Lower Grades

Hands On & Highly Engaged

LOWER GRADES | 3 TO 5

Education comes to life in grades 3 to 5 with hands-on learning that turns concepts into experiences. Students go beyond the books with interdisciplinary learning opportunities like the Invention Convention, Wax Museum, Insect Expo, Storytelling Festival, and Science Fair. These presentations promote confidence, public speaking skills, and creativity.

Students also begin developing relationships across grade levels as they take part in an Exploratory period focused on current events, STEM topics, and more. With iPads for all lower grades students, technology integration is a key component of the curriculum. Curiosity and imagination in this area fuel the annual Technology Competition.

All lower grades teachers are Orton-Gillingham Classroom Educator-trained. This proven, multi-sensory approach to teaching literacy draws on developmental neuroscience to provide an optimal learning experience for every student. Students with emerging learning issues are also supported by caring learning specialists at the Learning Center, who collaborate to ensure academic success.

Life in the Lower Grades

Daily routines begin with Flagpole. This community time for students in grades 3 to 8 features announcements, celebrations, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recitation of Darlington’s Mission Statement. The daily schedule is built around the way students naturally learn. They are immersed in subjects with plenty of time to freely explore and enjoy longer transition times between projects during an 8-day rotation of courses and activities.

8-Day Rotations Include:

Three sessions each of Art, Music*, Physical Education, and Spanish
One session each of Character Education, Library, and Chorus** 
Exploratory sessions to broaden young horizons 
Fully integrated STEM activities and a MakerSpace 
Daily recess to be active and spend time with friends

* Third-graders may choose to take General Music or Strings, while fourth- and fifth-graders may take General Music, Strings, or Band. **All fourth- and fifth-graders take Chorus.