A Day in the Life
Lower Elementary
The Lower Elementary program at Riverbend features three-grade classrooms (grades 1-3). This multi-age environment provides opportunities for mutual learning and mentorship across the grade levels. Students participate in Literacy, Math, History, Geography, Biology, Physical Sciences, World Languages, Art, Music, and Physical Education in this collaborative setting.
Extended work blocks in core academic subjects as well as the arts make up the bulk of the Lower Elementary daily routine. The schedule includes free time for lunch and recess, and weekly events often include assemblies and field trips.
Sample Lower Elementary Schedule
|
8:10-8:25am |
Arrival and Settle In |
|
8:25-8:45am |
Morning Meeting |
|
8:45-9:30am |
Music, Art, Design Lab, PE |
|
9:30-11:30am |
Work Cycle |
|
11:30-12:00pm |
Lunch |
|
12:00-12:30pm |
Recess |
|
12:45-1:00pm |
Mindfulness or Read Aloud |
|
1:00-3:00pm |
Afternoon Work Cycle/World Language/Nature Study |
|
3:00-3:15pm |
Dismissal |
Arrival & Morning Meeting
Students arrive and greet their community at morning meeting, where they connect through games and sharing and get a preview of what’s on the schedule for the day. This is a place for practicing grace and courtesy, building social skills, and creating a predictable rhythm for the day.
Art, Music, Design Lab, PE
Lower Elementary students enjoy classes each week in Art, Music, Design Lab, and Physical Education. These classes are 45 minutes to an hour, and students rotate through these special subjects throughout the week. Students work both independently and collaboratively as they improve their skills and embrace creativity in each subject area.
Work Cycles
Each day, Lower Elementary students have at least one uninterrupted 2-hour work cycle. During this time, teachers present lessons in subjects across the curriculum in a variety of settings, including small groups and grade-level groupings. Students set academic goals each day, selecting work that will help them reach these goals, and marking accomplishments as they go. During independent work time, students make their own choices about the order of work they will complete, where they will sit to do their work, and whether they will work independently or with a partner.
Work Cycle Subject Areas
Lunch & Recess
Students enjoy 30 minutes for lunch in their homerooms with their teachers and peers, as well as 30 minutes of recess every day. Students are supported, as needed, in making social connections and finding gross motor activities that they engage with independently and in small groups on the playground.
World Language
Starting in 1st grade, student have the choice to study either Spanish or Mandarin Chinese. Classes are held in small groups for 30 minutes twice each week. Students explore the culture of Spanish and Chinese speaking countries as they learn beginning conversational language.
Nature
Some afternoons, students spend between 60 and 90 minutes outside with our naturalist, exploring our local habitat, learning about the natural world around us. They also enjoy monthly visits to the Magullion Center, our nature property, where they engage in cross-curricular learning alongside teachers and Middle School mentors.
After School Enrichments
After the end of the regular school day, many students head off to Enrichments. Enrichment classes range from capture the flag and soccer to ceramics and chorus. Many students participate in travel sports teams, competing against other schools as well. There are new opportunities every trimester that run after school from 3:15-4:15pm.
Spotlight: Cosmic Education
Our Cosmic Education curriculum shows students their place in human history, and inspires their contribution to it. We address cosmic purpose through the Five Great Lessons:
- Creation of the Universe
- The Coming of Life
- The Coming of Humans
- Communication in Written Signs
- The Story of Numbers