DAWNING
Lower School Curriculum
Few phases of life are as exciting as the early years when “education” begins to take root. Maret’s Lower School appreciates that the time is ripe to instill the love of learning. From kindergarten through fourth grade, our full-day program provides a nurturing, stimulating environment that’s essential for cultivating enthusiastic students. Language arts, social studies, technology, and math are taught in self-contained classes. Resource teachers illuminate the joys of science, music and art, library skills, and physical education. Subjects are thoughtfully sequenced and carefully integrated, the better to reinforce the connections made and the lessons learned. Parents share their children’s progress through thrice-yearly teacher conferences and an annual in-depth, narrative report. Of course, ongoing, less formal communication is always encouraged.
Small classes, individual attention and classroom content tailored to developmental needs: these are hallmarks of Maret’s Lower School. Each child is unique, and that individuality is lauded. From kindergarten on, students are encouraged to appreciate and respect the special qualities they and their classmates, teachers, and families contribute to the Maret community.
These are years of emerging self-confidence, and the opportunity for self-expression, performance, and presentation abound. Lower school children might work collaboratively to craft a play to entertain their class, deliver an oral presentation on a topic of their choice, or develop a story and delight in acclaim as an author. From the earliest ages, budding scientists learn the thrill of hands-on experiments and take pride in presenting their results to classmates.
Maret students are techno-savvy from a very early age. Every lower school classroom has computers with age-appropriate internet access. State-of-the-art computer labs support emerging technical skills. Nor has the value of the printed word been overlooked. Our colorful new lower school library brims with books and periodicals, inviting young readers to lose themselves in the simple pleasure of reading.
