Lower School (K-5)
The learning environment at Calmont is one where challenge, support, and risk taking converge. Individual learning strengths are searched out and taught to. Students become confident in themselves, competent in meeting both academic and societal challenges, and content with the friendships they have made and the love of learning they have acquired.
Our curriculum is firmly rooted in reading, listening, oral communication, written expression, mathematics, social studies and science. Further enhancements include music, physical education, art, environmental studies, drama, technology, Spanish, library, and community service. Students apply their learning through a variety of projects, simulations, experiments, publications, games, and role-plays.
Calmont uses a best practices approach to teaching. The learning goals for our students focus on their becoming strong and confident readers, writers, and thinkers, as well as sensitive, responsible, and environmentally aware citizens. We nurture academically prepared, well-rounded, self-confident students who are caring, curious, and ready to succeed in a challenging world.
Classroom teachers and their assistants are responsible for the core curriculum while subject specialists teach the other disciplines. The weekly schedule is as follows:
Language Arts (everyday): Teachers work with children in small groups as they acquire and refine language and reading skills in ways appropriate to their age and experience. Initially reading is phonics based and children experiment with phonetic spelling, but as they grow older, reading activities are broadened to include skills of inference, reference, and language structure. A standard spelling curriculum is then introduced, and students further hone their decoding and comprehension skills. Writing parallels reading and helps students organize their thinking. It gives them the freedom and structure to express information and ideas. From very early on, children learn to rewrite and edit, basing their revisions on responses to their "rough drafts." When they are ready, children "publish" their work, thus adding to the class library of children's work that can be read by all.
Mathematics (everyday): The curriculum follows the guidelines set forth by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the California State Standards. Children are first exposed to mathematical ideas (such as numeration, patterns, measurement, and graphing) through the use of building blocks, pattern blocks and other manipulatives. Students then build on these ideas by making connections between the use of materials and the use of symbols, and they learn and practice basic algorithms. When students demonstrate appropriate ability and maturity, acceleration to the next level is offered.
Social Studies (everyday): Students celebrate cultural and family awareness and learn about historical events that shape our own and the world community. Our goal is for students to develop respect for self and others; become literate;and acquire the requisite knowledge, skills, and civi values to become active and reflective participants in the world of the 21st century.
Science Instruction provides students with a basic understanding and appreciation of the physical world and the environment. Students learn scientific inquiry by participating in lab and classroom activities, hikes, and field trips and are encouraged to become critical thinkers, confident problem solvers, and respectful members of our environment.
Physical Education (3 x week) Students are introduced to a variety of activities emphasizing social and physical development. They are encouraged to have fun, try their best, play fair, and play by the rules, as well as relate well with other classmates, cooperate, and learn to play safely. Among the activities offered are swimming, field and court sports, movement, and physical fitness.
Spanish (2 x week) Through dialogues, stories, role-plays, audiotapes, videos, and the internet, students develop listening and speaking skills so that they can communicate with one another, as well as understand the important role that Hispanic culture has played in our history and society.
Environmental Studies (1x week) Through observation and exploration in the canyons around the campus, students learn about our eco-system and the fragility and resilience of nature. The interdisciplinary nature of this program comes into full play, combining geography, problem-solving skills, ecology, creativity, and the art of working together.
Library (1 x week) The program teaches children the skills necessary to use organized sources of information and stimulates their intellectual curiosity by providing students with a wide variety of reading material.
Computer (1x week) In this class, students develop ease with a variety of technologies; confidence and persistence to succeed when things go wrong; creativity in organizing information and solving problems; and understanding of Mac and PC platforms.
Art (1x week) The objective is to encourage children to have confidence in their own creative potential by allowing them to explore and experiment in a structured environment. Through a variety of media the program focuses on the process not the product of creation.
Music (1 x week) Students are engaged in musical expression and performance, as well as introduced to musical instruments, notation, history, and a variety of musical genres.The curriculum focuses on the process of making music with the result that it is “never conclusive and settled, but always developing, always growing, always flowing.” Musical theater is interwoven throughout the program.