Academics
Lower School
Lower School: Grades 1-4
Country School celebrates the exuberant curiosity of children. We believe true understanding is acquired when children have time to experiment, converse and create.
Engagement, Curiosity, Motivation and Hard Work
In Lower School, our students are developing focus and self-control. They are capable of a higher level of academic challenge while still experiencing the joy and wonder of learning. Our curriculum builds upon the foundational skills of literacy and computation through the exploration of literature, math, science, social studies and Spanish.
Just as important, through the use of class discussion, teachable moments and individual attention, our faculty helps students negotiate their budding social, emotional and behavioral growth.
Introduction, Practice, Mastery
Teachers intentionally design hands-on experiences and direct lessons to provoke thinking, engage conversations, foster relationships and connect ideas and concepts.
In Lower School, students continue to practice and master foundational skills while tackling more difficult concepts in deeper, more advanced levels of the same subject or in different situations in new subject matter.
Our subject-specific curricular objectives in the Lower School include:
- Language Arts: Learn to read effectively and write skillfully through a balanced approach that combines literature and phonics instruction.
- Mathematics: Learn math concepts using hands-on materials before being introduced to the corresponding abstract algorithms. Students use geometry, surveys, graphing, games and everyday problem-solving to make mathematics relevant to them.
- Science: Explore a variety of scientific fields, learning to observe and investigate the world around them.
- History and World Culture: Study cultural traditions, history, celebrations and stories which are integrated to complement social studies curriculum.
- Art/Music: Engage in movement, song and instrument play and begin to lay the groundwork for music literacy and aural skills. Older children play recorders and Orff instruments , sing in weekly chorus and are introduced to traditional band instruments.
- Foreign Language: Continue the study of Spanish, which is integrated into stories, songs, games and skits.
List of 1 members.
Mrs. Mallin's Corner
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Lower School Shares Silver Linings
Read MoreWhen Distance Learning began in Lower School, I gave my students an assignment: Have you ever heard the expression every cloud has a silver lining? It means that even during challenging situations, good things can come. The fact that we cannot be at school together is certainly a cloud! Your job is to think about what the silver linings are of our school buildings being closed. -
Hopes and Dreams in Lower School
Read MoreWhat a wonderful beginning we have shared! It has been a pleasure to welcome your children into our spaces and to have our classrooms and hallways properly buzzing with the joyful laughter and excited chatter of children. -
The Starfish Story: Making a Difference
Read MoreAt a recent assembly, I shared The Starfish Story with your children. For anyone unfamiliar, the story (adapted from The Star Thrower by Loren Eiseley), goes like this: -
The Gift is in the Giving
I wanted to share our latest Lower School community project with you, as we will be carrying it out in these weeks before break. If you have been to LS assembly, you have likely noticed that we always open our gathering with important messaging of community. We talk overtly about what it means to be kind, how we can practice gratitude, and what it means to be our best selves.Read More -
Only One You Project Rocks Lower School
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Lower School has engaged in an inspiring and dynamic community-building project that quite literally rocks. This project, stemmed from the book Only One You, by Linda Kranz, has culminated with the creation of a meaningful and child-centered Lower School rock garden, which has our mission at its heart. -
Grade 1 Immersions – Beginning with Mindfulness
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Immersions is a new curricular initiative for our Grade 1 students designed to offer enrichment learning experiences and a deeper-dive into aspects of our program. -
Making Maker Comes Alive in Grade 1
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Innovative, hands-on, challenging, and engaging. These are just a few of the words that can be used to describe the Grade 1 Maker Program.
Lower School News
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Grade 1 Present Community Helpers
Read MoreThe Grade 1 Community Helpers video is the culmination of the students’ social studies unit. This year, the scripts particularly focused on essential workers on the front lines of the pandemic. These community helpers include delivery workers, grocery and food service workers, healthcare workers, firefighters, facilities staff, educators and police officers. We are proud of our students for recognizing the good and vital work of these important community helpers. -
4th Graders Perform Greek Play, The Odyssey, Virtually
Read MoreThe play must go on!New Canaan Country School fourth graders kept a long-standing tradition alive, performing the annual Greek play, The Odyssey, June 4, using a variety of creative solutions. A much beloved rite of passage, the play culminates their grade-wide study of ancient Greece, Greek mythology and The Odyssey. -
Country School Third Graders Present Biography Unit in Character
William Shakespeare, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Leif Erickson and Amelia Earhart were among the famous people brought back to life by Country School third graders for a “wax museum” research and writing project, part of a biography unit that culminated June 4.Read More
Each student chose a famous figure, researched him/her and then wrote a speech summarizing the figure’s life and accomplishments. -
Lower School Assembly #2
Please enjoy our latest Virtual Lower School Assembly. We are so excited to share this laughter, joy, and the power of community connection with you all.Read More -
The Lower School Assembly is Back
Distance learning is not stopping the sense of Lower School community, or the joy they share together. Check out the first virtual assembly, complete with special guest Announcers, student shares, tips from Scout, an announcement from Mrs. Stevens, and more!Read More
