Academics

The Elementary School Curriculum reflects our strong commitment to academic excellence.  In addition to the traditional subjects of reading, language arts, math, science, and social studies, students in pre-first through fifth grade take classes in art, children’s literature, computer, French or Spanish, music, physical education, and Quest.  Our program also includes a variety of extracurricular activities including band, chorus, orchestra, and intramurals.

Each child has unique gifts and talents waiting to be affirmed and developed.  Working together in partnership with each of our families, the Elementary School faculty and staff strive to insure that each child in our school values learning, is happy and self-confident, and celebrates childhood.

Art

Striving to develop each child’s ability to observe, record and interpret the world they live in, the elementary art program seeks to enable students to “see” the world through artist’s eyes. Within the context of an art lab environment, teachers, provide students with the opportunity to explore drawing, painting, collage, printmaking, ceramics, fiber arts and sculpture. Our art program challenges students to use their developing art skills to engage in creative problem solving, formulating their own unique voice. At each grade level students are exposed to the art-making processes of artists throughout history and across different cultures, strengthening their understanding of art’s miraculous evolution, its global diversity and limitless possibilities.

Bible/Values

Daily devotionals including material from both the New and Old Testaments are held in pre-first through fifth grade. Elementary students are encouraged to respond to the ideas and values presented in the devotionals. Integration of biblical material with students’ current life experiences is also accomplished through the use of shared experiences, role play, stories, games, and participation in service projects. In addition, fifth graders are taught Bible/Values as a subject. Our goal is that all Elementary School students will gain both understanding of the relevance of the Bible to our lives today and personal insight into making responsible decisions.

Children’s Literature

The primary goal of the Children’s Literature program is to nurture in children a life-long love of reading. The structure of the program encourages children to read daily, so that a regular pattern of reading becomes a habit for life. With the help of the librarians and the reading teachers, children also become familiar with particular authors and various genres of literature. Nationally known authors are brought to the school on a regular basis to talk with the students. The librarians and teachers introduce the Georgia Book Award nominees appropriate for each grade level, and children vote for their favorite book. Students receive a comprehensive book list every year, and the librarians, reading teachers, and classroom teachers help children make appropriate reading choices based on their individual interests.

Computer Education

Computer skills are taught throughout the Elementary School in regularly scheduled classes in the computer labs. In addition, classroom computers and wireless mobile labs provide additional resources for student learning. Technology is integrated at all grade levels across the curricular areas of language arts, social studies, science, and math through a variety of software programs. Word processing and keyboarding skills are taught with age-appropriate software. The Internet is used for research and online projects at every grade level.

Community Service

Students in the elementary school support a variety of outreach programs throughout the school year. In addition, the elementary service plan offers students at each grade level a special weekend volunteer project in which to participate with their families. Service-learning opportunities are also incorporated across the curriculum where appropriate, culminating in the fifth grade week-long Urban EdVenture experience.

Foreign Language

In an effort to prepare our students for both academic pursuits using languages and for career and social involvement in our global community, Westminster offers language instruction in French or Spanish in grades pre-first through fifth. The language classes are taught exclusively in the target language and incorporate many of the songs, poems, and children’s books used by native speakers. An effort is made to encourage the knowledge and understanding of other cultures through the celebration of traditions and holidays of French and Spanish-speaking peoples. Since the elementary program strives to maintain an even split between French and Spanish, it is not always possible to honor the first choice.

Language Arts

The language arts program seeks to strengthen each student’s communication skills. The sequential curriculum provides daily experiences in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students are encouraged to express ideas orally and to listen effectively in all areas of language arts. Reading is taught through a variety of approaches, and children are encouraged to read with different purposes. Independent reading and an appreciation for literature are promoted through the Children’s Literature program. Reading and writing are taught as interdependent skills throughout the grade levels. Students participate in pre-writing, writing, conferencing, revising, and editing. Vocabulary building, grammar, and the mechanics of language are presented as integral parts of the language arts program. Communication is basic to every area of learning; therefore, language arts units are often correlated with other areas such as social studies, science, art, and music.
In addition, four reading teachers are available in the Elementary School for both reinforcement and enrichment of reading and writing skills. Using various approaches, these specialist work closely with teachers to meet each student’s particular needs.

Library Skills

The Smythe Gambrell Library is the information center of the Elementary School and the hub of the Children’s Literature program. The library skills taught at each grade level during regular library classes are chosen with particular attention to the developmental level of the student. These skills include recognizing and using the parts of a book; differentiating between fiction and nonfiction; becoming familiar with the areas of the library — fiction (picture books, beginning readers, chapter books, story collection) and nonfiction (including biography and reference); understanding the Dewey Decimal System; using the computer catalog and locating materials; selecting and using appropriate reference sources — print and nonprint — to locate desired information. Librarians team with classroom and special area teachers to facilitate research projects.

Math

Westminster recognizes the impact that early learning experiences have on students’ perceptions of themselves as mathematical thinkers. Therefore, the school considers its mathematical learning environment critical: students should feel a genuine curiosity about the problems they encounter and should approach tasks with confidence and delight in their abilities.

Westminster uses Everyday Mathematics, the elementary curriculum of the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project. This program provides a manipulative-based approach emphasizing that how students learn is as important as what they learn. Experimentation, risk-taking, and the value of different approaches are emphasized as are collegiality and the importance of effective communication. A compelling strength of this program is that one lesson can be investigated productively and comfortably by students at different mastery levels. Thus, students who need more time with an idea are not pushed inappropriately nor are other students required to “hold themselves back.” In addition, three math specialists are available for math reinforcement and enrichment.

Curriculum topics include numeration and counting, plane and solid geometry, measurement, operations, and data analysis. The application of mathematics in realistic contexts is heavily emphasized; social studies, science, and language studies are integrated frequently in math lessons.

Music

Music enriches and delights every child in ways related to his or her stage of development. With the guidance of two elementary music specialists, each student discovers the joy and satisfaction of music-making through singing, creating, moving, listening, and performing, thus supplying the foundation for life-long musical leaning and understanding. At the core of our music curriculum is the Yamaha Music In Education (MIE) program, a structured, systematic, comprehensive, and conceptual instruction framework that places the making of music as an essential and critical component of music instruction. Not just a keyboard program, MIE provides an innovative, comprehensive, and contemporary focus to music teaching and learning in classroom general music, both now and for the future. In addition to the general music classes, third, fourth, and fifth grade students have the opportunity after school to participate in chorus, string orchestra and band under the direction of music educators, who are also professional musicians. Students have performance opportunities and maintain a high standard of musicianship.

Physical Education

The elementary physical education program provides every student an opportunity for skill improvement in a developmentally appropriate environment. With access to three gymnasiums and under the supervision of five full-time elementary physical education specialists, students also have the use of the school’s track, indoor swimming pool, and gymnastics equipment. Physical activities include movement skills, fitness, fundamental sports skills, rhythms, and cooperative games. Three classes per week offer a variety of positive physical education experiences that provide the framework for a healthy lifestyle. The physical education teachers offer an after-school intramural program which enhances physical skills and provides cooperative opportunities for third, fourth, and fifth grade students to interact with others in their grade level.

Quest

Quest is an experiential education component that is woven throughout the Westminster curriculum. In Quest, students work to develop cooperation, problem-solving and leadership skills. While facing various challenges and solving problems, students gain confidence in group decision-making, higher-level thinking, and reflection. Quest activities are also designed to provide hands-on experiences in the specific subject areas. Additionally, students in third and fourth grades participate in an overnight Quest experience.

Science

Westminster’s elementary science curriculum is a sequential “hands-on” program which uses scientific investigation to explore both physical and life science units. The science teachers coordinate these units in the science laboratories for the first through fifth grade curriculum. The pre-first science teacher conducts lessons in the classroom and takes students to the science lab for special activities. Many methods are used to capture the students’ natural interests and curiosity, including demonstrations, guest lectures, art activities, observation of wildlife habitats, written and oral reports, videos, library research, and computer applications.

Social Studies

In grades pre-first through fifth, the social studies curriculum is primarily concerned with developing each student’s awareness of self and his or her place in our ever-changing world. Content is drawn from the basic social science disciplines of history, geography, political science, economics, and sociology. The program is integrated into other curricular areas through encouraging the development of a more global view in each student’s approach to life.