Elementary Curriculum
Preschool
The Coventry Schools Preschool Program provides children with the opportunities to learn and grow through a variety of developmentally appropriate experiences in which all children can succeed in a safe, fun and nurturing environment.
Our play-based, child-centered program reflects the purposeful integration of all nine areas of the Rhode Island Early Learning and Development Standards; Social-Emotional, Physical Health, Language, Literacy, Cognitive, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and Creative Arts. Student’s growth is monitored using a combination of both formative and summative assessment data.
Early Childhood is a time of great growth; a time when children love to learn. A preschool experience gives a child an opportunity to experience learning through play, to interact with others, to gain a positive self-image and to achieve developmentally appropriate goals that provide a solid foundation for future school success.
Preschool Curriculum Framework 2018 updated March 2022
Kindergarten
Kindergarten is a fantastic year of both social and academic growth. The kindergarten year lays the foundation for future success in all aspects of life. We work hard to develop our student’s sense of wonder and excitement about the world. Kindergarten is an early childhood education setting designed for children typically around ages 5 to 6. It serves as a transition from home or preschool to more structured schooling. The environment is warm and nurturing, fostering social, emotional, and cognitive development.
In kindergarten, children engage in a variety of activities that promote learning through play. They explore basic concepts in literacy, math, science, and art while developing social skills through group activities. Daily routines might include storytelling, singing, hands-on projects, and outdoor play.
Teachers often focus on encouraging curiosity and creativity, helping children build confidence and a love for learning. Overall, kindergarten lays the foundation for lifelong educational experiences.
Grade 1
First grade is a magical year! The academic and social growth we see in our first graders each year is amazing. First grade is a time for children to learn more about themselves as learners and as citizens of their school and community. As our world has changed, so have our classrooms. Our first grade program now uses digital tools in many different ways, but we still focus on building relationships and developing a love of learning.
In first grade, students usually delve deeper into reading, writing, and basic math. They start to read simple books, learn to write complete sentences, and perform basic arithmetic like addition and subtraction.
Socially, first graders continue to develop their interpersonal skills, learning to work collaboratively, share, and resolve conflicts. The classroom environment is typically structured but still incorporates play and creativity to keep learning engaging. Overall, first grade helps solidify foundational skills while fostering a greater sense of independence in young learners.
Grade 2
Although every child is unique and has his or her own developmental timetable, second graders share many characteristics. Making friends begins to be very important for this age group, even though they may change “best” friends often. Their sense of humor develops and they like to hear and tell jokes. Second graders’ vocabularies are growing and they love to talk!
By second grade, most students have settled in and have begun to use the skills they learned in kindergarten and in first grade. They become more analytical in their thinking as they take on more complicated assignments. Second grade marks a year of transition as children learn to become self-directed, independent learners.
Second grade students engage in reading, writing, listening, and speaking throughout the day, with a focus on fluency, accuracy, and comprehension. They participate in activities, including small-group reading, daily phonics instruction, shared writing, and read-alouds, exploring both fiction and nonfiction texts. Emphasis is placed on communication through speaking, listening, and writing, as well as decoding words using phonics and syllables.
In math, students build fluency in addition and subtraction, explore measurement (length and time), and work with understanding larger numbers. They deepen number sense and study geometric shapes, using tools like money, rulers, and base-ten blocks to model real-world math. Critical thinking and problem-solving enhance their mathematical understanding.
Daily family reading, such as during breakfast or before bed, fosters a love of learning. Sharing favorite childhood books and discussing their significance can inspire a lasting interest in literacy. Visiting libraries and attending literacy events further support reading habits and highlight the importance of books in everyday life.
Grade 3
Third graders are developing greater independence and confidence in their learning. They transition from learning to read to reading to learn, which means they begin to read more complex texts and use reading to gather information across subjects. They build fluency and comprehension through a mix of fiction and nonfiction books, including stories, informational texts, and even poetry. They also strengthen their writing skills, focusing on writing complete sentences and paragraphs, developing ideas clearly, and organizing their work with a beginning, middle, and end. Third graders practice grammar, punctuation, and spelling, and they start to write for different purposes, such as storytelling, describing, and explaining.
In math, third graders work to understand the concepts of multiplication and division, becoming more comfortable with these operations and learning to solve word problems. They explore fractions, telling time, and measuring lengths and weights, often using tools like rulers and clocks. They also begin working with basic concepts in geometry, such as identifying three dimensional shapes and understanding symmetry.
Overall, third graders are becoming more skilled at thinking critically, asking questions, and making connections across subjects. Teachers encourage teamwork, problem-solving, and communication as students prepare for the more complex learning in later grades.
Grade 4
Fourth graders are gaining more independence in their learning and are expected to take on more responsibility for their education. They are refining their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills, moving from basic comprehension to analyzing and discussing more complex texts. In reading, they explore a wider range of genres, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and biographies, and they focus on understanding deeper themes, main ideas, and making connections between texts. Writing becomes more detailed, with a focus on crafting organized essays, reports, and stories. Fourth graders also work on improving their grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.
In math, fourth graders build on their understanding of multiplication and division and move into more complex areas, such as multi-digit multiplication, division, and solving word problems. They explore fractions in greater detail, including comparing, adding, and subtracting them. They also begin working with decimals and learn about factors, multiples, and basic geometry, such as identifying angles and symmetry.
Overall, fourth graders are becoming more skilled at thinking critically and applying what they learn in a variety of ways. Teachers encourage them to work collaboratively, engage in problem-solving, and express their ideas clearly, both in writing and orally.
Grade 5
Fifth graders are becoming more confident and independent in their learning as they tackle more complex concepts across all subjects. They are expected to think critically, solve problems, and communicate their ideas clearly, both in writing and speaking.
In reading and writing, fifth graders focus on analyzing texts in depth. They read a variety of genres, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and plays, and explore themes, character development, and text structure. They learn to support their opinions with evidence from the text, write detailed essays, reports, and narratives, and begin to revise their work for clarity, structure, and style. Writing skills also include mastering grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary.
In math, fifth graders work with more advanced operations and concepts. They refine their understanding of multiplication and division, including multi-digit problems, and move into working with fractions and decimals. They learn to add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions and decimals, and solve word problems involving these operations. Geometry also becomes more advanced, with students studying area, volume, and the properties of shapes. They also explore basic algebraic concepts, such as patterns and simple equations.
Overall, fifth graders are developing the skills they need for middle school, including the ability to think critically, work independently, and collaborate with others. They are expected to apply their knowledge to real-world situations, demonstrate strong problem-solving skills, and express themselves clearly in both writing and speaking.