Lower School (K-5)
The goals of the Lower School are to nurture each child's strengths and sense of competence, to help develop a sensitivity to others, and to encourage each child to take pleasure in being a member of the community. The curriculum fosters self-reliance and self-esteem; stimulates curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning; and builds enthusiasm for excellence and achievement. Academic areas emphasized in the Lower School include reading, writing, math, and social studies, complemented by instruction in science, engineering, Spanish, art, drama, music, computer and library skills, and physical education. By integrating related activities in various fields of study, students begin to make and appreciate valuable cross-disciplinary connections while broadening their knowledge and experience of the world. The objective is to create responsible, independent students who work well together and are excited about learning.
Explore Kindergarten – Fifth Grade
Kindergarten
KINDERGARTEN
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Childhood is full of wonders! In kindergarten, we explore a variety of themed units that address each student’s innate curiosity, while developing foundational skills in reading, writing, and math. By allowing kindergartners to discover the wonders around them through hands-on activities, we help foster a lifelong desire to learn.
Kindergarten is one class comprised of 15 – 20 students. The classroom utilizes a team-teaching approach, with two full-time teachers in the classroom. The teachers forge a cohesive group of students through specific programming throughout the year. The kindergarten classroom is a student’s first home at Crane and therefore was thoughtfully designed to be house-like—it includes a front yard, porch swing, and a playground, in addition to separate instruction areas.
A comprehensive Kindergarten curriculum overview
Kindergarten Curriculum
Choice Time
Most school days end with Choice Time. With a majority of the day focusing on academics and/or structured time, Choice Time allows for more self-expression and independence. It gives children the opportunity to try new things and explore an area of personal interest. During Choice Time, children develop social skills such as waiting your turn, sharing, and problem solving. Some choices include: gardening, cooking, sewing, Legos, sandbox, dress-up, art projects, and building. We continue to see growth in students’ independent work, problem-solving skills, fine and gross motor skills, and community participation during Choice Time. It is a special time in the day, which is developmentally valuable for this age group.
Thematic Study
Each month, students will explore a new theme that aims to tie together core curriculum. Below are examples of theme studies, as well as likely explorations within those themes:
- Wonderful Books: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: classroom exploration that focuses on number sense, math/nature hunt while exploring Crane’s campus, cooking “coconut trees”
- Gardens: vegetable graphs created through sight and taste—carrot (root), celery (stem), spinach (leaves), broccoli (flower), tomato (fruit), seed (hummus made from chickpeas); pumpkin investigation emphasizing scientific measurement, comparison, prediction, and counting; cooking (hummus and applesauce)
- Day and Night: geometry hunt through campus; orbiting planet simulation; cooking muffins
Listening and Speaking
Students practice oral language throughout the year in a multitude of projects and presentations. Students develop skills that include: recognizing and using complete coherent sentences when speaking; recitation of short stories, poems, and rhymes; verbally describing people, places, things, locations, and actions.
Reading
Small group instruction is utilized throughout the year to support all stages of reading—beginner to fluent. Skills include identifying uppercase and lowercase letters; recognizing and producing letter sounds; blending and segmenting consonant, vowel, consonant patterns; recognizing concepts of print; implementing a variety of reading strategies; demonstrating instant recognition of a list of 25 sight words; identifying rhyming words; demonstrating comprehension of texts.
Writing
To set the curriculum in motion, writing workshop routines are introduced early in the year and then built on. Skills include recording a story with pictures, letters and/or words; implementing the use of phonetic spelling; writing uppercase and lowercase letters independently; rereading and editing writing to make sure it’s readable; creating phrases and building to more complex sentences; handwriting developments; using a conventional pencil grip.
Math
Mathematic topics include whole numbers, measurement, time, money, and geometry. Skills for whole numbers include identifying and writing numbers 0-100; demonstrating quantities to 100 with a number and manipulatives; decomposing numbers greater than 10 into parts; demonstrating automaticity with facts through 10; exploring and using efficient strategies for adding two or more numbers; developing and using strategies for solving subtraction problems; using pictures, equations, and mathematical language to represent word problems. Students will also learn to tell time to the hour on an analog clock. Geometry skills emphasize identifying and describing patterns, as well as two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes.
Science
Kindergarten science is inquiry-based. Students conduct tests, gather evidence, and develop explanations for the phenomena they are investigating. Kindergarten students discover answers to questions such as: “What happens if you push or pull an object harder? Where do animals live and why do they live there? What is the weather like today and how is it different from yesterday?” Students observe patterns and variations in local weather and understand the purpose of weather forecasting to prepare for, and respond to, severe weather. They experience the effects of different strengths or different directions of pushes and pulls on the motion of an object to analyze a design solution. Crane kindergartners learn what plants and animals need to survive and the relationship between their needs and where they live.
Social Studies
Within the classroom, students have experiences with sharing, taking turns, and working collaboratively which supports the foundation for a classroom community. Using purposefully selected literature, games, and activities, students see themselves reflected back and represented in the curriculum. This allows students to develop respect for their own individual experiences as well as those of their classmates, both similar and different. Students are also supported in self-determination and character development through daily interactions and selected social stories.
Spanish
Meeting for one hour every cycle, Spanish aims to incorporate the five C’s—communication, cultures, connections, comparison, and communities. The curriculum is activity-based, with technology, music, dancing, singing, and playing games as essential. The content of the curriculum is designed to allow students to explore learning the language and culture, with the goal of developing listening skills and speaking proficiency—the students will recognize and comprehend basic vocabulary and expressions for simple communication and be able to respond to simple questions, statements, and commands using words and simple sentences.
Library
As new members of the Crane community, students are introduced to the library on campus and library manners. Students are held responsible for the care and return of books, instilling in them a sense of care for their community. The library curriculum also fosters and promotes a lifelong love of reading.
Peaceful Partners
Led by the Head of Lower School, Peaceful Partners instruction emphasizes a multitude of social awareness themes at the kindergarten level. Students will work to identify emotions, acknowledge unique qualities of individuals, and celebrate the diversity of all types of families. Students will also be introduced to the concept of community. Emotional development is sharpened through identifiers such as put-ups and put-downs.
Performing Arts/Public Speaking
Students take an active role in performing arts through singing, creative movement, participation in xylophone and ensemble percussion, and the Orff Schulwerk approach. The introduction of theater focuses on physical and vocal expression to create characters, exploring emotions, and inventing stories and dialogue. The music curriculum focuses on pattern recognition, dance and song. A culmination of what is learned in performing arts is showcased in the Kindergarten play, which features speaking parts for every student and group singing, as well as a full-scale production including costumes and sets.
An important component of performing arts curriculum is building a foundation for public speaking. To culminate their first year of public speaking, students present short autobiographies to the all-school assembly, and recite poems by memory at Kindergarten Graduation. Kindergarten students also participate in Lower School Winter Sing and have the option to participate in Music Hour and Friday Assembly Spotlights.
Physical Education
Kindergarten students are active and physical education and recess are important parts to a student’s school day. These students learn best through repetition and active exploration in a safe and consistent environment. The class is designed to instruct students on a variety of skills including developmental movement, bodily and spatial awareness through cooperative games, and behavioral and social skills linked to team building. Students are supported to encourage active, consistent participation, and a willingness to try new movements and skills. Foundations for healthy lifestyle and good sportsmanship are fostered through curriculum.
Studio Art
Kindergarten artists will be encouraged to explore their great ideas through various media and creative processes. Artists will learn to work together to create and support a safe, cooperative, and engaging community space where all can thrive. Projects will build fine motor skills, keen observation skills, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking skills. Artists will be introduced to the elements of art and basic color theory. Students will be challenged to work with great craftsmanship, to consider the entire piece of art while creating, and to add detail to bring their visions to life. Students will study and be inspired by famous artists and illustrators, as well as various world cultures, and will learn to use art vocabulary to share ideas about their work.
First Friday & Parent Volunteering
Parents are invited to join the morning classroom activities on the first Friday of most months. Students will showcase projects they’ve been working on, tell stories, recite poetry, sing songs, ask parents to participate with them in Choice Time activities, and provide parents with an insider’s look at what they learn on a daily basis. First Fridays often include a component of the current theme study or tie an upcoming holiday into curriculum.
The kindergarten welcomes parent volunteers to help within the classroom. The classroom teachers coordinate volunteering during class time.
Helper of the Day
There are many “jobs” in the kindergarten classroom, but Helper of the Day is a special position. The Helper of the Day acts as line leader and “go-to” person for any additional responsibilities including the Surprise Box. The helper will choose a small object from home that fits inside the box and create clues to share with the class the following day. The student will then share information about their special object. Sharing allows students an opportunity to become comfortable speaking in front of peers, to develop oral language skills for the speaker, and critical thinking skills for classmates who are guessing.
Graduation
To celebrate the completion of the first year at Crane, kindergarten students participate in a special graduation ceremony for family and friends. In preparation for graduation, students memorize a chosen or original poem and recite it at the ceremony.
First Grade
FIRST GRADE
F
irst graders take pride in accomplishing tasks with growing independence. They greatly expand their reading and writing vocabulary in first grade. They become adept at recognizing number relationships and patterns, and they apply what they know to problem solving. The first grade classroom, like the kindergarten classroom, continues to utilizes a team-teaching approach, with two full-time teachers. Experiential themes in first grade often explore nature which builds an excitement of learning. These units are woven throughout the curriculum listed below.
A comprehensive First Grade curriculum overview
First Grade Curriculum
Theme Study
First-grade curriculum is built around central themes that change throughout the year. These themes create a variety of experiential-based programs that stimulate cross-curriculum learning. Examples of theme studies include:
· Birds: identify local Santa Barbara birds; understand the difference between shorebirds and backyard/trail birds; identify different bird adaptations and their purpose; research a bird of their choosing and “get to know it”; projects include bird walks, arts & crafts, and bird nest discovery; field trip
· Skyscrapers: learn what a skyscraper is and identify the tallest skyscrapers in the world; study the field of engineering and build a vocabulary of terms; understand measurements such as inch and foot; projects include working in small groups to build model skyscrapers of the world’s tallest buildings, and creating a fact sheet that includes details about their model
· Rainforest: identify layers of a rainforest; explain differences between living in a rainforest and living in Santa Barbara; name various animals, insects, and plants in a rainforest; explain what it means to conserve and protect a rainforest; projects include building each layer of a rainforest in the classroom
Throughout the year, parents will be invited to attend culmination presentations of each theme study.
Reading
Students grow as young readers throughout the year. Skills acquired include learning to match oral words to print; identify sounds, vowel combinations, spelling patterns, and rhyming words; compounding words and contractions; reading aloud with fluency; following simple written instructions; identification of plot, setting, and characters; Just Right books.
Writing
Written language skills emerge through lessons including writing brief narrative and expository pieces; contractions and singular possessives; punctuation and capitalization; spelling of grade-level sight words; book publication including plot mapping, writing, editing, revision, and illustration.
Listening and Speaking
Student maturity for listening and speaking are honed through lessons focusing on attentive listening; giving, restating, and following directions; staying on topic when speaking; use of descriptive words; retelling stories using basic story grammar and sequence; providing descriptions with sensory detail.
Math
Mathematics concepts include operations on whole numbers up to 100, including place value, addition, subtraction, and mental calculation techniques; basic understanding of multiplication and division concepts, including repeated addition and dividing quantities into equal sized sets; basic concepts of measurement, to include length, mass, time and money; developing a basic understanding of geometry, to include description and classification of 2D and 3D shapes, and building and analysis of patterns; use of picture graphs to represent and analyze data.
Science
First-grade science is inquiry-based. Students conduct tests, gather evidence, and develop explanations for the phenomena they are investigating. First-grade students discover answers to questions such as: “What happens when there is no light? What are some ways plants and animals meet their needs so that they can survive and grow? What objects are in the sky and how do they seem to move?” Students identify the relationship between sound and vibrating materials as well as between the availability of light and ability to see objects. Crane first graders learn how plants and animals use their external parts to help them survive, grow, and meet their needs as well as how behaviors of parents and offspring help the offspring survive. Students observe, describe, and predict some patterns of the movement of objects in the sky. Culminations of units may include project construction in the design and engineering center.
Social Studies
Social Studies curriculum is built upon strengthening the classroom community, as well as establishing the student’s understanding of basic geography. Topics regarding community building include a focus on the elements of fair play and good sportsmanship, respecting the rights and opinions of others, and upholding “The Golden Rule.” Students will also explore the globe—locating continents and oceans, and locating California on a map—study location, weather, and physical environment and the impact these elements have on humans, and learn about sustainable practices and natural resources.
Computers
Computer curriculum at the first-grade level focuses on basic computer and iPad usage, including mouse, keyboard, and desktop use. Skills include identification and use of keyboard letters, numbers, symbols, shift, space bar, delete, and return keys; opening and closing applications; creating, saving, and opening files; basic sequence coding; and, basic troubleshooting techniques. Applications introduced and utilized by the students include KidPix, Microsoft Word, and PhotoBooth.
Library
Students will continue to build their familiarity with a variety of books by listening and discussing stories, as well as the function of various parts of the book. They will also learn about circulation procedures and acquire the ability to search for books using the Dewey Decimal System.
Peaceful Partners
Peaceful Partners explores concepts and values related to leading a positive and productive life through literature and picture books. Students will also learn to value and respect unique qualities in others. Emotional development is sharpened throughout the year, with learning strategies tackling topics like how to handle anger and resolve conflict.
Performing Arts
Students take an active role in performing arts through singing, creative movement, participation in xylophone and ensemble percussion, and the Orff Schulwerk approach. The music curriculum focuses on pattern recognition, dance and song. The exploration of theater focuses on physical and vocal expression to create characters, exploring emotions and feelings, and story-making skills including characterization, dialogue and story sequencing.
An important component of performing arts curriculum is building a foundation for public speaking. To culminate the year of public speaking, students present for an all-school assembly about the world’s tallest skyscrapers. Students also participate in Lower School Winter Sing and have the option to participate in Music Hour and Friday Spotlights.
Physical Education
First-grade students are ambitious and motivated to learn through discovery and enjoy the process more than the outcome. With this in mind, students will learn to apply developmental and fundamental motor skills appropriate for their age group. A variety of skills including developmental movement, bodily and spatial awareness through cooperative games, and behavioral and social skills linked to team building will be improved. Positive encouragement and support help maintain an atmosphere of active, consistent participation, as well as a willingness to try new tasks. Foundations for healthy lifestyle and good sportsmanship are fostered through curriculum.
Spanish
Spanish aims to incorporate the five C’s—communication, cultures, connections, comparison, and communities. Meeting for one class every cycle, the goal of first-grade Spanish is to continue the development of listening and speaking skills, enabling students to communicate their needs in greater detail. Students will begin to associate the spoken with the written word, and gradually, they will begin to read familiar material with comprehension. Working alongside core classroom curriculum, Spanish classes will read poetry related to birds, study geography in Spanish-speaking countries where rainforests exist, listen to Spanish fables, and read and write bilingual poetry. At times, Upper School students will join the students in cross-age activities such as reading Spanish poetry and literature.
Studio Art
First-grade artists will be encouraged to explore their great ideas through various media and creative processes. Artists will learn to work together to create and support a safe, cooperative, and engaging community space where all can thrive. Projects will continue to build fine motor skills, keen observation skills, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking skills. Students will be challenged to work with great craftsmanship, to consider the entire piece of art while creating, and to add detail to bring their visions to life. Students will study and be inspired by famous artists and illustrators, as well as various world cultures, and will learn to use art vocabulary to share ideas about their work. Artists will also further explore their core classroom study of birds and skyscrapers in the studio while creating pieces to celebrate these key first-grade units.
Second Grade
SECOND GRADE
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S
econd grade is an exciting year of growth for students as they expand their knowledge base, develop their reading, writing, and math skills and, most importantly, become independent learners. Themes often explored in second grade include units on celebrating community and friendship, leadership and businesses, people and places in our country, biographies, and inventions. These units are woven throughout the curriculum listed below and are also incorporated in the annual second grade musical.
A comprehensive Second Grade curriculum overview
Second Grade Curriculum
Language Arts
Language arts curriculum encompasses skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Lessons focus on building skills in grammar, public speaking, spelling, creative writing, formal writing of paragraphs, poetry, research skills, and reading. Students will also work in groups to collaboratively discuss and create written material. Units include a study of author Kevin Henkes, tales from other countries, and poetry.
Reading Workshop
Students experience reading through a literature-based reading program, which allows them to read for enjoyment as well as for comprehension. Lessons focus on building comprehension, accuracy, fluency, and extended vocabulary. Students are offered a variety of material at their reading level to spark their interest. Whole group instruction is followed by small group work, partner work, and individual student practice.
Math
Hands-on activities provide a variety of math experiences geared to reinforce mathematical concepts, build number sense, increase computation skills, and help students develop their problem-solving abilities. A variety of strategies are introduced in order to expose students to various ways to solve problems. Ongoing assessment helps gear math lessons and follow-up activities to meet student needs. Specific skills taught include operations of whole numbers up to 1000; emphasis on learning and applying addition and subtraction algorithms, and using part/whole relationships to model and solve multi-part word problems; fractions; geometry and data analysis.
Science
Second-grade students conduct tests, gather evidence, and develop explanations for the phenomena they are investigating. They discover answers to questions such as: “How does land change and what are some things that cause it to change? How are materials similar and different from one another, and how do the properties of the materials relate to their use? What do plants need to grow?” Students design fair tests to conclude that plants need air and water to grow. They learn that plants depend on animals for seed dispersal and pollination and apply that to design and test hand pollinators. Second graders observe, classify, and analyze observable properties of different materials. Students experience how wind and water can change the shape of the land, and they compare design solutions to slow or prevent such change.
Social Studies
A common theme throughout second-grade social studies is community. The study of communities begins locally and then moved outward to develop global knowledge and understanding. Map skills and vocabulary in relation to family history is learned. Curriculum also focuses on the importance of individual actions and character, identifying heroes and leaders, and inventions as a way to highlight creative problem solving in the real world.
Computers
Students hone their technology skills in computer class. Skills learned at the second-grade level include manipulating window parameters, sending documents to print, interacting with applications using keyboard shortcuts, learning to navigate starts and shut down functions, and switching between multiple open applications. Students continue to build keyboard and mouse skills. Lessons in digital citizenship, ethics, and social responsibility reinforce positive and appropriate social behavior when using technology.
Library
Library time helps bolster a love of books and reading. Students are encouraged to independently use the library media center by the end of the year. Library lessons introduce second graders to the online card catalog, as well as skills of recalling, summarizing, and utilizing simple research skills. Classes also bolster oral comprehension skills through stories being read and told. Students are encouraged to select books independently.
Peaceful Partners
Led by the head of Lower School, Peaceful Partners in the second grade focuses on identifying personal actions and individual responsibilities that contribute to the well being of the community. Students will also establish communication guidelines that focus on “I” statements and active listening. And, the class will identify appropriate ways to handle uncomfortable situations through role-playing.
Performing Arts
Students take an active role in performing arts through singing, acting, and creative movement. participation in xylophone and ensemble percussion, and the Orff Schulwerk approach. The music curriculum focuses on pattern recognition, dance and song. The exploration of theater focuses on physical and vocal expression to create characters, exploring emotions and feelings, and story-making skills including characterization, dialogue and story sequencing. A culmination of what is learned in performing arts is showcased in the 2nd Grade play, which features speaking parts for every student, solo and group singing as well as a full-scale production with costumes and sets.
An important component of performing arts curriculum is building a foundation for public speaking. To culminate the year of public speaking, students present for an all-school assembly about their community. Students also participate in Lower School Winter Sing and have the option to participate in Music Hour and Friday Assembly Spotlights.
Physical Education
Second-grade students learn best by repetitive activities and may become bothered by their mistakes. Feeling secure and being in a structured physical environment allows them to thrive. Students will continue to learn to apply developmental and fundamental motor skills appropriate for their age group. The class will practice and apply skill development, perceptual skills, and movement concepts to activities and games. Positive encouragement and support help maintain an atmosphere of active, consistent participation, as well as a willingness to try new tasks. Foundations for healthy lifestyle and good sportsmanship are fostered through curriculum.
Spanish
Spanish aims to incorporate the five C’s—communication, cultures, connections, comparison, and communities. Meeting for two classes every cycle, the goal of second-grade Spanish is to continue the development of listening and speaking skills, enabling students to communicate their needs in greater detail. Students will begin to associate the spoken with the written word, and gradually, they will begin to read familiar material with comprehension. Working alongside core classroom curriculum, Spanish classes focus on topics including months of the year, the seven continents, immigrant stories, and fairy tales. Celebrations throughout the year to commemorate dates such as Mexican Independence Day and Day of the Dead will also take place.
Studio Art
Second-grade artists will be encouraged to explore their great ideas through various media and creative processes. Artists will work together to create and support a safe, cooperative, and engaging community space where all can thrive. Projects will continue to build fine motor skills, keen observation skills, problem- solving skills, critical thinking skills, and team building skills. Artists will continue their study of the elements of art and color theory. Students will be challenged to work with great craftsmanship, to consider the entire piece of art while creating, to add detail, and to add their personal voice to their work. Students will study and be inspired by famous artists and illustrators, as well as various world cultures, and will learn to use art vocabulary to share ideas about their work. Artists will also further explore their core classroom study of our local community in the studio while creating a collaborative piece to celebrate this key second-grade unit.
Star Student
Each week, a student will be highlighted through the Star Student program. Prior to the student’s week, they will receive a poster board to create a personal display to go on the classroom bulletin board. The student will be celebrated throughout the week by being line leader, class messenger, and teacher helper. One day, the student may share something that has special meaning to them.
Mystery Readers
Mystery Readers are special guests who come to the second-grade classroom to read a story to students. Mystery Readers can be parents, grandparents, older siblings, other relatives, or close friends. The program allows anyone who wants to become involved in the classroom an easy way to do so. The memories will last forever, especially for the students!
Third Grade
THIRD GRADE
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T
hird grade is a year of enthusiastic learning. Students are characteristically ready to take risks and eager to learn. Students have mastered the fundamentals of reading and are now ready to build fluency and comprehension. Learners will expand their vocabularies as they explore fiction and non-fiction texts, using reference tools to clarify the meaning of newly discovered words. They will also delve into the nuances of figurative language in prose and poetry. They will conduct independent research to learn about topics in our social studies curriculum as well as the subjects that interest them. They will become an integral part of a learning community as they refine the art of asking good questions in order to generate rich discussions with peers and teachers. Throughout the curriculum students will demonstrate their thinking, supporting their ideas with text evidence and opinions.
A comprehensive Third Grade curriculum overview
Third Grade Curriculum
Language Arts
Language arts curriculum encompasses skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Goals of this curriculum include oral and silent reading fluency, foundational understanding of literary elements and story structure, use of nonfictional text structures, differentiation of and patterns within different genres, and research skills. Students also bolster writing skills through spelling of high frequency words, application of expected spelling patterns, use of Latin stems to increase vocabulary, beginning use of cursive, revision and editing skills, and peer editing work. Units include book clubs, elements and patterns of fictional narratives, writing workshops, poetry, writer’s notebooks, writing workshop, and opinion writing.
Math
Math units at the third-grade level focus on skills including using bar modeling to describe addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; standard algorithm use in all four mathematical operations; mastery of multiplication and division facts. Core units include place value to 10,000; modeling addition and subtraction with bar models; multiplication and division concepts and facts; units of measurement—time, metric, money.
Science
Third grade students discover answers to questions such as: “How can the impact of weather-related hazards be reduced? How do organisms vary in their traits? How are plants, animals, and environments of the past similar or different from current plants, animals, and environments? How do equal and unequal forces on an object affect the object? How can magnets be used to solve problems?” Third graders understand the idea that when the environment changes some organisms survive and reproduce, some move to new locations, some move into the transformed environment, and some die. They apply those concepts to design solutions to problems using animal structures and biomimicry. Third graders determine the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object and the cause and effect relationships of electric or magnetic interactions between two objects not in contact with each other. Students design and build series and parallel circuits and investigate static electricity.
Design & Engineering
Students will incorporate STEAM education components (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) to create physical projects with an eye on design. Utilizing the design and engineering center’s facilities, students are instructed and have age-appropriate access to wood and metal working tools, computer design technology, and electronic and robotic building components for projects. Third-grade projects have included designing and flying kites, box of stars, and snowflake weathervanes.
Social Studies
Third-grade social studies are designed around the Santa Barbara region. Students explore how the region has changed over time and causes of those changes, with emphasis on big ideas of patterns and change. Units include geography, Chumash, explorers, California ranchos, and the branches of government.
Computers
Technology skills continue to grow in third grade—students learn skills that include switching between multiple applications, interacting with applications using all menus, choosing appropriate application tools for specific tasks, inserting and ejecting external memory, displaying proper handling of storage, selecting specific print parameters, creating folders, and sorting/finding files. Third-grade students use applications including Google and Moodle to complete class and homework, and Google Slides and iMovie applications to create projects connected to classroom units of study. Students are introduced to formalized typing skills, as well as coding that includes conditionals, algorithms, binary code, debugging, functions, and nested loops. Digital citizenship is strengthened through units on online safety, private/personal information, and cyber-bullying.
Library
Students use the entire school library media center in connection with cross-curricular projects throughout the year. Additionally, library classes focus on topics including the Dewey Decimal System, use of automated card catalogs, practice of main idea and summarization, and use of digital and print reference materials to complete basic research. Students continue to be supported and encouraged to love books and reading.
Peaceful Partners
The head of Lower School leads lessons focused on owning one’s actions through the understanding of “I” statements, learning to advocate for oneself and others when necessary, understanding peer pressure, and exploring those qualities and characteristics that define social hierarchy within a group. Students also practice problem solving in activities and then reflect on the process.
Performing Arts
Students take an active role in performing arts through singing, creative movement, participation in xylophone and ensemble percussion, and the Orff Schulwerk approach. The music curriculum focuses on complex pattern recognition and singing. The theater arts curriculum focuses on character development through more specific physical and vocal expression, the exploration of five W’s (Who, What, Where, When, Why) as well as improvisational theater.
An important component of performing arts curriculum is building a foundation for public speaking. To culminate the year of public speaking, students present for an all-school assembly. Students also participate in Lower School Winter Sing and have the option to participate in Music Hour and Friday Assembly Spotlights.
Physical Education
Third-grade students are full of energy and are beginning to adjust more freely with challenges and are flexible with rules and disappointments during activities. Students will learn to apply developmental and fundamental motor skills appropriate for their age group. A variety of lessons including refining movement skills, the introduction of team sports to teach manipulative skills, participation in co-educational intramural sports, and competition with five local schools in a track and field meet define third-grade physical education. Positive encouragement and support help maintain an atmosphere of active, consistent participation, as well as a willingness to try new tasks. Foundations for healthy lifestyle and good sportsmanship are fostered through curriculum.
Spanish
Third-grade Spanish units incorporate the five C’s—communication, cultures, connections, comparison, and communities—of the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Language (ACTFL). Students cover the first three units in the Viva el Español, Level Hola textbook and workbook. Each unit has three components: communication and vocabulary building, structure of the language, and culture. Topics of units covered include: vocabulary for classroom objects and school supplies, colors and shapes, animals, days of the week, locations; language structures for singular and plural forms of nouns, masculine and feminine endings of adjectives, definite and indefinite articles, singular and plural conjugations of the verb “to go” in the present tense; cultural understanding of similarities and differences between English and Spanish, broad understanding of Spain, Mexico and the Dominican Republic, flags of Spanish-speaking countries, and animals and biodiversity in Latin American countries. Celebrations throughout the year to commemorate Mexican Independence, Day of the Dead, and Mother’s Day will also take place.
Studio Art
Third-grade artists will be encouraged to explore their great ideas through various media and creative processes. Artists will work together to create and support a safe, cooperative, and engaging community space where all can thrive. Projects will continue to build fine motor skills, keen observation skills, problem- solving skills, critical thinking skills, and team building skills. Artists will continue their study of the elements of art and color theory, and will learn how to create form using various media. Students will be challenged to work with great craftsmanship, to consider the entire piece of art while creating, to add detail, and to add their personal voice to their work. Students will study and be inspired by famous artists and illustrators, as well as various world cultures, and will learn to use art vocabulary to share ideas about their work. Artists will also further explore their core classroom study of the Chumash and famous explorers in the studio while creating pieces to celebrate these key third-grade units. Third-grade artists will also participate in our annual Dessert Imposter Challenge.
Signature Projects
Signature projects that define the third-grade experience include world map creation; the creation of a Chumash village; an explorers wax museum; a simulation of life on a California rancho; Beat poetry and songwriting; mock trial based on literary characters.
Field Trips
Off-campus day trips may include the Wishtoyo Chumash Village, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Rancho Camulos, Sedgwick Ranch/Arroyo Hondo, and Presidio.
Fourth Grade
FOURTH GRADE
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F
ourth grade is a year where students gain independence and become self-reliant learners as they pair the tools acquired during the primary grades with skills needed to successfully complete the upper grades. Students learn to question, research, and solve problems both as individuals and members of a cooperative group. The focus is on the class as a community of learners where each individual achievement contributes to the class as a whole. A primary objective is to develop a commitment to producing high quality work—careful, thoughtful, and complete.
A comprehensive Fourth Grade curriculum overview
Fourth Grade Curriculum
Language Arts
Language arts curriculum encompasses skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Students will read, discuss, and analyze age-appropriate novels. Additionally, students will engage further by participating in book club, a year-round celebration of independent and group reading. Moreover, students practice oral language exercises and mini writing prompts that provide students with short, focused activities to study punctuation, capitalization, and grammar. Informal and formal presentations will be made throughout the year, as well as writing projects and weekly paragraph assignments.
Math
Students will employ a variety of problem solving strategies and examine several methods for adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing numbers. They will become proficient at using these methods for the various operations. Additionally, units will cover geometry, measurement, fractions, percents, decimals, patterns, and problem solving. Students will also learn to study for tests and utilize test-taking strategies. Activities include experiential lessons to enhance understanding of concepts.
Science
Students conduct tests, gather evidence, and develop explanations for the phenomena they are investigating. Fourth graders discover answers to questions such as: “What are waves and what are some things they can do? How do internal and external structures support the survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction of plants and animals? What patterns of Earth’s features can be demonstrated with models? How is energy transferred?” Through observations, students learn how animals’ structures and behavior ensure their survival within various habitats. Fourth graders use a model of waves to describe patterns in terms of amplitude and wavelength. Students understand that energy can be transferred from place to place by sound, light, heat, and electric currents or from object to object through collisions. They design, test, and refine a device that converts energy from one form to another. Crane fourth graders investigate renewable and nonrenewable energy sources, and how geologists use both direct and indirect evidence to collect data.
Social Studies
Social studies at the fourth-grade level focuses on California history. Units will focus on topics including regions of California, the impact of colonization and the mission era, and the Gold Rush. These explorations are designed to enrich student appreciation for the physical and cultural diversity of the Golden State. Research, artifact analysis, field trips, and guest speakers will supplement units of study. Additionally, to make studies relevant and engaging, units incorporate historical simulations and nonfiction writing. Historical simulations include the Twenty-Second Mission, the Mountain Man Era, and the Gold Rush.
Computers
Students are challenged on a variety of skills including sharing files over a network, creating, sorting and finding files, utilizing external memory, and proper keyboarding. Students utilize many programs including Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, Drive, Moodle, and iMovie to complete assignments. Additionally, students continue learning coding techniques that include problem decomposition, functions, nested loops, conditionals, algorithms, and binary code. Digital citizenship is highlighted with units on strong passwords, online safety, and appropriate online presence.
Library
Students in the fourth grade increase their ability to independently use the school library media center. Students will have the skills to locate materials with minimum assistance, and will gain proficiency in researching and reporting on topics related to curriculum using digital and print materials. Independence in self-evaluating and selecting materials for both research and enjoyment is highlighted at this grade level.
Peaceful Partners
In fourth grade, the head of Lower School leads community-building activities that focus on cooperation, inclusion, problem solving, and responsibility to the group. Curriculum also helps students identify characteristics in peer relationships that are challenging and learn how to redirect the conflict to resolution. Students will also discuss self-esteem and what impacts it. Students also role play social situations to instill skill for conflict resolution.
Performing Arts
The first semester of performing arts classes for the fourth grade focuses on preparation and rehearsals for the first musical production of the school year. In addition to being cast to sing, dance and act their part, students are also involved in all phases of the show including set painting, making props, and designing costumes. They develop team-building, problem solving and creative skills as they prepare for their performance in a full-scale musical production.
Following the musical, students continue to develop and refine their performing arts skills in improvisation, character development and vocal precision. In music, they continue to learn matching pitch, developing healthy singing voices, and practicing percussion techniques.
An important component of performing arts curriculum is building a foundation for public speaking. Students also participate in Lower School Winter Sing and have the option to participate in Music Hour and Friday Assembly Spotlights.
Physical Education
Fourth-grade students are not only becoming more coordinated, but enjoy pushing their physical limits while playing more competitively during activities. Students are working to continue developing skills appropriate for their age group. A variety of lessons including refining skills during games and activities, accuracy and strategies in team sports, participation in intramural sports and the presidential fitness challenge, and competition in the local track and field contest define fourth-grade physical education. Positive encouragement and support help maintain an atmosphere of active, consistent participation, as well as a willingness to try new tasks. Foundations for healthy lifestyle and good sportsmanship are fostered through curriculum.
Spanish
Spanish units incorporate the five C’s—communication, cultures, connections, comparison, and communities—of the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Language (ACTFL). All students cover sections in the Viva el Español, Level Hola textbook and workbook. Students in the foundations section cover units one through three, and students in the developing section cover units four through six. Units of study focus on vocabulary building, structures of the Spanish language, and cultural studies. The conjugation of verbs is crucial to the development of language learning; students are encouraged to maintain a daily study of verbs as they progress through the Spanish program at Crane.
Studio Art
Fourth-grade artists will be encouraged to explore their great ideas through various media and creative processes. Projects will continue to build fine motor skills, keen observation skills, problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills, and team building skills. Artists will be encouraged to work through each phase of the creative process thoughtfully taking time to plan, create, reflect, edit, and complete projects that best express the artist’s vision and personal voice. Students will be challenged to work with great craftsmanship, to consider the entire piece of art while creating, to add detail to bring their visions to life, and to be able to defend their creative choices. Students will continue to learn new ways to build form and will be introduced to working on the potter’s wheel. Artists will study and be inspired by famous artists and illustrators, as well as various world cultures, and will learn to use art vocabulary to share ideas about their work. Artists will also further explore their core classroom study of the California Missions in the studio while creating pieces to celebrate this key fourth-grade unit.
Field Trips
Field trips connected to classroom units are taken throughout the year and may include visits to La Purisima and the olive farm in Ojai.
Fifth Grade
FIFTH GRADE
Explore theme-study hands-on grade level projects
in Fifth Grade, Lower School, and more.
F
ifth grade is a year of transition as students gain the skills and habits necessary to be successful as they matriculate from the Lower School into the Upper School for their middle school years. During the fifth-grade year, in addition to learning the content of the year’s instruction, students make great strides in managing their homework assignments, managing their time on multi-day and multi-week projects, and on becoming independent learners and problem solvers. In short, students learn to play a bigger role in being in charge of their own learning.
A comprehensive Fifth Grade curriculum overview
Fifth Grade Curriculum
Language Arts
Students develop skills in speaking, writing, and research. In Writer’s Workshop, students learn techniques for enhancing narrative writing and will have an opportunity to explore expository and persuasive styles of writing, as well as poetry. Writing mechanics, sentence and paragraph structure, and parts of speech are also taught. Students engage with several novels throughout the year, and periodically read short stories and non-fiction selections.
Math
Students continue to build on an understanding of number sense through exposure and practice with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percents. Model drawing will also be highlighted. Homework is related to what is taught in class or a review of previously learned skills. Regularly occurring tests will help teachers assess student mastery of content.
Science
Fifth-grade students conduct tests, gather evidence, and develop explanations for the phenomena they are investigating. Fifth grade students discover answers to questions such as: “When matter changes, does its weight change? Can new substances be created by combining other substances? How does matter cycle through ecosystems? Where does the energy in food come from and what is it used for?” Students will describe that matter is made of particles too small to be seen through the development of a model. They understand the idea that regardless of the type of change that matter undergoes, the total weight of matter is conserved. Fifth graders will construct models to investigate ways the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and/or atmosphere interact. Through testing, students find that plants get the materials they need for growth chiefly from air and water. Using models, students describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment and that energy in animals’ food was once energy from the sun. Students understand the scale of our solar system and the challenges humans face in space exploration.
Social Studies
Fifth-grade students spend the year studying U.S. geography and history from Colonial America to the American Revolution. In-depth studies of the time periods are directly related to the spring class trip to Boston. Students are assigned projects throughout the year that coincide with class lessons. Additionally, students complete one current event project that is researched using daily newspapers and newsworthy magazines.
Computers
Students will learn an array of skills that include sharing files over the network, collaborating appropriately on class assignments, creating and organizing files, and online research. Google applications and Scratch will be utilized throughout the year. To promote responsible digital citizenship, fifth-grade students will be introduced to lessons on appropriate online communications, keywords, and privacy.
Library
Students make full use of library materials for research and enjoyment. Advanced researching and reporting skills using digital and print references, and detailed report writing and citations are taught. Many lessons focus on preparation for the culminating fifth-grade trip to Boston. Additionally, digital citizenship lessons are provided.
Physical Education
Fifth-grade students begin to enjoy club and team sports. Students will learn to apply developmental and fundamental movement skills appropriate for their age group. A variety of lessons including mastering advanced movement patterns for team sports, learning skills necessary for Upper School Physical Education participation and the Presidential Fitness Challenge. Positive encouragement and support help maintain an atmosphere of active, consistent participation as well as a willingness to try new challenges. Foundations for healthy life styles and good sportsmanship are focused on throughout the curriculum.
Peaceful Partners
The head of Lower School will help fifth grade students refine skills of communication. Students will also discuss the effects of advertising on image and self-esteem, identify positive things in life and individual strengths, self talk, discuss labeling and personalities, and teach students how to understand and change perspectives of prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination. Social dynamics within peer groups are examined by role playing, problem solving, and discussion.
Performing Arts
Students thrive in the performing arts whether singing, acting or dancing. They participate in improvisational activities to explore complex ideas and universal themes in both life and literature. They develop physicality and vocal techniques in order to create dynamic characters, theatrical vocal presentations as well as dramatic situations. They fine tune their dramatic and comic timing using both monologues and small group scripts, as well as learn about blocking, and set/costume design. In music, they continue to learn about matching pitch, developing healthy singing voices, practicing percussion techniques, as well as choreography techniques.
An important component of performing arts curriculum is building a foundation for public speaking. To culminate the year of public speaking, students present an in-class current event speech as well as a poetry recitation for an all-school assembly. Students also participate in Lower School Winter Sing and have the option to participate in Music Hour and Friday Assembly Spotlights.
Spanish
Spanish units incorporate the five C’s—communication, cultures, connections, comparison, and communities—of the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Language (ACTFL). All students cover sections in the Viva el Español, Level Hola textbook and workbook. Students in the foundations section cover units four through six, and students in the developing section cover units seven through ten. Units of study in both sections focus on vocabulary building, structures of the Spanish language, and cultural studies. The conjugation of verbs is crucial to the development of language learning; students are encouraged to maintain a daily study of verbs as they progress through the Spanish program at Crane.
Studio Art
Fifth-grade artists will be encouraged to explore their great ideas through various media and creative processes. Artists will be encouraged to work through each phase of the creative process thoughtfully taking time to plan, create, reflect, edit, and complete projects that best express the artist’s vision and personal voice. Students will be challenged to work with great craftsmanship, to consider the entire piece of art while creating, to add detail to bring their visions to life, and to be able to defend their creative choices. Artists will also further explore their core classroom study of Native Americans in the studio while working in teams to design an exhibit to celebrate this key fifth-grade unit. Finally, artists will be challenged to use all that they have learned to create an independent piece for our culminating Lower School Art project. Students will be responsible for planning and documenting their creative journey, for gathering the needed supplies and resources, for problem solving and reflecting throughout the process, for writing an artist’s statement, and for designing their final display for our group art show.
Field Trips
Students will explore the local canyons by foot as the class hikes the trails in the spring. At the end of April, the Fifth Grade travels to Boston, a culmination of the year’s studies of colonial and revolutionary America. Chaperoned by teachers during their week in Boston, students explore historic sites related to their studies. Balancing education with fun and lots of exercise, students visit locations such as: a Grist Mill where they see wheat seeds turned into flour, Plymouth Plantation where the living history allows students to interact with representatives of the time period, the Minutemen National Park where they explore the history of early rebels, the Tea Party Museum where they learn about tea and taxes, Sturbridge Village where they participate in a Town Hall meeting and cook a traditional colonial meal, Walden Pond where they can rest and journal, and the Freedom Trail walking tour. Students also visit college campuses and museums, and enjoy Quincy Market and a Red Sox baseball game.
Sports
To help prepare students for team sports in Upper School, fifth grade offers students the opportunity to participate in co-ed sports that include volleyball, basketball, soccer, and flag football (played with sixth-grade students). Crane has a no cut policy—any student who chooses to participate will be given playing time.
Lower School Programs
There are many programs all Lower School students participate in throughout the school year.
- Morning Meeting
- Silent Sustained Reading (SSR)
- Community Service
- Peaceful Partners
- Winter Sing
- Spring Study Week
- Milk & Cookies
Morning Meeting
Each grade in the Lower School starts the day with Morning Meeting. The purpose of Morning Meeting is to build a strong sense of a classroom community through four components: greeting, sharing, group activity, and morning message.
The sense of belonging and the skills of attention, listening, expression, and cooperative interaction developed in Morning Meeting are a foundation for every lesson, every transition time, and every handling of conflict and resolution. It is a microcosm of the way we want our school to be—a community full of learning, safety and respect, and challenging for all.
Silent Sustained Reading (SSR)
Community Service
Crane values the importance of community service, from giving back to our own school community, to aiding those in need locally, regionally, and globally. Beginning in kindergarten, the entire Lower School participates in different programming throughout the year. Students in different grades may participate in the following activities: writing thank you notes to community members; campus-wide trash cleanup; conservation and sustainability efforts; projects at places including Direct Relief International, the Food Bank, and Friendship Center for seniors; writing letters to politicians concerning environmental concerns; and, raising support for micro-loans. As leaders of the Lower School, fifth graders have the added responsibility of collecting and removing recyclable materials for the entire school campus.
Peaceful Partners
Winter Sing
During the last week before winter break, the entire Lower School participates in the Winter Sing. Programming includes a medley of choreographed songs, including holiday favorites. Students prepare for this show during regular music classes following the Thanksgiving holiday. The program is shared twice—during school hours for the Upper School and Staffulty, and at an evening performance for parents.
Spring Study Week