Grades 1 and 2

Grade 1

Both Reading and Writing is taught through the Teachers College program. Students participate in Writer’s Workshop, where they learn to write a variety of genres, such as biographies, poems, fiction stories, and nonfiction pieces. The girls learn to include beginning, middle, and end, as well as revise and edit stories with teacher support.  A goal is for the girls to become independent writers in first grade.  In Reading Workshop, the girls participate in guided reading groups where they work on fluency, retelling, comparing and contrasting, and comprehending story elements, such as characters, setting, kick-off, events, and tie-up. They use Handwriting Without Tears to learn the correct formation of letters and numbers. The girls learn about short and long vowel sounds, word families, diphthongs, digraphs, homophones, and synonyms.  They use the Words Their Way as a foundation for our spelling program, where they study and apply core words to their reading and writing. The girls participate in weekly poetry recitals to increase their public speaking skills, while also working on reading fluency.   

Grade 2

Students begin the year with a comprehensive author study. The girls study various book genres and learn to identify the differences between the genres. The unit culminates when the girls publish their own book after studying character traits, development, and beginnings and endings of fiction or nonfiction stories. The girls study phonics, specifically short and long vowels, vowel blends, consonants, and homophones utilizing The Words Their Way program during in-class activities and mini-lessons. The girls practice their phonemic awareness, spelling and writing through weekly practice, including journal writing. Reading Workshop includes read-alouds, reading groups, peer to peer reading, and independent leveled reading. The girls are expected to read at home every night. We use the program Handwriting Without Tears weekly to help hone handwriting skills. Poetry is covered through diverse poetry readings and an in-depth study in April. Biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs are read and discussed in depth during our Women We Admire unit in March.

In Writer’s Workshop the girls work on writing many varied pieces. We write weekly letters with a focus on proper capitalization, end of sentence punctuation, core word spelling, and proper letter formatting. We write nonfiction pieces during our social studies units with an emphasis on recalling information and getting it on paper. Creative writing is encouraged throughout our literacy units, especially during the Fairy Tale unit, and explored during our author studies.

Click here to learn more about the K-12 English curriculum.
 

Grade 1

The first grade program focuses on understanding and comparing numbers, adding and subtracting with mathematical models and continued practice with place value understanding. Basic probability, skip-counting, two-dimensional and three-dimensional geometry, doubling and halving numbers, and understanding basic fractions are covered as well.  In addition, collecting data, measurement, and making and interpreting graphs are introduced and explored through projects and in STEM class.  

Grade 2

The second grade program focuses on understanding place value and using this understanding to add and subtract multi-digit numbers through composing and decomposing numbers.  The program also focuses on fluency with addition and subtraction facts to 20s, skip-counting, two-dimensional and three-dimensional geometry, telling time and fractions.  Measurement and data are covered through projects and in STEM class.  

Click here to learn more about the K-12 math curriculum.

Grade 1

Social Studies in first grade explores the inner child of the Sacred Heart and extends into family, community, and the world. During the course of the year, the students dig deep into the Sacred Heart traditions, learning about the two women who started the Sacred Heart Network.  The students learn from these women:  independence, meditation, confidence, and the way hardships can define and build character. They learn about other schools in the Network, comparing and contrasting them through pen pal letters and Skype sessions. They learn about the five goals and criteria that all Sacred Heart Schools follow. The students investigate their own family’s traditions and other family traditions from around the world. They learn about working as a community to accomplish service project goals in their grade, along with the entire Stuart community. Another area First Graders explore is Pioneer Living:  A Journey Back in Time. They will learn about pioneer living through the Little House book series. The focus is on farming and harvesting, family life, and education in a one- room schoolhouse. The students will gain a better understanding of how life was lived in the past versus modern day living now.  To enhance their learning, they will take four trips to Howell Farm Living History Museum.  They will learn how working as a community long ago brought food to the table and how this has changed through the years.  Beyond this, the students will research and spread the word about women in history who have made a difference in the world.

Grade 2

The foundation of the second grade social studies program is community. We explore our school community, our country, and our world. Through map studies, we explore these communities and master map skills. We concentrate on the United States in the winter and in the spring, we explore countries throughout the world. By using a workbook, songs, food, artifacts, fiction and nonfiction publications and research projects, the girls learn about our country and the world. Throughout the year, we strengthen our small second grade community by sharing our family heritages and teaching each other about admirable men and women. In March, we study the importance of many different women in history and participate with the whole Lower School on Women We Admire Day. The girls are made aware of economic differences among our local and world neighbors throughout the year because of our school’s commitment to and involvement in service learning.  

Click here to learn more about the K-12 history curriculum.

The physical education program is designed to challenge and inspire the students to engage in, appreciate, and deepen their knowledge of the importance and value of physical activity in a safe, non-threatening and inclusive environment.

The elementary curriculum places an emphasis on the development of basic body movement, gross locomotor skills, rhythmic activities and small team games. The program teaches students to develop skills in sportsmanship and fair play, fundamental skills and techniques along with good body mechanics.  The program strives to provide an environment that promotes self-confidence through meaningful, challenging, and varied experiences.  The selected activities will be suitable to the season as well as the developmental appropriateness of the target skill and age of the student.  Our vision is to raise awareness for the need for physical activity among our students and to establish lifelong wellness. 

Kindergarten-GRADE 2

Soccer, Field & Floor Hockey, Throwing & Catching, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Balance/Tumbling, Rhythmic Activities & Dance, Track & Field, Scoops/Lacrosse, and Tee Ball units

Click here to learn more about the K-12 p.e. & health curriculum.

SEL EC to Grade 4

Social Emotional Learning in the Lower School will consist of self awareness, learning how to respect others, navigating the highs and lows of friendship and community at their age and even understanding things like empathy, kindness and boundaries. Students will learn early on about mindfulness practices and we’ll do fun and interactive activities. We will be utilizing a multimodal approach, so that every learner can grow in their understanding of God, self and others. I envision having a very collaborative working relationship with faculty and staff, as to both reinforce and help support the five goals of Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart. 

Learn more about counseling services at Stuart

theology Grade 1 

Children understand God as our Creator and loving parent; they are led to understand that God hears and answers prayer and that we are called to listen. Old Testament and gospel stories serve as guidance for moral choices and teach children to love and serve God. Liturgical seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter are celebrated with activities, instruction, personal prayer and community worship. Leaders and instruction, choice and responsibility, and milestones define the first grade year. Students will study leadership positions within the Catholic church, personal practice of Sacred Heart goals, and sacramental study. 

theology Grade 2 

Families may choose between a course which prepares the children for receiving the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist; and another which responds to the needs of an inter-religious group. Both include age appropriate moral development, focus on the life of Jesus, as well as worship and religious seasons and symbols. All children are introduced to the holidays of the world’s major religions. The interfaith class uses the Call to Faith religion series. It focuses on age-appropriate moral development, the life of Jesus, and religious seasons. These ideas are woven through the themes of Creation, faith in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, sacraments and prayer. Each lesson helps the students understand and appreciate the Church’s teachings and connects the sacraments, worship, and prayer. These lessons also help the students understand and appreciate the Church’s teachings and connects faith to their everyday lives. All lessons include a variety of the following: reflection, prayer, scripture, dialogue, group and independent activities, music, and song.  

The second grade Sacramental class prepares the girls to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist. We use We Celebrate Reconciliation and We Celebrate the Eucharist as our texts  during the year. We also explore the Church’s teachings and how our faith strengthens our everyday  lives. The themes are: God loves me, Jesus calls me to love others, and Jesus forgives us during our  preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In preparation for receiving the Eucharist, the themes  center on belonging to the church, making peace, giving thanks and sharing a meal. All lessons include  group and independent activities, dramatic play, prayer, reflection, music and song. 

Click here to learn more about the K-12 theology curriculum.

At Stuart, we know the importance of educating the whole child, so our girls are taught by subject area teachers in STEM, Spanish, art, drama, and music — in light-filled studios, labs, and performance spaces designed specifically for each discipline.

Click here for the Lower School Specialists Curriculum.