Elementary School | 1st-5th

List of 12 items.

• Foreign Language

  The Elementary School foreign language program is a spiraling curriculum which focuses on the following areas: communication, culture, connection, comparison, and community. Elementary students learn both Spanish and French through a hands-on approach which incorporates songs and rhymes, games, social situations, arts and crafts, and cross-curricular experiences. The goal of the foreign language curriculum is to foster in students the skills and attitudes necessary to develop communicative competence in a second language.

• Guidance

  The Elementary School guidance program is designed to address social aspects or issues of every child with the most important being that of character education or values/morals. The guidance program works on building self-esteem by teaching students effective communication skills that facilitate decision making, self-control, resolving conflicts, empathy and goal setting.  Students have weekly guidance classes one semester a school year and the guidance counselors are available for one-on-one or small group meetings to address specific student needs.

• Language Arts

  The Language Arts program at St. Martin's focuses on developing student's abilities in listening, reading, writing, and speaking with confidence. Through brain based teaching approaches, students develop and hone skills in listening comprehension, reading comprehension, oral expression, composition, grammar, spelling, and vocabulary. Language Arts instruction is woven throughout all subject areas in the Elementary School so that skills taught in Language Arts are reinforced in other curricular areas.

• Math

  St. Martin's Elementary School's math program is based on a comprehensive, spiraling curriculum which emphasizes real word application and problem solving. Students are instructed in the following mathematical content areas: math facts, numbers and numeration, operations and computation, data and chance, measurement, geometry, patterns, functions, and algebra. The goal of the math program is to instill in our students a positive attitude towards math, the capacity to see the correlation of math to the other disciplines, and the ability to apply the concepts learned to their everyday lives.

• Music

  The Elementary School music curriculum fosters in each student an enjoyment of, understanding of, and appreciation for music of many styles, an understanding of and appreciation for the creative process, enjoyment and pride in one’s musical abilities, and understanding and knowledge in making informed musical choices. The strong listening component at all grade levels develops the ability to recognize styles, timbres, rhythms, harmonies, textures and forms, and involves the student in learning to make value judgments important to consumers. Students at all levels are encouraged to explore their own creative and performing abilities, and are provided opportunities to do so.

• Physical Education

  The Elementary School physical education program works to develop student skills in basic movement, complete body fitness, and game play. Fun, stamina and flexibility are primary factors at all levels. Classes meet twice a week and students are encouraged to strive to attain new levels of physical performance and enjoyment.

• Religion

  The Elementary School religion curriculum is designed to help students develop their own faith using Scripture, tradition, reason, worship, and service to others. The curriculum and its corresponding worship are based on the tradition of the Episcopal Church and focus fully on the life-long process of Christian formation. Through weekly religion classes students study scripture, theology, church doctrine, and ethics to become more aware of their own faith tradition, their developing beliefs, and their Christian responsibility. Worship in weekly Chapel services and daily devotion in the classroom give students the opportunity to participate, to experience, and act upon their knowledge and understanding of their faith. Intellectual inquiry is expected, encouraged, and honored.

• Science

  St. Martin's students enjoy dedicated science labs in each division which are structured in developmentally appropriate ways. The Elementary School science curriculum encourages students to experience science by exploring the natural world and making objective observations.  Science is best learned through a hands-on approach which allows students to experience the complex processes they are learning and allowing them to see real world applications.  Students are instructed in the following areas: physical science, life science, and earth science. The St. Martin's science program promotes curiosity, enthusiasm, creativity, and personal accomplishment.

• Social Studies

  The Elementary School social studies curriculum is designed to help students understand and value the connections between themselves and others. program examines the issues of individuality and identity, family, neighborhoods, the larger community, each student's own culture, as well as different cultures, holiday customs, natural resources, U.S. history, states and capitals, maps and globes. The underlying theme that runs through the social studies program is that of clarifying values. The ideas of cooperation, respect for others, tolerance of differing customs and points of view are the basis for projects and discussion.

• Speech & Drama

  The Elementary School Speech and Drama program focuses on developing public speaking skills in our students through various media. Elementary School students work on these skills through acting, storytelling, improvisation, puppeteering, and video production. St. Martin's feels the development of public speaking is critical to a student's success and will be continue to be important as he/she grows in Middle School and beyond. Our students have multiple opportunities to perform in front of others through in class assignments, plays, assemblies, and chapel services.

• Technology

  The Elementary School technology curriculum covers a variety topics: basic skills, productivity, research and communication, ethical issues, and digital citizenship. At St. Martin's, students use technology as a tool to enhance the classroom curriculum; skill-building opportunities are provided through the activities used to integrate this technology. The technology standards are incorporated to meet the need to ensure that students are prepared and ready to compete in the outside world. Though St. Martin's uses multiple platforms, the Elementary School uses iPads in the classroom with first through third grade classes having five iPads for small group instruction and 4th and 5th grade classes utilizing a 1:1 program.

• Visual Art

  The Elementary School visual arts program is a spiraling curriculum. This spiraling curriculum allows for student entry into the program at any age level. Self expression and originality in production of art imagery using a wide range of two and three dimensional media is encouraged at all age levels. Students develop a knowledge through application of the elements (line, shape, form, texture, space, color, value) of design and the principles (movement, rhythm, balance, emphasis, contrast, harmony, unity, proportion) of design that organize those elements into a sound visual composition.