Curriculum by the Grades

Lower Grades

In the lower grades, learning unfolds through rich stories, meaningful experiences, and the gradual development of academic skills. Each year meets the child’s stage of growth, weaving literacy, math, and cultural studies with imagination and hands-on exploration. The curriculum builds steadily from foundational skills to deeper understanding, nurturing confidence and curiosity.

First Grade: Introduction to letters and writing through story and picture; phonics and sight vocabulary; fairy tales and nature stories; simple addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
Second Grade: Expanded writing and reading; cursive writing; beginning grammar; fables and saints’ legends; arithmetic with larger numbers; numerical patterns and forms; times tables.
Third Grade: Composition, reading, speech; Old Testament stories; cursive writing continues; farming and gardening; shelter and building; arithmetic with complicated numbers and practical examples; measurement (time, money, weights), grammar (basic parts of speech, sentence building and structure, punctuation and capitalization), reading and writing music.
Fourth Grade: Composition, letter writing, alliterative poetry; grammar (tenses, more parts of speech); Norse mythology and other northern European sagas; Native American legends; local geography and history; fractions; animals in relation to the human being.

Upper Grades

In the upper grades, students deepen their intellectual capacities while strengthening independence and critical thinking. The curriculum integrates humanities, sciences, and mathematics through rich historical themes, hands-on inquiry, and creative expression. Each grade invites students to connect knowledge across disciplines, preparing them with both strong academic foundations and a growing sense of purpose.

Fifth Grade: Composition and continuing grammar studies; mythology of ancient civilizations (India, Persia, Babylonia, Egypt and Greece); North American geography; botany; review of fractions, the metric system, decimals.
Sixth Grade: Composition; public speaking; Roman and early Medieval history; European geography; geology; physics (optics, heat and acoustics); astronomy; constructive geometry; mathematical word problems; business math and algebra (interest, percentage, discount).
Seventh Grade: Creative writing; Renaissance culture, the Reformation, the age of exploration; South American geography; physics (heat and mechanics); inorganic chemistry; nutrition and physiology; algebra.
Eighth Grade: Practical writing; Shakespeare; history from the Age of Revolution to the present; world geography (Africa, Asia and Australia); physics (electricity and magnetism); organic chemistry, algebra; solid geometry; meteorology and climatology.

Daily Rhythm and Specialty Subjects

In addition to the comprehensive academic curriculum, all children receive training in vocal and instrumental music, Spanish and Mandarin for their foreign language study, painting and drawing, modeling, woodworking (upper grades), handcrafts (e.g. knitting, crocheting, embroidering, sewing), orchestra, dramatic arts, games and movement education. 

 

Rhythm is central to our curriculum since predictable daily, weekly, and seasonal patterns help children feel secure, calm, and ready to learn. By gently balancing activity with rest and movement with stillness, rhythm supports healthy development, self-regulation, and emotional well-being. In this way, rhythm becomes an invisible structure that nurtures confidence, focus, and inner harmony.

Copy of correctedSSOM102
Spanish / Mandarin: Students begin learning both languages in First Grade through songs, stories, and cultural experiences, with oral skills gradually expanding into reading and writing as they grow. Language learning nurtures flexible thinking, empathy, and an appreciation for diverse cultures and perspectives.
gardening
Gardening / Nature Studies: Through hands-on work in the garden on a weekly basis and regular outdoor observation, students develop care, patience, and a sense of responsibility for the living world. These experiences connect academic learning to real life, deepening ecological awareness and fostering a meaningful relationship with nature.
Music: Music is woven into daily life from Kindergarten onward, with students beginning the pentatonic flute in First Grade and moving to recorder in Third. The Strings Program starts in Fourth Grade with violin, expanding in Fifth to include viola, cello, or double bass, and culminating in full orchestra participation in middle school - nurturing discipline and joyful collaboration.
Copy of correctedSSOM064
Handwork: Beginning in Kindergarten with finger knitting and simple sewing, Handwork grows through the grades to include knitting, crochet, embroidery, and machine sewing. Handwork strengthens concentration, coordination, and mathematical thinking while cultivating perseverance, patience, and confidence through the creative process.
Woodwork: Introduced in Sixth Grade, Woodwork invites students to design and build increasingly complex projects using real tools and traditional techniques. This hands-on discipline develops precision, problem-solving, and resilience, while fostering respect for materials and pride in meaningful craftsmanship.
Movement: Through games, coordination work, and purposeful activities, Movement supports healthy physical development, balance, and spatial awareness. Regular movement also nourishes focus, social skills, and readiness for academic learning.
Copy of correctedSSOM100
Arts: Drawing, painting, modeling, and other visual arts are woven throughout the curriculum not only as creative expression but as a way to deepen understanding. Artistic processes help students internalize academic content, strengthen observation, and engage thinking, feeling, and willing - supporting learning that is both meaningful and lasting.
Copy of correctedSSOM079
Dramatic Arts / Class Plays: Through storytelling, role-play, and performances, students step into language and character in a living way. The process builds confidence, empathy, collaboration, and clear communication while strengthening memory and presence.
Rhythm: Daily and seasonal rhythms—greetings, verses, festivals, and shared responsibilities—create a predictable flow that supports focus and well-being. This steady structure nurtures a sense of security so learning can unfold.