grade level in the Lower Elementary, the children also explore the cultures of various Spanish-speaking countries, learning about each country’s geographical location, history, landmarks, and culinary diversity, which they get to experience through cooking lessons.

In Lower Elementary, as students strengthen their fine and gross motor skills, a level of complexity is added to the activities. Students are challenged to apply the skills they have recently mastered. Teamwork is introduced at the Lower Elementary level and becomes a new social component for students to learn. This sets a strong foundation for games and collaborative play in a group setting. Mastering these concepts fosters a sense of independence in our students, which in turn drives their love for fitness, movement and a healthy lifestyle. Lower School physical education classes meet two times per week.

Lower Elementary students participate in Art, Dance, Drama and Music classes that meet once per week.

Art:

The Lower Elementary Visual Arts program is designed to familiarize students in the fundamental components of art making by introducing them to the elements with art: line, shape, form, space, color, and texture. In addition, they learn the proper usage and care of art materials. Art classes give students the opportunity to explore a wide range of materials ranging from standard pencils and markers to polymer clay and plaster gauze. An array of instructive projects and self-guided work is employed to foster ingenuity as students learn how to apply imaginative thinking to problem solving and develop a greater understanding of the entire creative process.

Through projects varying from mask making, acetate overlays, mono-prints, mixed-media sculpture, drawing, and painting, students explore fundamental art theory and establish a solid basis for future artistic exploration. They learn the concepts and vocabulary appropriate for each endeavor, such as color theory, historical context, and medium-specific technique, and also develop the language and ability to discuss their work. The satisfaction of accomplishment through creation is celebrated, with the emphasis placed on the process of creating art. Student work is displayed throughout the year and shared with the BHMS community at LE shares their work by VAPA groups throughout the year.

Dance:

In Lower Elementary Dance, students are introduced to a variety of Folk and Social dances in connection to the Lower Elementary cultural curriculum. Students also learn the fundamental elements of dance making: Body, Space, Time, Energy, and Relationship. They explore these concepts through activities that engage their bodies, imaginations, and intellect. Our goal is to prepare the dancer to have a sense of body awareness in space, access their strength and flexibility, ability to use a variety of dynamic movements, as well as recall and perform movements. Process and creativity are nurtured in class with an emphasis on problem-solving skills and self-expression. Students build their team- work skills by working collaboratively and develop confidence through working independently. Students are introduced to the language of dance and taught how to discuss and reflect on their work thoughtfully. Students share their work by VAPA groups with the BHMS community throughout the year.

Drama:

The Lower Elementary Drama program introduces students to drama through games that explore observation, listening, teamwork, concentration, imagination, the senses, and relaxation. Students discuss the skills involved with each game. The first graders strengthen these skills by working on small group exercises using pantomime and charades to explore storytelling and performance. The second and third graders begin in-depth work of pantomimes as well as work on developing skills to work collaboratively. Connections to the LE culture curriculum are made through folk tales, short stories, and plays. Second and third grade students practice memorizing lines and performance skills by sharing a short play or scene with the BHMS community at LE VAPA shares throughout the year.

Music:

The Lower Elementary Music program is a Kodály based curriculum designed to foster a love of music while also teaching foundational concepts. The method uses a combination of singing, folk music, solfège (do, re, mi) and a carefully structured sequence of introducing the elements of music. Through a varied repertoire of singing games and dances, body percussion and exploration of pre-prepared xylophones, students develop fundamental listening, sight-singing and ear-training skills. Second and Third grade students have the opportunity to learn recorder. Additionally they learn songs connected with classroom cultural studies which are shared with the BHMS community at LE VAPA shares by group throughout the year. All LE students prepare for performances such as the Celebration of Light, Grandparents and Special Friends Day, and are invited to sign up to participate in Monthly Music Share Community Meetings. These events allow students to learn popular songs of their choosing and to explore the role of music in the community.