The Grammar Stage (Grades K-4)

The CGS Early Elementary Program is rooted in a classical curriculum, where the emphasis is on the learning of facts and the development of basic skills and rules.  The students are taught in an environment that amplifies their experiences as they apply their emerging academic skills to the construction of knowledge.

The teacher's careful attention to the child's neuro-development and the integration of symbolic language development through art and music, which characterizes the CGS Preschool Program, continues as an integral part of the Early Elementary experience.

Instruction in reading/spelling, writing and math can be provided in groups based on skill level and propensity.  The flexibility of the groupings and CGS' access to a variety of scientifically based reading (phonics, spelling and comprehension) and math programs allow appropriate instruction the accelerated as well as the typical developing student.

Language Arts

Beginning in Kindergarten and through Third Grade, reading and writing is taught through the Fundations Program from the Wilson Language Training Corporation.  This is a highly structured, multi-sensory and phonetically based program presented through explicit and systematic instruction.

Reading Comprehension begins in Kindergarten with listening comprehension work.  Once the children become independent readers, they begin the Making Connections Program for formalized reading comprehension study.  This program provides explicit teaching of reading strategies.

The comprehension skills are applied to literature from the history topics studied. For example, as first grade studies Ancient Rome, CGS incorporates a Level 2 Reader on Romulus and Remus. As second grade explores Medieval Islam, they have Level 3 and 4 readers for 1001 Arabian Nights. Third grade reads the Stepping into Classics adaptation of The Three Musketeers while studying late Renaissance France. Fourth grade enjoys The Secret Garden from the Great Classics for Children series during their study of 19th Century England.

The Fundations program integrates grammar study with writing instruction.  Beginning in Third Grade, the children continue grammar through the G.U.M. Series (Grammar, Usage, Mechanics) and composition through the Writing Stands Program.

Math

Beginning in Kindergarten, CGS uses the Singapore Math Program.  This is an explicit and systematic program with a proven track record that emphasizes mental math, understanding relationships, and word problems.  Special attention is given to carefully reading and comprehending the nuances of language in word problems.  Beginning in second grade, the children participate in an international math competition.

History

The story of mankind, history, integrates the entire curriculum.  The unifying theme for First Grade is the Ancient World.  The students' reading, writing, math, art and music are drawn from the stories and cultures of Ancient Egypt, Greece, China, Rome and India.

Thus, a First Grade student may hear stories from the Ancient cultures; read, listen to and write sentences from tales taken from Ancient mythologies and literature; play act, draw and sculpt from stories taken from the Ancients; and build architectural models based on the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The unifying theme for Second Grade is the Middle Ages, Third Grade is Early Modern Times and Fourth Grade is Late Modern Times. Our text is Susan Wise Bauer’s The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child.

Science

Kindergarten topics emerge from the interest of the children.  High interest topics revolve around exploring the natural world. We divide science for grades 1-4 into subjects that roughly correspond to the periods of history the children are studying. As first grade studies the Ancients, it learns about the things the Ancients could see -- animal life, the human body, plants - biology. Similarly, second grade studies astronomy and earth science, third grade explores basic chemistry and fourth grade is introduced to basic physics.   CGS uses the "Real Science-4-Kids" texts.

Foreign Language

Spanish is taught using the Wright Group program for all grades.  Beginning in thr third grade, Latin is integrated into the English curriculum to enhance grammar and vocabulary development.

Music

The CGS Music Program is designed to develop cultural literacy and cognitive skills. Music is integrated with the literature and history curriculum. To promote their cultural literacy, the children learn songs from their specific period of study. For example, one might find first graders learning songs in a Grecian mode, second graders intoning chants from the Middle Ages, third graders singing Renaissance motets, and fourth graders exploring Schubert lieder and American folk songs from Stephen Foster. Regarding
cognitive development, neuroscience suggests that music can improve spatial-temporal reasoning. In particular, rhythm instruction may have the strongest impact on temporal and sequencing tasks. Accordingly, rhythm instruction is an integral part of the CGS Music Program.

Art

The CGS Art Program, which is referred to as Project Time, is designed to provide daily practice in non-verbal reasoning. The children work in a wide range of 2-D and 3-D media, receiving instruction in technique and guidance towards developing a sense of aesthetics. Project Time is integrated with the literature, history and science curriculum. For example, one might see first graders building a Trojan horse, second graders creating a Byzantine mosaic, third graders painting a detail from Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel and fourth graders constructing a model of a Chicago skyscraper.

Drama

Drama at CGS is also integrated with the literature, history, and science curriculum. Twice a year, the students showcase topics they have studied through drama and music. Performances have included a kindergarten version of The Ice Age, a first grade production of The Island of the Cyclops, a second grade rendition of The Building of Asgard, and a third grade adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer's Night Dream.

Physical Education