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.
- World Language: Continue the study of Spanish, which is integrated into stories, songs, games and skits.
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Mrs. Mallin's Corner
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Lower School March Math-ness: Let the Games Begin!
The arrival of March meant only one thing for New Canaan Country School’s Lower School (Grades 1-4) families: March Math-ness! Designed to engage family and friends of all ages in a celebration of math fundamentals, the daily activities were held at-home with video tutorials and a packet containing necessary materials provided in advance.Read More
Lower School News
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Third Graders Bring to Life Iconic Trailblazers in “Wax Museum” Research Project
Read MoreLaura Ingalls Wilder, Steve Irwin 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 1.Each student chose a famous figure, researched and then wrote a speech summarizing the figure’s life and accomplishments, and finally, memorized the speech.
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New Canaan Country School 4th Graders Restock River with Salmon
Read MoreNew Canaan Country School fourth grade students traveled to the Salmon River State Forest in East Hampton, Conn where they carefully released baby salmon— or fry—into the river’s tributary, May 26. The salmon release was the final step in a scientific study of salmon, ecology and environmental issues.“I loved releasing the salmon,” said Henry Monteone. "It was really special to release an endangered species into the wild,” added Daniel Bowling.
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NCCS Third Graders Recreate a Turn of the Century Ellis Island Experience
Read MoreThird graders at New Canaan Country School experienced what it might have been like to immigrate to America at the turn of the century. The hands-on learning simulation is part of the third grade’s cultural identity study on the “Peopling of America.”Assigned various personas, such as a Greek peddler, a French dressmaker and Polish sweatshop worker, students dressed in character and attempted to navigate their way through a re-created version of the famous Ellis Island inspection station. Faculty, acting as immigration officials and health inspectors, asked them some of the 29 questions typical of those posed to travelers of the period, such as “Who paid for your passage?” “What is the condition of your health?” and “Are you able to read and write?” -
Fourth Graders Honor Local Indian Culture & History
New Canaan Country School fourth grade students shared stories, songs, dances, history, reflections and displays of hand-made work with members of the Lower School community at a special American Indians assembly, held Feb. 23. The activities were the culmination of their half-year inter-disciplinary study and showcased their extensive knowledge of the local Indigenous people who once populated our area.Read More -
NCCS First Graders Celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Rabbit
Country School first graders celebrated the Lunar Year with a dragon parade, a fan dance, songs and a skit at their weekly Lower School Assembly.Read More
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New Canaan Country School
New Canaan Country School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin and are afforded all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid policies or any other school-administered programs.
