Lower School Curriculum

The goal of first grade is to help children develop a love of learning. Interactive hands-on activities are provided, which gives each child the opportunity to make decisions, solve problems, and practice social skills. Daily instruction and practice are given in listening, critical thinking skills, and effective study habits.

1st Grade Highlights:

• Manners Tea Party
• Introduction to 5th grade Chapel buddies
• Willis-Knighton Health System field trip
• Tyler Zoo field trip (in conjunction with a research project on animals)

The goal of second grade is to create innovative thinkers who become successful independent learners.

2nd Grade Highlights:

• Guest readers
• Pioneer Heritage Center field trip (in conjunction with early American history unit)
• Thanksgiving Friendship Feast
• 2nd Grade Play
• Safety Town field trip

3rd Grade Highlights:

• Taste of Louisiana (each kid present an LA food product and bring something to taste)
• Papa Simpson's Farm field trip
• East Texas Oil and Gas Museum field trip in Kilgore, TX (in conjunction with study of rocks and minerals in science)
• Norton Art Gallery field trip about Louisiana culture and art

4th Grade Highlights:

• Fairy Tales production
• May Day Pole Dance
• Red River Revel field trip
• KidZania field trip in Dallas

The fifth grade curriculum is designed to bridge the gap between elementary and Middle School by enhancing, enriching, and extending learning received in earlier grades. We strive to nurture the various learning styles of each child and to prepare them for Middle School with challenging and diverse expectations. We teach communication skills and research techniques that can be relied upon and utilized in their schooling and may continue to be used throughout their adult lives.

5th Grade Highlights:

• 5th Grade Play
• Overnight Houston field trip: Space Center Houston and Houston Museum of Natural Science (in conjunction with study of the history of space in social studies and moon phases/the solar system in science) 
• Mansfield Battlefield field trip (in conjunction with Civil War unit)
• Melrose Plantation field trip (in conjunction with Civil War unit)
• 1st grade Chapel buddies
• Navy Tie/Striped Shirt Chapel & Luncheon
• Morning prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and announcements led by 5th graders

• Choir

In Lower School, we lay the groundwork of strong phonological awareness and develop the fundamental skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Our language arts programs focus on decoding, comprehension, genres of literature, phonics, vocabulary, handwriting (cursive is taught in third and fourth grade), grammar, spelling, writing, and listening skills.

Writing is a critical skill, and developing students with strong writing skills is a top priority for our faculty. Writing mechanics and fluency are introduced in Lower School through journaling and writing assignments. Students learn pre-writing and editing skills to produce final written products.

In Lower School, we focus on the fundamental math skills needed for higher math thinking. Our program Math Expressions utilizes hands-on experiences to teach number recognition and number sense. Students develop a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts and high-level problem-solving skills through daily problem-based interactive learning.

Lower School students explore grade-specific topics by conducting research, reading books, participating in field trips, and listening to outside experts speak to the class. Students experience hands-on activities and labs pertaining to their current science topic in science lab. Fourth grade students tend to and manage the school garden.

The Lower School science lab provides students with the foundations for observing, communicating, measuring, comparing, describing, classifying, predicting, collecting, and interpreting data. The science lab was built to foster curiosity, inventiveness, persistence, and enthusiasm. We want our students to learn by doing and reflecting. The program uses materials from a variety of programs to explore the life, earth and space, and physical sciences.

Lower School students explore the world around them by reading books, engaging in class discussion, participating in field trips and listening to outside experts. Students learn about current events and national holidays.

In Lower School, we aim to nurture self-expression and the art-making process so that students gain an understanding and appreciation of art. Our program progresses through increasingly complex activities of drawing, painting, collage, printmaking, sculpture, and ceramics. Lower School students attend art class weekly.

All students attend Christian education classes weekly, which crosses ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. We focus on instituting a love of learning, a love of self, and a love of our neighbors, as well as the values of integrity, perseverance, compassion, and respect. Christian education classes are planned around Bible characters or themes, always focusing on God’s love for each individual and His covenant with the community of faith. Each grade has a specific service learning experience that teaches the skills of service to others, empathy, kindness, caring, peace, and mercy.

Our Lower School computer curriculum focuses on guiding each child into experiences which will extend his/her understanding about the world of technology. This is accomplished by planning activities that provide opportunities for students to show continuous growth in personal productivity, creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration in the classroom and in daily life. Our curriculum is ever-changing to reflect the growth of technology throughout our society which includes block programming and basic robotics.

At St. Mark’s, library experiences go beyond listening to literature and checking out books. The library curriculum integrates a plethora of skills and real-world application. Students in kindergarten through fifth grade learn the importance of the Dewey Decimal System, reading comprehension skills, choosing appropriate level books, as well as developing speaking and listening skills. Students are introduced to a variety of literature genres from nonfiction to Caldecott award winners.

Technology is introduced through age-appropriate activities with internet safety of utmost importance. Fourth and fifth grade delve into using various technologies for research-based activities, utilizing print and electronic reliable resources such as creating brochures, PowerPoint presentations, and creative writing pieces.

Projects build upon classroom learning as well as opportunities to think out of the box and exercise creativity. For instance, in library students become authors utilizing a variety of writing strategies. The teachers and the librarian work together in order for students’ instruction to be presented from multiple perspectives.

It is our privilege to foster the next generation of leaders with a fundamental appreciation and understanding of the arts. Proudly rooted in our traditions of the Episcopal church, we incorporate classical musical components as well as contemporary and modern musical elements so that our students have a well-rounded understanding of music education. We celebrate educational collaboration with the Shreveport Symphony and Shreveport Opera. Above all, it is our goal for every student to learn of the love and joy of music.

Lower School students perform at events throughout the year, including Grandparents' Day, Lessons and Carols, class plays, and more.

Our daily Lower School P.E. program instills an early love of fitness and physical activity. We create a positive and enthusiastic environment that emphasizes individual expression through movement, personal body and spatial awareness, and basic skills. Students are introduced to a variety of sports and team activities.

Lower School students attend Spanish class twice a week to build basic listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Our program incorporates the use of stories, plays, songs, games, puppets, and gestures to present and reinforce vocabulary. Students also explore Spanish culture and geography.