Primary Curriculum

Select a Department

Grade 1

  • Art

    In this dynamic environment, students learn about the elements (or visual components) as well as the principles of art that artists use to organize their work. The elements are line, shape, form, value, space, color, and texture. The principles include rhythm, balance, emphasis, proportion, gradation, harmony, variety, and movement. These principles and elements are taught through the lens of the history of art. Throughout the school year, students are introduced to a variety of artists and art forms, ranging from Ancient Egypt to the work being created by contemporary artists from around the globe. All artists and styles explored offer the opportunity to learn about how their work incorporates the elements and principles of art. Throughout the year, the art studio collaborates with core- and co-curricular teachers to implement STEAM initiatives, including this year’s focus on global citizenship. These allow the opportunity to incorporate the arts into every area of learning. Likewise, many of the elements and principles of art are naturally occuring in STEAM, such as shape, proportion, form, balance, value, the science of color, and more. The art studio should be a place where every student feels empowered to assert their creativity. To this end, the focus is on kindness and creating a work space where students feel confident and eager to express their ideas. Contemporary American artist Amy Sherald said, “I don't think anybody can create in a space where they don't feel comfortable.” In the art studio, students are given tools to find this comfort and courage to create and grow across the arts and the STEAM curriculum.
  • Global Studies

    Where we are in the world Introduction of Continents and Oceans, Passport around the world, Where are we in the world, identify continents and oceans; North America, compare/contrast families(customs and traditions); plants, animals in our world, from different regions (desert, plains, mountains) seasonal changes and impact on people and animals; September - Responsible Citizenship; October-November - Families Long Ago and Today; December/January - Europe (holiday traditions around the world); February/March Geography - April/May - Community Economics
  • Reading

    We seek to foster a love of reading in each child. We use a literature-rich, phonics-based program that includes leveled books and ongoing assessments. Author Study exposes students to the natural language of authors as texts are read aloud during daily Read Aloud time. Children read individually, with partners, and in small flexible groups to practice phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension skills. A variety of genres, big books, books on tape and audio-visual materials in the classroom help to stimulate reading interest. Children learn to self-select books at their own reading level which we call “Just Right Books.”
  • Library

    The core curriculum for the library adds depth to all other curricular areas for each grade level. We seek to foster a love of reading in our students by exploring literature and engaging in book discussions. We believe that research and information literacy skills are vital to success across every subject area. Guided by standards outlined by the American Library Association, we teach students how to find and access information effectively and efficiently, how to critically evaluate information and its sources, how to incorporate research into their own work, and how to properly cite information gathered through this process in their own work.
  • Mathematics

    Primary Mathematics (Standards Edition) from Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) is our text. Primary Mathematics is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in mathematics through moving students from the concrete to the pictorial to the abstract, (CPA) approach. The program’s emphasis on metacognition teaches students to think deeply about mathematics to the “why,” not just the “how.” Skills include numbers to 100, number bonds, addition, subtraction, position, shapes, length, weight, capacity, comparing numbers, graphs, multiplication, division, halves and fourths, time and money. First Graders also begin each math time with “Focus on Math.” During this time children engage in calendar, number line, days in school, place value, tally marks, telling time and money activities. Addition and subtraction facts are introduced through the use of games and class activities which helps first graders work on increasing their math fact fluency throughout the year.
  • Music

    Students engage in four foundational concepts of musical learning (Sing, Move, Listen, and Play) and Kodaly-based active music making. Particular emphasis is placed on the learning of echo songs, call and response songs, and song tales for further development of pitch matching and rhythm skills with the body (clapping, marching) and rhythm sticks. Listening skills are developed through exposure and discussion of stories, musicians, and musical genres (Folk, Classical, Jazz, etc) with emphasis on verbal and written reflection (“What do you hear? What do you feel? What do you see? What do you wonder?”).
  • Physical Education

    All students PreSchool - 8th Grade  have weekly physical education in the gymnasium or out on the field. Students take part in a variety of activities and units that follow and adhere to The Shape America Physical Education Standards. Some of the units that we teach at TCS are...low ropes course (Signature Program), soccer, golf, floor hockey, lacrosse, and cooperative games.

    The Physical Education Department, first and foremost, is responsible for helping our young people acquire the skills and self-confidence they need to participate in a wide variety of physical activities. The curriculum seeks to develop strength, stamina, and coordination. Our hope is that what is gained through our fun and developmentally appropriate activities will go with them well beyond their school days. Students learn the motor skills necessary to participate in a wide variety of physical activities, helping them to understand the link between physical activity and good health.

    1st-4th Grade students meet three times per week for 30 minutes.

    • Fitness
      • Cardio Fitness Strength and Endurance
      • Activities
        • Jump rope, hula hoops, wands, rhythm sticks, scooters, flags (balance, hand-eye coordination, rhythm, strength, endurance) Walking, Jogging, Running (pacing, gait, cardio fitness level) Fitness circuits/climbing wall( strength agility, balance general coordination) Parachute (locomotor skills rhythm, strength creativity), Aerobic games and tag. (aerobic and non aerobic conditioning, agility, team building)
      • Coordination
        • Rhythm, Balance, 
          • Parachute
          • Dance (creative movement, rhythm, coordination, locomotor skills) 
      • Cooperative games 
        • Outdoor ropes course, indoor climbing wall, build foam block structures
      • Modified sports 
        • Soccer (dribbling, passing, trapping, shooting, foot-eye coordination), Basketball (dribbling passing, catching, pivoting, rebounding, shooting, hand-eye coordination , Ultimate ( throwing, catching, hand-eye coordination), Softball/baseball/wiffle ball/TennyBall (striking, catching, throwing, hand-eye coordination), Track and Field ( running, jumping hurdles, passing baton, general coordination, throwing disc) , Floor hockey( dribbling, passing, shooting, and goaltending skills), Team Handball (striking, serving, agility, hand-eye coordination), Bowling, Tennis ( forehand, backhand, volleying, serving, overheads), Badminton, Pickleball
  • Spanish

    Academic Expectations
    • To recite the Spanish alphabet, the names of the days, and the months.
    • To count in sequence 1-40.
    • To know seven colors, three greetings, and body parts.
    • To understand that nouns in Spanish have gender, and to correctly use the gender distinction of el/la.
    • To recognize “cognate” words.
    • To be able to write a complete sentence in Spanish.
    Cultural Enrichment
    • The First Graders will expand their vocabulary by learning different words.
    • Games and songs help the students practice and become familiar with the vocabulary.
    • Parents practice the review sheets with their children at home.
    • First graders learn about Spanish-speaking countries.
  • STEAM

    STEAM activities in the lab connect to classroom studies and a hands-on, exploratory approach allows all students to be active participants. Our wooded 23-acre campus affords children many opportunities for hands-on experiences as they explore and observe the nearby woods, trails and bogs, often bringing the outdoors indoors. Our on-campus “Children’s Garden” inspires 1st Graders to plant, nurture, and observe different varieties of seeds and seedlings.
  • Writing

    First Graders write daily. Weekly journals are used to help children increase writing organization, fluidity, and creativity. Applying capitalization and punctuation skills are emphasized in the writing process. The Writing Workshop (Lucy Calkins, Units of Study) approach is used to help teach students the joy and purpose of writing. During Writing Workshop, mini-lessons are used to deliver instruction and students engage in writing which provides time for practice. While students write, individual conferences between teacher and student are conducted to help raise the quality of each child’s writing skills. Spelling and handwriting are also part of the First Grade Writing program. Using the spelling program How to Spell and Wilson Fundations, First Graders are learning to move from transitional spellers to conventional spellers. Wilson Fundations also provides explicit handwriting instruction with the goal that students will develop legible and fluent handwriting, using proper letter formation line placement and spacing.
  • Elmore Leadership Program

    The Elmore Leadership Program at The Country School recognizes that at each grade level, students will develop leadership skills in different ways and at different times. In keeping with this 11 year continuum the PreSchool through Eighth Grade Program strives to develop students into civic-minded citizens who consistently practice our TCS core values of kindness, respect and responsibility. Through carefully crafted activities, programs and experiences, our students learn the power of teamwork, collaboration, empathetic listening and appreciative inquiry.

    First Graders gain experience learning to share their voices, communicate appropriately with others, become confident speakers through daily classroom responsibilities and activities, take part in WTCS sharings and participate in The Country School MacLane Poetry Recitation.
  • Social Development

    Affective Education at The Country School includes social and emotional development, outdoor education, and the Elmore Leadership.

    Affective Education in First Grade is woven into the day by day workings of the classroom. Children learn to work together, to be aware of their own and other’s feelings, to resolve conflicts and to make their classroom a safe and happy place. The Responsive Classroom approach is modeled throughout the day as we work together on building a classroom community. Social skills, friendships, kindness, self-esteem, feelings, values and character education are all emphasized and valued. We also incorporate components of The Choose Love Enrichment Program which is a no cost PreK through 12th grade social and emotional learning program that teaches educators and their students how to choose love in any circumstance and helps us become connected, resilient and empowered individuals. First Graders take part in community service opportunities with their Reading Buddies and also take part in our school wide ‘Can Van’ collection First Graders also participate in the school wide theme “CARES” (Cooperation, Assertion, Responsibility, Empathy, Self-Control).

Department Faculty

341 Opening Hill Road, Madison, CT 06443
P. 203-421-3113  |  F. 203-421-4390  |  Health Office F. 860-469-2550
Founded in 1955, The Country School is a coeducational, independent school serving students in PreSchool-Grade 8. The Country School is committed to active, hands-on learning and a vigorous curriculum that engages the whole child.