Lower School

The Lower School language arts curriculum focuses on developing the reading, writing, and executive function skills of fourth and fifth graders. Through classroom texts, literature studies, and individualized guided choice, students are given ample time in class to build their reading stamina and understand how to use reading strategies to strengthen their comprehension. The aim is to build the reading lives of students and create a vibrant reading community. Writing instruction focuses on building writing stamina and introducing boys to a variety of writing styles. Writing lessons emphasize capitalization rules, basic sentence formation, paragraph structure, parts of speech, the organization of ideas, and the writing process from pre-writing and drafting to publishing. Boys also gain practice in executive function skills such as organizational strategies, prioritizing, and study habits. In addition, a boy’s class engagement, preparation, and conduct are focus areas. Using iPads, boys also have the opportunity to practice presentation skills and gain familiarity with apps such as Book Creator, iMovie, Google, and Google Presentations. Finally, Lower School boys attend a library class in which digital citizenship is explored and information literacy skills are developed.

Fourth Grade Language Arts emphasizes reading and writing practice and a development of reading and writing skills. A main goal is to build comfortable and confident readers and writers. Emphasis is placed on meeting the boys where they are and allowing them space and practice to grow into independent and confident readers and writers. Shared texts and choice reading books are used to reinforce reading strategies and writing lessons and stress capitalization rules, end punctuation, sentence structure, and paragraph formation. Students utilize Google Docs to create classroom folders to save and share their work; Kidblog to gain practice in being part of a writing community; and Lexia, an online reading program, to further strengthen their reading skills.

Fifth Grade Language Arts builds on the reading and writing skills introduced and reviewed in grade four. Exercises improve the practice and understanding of sentence and paragraph structure and vocabulary development. Active reading strategies are reinforced through all-class reads and implemented in personal-choice reading assignments. A variety of writing experiences advances the development of drafting, revising, and editing skills, and boys continue to explore and write responses to literature, creative pieces, analysis, poetry, and persuasive paragraphs. They use the digital tools introduced in fourth grade for writing and creating presentations such as Kidblog, iMovie, Book Creator, and Google Docs. 

In Lower School math classrooms, boys are directly engaged with the material, working individually or in groups, creating their own projects, gathering data to be studied, or learning by playing games. Students are encouraged to make conjectures, look for patterns, and make connections to basic math principles. All classes incorporate problem-solving practice, mental-math practice, direct instruction, and an activity.  

Mathematics classes are heterogeneously grouped in the fourth and fifth grades. However, teachers evaluate each student and the overall pace of work as the class progresses through each unit. Teachers have the flexibility to differentiate in all sections for enrichment or skills reinforcement, including the addition of an extra math teacher to work with students. Teachers use a variety of instructional methods to address multiple modes of learning and differences in students’ previous mathematical backgrounds. Homework is given on a weekly basis and written formative feedback is provided on all assignments.

The following principles guide the fourth and fifth grade classrooms:

• Everyone can learn math to the highest level
• Mistakes are valuable
• Questions are really important
• Math is about creativity and making sense
• Math is about connections and clear communication
• Math class is about learning, not performing
• Depth is more important than speed
   

Fourth Grade Math focuses on exploring arithmetic operations and developing standard algorithms. We also look at alternative procedures and varied strategies for problem solving. The concepts covered include: identifying patterns and relationships between numbers, and basic geometry and abstract thinking. Manipulatives and modeling are used to promote and enrich student comprehension. Students work with estimation to develop a better number sense and to help in computation. To help each boy organize his materials and synthesize classroom discussion, each student maintains a math journal. 

The fourth grade program highlights problem solving with everyday situations, facility with basic number facts, arithmetic skills, and practice through mathematical games and technology. Teachers use multiple methods for basic skill practice and review of whole number concepts including rounding, place value, and all four operations. Concepts in fractions and decimals include comparing and ordering, equivalence, addition, subtraction, and the relationship between fractions and decimals. Problem solving skills focus on using information and mathematical concepts from the curriculum. Throughout the academic year, there is ongoing review and repeated exposure to key mathematical ideas in different contexts to improve comprehension and mastery.

Fifth Grade Math explores the relationship among numbers by the study of place value, multiples and factors, prime and composite numbers, divisibility rules, and exponents. Concepts include all operations with whole numbers, decimals, fractions, and percents. The curriculum also encompasses a study of the area and perimeter of rectangular shapes as well as composite rectangular shapes. Additionally, it incorporates an analysis of data that is presented graphically as well as numerically, along with calculating the mean, median, and mode. Students write reflections on their strategies, use a variety of virtual manipulatives to explore one’s learning, and create visual models to help them develop a sound conceptual understanding of the mathematical ideas.

Heterogeneous grouping is continued in the fifth grade sections.

In Lower School Science, students work individually and in cooperative groups to conduct scientific investigations and to begin to appreciate the awe and wonder of the scientific process. Students are introduced to essential science skills and have many opportunities to practice and develop those skills as they apply what they are learning to their surroundings. The Lower School science curriculum integrates all of the domains of science and prepares observant and skilled students for the enhanced rigors of Middle School science.

Fourth Grade Science focuses on developing observing, classifying, and measuring skills and applying those skills to aspects of life science, earth science, and physical science. One of the most memorable examples of the hands-on learning typical for the course is the fall field trip to investigate ocean tide pools and collect specimens. Students record observations and supplement those observations through research projects. Units later in the year introduce measuring via the metric system. Students then apply the skills they have acquired to understanding their bodies in units centered on nutrition and the skeletal system. The domain of physical science is also introduced, as students apply basic physics concepts to the task of designing simple machines.

Fifth Grade Science continues to integrate the domains of physical science, earth and space science, and life science. Students build proficiency in measuring length, mass, volume, and temperature as preparation for exploring the concept of density. In addition to standard lab apparatus—balances, beakers, thermometers—students are also introduced to Vernier data collection software and probes. Additional emphasis is also placed on student record keeping of observations and data via tables, prose, and diagrams. Students combine expression, measuring, and observing skills to units about the earth—investigating rocks, minerals, and volcanoes—and space—in units about the solar system and universe. Students then must distinguish living things from non-living things as they investigate the characteristics of life. The class culminates with a study of the human brain.

In the Lower School, Fenn students begin to explore the geographic and historic forces that have shaped the world around them. They delve into units that give them hands-on opportunities to research, organize, and synthesize information, and build reading comprehension, note-taking, and writing skills. Each unit is grounded in essential questions to which students develop iterative answers over the course of the unit and the year as a whole. Many units include hands-on projects that provide students with a variety of ways to demonstrate their understanding of a given topic. Creativity, accuracy, and presentation skills are emphasized throughout each project-based assessment.

Fourth Grade Social Studies is a hands-on curriculum that develops students' understanding of culture and awareness of the relationship between culture and geography. In general, the course focuses on ancient civilizations. Students learn about the earliest hunter/gatherers and how they evolved from a nomadic way of life into settled communities. Then, through the study of ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, and China, students learn and appreciate differences and similarities between people groups as they begin to explore how historical forces shape the cultures of today. While immersed in engaging, research-based projects, students build map skills and improve their research abilities, utilizing two-column note taking and active reading strategies; sharpen their writing skills through expository paragraph writing; and practice a variety of presentation skills to improve their ability to communicate clearly and succinctly.

Fifth Grade Social Studies continues the focus on ancient civilizations by turning to Greece and Rome, using the through lines of geography, religion, roles of people, government, and legacies. In their study of Ancient Greece, students read Greek mythology and learn about the rise of democracy, the development of Western artistic traditions, and the legacy of this civilization in the modern world. The year concludes with a similar examination of the culture of Ancient Rome and its legacy in the modern world. Skills addressed in fourth grade social studies are reinforced: reading for main idea and supporting details, underlining key information, two-column note taking, paraphrasing, expository writing, report writing, research, critical thinking, multimedia presentation skills, Internet searches, map skills, and oral presentations. Students also deepen their understanding of research using primary source materials.

Visit the Advisory section