Elementary (Grades 1-5)

Our unique classroom structure

Our elementary classrooms are 1st/2nd grade, 3rd/4th grade, and 5th grade. The first two are each combined classrooms of approximately 30 students with two teachers, one for each grade level. The 5th grade classroom has up to 18 students and one teacher.

Language arts and math are taught in small groups according to ability. In combined classrooms, science and social science topics are on a two-year rotating schedule so that a student experiences all topics during the two years in the classroom.

The multi-age classroom structure works well for 1st through 4th grade. It gives students regular opportunities to look up to older role models and to serve as role models for younger students. In addition to developing leadership skills and fostering a community feeling and spirit, these classrooms allow students to develop friendships with more than just the students in their actual grade. Since in the combined classrooms half the class changes each year, new students find it easy to fit in.

1st grade/2nd grade

The 1st Grade/2nd Grade classroom, known as the "1/2 Room" (pronounced “one-two room”), provides an extraordinary learning experience. The overarching theme of the 1/2 class is EXPLORE.

Throughout the two-year program, students explore their own identities and the identities of those around them, our greater community, country, and our world. The specialized curriculum challenges young minds as advanced topics are taught creatively to capture the attention and interest of young learners. Large-scale simulations fill the students’ days with joy, provide experiential learning, and truly bring new meaning to a traditional “hands-on” experience as the classroom changes and transforms throughout the year.

These two grades share community space and the science and social studies curriculum. When separated, the grades also have their own space for math, literature, writing, and grammar. Students participate in whole-group activities and lessons as well as small-group instruction, which targets specific learning styles and academic levels. Larger units are integrated into all subject areas, promoting meaningful learning experiences for our students throughout their days.

Our exploration serves as the spark from which magical experiences occurHands-on learning takes on a whole new meaning as imaginations soar and the classroom transforms into faraway places. Throughout the year, you may find the students deep within the earth - exploring the incredible animal adaptations in their classroom cave. Or the our room may be transformed to include castle walls (complete with a working drawbridge) and a Grand Feast for our families with jousting and Maypole dancing during our study of Medieval times. Or during our study of outer space, complete with blackness and the twinkling of faraway stars, the students may blast off in their “life size” space shuttle to explore our solar system - and beyond.

Additional benefits of these large-scale projects include teamwork, cooperation, and creativity. The students retain these skills and the joy in learning they acquire during these early years and apply all these unique experiences as they mature and progress through their later years here.

First and second grades students also have Spanish or Chinese, PE, music, visual arts, and performing arts/creative movement. In addition, each year the 1/2 class plans and implements a service project where they eagerly use their talents to help others in need.

 

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Over the years, alumni have often come back after going to college and said, "What I needed to know for college I learned at Countryside."

Cathie Webber, Founding Head of Countryside School

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3rd grade/4th grade

The third and fourth grade classroom, known as the "3/4 Room" (pronounced "three-four room"), seamlessly bridges the imaginative learning experiences of our early elementary school with the more advanced topics and expectations of fifth grade. Experiments and experiences provide fuel for curious minds and open the door to endless exploration as our third and fourth grade students learn about themselves and the world around them.

The overarching theme in our third- and fourth-grade classroom is INVESTIGATE. Throughout the year, students are encouraged to not only answer questions but also ask questions. This philosophy promotes organic learning. Lessons can take an unexpected turn as the class explores the answers to intriguing questions, enriching everyone’s learning experience. Students also get a firsthand experience of investigating during their Mystery Genre unit, when they investigate classroom crime scenes, look for clues, and try to solve the mystery.

Lessons are often integrated across subject areas to provide practical and meaningful learningExperiments, hands-on lessons, and simulations enhance studies of life science, earth science, history, geography, and economics. Students also develop collaboration skills as they work on projects with others. For example, when students study Ancient Egypt, they work together to build a 20-foot-tall class pyramid and create many (not so ancient) artifacts to transform their classroom into this historical place and time. Students learn the Ancient Egyptian number system, read books about this time period, and learn how this civilization used glyphs to communicate in writing.

These two grades come together to share community space and the science and social studies curriculum. The third- and fourth-grade classes also have their own space when separated for math, literature, writing, and grammar. In addition, they enjoy music, PE, art and drama separately. Students in both grades study a world language (either Spanish or Chinese). In third grade, our students begin their study of Latin - in addition to either Spanish or Chinese. The study of Latin continues through 5th grade with an option of continuing the language in middle school.

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5th grade

Fifth grade at Countryside is the ideal time for students to continue experiencing a love of creativity and learning while strengthening organizational skills, study habits, and life skills that can be applied in Middle School and for years to come.

The theme of our 5th grade classroom is ANALYZE. With outstanding teacher support, fifth graders learn to take ownership of their learning. Application based activities and real-world experiences are at the heart of this curriculum. Students are asked to think critically about our unique and challenging curriculum. The class participates in units of study through various activities and projects. The classroom often transforms into a working lab as the class collaborates to identify real-life problems and discover creative solutions.

Within all subject areas, the teacher encourages students to persevere through challenges and to take risks, emphasizing the idea that good practice leads to increased skill and that mistakes help us grow and learn. Units of study are often integrated into other subject areas, promoting meaningful learning experiences for our students throughout their day.

You never know who you might run into in the 5th grade classroom. You may see Marie Antoinette or George Washington Carver sharing their story with the class when preparing for the Fifth Grade Living History Museum.

Students often apply all they have learned about forces and motion to create incredibly complex Rube Goldberg Machines. The students have complete ownership of the machines, planning and building even the smallest of details. Countryside’s 5th Grade Rube Goldberg teams often qualify to compete at the University of Illinois Engineering Open House in the spring.

Students in 5th grade continue to study Latin and either Spanish or Chinese. They are also engaged in PE, music, visual art, and drama classes.

Explore Elementary Curriculum