The journey to becoming a savvy, life-long reader begins with Open Court Phonics instruction in PreKindergarten and continues through Grade Two. Lessons teach young scholars several established reading strategies, including word dissection. Second grade students are challenged to identify main topics, themes and subjects. Students practice gathering information, isolating important ideas, recording and organizing data, and reporting information. Third, fourth and fifth grade lessons focus on comprehension, and students are regularly tested on increasingly difficult vocabulary. Small group discussions, author visits and book reports are special activities used to compliment individual reading for pleasure. Grades Three, Four and Five read and study the novel, with emphasis on the elements of literature and narrative structure. Most importantly, content reading is an area of special focus.
Open Court reading lessons provide the basis for writing instruction. In PreKindergarten, students begin to journal and practice their writing craft, guided by the knowledge that writing is an expression of ideas on paper. First graders learn the established five-step writing process: pre-writing, composition, revision, editing, and publication. In addition, students begin the practice of proofreading. Erasers are not permitted in the First Grade with the intention of discouraging self-censorship and promoting creativity. Students begin to understand editing by analyzing their errors. Third, Fourth and Fifth grades continue the lessons begun in early elementary education and begin exploring and writing diverse genres, including short stories, poetry and exposition. These young scholars try their hand at scholarly research reports and book reports.
Furthermore, development and presentation of a project for Rivermont’s annual Academic Fair provides a practical application of research skill, reading, writing and speaking ability. Students in Grades Two through Eleven are required to research, compose, and orally present a scholarly project accompanied by a three-dimensional visual aid. Additionally, Grades Two through Five complete another major research and presentation project: second graders embark on a guided investigation of the history of invention, third graders study Native American cultures, fourth graders investigate state history and natural resources, and fifth graders study genealogy by mapping their own family tree.
The Everyday Mathematics program provides the core curriculum in PreKindergarten through Fifth Grade. Students learn several approaches to solve math computations. Learning several approaches to math computations develops problem-solving aptitude and confidence. Instructors emphasize concept development and real-life math applications to make the subject challenging, relevant and accessible. Problem-solving and computation skill is further developed with diverse activities and tools such as: manipulatives, constructions, games and computers. Cooperative large and small group learning supplements individual studying. Students are challenged at the appropriate level through differentiation and acceleration practices.
Students at Rivermont are exposed to the entire spectrum of science disciplines. Curriculum content is taken from a variety of science disciplines such as life science, earth science and physical science. Would-be astronomers explore nebulae, black holes and electromagnets; future biologists discover the wondrous world of plant and animal life; young physicists study electricity and energy forms. Hands-on investigations ensure students learn investigative skills and scientific procedures including proper observation process, the scientific method, note-taking and reporting.
Lower School Social Studies lessons in geography and history ensure that students make important conceptual discoveries about their community, other cultures and nations. Maps, media and field trips are tools used to educate early Lower School students in economics and geography. Meanwhile, the upper elementary curriculum emphasizes American history, especially westward expansion, and United States geography. Literature and off- campus, real-life learning applications enrich curricula. Students build upon their prior research achievement with increasingly involved projects and reports.
Rivermont students begin their study of foreign languages at an early age in part to foster understanding of their own developing native language. Another significant outcome is a greater appreciation and respect for diverse cultures. Foreign languages also teach students to think of words as tools of expression, and to attain greater deliberation in their word selection. Success in languages is cultivated by first attaining familiarity through listening and speaking, and then by acquiring reading and writing skills.
PreKindergarten and First Grade students begin their life-long foreign language exploration with Spanish. One important outcome is an appreciation and respect for diverse cultures. A multitude of instructional mediums such as songs, games, media and cultural celebrations create a language-rich environment and aid in expanding vocabulary and improving pronunciation. Furthermore, second and third grade students enjoy learning an additional language: French. French culture and geography lessons complete the beginning French curriculum.
On this foundation, upper elementary students select French or Spanish as a language of focus. Students learn to read and write in their target language and complete projects to showcase their new-found grammar and vocabulary. For example, fourth grade students create a foreign travel brochure and fifth graders compose dialogues and skits of increasing difficulty.Foreign languages also teach students to think of words as tools of expression, and to attain greater deliberation in their word selection.
Visual art appreciation lessons begin in Kindergarten and include the study of art history, including great masters, movements and notable works. This art history knowledge serves as a foundation and inspiration for personal art exploration. Students first begin to learn and apply the fundamentals of drawing and painting theory and technique. After establishing competency, students advance to three-dimensional projects requiring greater dexterity and mechanical understanding such as sculpture and architectural design. Imagination and creativity are highly prized and students are encouraged to exercise the free-flow of ideas with independent brainstorming and sketching.
Rivermont’s music program includes the study of music theory, vocal and instrument performance, and movement. Instructors encourage dancing and experimentation with rhythm instruments to foster music appreciation. Students learn to recognize and understand musical symbols and terminology, and apply this knowledge with choral, band and orchestra performances at school and in the community.
Primary grade vocalists perform at Grandparents’/Special Friends’ Day and delight audiences with a Spring Operetta. Lower School choir (Grades Four and Five) and Middle School choir (Grades Five through Eight) provide an outlet for students to express their new-found love of music.
Recorder lessons provide third graders with the early instruction needed to progress to more complex band instruments in fourth grade. Beginning Band (Grade Four), Middle School Band (Grades Five through Eight) and Jazz Band (Grades Nine through Twelve) provide students with individual and group lessons and performance experiences. Students have the option of pursuing stringed instrument instruction in third grade.
The Director of Technology pairs with classroom instructors to develop a progressive technology program for Lower School students. This early training provides students with the confidence and capability necessary to use technology to solve problems, gather, organize, present and store information. Beginning in Kindergarten, students learn basic keyboard, mouse and computer operation skills. They practice rudimentary word-processing and image manipulation. First and second graders continue to build upon past achievements and third graders are taught to incorporate slide-show features into scholarly presentations. Lastly, fourth and fifth graders begin to manipulate spreadsheets and databases.
Developing gross motor skills, endurance and interest in life-long physical activity are focuses of Lower School physical education. Games and activities are presented not only to provide aerobic exercise, but to practice and illustrate the importance of rule-following, fair play and teamwork. Each year the President’s Physical Fitness Challenge asks youngsters in grades 1-5 to meet and exceed national fitness benchmarks and earning the coveted President’s Physical Fitness Award. Fifth graders are given the opportunity to participate in organized sports with school-sponsored soccer, basketball, volleyball, track and field, and golf teams