Lower School

Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Through Fifth Grade

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.

Social Emotional Learning

Lower School strives to develop the whole child, which includes an intentional and thoughtful emphasis on Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). Every day, whether during classroom instruction or less structured activities such as recess or lunch, students have opportunities to develop and fine-tune their SEL skills. Each Lower School classroom has a Lead Teacher and a full-time Assistant Teacher, many with extensive training in the Responsive Classroom model. All teachers appreciate the value of building a safe and nurturing classroom community. Every day begins with a morning meeting in each classroom, a favorite routine filled with activities that give students a chance to share and connect with others. Lessons on mindfulness and the regulation of daily emotions are other important components of Lower School SEL. The Zones of Regulation lessons provide a common framework for students to recognize, express and discuss their emotions with parents, teachers, counselors and classmates.

Lower School has two full-time counselors who guide and support the SEL needs of our students. Counselors partner with students, teachers and families to navigate the school year while promoting the growth and well-being of all. They spend quality time in classrooms, teach character education lessons, work with students individually and in groups and consult with parents, professionals and faculty members.

Math

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

Language Arts

Providence Day School's Lower School literacy program begins in Transitional Kindergarten and is built on structured literacy principles. Teachers implement a systematic and explicit approach to foster key skills such as phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

As students advance from kindergarten through fifth grade, the curriculum focuses on fluent decoding and language comprehension while enhancing vocabulary and background knowledge. Students are encouraged to express their thoughts by writing about their reading experiences. They engage with a variety of genres through read-alouds, small group sessions, and individual instruction, all designed to deepen their understanding of texts and literacy skills. Lower School’s structured literacy approach aims to nurture capable and confident lifelong readers and writers.

Science

Lower School science uses inquiry-based methodology to nurture the inherent curiosity of students. This approach empowers students to rely on their own reasoning, rather than seeking answers from teachers. Lower School students are presented with open-ended challenges that foster collaboration. Additionally, science teachers model the scientific method, emphasizing process over product. Lower School students have fun while exploring!

Social Studies

Our Lower School social studies curriculum allows students to explore their identities, experiences, and contributions as part of the Providence Day family, the Charlotte community, and the world in which they live. Beginning in Transitional Kindergarten, students learn about family and community and are introduced to cultures around the world during the TK Goes Global unit. The social studies curriculum is thoughtfully constructed to build upon the year(s) before and offers more expansive and detailed lessons that highlight diversity in different countries and cultures. Each grade level has its own focus, with unique projects and activities, to engage and educate its students so they are better prepared citizens of the world.

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