children learn best through fascinating experiences. episcopal’s st. mark's campus strives to provide creative environments and experiences that expose students to the wonders of the world around them. teachers create a stimulating, supportive environment where students can explore, ask questions, take intellectual risks, and work collaboratively. lesson plans are designed to provide opportunities for students to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills in preparation for life-long learning. thoughtful use of technology strengthens lessons with research and reference. students learn how to find information and present their ideas in writing, in videos, and through programming. field trips, guest speakers, and curriculum-focused projects and activities enhance the classroom experience. in addition to strong academics, students learn responsibility, build strong work habits, and develop cooperative social behavior. resources and after school programs provide enriching experiences through art, music, library, computer, spanish, chapel, community service, and athletics.

pre-kindergarten is a time of creative thinking, when children delight in fantasy while intertwining their life experiences into play scenarios. children in the early preschool years learn best through a variety of experiences, along with encouragement to explore their environment and develop relationships with peers. the st. mark’s campus maximizes each child’s natural curiosity to drive their desire for learning and to promote growth in all areas of development. low student-teacher ratios in each class create a superb classroom environment. each class has a degreed, certified teacher, as well as a qualified teaching assistant. preschool classrooms and playgrounds are child-centered, designed for safety and exploration, and provide opportunities for social and physical development. recognizing the importance of the outdoors, time is dedicated each day to explore these spaces. students also attend resources, including art, chapel, computer, library, movement, music, and spanish.

pre-k 3 students (who must be age three by september 1 of the current school year) may be enrolled to come to our program either three or five days each week. pre-k 4 students (who must be age four by september 1 of the current school year) attend a five day program.

pre-k 3

episcopal’s pre-k 3 program provides a developmental curriculum that involves children in many hands-on activities, allowing them to demonstrate their increasing skills while building on the curricular framework established in our early learning program. our teachers strive to build confidence and self-esteem in each child, promoting these values through their daily routines and activities while allowing the children to safely explore and understand the world around them.

a typical day in pre-k 3 includes teacher-directed activities, circle time, morning snack, resource classes, outdoor play, and free-choice centers. weekly themes, which focus on learning the letters of the alphabet, are incorporated through each of these moments. teachers also focus on:

• oral language
• vocabulary use
• comprehension
• listening skills
• numerical competency
• spatial awareness
• cooperation
• empathy
• self-awareness
• development of gross- and fine-motor skills

students receive weekly resource instruction in art, library, movement, music, and spanish. additionally, pre-k 3 students attend two developmentally appropriate chapel services during the week. students also perform on the stage in the lori schiavone commons during the spring for an easter celebration.

pre-k 4

pre-k 4 at episcopal’s st. mark’s campus is a full-week, morning program that promotes responsibility, decision-making, and cooperative social skills through our developmentally appropriate curriculum.

• language arts: curricular framework includes handwriting without tears and the houghton mifflin pre-k reading program. these experiences all encourage development in phonemic awareness, letter knowledge, comprehension, oral language, and vocabulary on a daily basis, meeting each child at their developmental level and providing additional experiences in these skills.
• math: earlybird kindergarten mathematics is a comprehensive, activity-based program that uses the pedagogical principles of the singapore math approach, creating a foundation that will support later goals during the elementary years on st. mark’s campus. a strong understanding of the number line and other essential concepts during their pre-k 4 year evoke learning through fun-filled lessons and activities.
• science and social studies are also incorporated in meaningful ways. in addition to the social skills practiced throughout the morning routines, specialized units of study help enhance each child’s knowledge of the world outside of their direct experiences. themes focused on communities, transportation, holidays, and animals enrich and guide the curriculum, while field trips to local venues in the community further enhance students’ learning opportunities.

throughout all of these curricular goals, children are given opportunities to grow toward their maximum potential while focusing on their individual abilities, interests, and needs. weekly resource instruction supports academic goals, including: art, library, movement, music, and spanish. additionally, pre-k 4 students attend two developmentally appropriate chapel services during the week.

language arts challenging, research-based program that helps them understand when, how, and why they can use phonics to read and write students actively engage in activities that foster reading comprehension skills explicit think-alouds help unlock the mystery of what thoughtful and thorough readers are doing while reading teachers make their thinking audible and visible to begin laying a foundation of important metacognitive and comprehension skills the word study program works in concert with the reading program, and focuses on phonemic awareness, letter recognition, letter sounds, blending, and spelling instruction includes beginning penmanship, sentence construction, and basic punctuation. enrichment and remediation activities supplement students’ learning, as needed tools: developmental reading assessment 2 +, orton gillingham assessment, reading units of study, writing units of study, phonics units of study, handwriting without tears

mathematics dimensions math (singapore math) teaches children to think mathematically rather than just memorizing the mechanics of problem solving program lays a solid foundation for conceptual understanding using a three-step process: concrete, to pictorial, then abstract students are encouraged to consider alternate methods for problem solving, promoting logical thinking. continue to explore number awareness, number patterns, measurement, geometry, algebraic thinking and relationships develop strategies for answering questions, rote counting, count to tell how many, recording numbers, ordinal numbers, two- and three-dimensional shapes, patterns, logic, measurement, addition and subtraction, place value and positions be able to communicate mathematical ideas, work in cooperative learning groups and understand mathematical terms tools: dimensions math textbook ka,kb, dimensions math workbook ka,kb, earlybird kindergarten math book a, b, xtramath, fastmath

reading students build foundational reading skills, including print and phonemic awareness children learn “super power” strategies that help them search for meaning and use picture clues students are invited to attempt more difficult books and work on fluency as they pay close attention to characters, setting, and plot while reading fictional stories they become experts in nonfiction topics as they read together in clubs, and play with rhyme and rhythm while reading poetry

writing children begin approximating writing by drawing and labeling their own books students transition to writing true stories students learn to write informational how-to texts, persuasive letters, craft persuasive texts like petitions and signs

science kindergarten students learn and practice scientific skills including observation, asking questions, and making simple predictions. students record observations using pictures and words in their science notebooks and learn properties of objects, as well as wants, needs, and basic characteristics of organisms, and seasons following ngss standards, all science lab classes are active environments where students are participating in lab experiments, group activities, and group discussions students develop lab skills and science thinking habits: molecules to organisms earth’s systems forces and interactions energy earth and human activity engineering design tools: mosaic, education place - houghton mifflin, ngssf, brainpop jr. science, crash course kids

social studies kindergarten “travels” around the world, learning about the animals, people, cultures, and geography of: peru and the galapagos islands israel native americans christmas in europe china antarctica kenya australia tools: tci social studies alive, my community

resources and after school programs provide enriching experiences through art, music, library, computer, spanish, chapel, community service, and athletics.

language arts program is challenging, research-based, and designed to help students become proficient decoders, fluent readers, and budding authors the curriculum is scaffolded, beginning with a review of foundational skills and then building on each of the five reading components: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension implementation of small group guided reading lessons in addition to a well-balanced literacy diet of selected fiction and nonfiction texts allows students many opportunities to practice comprehension strategies and skills steam practices allow students hands-on exploration and creation through partnership with art, music, science, and math enrichment and remediation activities supplement students’ learning, as needed tools: developmental reading assessment 2 +, orton gillingham assessment, reading units of study, writing units of study, phonics units of study, handwriting without tears, readworks, words their way

mathematics dimensions math (singapore math) teaches children to think mathematically rather than just memorizing the mechanics of problem solving and builds asolid foundation for conceptual understanding using a three-step process: concrete, to pictorial, then abstract students are encouraged to consider alternate methods for problem solving, promoting logical thinking. development of skills in number awareness, place value, money, adding and subtracting and measurement development of quick recall of addition and subtraction facts practicing number bonds daily tme, calendar as part of daily number routine introduction of model drawing introduction of multiplication and division concepts communication of mathematical ideas, work in cooperative groups and understand mathematical terms tools: dimensions math textbook 1a,1b, dimensions math workbook 1a,1b, primary mathematics extra practice book, xtramath, fastmath

reading students tap into their natural curiosity as they explore nonfiction, learn comprehension strategies, word solving, vocabulary, fluency, and author’s craft phonics program sets children up to read increasingly complex texts story elements and the skills that are foundational to literal and inferential comprehension are spotlighted students are enabled to dive deep, extending their reading skills to their farthest reach

writing first graders take the everyday events of their young lives and make them into focused, well-structured stories students then learn to breathe life into the characters by making them talk, think, and interact students enter the world of informational writing as they combine pictures and charts to write “how-to-teach” nonfiction texts students learn to “show, not tell” and use action, dialogue, and feelings to create a whole series of fiction books opinion, information, and narrative writing are taught, with increasing complexity to foster high-level thinking

science builds on a child’s natural curiosity and creativity using teaching methods that not only promote innovation but focus on experiential learning. first graders learn to use their five senses to observe changes in living and nonliving objects as students investigate the world around them science is integrated with math and language arts to enhance student’s skills as they collect evidence from a variety of sources develop an explanation from the data communicate and defend their conclusions students also explore from molecules to organisms: structures and processes engineering design earth’s place in the universe tools: discovering animals by carolina biological, skywatchers by carolina biological, first grade interactive notebook, brainpop jr. science, lego engineering, ngss tolls for stem engineering and design

social studies social studies in first grade focuses on community, geography, and responsible citizenship. focused study on mexico and haiti, their culture, geography and challenges, with the haiti study coinciding with our service learning. tools: tci social studies alive, my community, the banza, the magic orange tree and other haitian folktales

resources and after school programs provide enriching experiences through art, music, library, computer, spanish, chapel, community service, and athletics.

language arts refine skills introduced in first grade with the ultimate goal of students becoming joyful, thoughtful, independent readers students strengthen their decoding, fluency and comprehension skills through the use of different genres leveled texts are selected to encourage multicultural awareness, intellectual curiosity, and empathy students work on communication and clarity of expression by strengthening sentence writing skills and learning to organize details into informative paragraphs and fictional stories. enrichment and remediation activities supplement students’ learning, as needed prepares students for the transition toward content area reading and writing, which are stressed in third grade tools: developmental reading assessment 2 +, reading units of study, writing units of study, handwriting without tears, readworks, words their way, spelling city

mathematics dimensions math (singapore math) teaches children to think mathematically rather than just memorizing the mechanics of problem solving program lays a solid foundation for conceptual understanding using a three-step process: concrete, to pictorial, then abstract students are encouraged to consider alternate methods for problem solving, promoting logical thinking. mastery of addition and subtraction facts as well as multiplication by 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10 develop skills in place value, money, adding and subtracting with and without regrouping, measurement, geometric and fractional concepts and to multiplication number routines that include time, calendar and estimation use models to solve word problems be able to communicate mathematical ideas, work in cooperative learning groups and understand mathematical terms tools: dimensions math textbook 2a,2b, dimensions math workbook 2a, 2b, primary mathematics extra practice book, xtramath, fastmath

reading children are encouraged to take charge of their reading, drawing on everything they know to decode hard words, understand author’s craft, and build big ideas about the books they read second graders work on word solving, vocabulary development, and comparing and contrasting information across texts students learn strategies to build three foundational reading skills—fluency, understanding figurative language, and comprehension by studying familiar books and authors students understand ways authors use word choice, figurative language, and punctuation

writing second graders are taught to craft powerful true stories, science investigations, lab reports, and advanced writing about reading across the writing genres, children learn to understand—and apply to their own writing—techniques they discover in the work of published authors second graders read closely and gather evidence from texts to craft persuasive arguments students explore language by writing poetry and use visualization and figures of speech to make their writing more clear and powerful

science following ngss standards and stem practices, second grade students experience science through hands-on learning in the lab all science lab classes are active environments where children participate in lab experiments, group activities, and group discussions students to develop lab skills and science thinking habits. second grade scientists investigate, explore, and examine soils plants and insect matter earth materials engineering tools: soils by carolina biological and the smithsonian institution, matter by carolina biological, earth materialsby carolina biological, kids discover, usda natural resources conservation services, chem4kids

social studies second grade social studies students explore ways that we must all learn to interact with others responsibly and peacefully in the world students research a broad study of various cultures and information about the founding of america tools: tci social studies alive, our community and beyond

resources and after school programs provide enriching experiences through art, music, library, computer, spanish, chapel, community service, and athletics.

language arts students are becoming more independent readers and are making the crucial transition from learning to read to reading to learn a challenging, research-based program reviews and extends each student’s reading and writing foundation small group guided reading lessons provides a balanced literacy diet of selected novels, fiction and nonfiction texts, allowing students many opportunities to practice comprehension strategies enrichment and remediation activities are used to supplement students’ learning, as needed tools: developmental reading assessment 2 +, reading units of study, writing units of study, shurley english, wordly wise, readworks, words their way, spelling city

mathematics primary mathematics (singapore math) teaches children to think mathematically rather than just memorizing the mechanics of problem solving program lays a solid foundation for conceptual understanding using a three-step process: concrete, to pictorial, then abstract students are encouraged to consider alternate methods for problem solving, promoting logical thinking. in particular, third grade focuses on: mastery of addition and subtraction skills using multi-digit numbers expect quick recall of addition and subtraction facts to 20 and multiplication facts: 0-12 develop skills with multiplication and division skills whole numbers, place value, develop fractional understanding and use measurement skills to define two-dimensional shapes number routines that include time, calendar, estimation and temperature be able to communicate mathematical ideas, work in cooperative learning groups and understand mathematical terms

reading reading skills are sharpened by immersion in fiction books while working on word solving, vocabulary development, and prediction students learn to closely observe characters, make predictions, and sharpen their interpretation skills essential skills are taught for reading expository nonfiction, such as ascertaining main ideas, recognizing text infrastructure, and thinking critically

writing third graders write about topics from their own personal experiences, using first hand knowledge to help them with the challenging task of learning to synthesize and organize information these newfound abilities are used to persuade people about causes the children believe matter children explore fiction-writing techniques by studying fairy tales and writing their own

science following ngss standards and stem practices,, third graders experience science through hands on learning in the lab science lab classes are active environments where students participate in lab experiments, group activities, and group discussions. students further develop lab skills and science thinking habits. third grade scientists investigate, explore, and examine life in ecosystems weather in climate force and interactions area, perimeter, and volume (collaboration with math) rocks capacity (collaboration with math class) minerals tools: life in ecosystems by carolina biological, weather and climateby carolina biological, force and interactionsby carolina biological, rocks and minerals by carolina biological and the smithsonian institution cornell lab of ornithology, noaa, national geographic

social studies third grade social studies uses a project based approach to explore the history, geography, and political science of florida and jacksonville vocabulary, spelling, and writing are incorporated as well students also learn how to navigate their way through a social studies textbook, learn the text features of nonfiction texts, which supports future learning, and how to think like a historian students celebrate the strengths and cultures of people from past cultures the culmination of each unit is a field trip to various historical sites “florida day” is an annual presentation by the third grade students with projects, skits, and stories on the state of florida tools: florida, social studies scott foresman, florida's lost tribes

resources and after school programs provide enriching experiences through art, music, library, computer, spanish, chapel, community service, and athletics.

language arts the fourth grade language arts program is a challenging, research-based program designed to teach students to become strong analytical thinkers, competent writers, and joyful readers vocabulary, word analysis, spelling, and writing opportunities are incorporated into studies to make for cohesive learning experiences small group guided reading lessons with targeted skill practice and novel based literature circles meet the individual needs of students collaborative experiences and exposure to different perspectives of classmates, as well as to different types of literature, improve both written and oral communication and prepare students for the transition to fifth grade enrichment and remediation activities are used to supplement students’ learning, as needed tools: developmental reading assessment 2 +, reading units of study, writing units of study, readworks, shurley english, spelling city, wordly wise, words their way

mathematics primary mathematics (singapore math) teaches children to think mathematically rather than just memorizing the mechanics of problem solving program lays a solid foundation for conceptual understanding using a three-step process: concrete, to pictorial, then abstract students are encouraged to consider alternate methods for problem solving, promoting logical thinking fourth grade math also focuses on: expect quick recall of addition, subtraction and multiplication skills continue to develop and have quick recall on division skills understand the systems of: units of measure in relationship to area and perimeter, place value to the millions, linking money with decimals, division, multiplying by two digits, and connecting decimals and fraction concepts be able to communicate mathematical ideas, work in cooperative learning groups, collect and analyze data, and use and understand mathematical terms tools: primary mathematics textbook 4a,4b, primary mathematics workbook 4a,4b, primary mathematics extra practice book, xtramath, fastmath

reading in fourth grade, the children delve into complex texts and see significance in details. students study the complexity of characters and themes the children develop their skills in cross-text synthesis and practice close reading students compare and contrast, and evaluate sources to determine credibility through forming research teams historical fiction groups become a vehicle to practice reading analytically, synthesizing complicated narratives, comparing and contrasting themes and incorporating nonfiction research into their reading

writing fourth-grade writing units familiarize students with the genres they will regularly encounter throughout school the year begins with writing realistic fiction and learning to develop rich characters and stories and bringing that lens they use for reading fiction to writing fiction students increase proficiency with thesis-driven persuasive essays, historical research reports, and literary essays

science following ngss science standards and stem practices, fourth grade science is hands-on and minds on. students participate in lab experiments, group activities, and group discussions. lab skills and basic content knowledge prepare them for more complex topics. fourth graders ask questions and define problems in science, as well as develop and use models, plan and carry out investigations, and analyze and interpret data, establishing a solid foundation for a lifetime of science learning additional topics of exploration include: nature of science floating and sinking land and water electric circuits animal studies science of test taking tools: floating and sinking by carolina biological and the smithsonian institution, land and water by carolina biological and the smithsonian institution, electric circuits by carolina biological and the smithsonian institution, animal studies by carolina biological and the smithsonian institution, science alert

social studies students learn to think like a geographer, economist and historian as they learn about the diversity of our nation third graders compare life in cities to that of rural america and they learn the importance of natural resources, including the st. johns river (fourth grade’s service learning focus, the st. johns riverkeeper, is integrated through the language arts and social studies curriculum) students learn about states and capitals fourth graders engage and hone their collaborative skills in learning the art of negotiation in a global setting with real world issues the year culminates in john hunter’s world peace game tools: tci social studies alive! regions of our country, trouble on the st. john’s, world peace game foundation

resources and after school programs provide enriching experiences through art, music, library, computer, spanish, chapel, community service, and athletics.

language arts the fifth grade language arts program is a challenging, research-based program fifth grade literature is full of purposeful and engaging opportunities within a variety of genres; poetry, historical fiction, realistic fiction, and nonfiction selections are chosen to meet the developmental needs of the students while honing their intellectual independence vocabulary and writing instruction are targeted and tied to student reading selections the grammar foundation is reinforced as fifth-graders study parts of speech, parts of the sentence, and usage research skills are practiced as students write reports and create presentation materials tools: developmental reading assessment 2 +, reading units of study, writing units of study, readworks, shurley english,wordly wise, readworks, words their way, spelling city

mathematics primary mathematics (singapore math) teaches children to think mathematically rather than just memorizing the mechanics of problem solving program lays a solid foundation for conceptual understanding using a three-step process: concrete, to pictorial, then abstract students are encouraged to consider alternate methods for problem solving, promoting logical thinking. fifth grade math also covers: mastery of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division skills with quick recall fluency in addition and subtraction with fractions and decimals and long division procedures understanding place value to the billions, units of measure in relating two-dimensional to three dimensional shapes and properties communicating mathematical ideas, working in cooperative learning groups, collecting and analyzing data and use and understanding mathematical terms tools: primary mathematics textbook 5a, 5b, primary mathematics workbook 5a, 5b, primary mathematics extra practice book, xtramath, fastmath, imagine math

reading students draw on a repertoire of ways for reading closely, noticing how story elements interact, understanding how different authors develop the same theme, and comparing and contrasting texts with similar theme foundational skills, such as fluency and word solving, are emphasized fifth graders investigate the ways nonfiction texts are becoming more complex, and they learn strategies to tackle these new challenges students read nonfiction texts under the umbrella of argument and advocacy fifth graders wrap up the year immersed in the fantasy genre and further develop higher-level thinking skills to study how authors develop characters and themes over time

writing students write reflective personal narratives and research reports students learn that form follows content as they choose to write in either the essay, narrative, or memoir genre fifth-graders conclude their year learning to build powerful arguments that convincingly balance evidence and analysis to persuade readers to action.

science following ngss standards and stem practices, students participate in lab experiments, group activities, and group discussions students learn lab skills and basic content knowledge to prepare them for more complex topics in middle school fifth graders ask questions and define problems in science, as well as develop and use models, plan and carry out investigations, and analyze and interpret data specific topics include: nature of science structure and properties of matter food chemistry ecosystems matter and energy in ecosystems microworlds motion and design tools: structures and properties of matterby carolina biological, food chemistry by carolina biological and the smithsonian institution, ecosystems by carolina biological and the smithsonian institution, matter and energy in ecosystemsby carolina biological, microworlds by carolina biological and the smithsonian institution, motion and design by carolina biological and the smithsonian institution

social studies fifth graders explore in depth colonial america, the settling of the american west, the civil war, industrialization of america, modern america, and current events the culminating highlight of the fifth grade year is a study trip to washington, d.c. after much research, our students assume the roles of tour guide helping to facilitate their peers’ learning of national monuments and other historic sites tools: tci social studies alive! american's past, why america is free, the declaration of independence, the constitution

resources and after school programs provide enriching experiences through art, music, library, computer, spanish, chapel, community service, and athletics.