K-4课程

Our comprehensive approach to literacy incorporates phonemic awareness, 看字读音, 流利, 词汇表, 和理解. 教师经过专门培训，可以使用系统和明确的语音教学来提供差异化的教学, individualized 词汇表 tools, 语法的训练, 以及哥伦比亚大学教师学院提高读写能力项目最新更新的学习单元. 每个教室都有一个图书馆，里面摆满了各种类型的小说和非小说类书籍，这些书籍充满了不同的角色，吸引了所有阅读水平的孩子，并支持学生的选择. Utilizing the reciprocal relationship between reading and 写作, 学生获得技能和信心，因为他们培养了对各种形式的识字的热情.

In 较低的学校 数学, students learn the "why" behind the "how," which results in deeper 数学ematical thinking far beyond rote procedural 流利. 这种学习模式要求学生首先发展他们的数学推理能力，然后再将他们的理解与概念和技能联系起来. Teachers use direct instruction, differentiated small groups, independent practice, 还有亲身体验, collaborative approach to develop and build 数学ematical understanding. Guided by the Into 数学 program from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 学生们看到数学在日常生活中的重要性，并学习鼓励适应力的成长心态策略, 批判性思维, 和解决问题.

The 社会研究 program uses the LifeReady 框架和国家标准，以帮助学生发展的理解和知识，需要在不断变化的世界积极参与. 每年, 学生建立在他们之前的知识和扩大他们对总体概念和思想的理解. What is the relationship between people, place, and environment? How can perspective impact someone’s understanding of 历史? What are my rights and the rights of others? 

Children are asked to reflect on these big ideas while exploring areas of community, 气候, 地理位置, 政府系统, 历史, 和改变, 在许多其他方面. Through this inquiry-based approach, students learn to think critically, consider issues from various perspectives, 问题, and see connections across all subject areas.

低年级的科学和工程课程建立在学生最常问的问题上:“为什么??"经验, 动手程序激发他们与生俱来的好奇心，并向他们介绍生命科学的基础知识, 物理科学, 地球科学, 机器人, 编码, 和工程. Children learn to problem-solve by observing, 预测, 处理, and analyzing data about the world around them.

With a focus on comprehension and communication, 低年级学生从学前班开始学习西班牙语，一直持续到四年级. Through predictable routines and rituals including daily conversation, 讲故事, songs and authentic cultural experiences, students become active and engaged participants in their learning. 一路走来, 他们开始更频繁、更自信地使用语言的关键概念进行交流. 教师让学生了解西班牙语世界的丰富多样性和遗产，并努力通过各种方式将他们与母语人士联系起来.

低年级全球联系项目的主要目标是帮助麦克唐纳最年轻的学习者了解他们是一个庞大的世界的组成部分, interconnected global community. 学生们开始探索他们与世界各地社区的异同. This awareness is crucial in the development of kind, resilient learners and thoughtful, 意识到公民. 另外, the Global Connections program creates an intentional space for students, 教师, and staff to share their own cultural heritage and traditions. 这加强和庆祝了我们在使命中努力争取的多元化和包容性社区.

麦克唐纳的低年级教学技术计划旨在帮助学生成为自信和有能力的导航不断变化的数字宇宙. They learn to safely and responsibly explore school-curated resources and applications, communicate and collaborate effectively with peers and teachers, and confidently create and share their work. 课程和使用是适合年龄的，并与课堂课程相一致，以提高学生的学习.

学生 in prekindergarten through prefirst can access iPads in their classrooms, while first through fourth graders work on Chromebooks that include tablet capabilities. 互联网安全和数字公民是低年级技术课程的主要重点. 

学生发现表演艺术的乐趣，并通过节奏获得终身音乐学习和理解的坚实基础, 伴奏, 唱歌, 创建, 移动, 听, 和即兴演奏. 艺术家在培养天赋的同时，也在鼓励冒险和探索的环境中发现了以前未知的能力. 表演艺术课程还通过戏剧和运动为基础的活动和探索提供了与同龄人合作和创造的机会. 那些渴望成长和磨练自己音乐技能的学生也可以选择在上学期间参加个人音乐课.

In third and fourth grade, students have the opportunity to select additional 表演艺术 elective classes.  每次会议都不一样, but offerings such as choir, 戏剧, 鼓队, 字符串, 笔记本乐队提供了丰富的体验，激发了学生的兴趣，激发了他们的激情.

好奇心, 直觉思维, 发现, and exploration are the habits of mind nurtured by the 较低的学校 视觉艺术 curriculum. 我们最年轻的艺术家工作，以建立基本的技能和技术，因为他们接触到各种材料, including printmaking, 拼贴画, 绘画, 陶瓷, 雕塑, 画, 纤维艺术. 学生 learn to create strong compositions and practice the use of early art concepts. 艺术家在了解不同的艺术家时，会熟悉艺术元素和设计原则, 艺术风格, and artistic processes.

Later in their artistic journey, 鼓励学生艺术家通过重视自我表达和真实性的艺术过程追求自己的创意. The classroom operates as their art studio, encouraging each artist to make individual choices about materials, style, 主题. Studio time is balanced with lessons about artists, 发现 of new materials, and exploration of a variety of skills, 技术, 和反射. 艺术家不断发展他们解决问题的能力，承担创造性的风险，以及沟通能力. 他们一起建立了自己的艺术社区，并照顾他们共享的空间和材料.

In third and fourth grade, students have the opportunity to select additional 视觉艺术 elective classes. 每次会议都不一样, but examples of previous offerings include woodworking, 手指编织, 绘画, 和陶瓷.

体育教育的目标是让学生参与体育活动，同时鼓励合作, 毅力, 体育精神, 以及团队建设. 低年级课程还帮助学生发展和完善粗大和精细的运动技能. 游泳和骑马课程也包括在一年级前和一至四年级的学生. 游戏和活动鼓励积极倾听、分享、合作和享受乐趣!

In a bright and inviting library space, students develop a deep appreciation for reading through storytime, 书会谈, and engaging research projects. 所有年级都有固定的上课时间，但学生可以随时借书. 学生们还被介绍到传统和技术资源，使他们接触到周围的广大信息世界.