Lower School

Grades Transitional Kindergarten - 5

Relationships serve as the foundation of every child’s life and learning experience. Our sense of community establishes a caring learning environment throughout the school. The pathways to each child’s future are carved by movement, engagement, collaboration, intentional design, and the use of technology as learning tools. This is where the magic of learning begins!

LEARNING DESIGN

We strive to nurture the whole child socially, emotionally, physically, and cognitively in a creative, engaging, and innovative manner. Our ultimate goal is to develop great global citizens through exposure to diverse cultures, collaborative learning experiences, and concepts such as STEAM through a differentiated instructional approach.

Technology is widely used as a tool to enhance learning. iPads and other devices are appropriately used as learning tools to enhance student learning. A passion for learning in a supportive, nurturing environment prepares students in an exciting way for their world!

headdshot of Erin Harper again brick and tile background on Lower School playground

Erin Harper
Head of Lower School

Jenny Tucker
Assistant Head of Lower School
for Student Life

headdshot of Pam Heacock against brick and tile background on Lower School playground

Pam HeacockAssistant Head of Lower School for Curriculum and Instructional Coaching

Teachers on stage holding signs and a giant key demonstrating The Charger Way — Social Responsibility and Character Education
A sense of social responsibility is woven throughout the curriculum at Providence Day. We emphasize cultivating a sense of connection to our community and the world, and taking action to improve the lives of others. In Lower School, students explore gratitude, reflection, and service projects. Character education is a curricular focus, with children focusing on the essential character traits of Respect, Confidence, Courage, Perseverance, and Empathy. Faculty mount an annual assembly with skits demonstrating the lessons learned through “King Character.” Students also learn the essentials of the Charger Code, which provides guidance through every grade at Providence Day.

Lower School boy with books and smiling at the camera — Global Curriculum
A global perspective is woven throughout the Lower School learning experience. This program is enhanced by our innovative World Language studies program. Students are exposed to French, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese during their earliest years. Prior to entering Second Grade, one language of study is selected for the remaining four years of Lower School. We offer a proficiency-based World Language curriculum that continues through graduation. Additionally, in each grade from TK through 5, students complete projects focused on learning about a different area of the world.

Lower School students in the classroom with some students in the Learning Loft — Learning Loft for TK & K
Providence Day created the Learning Loft to co-explore the learning experience with children in grades TK and K. Activities are structured to provoke ideas, problem-solving, and conflict resolution. Activities are student-driven as children are welcomed to play, create, and interact in THEIR space. The space allows for collaborative projects; blocks and Legos; tinkering space where their imagination is the limit; art using many different media; small-group work to build on literacy and math concepts; work display areas; and a variety of STEAM concepts.

Math In Focus

Providence Day uses the concepts of Singapore Math for grades K through 5. This method teaches the "why" and "how" behind mathematical concepts; builds a strong foundation of number sense including relationships between numbers; encourages problem solving strategies with an emphasis on bar modeling in grades 2-5; and incorporates whole group, partner work, small group, and independent practice in math instruction.

Language Arts

Providence Day School emphasizes structured literacy principles for language arts in Lower School. Beginning in Transitional Kindergarten, teachers use a systematic and explicit approach to build a strong foundation in phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. In Grades 2-5, the literacy program expands to teach more advanced skills including fluent word recognition and reading comprehension. Students are exposed to a wide variety of genres with a global lens; experience whole group, small group, and individual instruction; have opportunities to hone their skills through interactive read-alouds, shared reading, guided reading, independent reading, and book clubs; and benefit from diverse texts and lessons designed to get students talking, reading, reflecting, and writing. The goal is that every Lower School student builds literacy skills to be a capable and confident lifelong reader and writer.

Science

In the Lower School Science Lab, we use the Inquiry Based Methodology, which dovetails with our core belief of nurturing the passionate curiosity each of our students innately possess. We do this by modeling acceptance, kindness and tolerance for one another and appreciating individual differences; empowering students to rely on their brains and not look to teachers for answers; presenting open-ended challenges for students to solve; expecting students to work collaboratively (because in science, ideas are shared); modeling the scientific method and focusing on process rather than product; and most importantly, laughing and having fun together!