Upper Elementary Program

Grade two boys focus on building strong reading comprehension skills as well as increasing their ability to communicate effectively through oral and written expression. Phonemic awareness lessons continue based on the program Project Read. Literature includes biography, realistic fiction, historical fiction, mystery, and humor selections. Poetry is explored through a Poet-in-Residence program in the spring.

Grammar and spelling are taught and practiced using carefully constructed written paragraphs. The writing process is taught and modeled throughout the year culminating in a research project based on the boys' study of immigration. Handwriting skills are refined, and cursive writing is introduced during the second grade year.

The second grade year emphasizes increasing number sense and building confidence with basic mathematical operations. Addition and subtraction with regrouping are introduced and mathematical reasoning becomes a new focus. Units include place value, time, money, graphing, pattern recognition, estimation, operations with addition, subtraction, and multiplication; fractions; and basic geometry.

The boys are introduced to a number of problem-solving strategies including guess and check, draw a picture, create a chart, and act it out. Their work helps prepare them for more complex problem-solving and reasoning activities in third grade.

The second grade year weaves a theme of migration and immigration into all subject matter. The boys practice map and globe skills, learning directions, longitude and latitude lines, continent locations, and more. They then use this information to create a reference book with links on their iPads.

The boys learn the reasons behind the movement of cultural groups and individuals worldwide. They research their own family story and share their rich cultural heritage with each other. Students learn about the process of immigration through a series of guest speakers and a trip to a Naturalization Ceremony at the Baltimore courthouse. They research the process early immigrants went through at Ellis and Angel Islands. This year-long study culminates in a special "Immigration Day" each spring. The boys role play as first class or steerage passengers coming across the ocean to find a new life in America.

Second grade students explore igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rock, looking at erosion and how it changes landscapes. They create a landform that has all the different types of rocks and shows how erosion changes land.

They also study states of matter, looking at physical and chemical changes. This is a favorite unit for many boys because they get to physically create chemical and physical reactions. Similar to first grade, they end the year with a unit called "My Universe," which takes them from space to the atmosphere and weather changes across the globe to seed dispersal and garden planting and cultivating. At the conclusion of this unit, students will focus on recycling efforts by local organizations and explore how they can contribute, thereby becoming good stewards of our land.

Students continue to work with the pitches learned in first grade but add the new note re to create a pentatone (a group of five pitches used in many folk songs worldwide). Later in the year, they also add notes that create an extended pentatone with some higher and lower pitches that are essential for their grade-level repertoire.

Their rhythmic skill set also increases to include the half note and half rest, whole note and whole rest, and dotted half note. The time signature of 3/4 is revealed, and students are introduced to basic conducting skills in 2/4, 3/4, and 4/4 time. Simple rounds and partner songs expose students to the basics of harmony. More emphasis is added to reading, writing, and composing simple melodies and rhythms.

Boys explore a variety of well-known artists and artworks, including Jacob Lawrence's "The Migration Series," Paul Cezanne's still life paintings, and the iconic "Starry Night" by Vincent Van Gogh. The boys begin the year looking at landscape art. They delve into the creative process as they design their own whimsical landscapes using a variety of lines and color. Through this project, the boys build their art vocabulary and learn the technique of resist painting.

Modern art is explored through the study of Henri Matisse. The boys create a watercolor and marker project entitled "Cat on a Mat." One of several sculpture projects for the year is a puppet created using mixed media based on the work of Marc Chagall. The results are always as distinctive and original as the young artists themselves.

Second grade boys receive 45 minutes of instruction eight days out of the ten-day cycle. Homerooms rotate through swimming every four days. The aquatic component stresses water safety, coordination, and skill development.

Grammar lessons and the performance of dialogs become part of the curriculum in second grade.

Boys learn to follow pattern designs, shape and texture wood with rasps, hammers, and nails, and join wood pieces. Boys practice keeping physical balance while accomplishing tasks with manipulation tools like a hand saw, file, and abrasive paper. Examples of projects include a cat-whale pencil holder, key holder, and train.

Grade two boys will explore the characteristics of nonfiction and fiction books, contrasting selections from both genres in a single unit of study. The students also research topics using age-appropriate databases.

The grade two experience is highlighted by a number of signature events including:

• Experiencing a Naturalization Ceremony
• Immigration Day
• Class Play
• Class Trip to the Baltimore Museum of Art
• Fourth Grade Little Buddies

Grade three boys focus on building comprehension skills, making connections, and learning to distinguish between, and appreciate, a wide variety of genres. Vocabulary is expanded and critical thinking is practiced through the reading of novels in small groups. A biography unit early in the year culminates in a "Wax Museum" presentation. Other genres include historical fiction, realistic fiction, mystery, humor, fantasy, myths, and poetry. Monthly "book clubs" give the boys more choices in their selections and smaller group discussions of themes, plot, and character development.

The boys develop their writing skills and understanding of grammar rules using the writer's workshop method. Genres include personal narrative, research reports based on social studies topics, poetry, and "Pourquoi" tales. Opinion writing and other topics are integrated into the reading and social studies curriculums.

Third grade boys practice and master a number of math skills learned in second grade. The units are cross-curricular; for example, integrating with social studies, boys use real data from national parks as they work on problem-solving skills. The Iditarod Sled Dog Race in Alaska provides real-life data as they problem-solve and analyze race-related data.

Math topics covered include: area and perimeter, graphing, time (elapsed time, military time), money (counting and making change), measuring angles, and analyzing data (mean, median, mode, and range). Boys also cover multi-step multiplication (two- and three-digit by two-digit), long division (one- and two-digit divisors into two- to three-digit dividends), and basic operations with fractions.

The third grade social studies curriculum features three major areas of study: regional geography of the United States, Native Americans, and Lewis and Clark:

• Regional geography of the United States focuses on the geographic features of the country. Students learn about the National Park Service and begin collecting Junior Ranger badges. In addition, the boys look at landforms, learn to use a compass, and try their skills at memorizing all fifty states and capitals.
• A study of Native Americans includes a look at the prehistoric and historic cultures of the Native Americans with a regional overview. This unit allows the boys some choice in their studies. They select a cultural area and pick a tribe to learn about in depth. This results in a research report and the creation of an artifact for display.
• The final unit includes reading the journals of Lewis and Clark and creating a simulation of the Corps of Discovery around Gilman's campus.

Grade three boys examine the earth's four spheres, cells and heredity, and simple machines. They learn about the four spheres (atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere), and how they are part of the delicate interconnected system that drives all living and nonliving things on our planet, examining in depth the five layers of the atmosphere, the water cycle, the layers of earth, plate tectonics, volcanoes, the eight major land biomes, and what defines an ecosystem.

The cell and heredity study focuses on plant and animal cells. Boys learn basic parts of the plant and animal cell: cell membrane, cell wall, cytoplasm, chloroplasts, nucleus, and organelles. Students also learn that DNA contains our genes and our genes carry our traits or heredity from our parents.

The boys identify and provide examples in their daily lives of the six simple machines: ramp/incline planes, wedge, screw, lever, pulley, and wheel and axle. They understand how simple machines work and that they make our lives easier, and explore the equation: work = force x distance. Their final challenge is to design, plan, and create a Rube Goldberg machine using at least three simple machines.

Students add to their expanding knowledge of music theory both rhythmically and melodically. They identify the sixteenth note ("ti-ki-ti-ki"), along with the sixteenth and eighth note combination rhythms of "ti ti-ki" and "ti-ki ti." Melodically, they continue to work the extended pentatone in many ways, including reading, writing, and composing.

Third grade also begins their journey with the recorder. The boys learn the "absolute pitches," also known as the alphabet letter names. These skills with the recorder help to prepare them for their choice of instruments in fifth grade.

The third grade program explores the art of world cultures. Students examine traditional art from Native Americans as well as the art of Australia's aboriginal people. The boys review art vocabulary and learn new words and concepts. Gesture drawing is introduced, and students learn the art of drawing a figure from life.

The boys also look at the art inspired by carnivals around the world, and they create elaborate carnival masks based on the costumes designed by artists each year for parades. The artist Gustav Klimt, known for his lavish paintings using gold and metallic paint, inspires "Tree of Life" paintings by the boys. Students are introduced to pottery hand-building construction using the coil method. They look at Native American pots and create a unique coil pot in traditional red clay.

Third grade boys receive 45 minutes of instruction eight days out of the ten-day cycle. Homerooms rotate through swimming every four days. The aquatic component stresses water safety, coordination, and skill development.

Third grade boys learn to follow pattern designs, shape and texture wood with rasps, hammers, and nails, and join wood pieces. They locate the center point of a base using intersecting points of two diagonal lines. Examples of projects include a fish weather vane, a Viking ship, birdhouse, and basket weaving.

Third grade boys begin to add structure to their thoughts and dialogs. Grammar lessons continue and may relate to geography and vacation during this year.

Grade three boys define and develop research questions and use appropriate search strategies to locate and explore sources. The students work on note-taking and citing their sources. The third grade boys enjoy selecting a wide variety of material for their reading pleasure.

The grade three experience is highlighted by a number of signature events including:

• Wax Museum
• Iditarod Banquet
• Marshy Point and Harper's Ferry Trip
• Poetry Coffee Houses
• Lewis and Clark Day of Exploration
• Big Buddies to Prep-One and Kindergarten

Grade four boys focus on reading actively and critically. Independent reading, whole group reading with discussion, and literature circles are all methods used to promote strong comprehension and critical thinking skills. Novels are selected based on the boys' interests and level of challenge. Most writing is done through small reading groups.

The boys learn to compose in-depth responses to their reading, explore the writing process through a writer's workshop method involving drafting and revision, and build research skills through a multi-paragraph research report.

Fourth grade math emphasizes building on the boy's understanding of basic mathematical concepts and increasing his ability to problem-solve using a wide variety of strategies. Math units include place value (including decimals), number theory, operations with whole numbers and decimals, fraction basics, adding and subtracting fractions, patterns, estimation, data and graphing, measurement, and basic geometry.

Fourth grade boys focus on the study of Maryland, building on basic geography terms introduced in third grade, and learning about the wonderful resource of the Chesapeake Bay. Boys study the first people of Maryland, through Colonial times, to present day Maryland government. They travel to St. Mary's City to explore firsthand the early life of the colony and embark on a sea adventure through Living Classrooms to explore the complexity of the Chesapeake Bay.

Essential skills introduced through the social studies curriculum include note-taking, synthesizing and evaluating pertinent information, and organizing ideas for oral and written presentations. The boys read about current events through TIME for Kids and Newsela on the iPad.

Grade four boys study vertebrates, invertebrates, electricity and circuitry, and bones and muscles.

The boys learn the common characteristics that identify phylum Chordata (vertebrates) as members of one of the five vertebrate groups: fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. We examine the differences between group characteristics and animal adaptations, as well as what all animals need to survive: food, water, shelter, and space. They explore simple and complex invertebrates. We examine the interesting and sometimes creepy world of mollusks, annelids, cnidarians, and arthropods, focusing on group characteristics, habitats, and body symmetry. The unit concludes with a squid dissection.

Boys are introduced to and explore electricity and circuitry. They learn that energy must go in a loop or circuit. Through hands-on projects, the boys learn about and create series and parallel circuits. They make open and closed circuits by adding switches. Additionally, the boys deconstruct electronic toys to explore the wiring inside. Finally, using a shoe box, the boys plan, design, wire, and create a special room with working lights that use both series and parallel circuits.

Boys are required to learn all the bones of the human skeleton. They learn the function of the skeletal system and the four types of bones and their important jobs. They also examine ligaments, tendons, and muscles and how they work together with our bones to allow us to move. They review the four major types of joints: ball and socket, hinge, pivot, and gliding, and where they can be found.

Students are very excited to learn the final two notes of the major scale: fa and ti. They have been waiting patiently to add these to their collection, and once learned, they are able to read, write, and perform music with a full eight-note scale. Boys are also introduced to the minor scale, which begins and ends on la.

Rhythmically, they continue to increase their vocabulary by adding more complex dotted rhythms and the meters of 3/8 and 6/8. This year brings with it a study of several truly American forms of music — blues, jazz, and rock and roll, from the roots music of Delta Blues to Elvis Presley's toe-tapping "Hound Dog." Students gain an understanding of the evolution of music in the United States. The boys also continue to work with their recorders in preparation for the fifth grade instrumental program.

Fourth grade boys work with measurement accuracy. The learn knot tying, and gain practice with the drill, saw, backsaw, and stippling. Examples of projects include wind chimes, climbing bears, and a marble maze.

The fourth grade art program explores the many styles of local architecture. The boys look at many examples and create a drawing using some of the many shapes and architectural elements commonly found on Victorian homes. The results are humor-filled houses complete with pop-up doors and windows.

The boys also look at Asian art. They create lively paper dragons in honor of the Chinese New Year and paint monochromatic landscapes based on the work from China's Song Dynasty. In addition, the boys create exciting wire sculptures and landscapes inspired by ancient Chinese art. These sculptures are then electrified using simple circuitry learned in science class.

Fourth grade boys receive 45 minutes of instruction eight days out of the ten-day cycle. Homerooms rotate through swimming every four days. The aquatic component stresses water safety, coordination, and skill development. In grades four and five the boys are introduced to water polo and compete in an intramural tournament each spring.

Fourth grade boys continue to add structure to their thoughts and dialogs. Grammar lessons continue.

Grade four boys delve into biographical research and focus on innovators. Students continue to refine their research skills as they examine, select, and utilize sources tailored to their questions. Fourth grade boys also locate and read award-winning literature.

The grade four experience is highlighted by a number of signature events including:

• Overnight to St. Mary's City
• Genesee Valley Day Trip
• Class Plays
• Book Talks with Bryn Mawr School
• International 4th/5th Soccer Tournament
• Math Fair
• Living Classrooms Trip
• Big Buddies to Second Grade

Fifth grade builds on the reading and writing skills taught and practiced in grade four. Spelling, writing, and grammar are taught in homerooms while reading comprehension skills, constructed written responses, and vocabulary are explored in four smaller, heterogeneous reading groups. Novels are selected based on genre, links to interdisciplinary units, and complexity of ideas. Examples of genres include: fantasy, historical fiction, graphic novels, and realistic fiction.

During this last year of Lower School, the boys are challenged to think critically and express their ideas both orally and in written form. Through the writer's workshop model, the boys learn to brainstorm, draft, revise, and confer about their writing.

Boys build a sound conceptual understanding of mathematical concepts introduced in third and fourth grades. They master whole number and decimal operations as well as gain a broad understanding of number theory as applied to work with fractions. Problem-solving skills are practiced routinely, and group work is employed to tackle complex, multi-step challenges. Classes are homogeneously grouped in order to allow boys to move at a pace that works best for their learning styles and comfort level.

Math units include: place value (including decimals), number theory, operations with whole numbers and decimals, fraction basics, all operations with fractions, percents, the relationship between percent/decimal/fraction, ratio and proportions, estimation, patterns, measurement, basic geometry, and area/perimeter of geometric shapes.

Boys study the Colonial Period up to and including the Revolutionary War. Joy Hakim's text, Making Thirteen Colonies, is used as a framework for study. Emphasis is on using primary source documents to understand the early formation of our country.

Big ideas include basic human rights, the function of government, how trade and economics impact society, and the meaning of dissension. Research projects, written essay responses, debates, and discussions form the basis of assessment. Every year in May the boys present their knowledge of the Colonial period by hosting a "Colonial Day." There are musical performances, re-enactments, and a debate between colonists and loyalists.

Boys in grade five will complete the following units of study: chemistry, bridges, water, respiration and circulation systems, and garden. Students begin by identifying and defining matter and its properties, learn to read the periodic table, and examine the atom, subatomic particles, atomic structure, molecules, compounds, mixtures, phases of matter, and chemical and physical changes.

In the bridges unit, students explore the physics of bridge building, studying the design and history of three bridge types: beam, arch, and suspension. The boys are introduced to the forces that affect all bridges: compression and tension.

The water unit is cross-curricular. In science, we look at the freshwater crisis on our planet. The boys learn that 0.007% of the planet's water is available to feed and fuel 6.8 billion people that live here. Boys examine the water cycle and how humans impact it. The boys look at freshwater usage and how this affects water quality and supply. They examine freshwater privatization and water as a catalyst for wealth, power, and war.

Students explore the anatomy, physiology, and functions of the lungs, heart, and blood vessels and blood.

Fifth graders contribute to the Lower School garden, with particular attention paid to the colonial herb garden they will use in their study of Colonial America.

In fifth grade, the program changes from general music to a two-fold choral and instrumental program. All boys study a woodwind or brass family band instrument, which culminates in a Fifth Grade Band performance in the spring.

The students also sing in the Fifth Grade Chorus, a performance-based ensemble that is asked to perform at various schoolwide events throughout the year. The boys learn a more complicated repertoire, from unison singing to three-part harmony. They refine their skills through extensive warm-ups and tone development meant to prepare their voices for a lifetime of singing.

The grade five program explores a variety of world art including the art of Ancient Egypt and mask-making from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The boys study architecture as an art form and artistic expression. Their task is to create a work inspired by the architectural masterpiece: St. Basil's Cathedral of Moscow.

Using watercolor, pencil, and metallic paints, the boys design their own masterpieces. The boys are challenged to create a mask design using a simple embossing technique. They look at masks from the Democratic Republic of Congo for inspiration. Our fifth grade art program culminates with an autobiographical figurative sculpture made from wire and plaster. These "self-portraits" reflect the diversity of interests held by our fifth grade boys.

Fifth grade boys continue to add structure to their thoughts and dialogs. Grammar lessons continue.

Fifth grade boys receive 45 minutes of instruction eight days out of the ten-day cycle. Homerooms rotate through swimming every four days. The aquatic component stresses water safety, coordination, and skill development. In grades four and five the boys are introduced to water polo and compete in an intramural tournament each spring.

Fifth grade boys build on the skills of previous grades and take on greater challenges. They work with measurement, finding centers and points of reference, and enlarging a drawing to scale. They use a bench plane, scroll saw, and a stationary drill press for the construction of a lamp, which they then learn to wire using a simple circuit. Examples of projects include a tool box, a working lamp, and a schoolhouse clock.

Grade five boys will refine and develop their research skills through historical research projects. Students also work on identifying age-appropriate authors and building their knowledge of a wide variety of literary genres.

The grade five experience is highlighted by a number of signature events including:

• Four-day/three-night trip to Echo Hill Outdoor School
• Class Plays
• Little Buddies to First Grade
• Faculty vs. Fifth Grade Basketball Game
• Overnight Trip to Yorktown, Jamestown, and Williamsburg
• International 4th/5th Soccer Tournament
• Colonial Day