
Elementary Curriculum

Elementary Core Academics
Language Arts
Our students become independent, critical thinkers and experience joy in reading and creative expression
We recognize that the two years students spend in 1st and 2nd grade are among the most influential in reading and writing development. The two-year literacy program provides students the incredible opportunity to blend two invaluable years of learning into one powerful learning experience. Students often grow exponentially in reading and writing due to our balanced literacy program that allows our teachers to meet the different needs of our students through guided reading, literacy centers, word work activities, and shared reading and writing opportunities.
The transition from “learning to read” to “reading to learn” is a process that begins during the two years in the 3rd and 4th grade classroom. Texts at varying levels are available for students as they read for comprehension, information, and enjoyment.
The 5th grade Literature Writing Workshop curriculum is organized into genre studies, which allow students to read, discuss, and synthesize information from mentor texts and then apply what they have learned to their own writing. Some genres covered during the 5th Grade year include Biographies, Myths, Science Fiction and Fairy Tales. Experiences in writing include Monologues, Letter Writing, Expository and Persuasive writing.

Living History Museum
The highlight of the 5th grade Biography unit is performing in our Living History Museum where our students read a biography of a person of historic significance then write and perform a monologue as that person.
Mathematics
The language of math and thinking logically should become as natural as thinking in language
In math class we build on students’ prior conceptual understanding to explore new mathematical algorithms and apply them to more complex problems. We focus on depth over speed and know that the most beneficial experiences in math allow us to make connections and understand deeply.
The program is structured so that each student will be challenged at his or her current level of performance with fun, relevant, practical, and appealing activities that tap into the remarkable cognitive potential of each child. Teachers strive to instill a positive attitude about math and to ensure that each child will experience success in his or her math level.
Countryside offers math levels A through G, Pre-Algebra, Algebra, and Advanced Math. The math levels are not identified by grade as they are more challenging than traditional grade levels in math.
Instruction occurs in small groups of 6-20 students. Children are grouped by instructional level for mathematics and may participate in a group at a higher grade level.
Elementary math runs from Level B through F.
Level B (1st grade math) topics include:
- Place value and number sense to the hundreds place
- Addition and subtraction, including composing a ten when necessary
- Measurement: linear, temperature, weight, liquid volumes
- Geometry: exploring 2D & 3D shapes and their attributes
- Telling time up to five minute intervals
- Money: identifying coins and their values
- Graphs: creating and interpreting graphs
- Fractions: Recognize and name common fractions
Level F (5th grade math) topics include:
- Exponents and scientific notation
- "Order of Operations" rules to solve problems
- Adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing whole numbers, decimals, and fractions
- Converting between fractions, decimals, and percent representation of a number
- Deriving and solving word problems involving multiple operations
- Using variables to represent unknowns in equations
- Solving problems related to area, volume, and capacity using U.S. customary units and metric units.

Reinforcing Math Concepts
Our 2nd grade students build a snack machine that looks and operates just like a working vending machine. It has tasty snacks, takes real money and even gives back change. The second grade students can’t wait to work the vending machine from the inside, practicing their money skills, computing totals, and giving snacks and change to all their customers.
Science
We encourage our students to be curious about the world around them
Our science program is a minds-on, hands-on curriculum that motivates them to be independent science learners outside of the classroom.
The1st grade/2nd grade class explores the study of biodiversity in the natural world around them, world cultures and locations, and even explore beyond earth into outer space. These large units of study provide the base for class projects and simulations. They also serve as the foundation for cross-curricular experiences. We intertwine these units seamlessly into our math and literature lessons, providing meaningful and purposeful learning throughout a student’s day in our classroom.
The overarching theme in our 3rd grade/4th grade class is INVESTIGATE. While this theme is applied in all curricular areas, science is one of the subject areas where it is most notable. Experiments, hands-on lessons, and simulations enhance studies of life science and earth science. Students also participate in STEM challenges regularly to support the application of knowledge and promote creative thinking.
In 5th grade, social science and science classes integrate hands-on labs and simulations, while also giving students a firm background in note taking, study skills, writing, and test-taking skills.
In the combined classrooms, our program rotates on a two-year cycle covering several topics. Some of the highlights include:
1st/2nd grade topics
- Plant and Animal Life Cycles, Survival, and Adaptations
- Rainforest Ecosystems
- Endangered and Extinct Animals
- Planet Earth
- Solar System
3rd/4th grade topics
- Inventions
- Simple Machines
- Forces and Movement
- Stem Challenges
- Biospheres
- Weather & Climates around the world
5th grade topics
- Engineering Design - Forces and Motion & Energy
- Magnets & Electricity
- Matter & Interactions
- Human Body

5th grade Energy unit: exploring different types of energy
Social Science
Our emphasis is on learning about many different cultures

Classroom City Economic Simulation
Our 3rd and 4th graders become entrepreneurs and set up shops to take part in this economic simulation! The classroom is filled with businesses designed, built, and run by our students. The groups begin by meeting with “city officials” to propose their business ideas. They are then granted a “license” to move forward as they budget, plan, and manage their businesses and participate in our Classroom City!
The1st grade/2nd grade class explores the study of biodiversity in the natural world around them, world cultures and locations, and even explore beyond earth into outer space. These large units of study provide the base for class projects and simulations. They also serve as the foundation for cross-curricular experiences. We intertwine these units seamlessly into our math and literature lessons, providing meaningful and purposeful learning throughout a student’s day in our classroom.
In the 3rd/4th grade class, mapping skills, geography, history, and cultural studies support an in depth look at the seven continents. The study of weather and climates around the world during science support this unit to create an extensive combined Science and Social Science unit. Class simulations bring periods of history and different locations to life as the class transforms in both time and place.
In 5th grade, social science and science classes integrate hands-on labs and simulations, while also giving students a firm background in note taking, study skills, writing, and test-taking skills.
In the combined classrooms, our program rotates on a two-year cycle covering several topics. Some of the highlights include:
1st/2nd grade topics
- Identity
- Cities and states
- U.S. Geography
- Continents
- World Cultures
- Europe Geography
- History of the Middle Ages
3rd/4th grade topics
- World Geography - countries, landforms, resources, and cultures
- Ancient Egyptian Simulation
- Early American History through the Industrial Revolution
- Decade Days
- State of IL history
- Economics
5th grade topics
- United States Government
- Types of government Worldwide
- Economies
- Civil Rights History
Elementary Specialty Academics
- World Languages
- Music
- Fine Arts
- Moventures and Performing Arts
- Computer Programming
- Physical Education
- Character Education
World Languages
Our students study either Chinese or Spanish beginning in Kindergarten and add Latin in 3rd grade
Chinese
Our Chinese program is for students with little or no prior Chinese knowledge. From kindergarten to 3rd grade, the Chinese curriculum is based on Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling (TPRS). We strive to build a solid foundation in Mandarin and to help students become confident and comfortable speaking and using Chinese in their daily lives.
We utilize songs, games, and group activities to help students remember weekly vocabulary. Students are introduced to common Chinese words and phrases while also learning simplified Chinese characters. The characters are used in conjunction with Pinyin to integrate their speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. Cultural highlights include celebrating the Moon Festival, Chinese New Year, and Children’s Day, enriching their understanding of Chinese traditions.
We focus on building confidence and fostering a love for learning through songs, storytelling, and cultural exploration.
Spanish
Our Spanish classes use the “Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling” (TPRS) method, a story-based immersion approach that provides compelling comprehensible input. This method focuses on facilitating the natural acquisition of language, an effortless and involuntary process that leads to long-term retention. Through this approach, students primarily listen before speaking, learning vocabulary and grammar in context through examples and usage. This engaging method helps students develop true language proficiency.
From first through third grade, the focus is on developing informal conversation skills, building vocabulary, and enjoying the language-learning process. In fourth and fifth grades, the curriculum expands to include further development of reading and writing skills while continuing to strengthen oral communication and listening comprehension.
At all levels, students gain exposure to the cultures and customs of Spanish-speaking countries, which are thoughtfully integrated throughout the curriculum.
Each year, fourth and fifth-grade students participate in the National Spanish Challenge (NSC), taking levels C or D.
Latin
Latin is introduced in 3rd grade when students take both Latin and their primary world language for three years. In 6th grade students may choose which of the three languages to continue in middle school.
Our Latin program begins with students learning basic concepts of Latin grammar and developing an understanding of Roman culture. They learn to translate simple Latin prose and begin building their Latin vocabulary.
The students are introduced to subject and direct object forms in the singular and plural. They learn three different verb tenses and the forms of each of these. They are introduced to prepositional phrases as well as subject/verb agreement.
Each class learns about the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, the daily life of the Romans, gladiators, and the Roman army. The students are also introduced to Latin and Greek roots, suffixes, and prefixes to help develop vocabulary building strategies.

Lunar New Year - students perform a story about Chinese Zodiac animals

Señora Gloria teaching class
Music
By 5th grade, our students understand musical notation and are able to read music

Each music class begins with welcoming each other by singing or playing a song game. Students learn about the different instrument families and progress to identifying these instruments in recordings. Learning notation starts in kindergarten and by 5th grade the goal is for students to understand musical notation and be able to read music.
Performing begins in kindergarten on frame drums and glockenspiels and through 2nd and 3rd grade progresses to playing Orff instruments (xylophones and metallophones). Third graders learn how to appropriately play the recorder while reading music and composing, and 5th graders begin playing band instruments. All grades work on keyboards at varying levels of difficulty.
Each spring our elementary students perform on the Cathie Webber stage in either the K-2nd grade Music Show or the 3rd-5th grade Music Show. Each event is a wonderful musical on the Cathie Webber stage featuring solo and ensemble performances showcasing our students. The events are paired with art gallery type expositions of our students' visual arts projects throughout the corridors.
Fine Arts
In 1st and 2nd grade, the students learn to create more complicated artwork building upon basic art concepts. For example, students build upon their knowledge on lines to create textures and zentangles using lines. We incorporate various artists and cultures into the lessons. Projects may include emoticons, treasure maps, landscapes, zentangle leaves, and kente cloth inspired paper weavings.
The projects become longer in 3rd and 4th grade, requiring more steps, details, and/or various materials. For instance, the students develop a mixed media piece where they create their own potted plants using model magic, watercolor, and oil pastels. Students also create their own comic book page. In 3rd grade they create a multi-media space-themed project while 4th grade might learn radial symmetry/circle weaving.
By 5th grade, students are beginning to prepare for middle school and projects are designed to encourage students to incorporate more of their own individual ideas. Students will be introduced to the project with an art history lesson and a demonstration of skills they will be using. The students will then have to brainstorm and plan their project. Once they are done planning out their project, we continue to work on the project for several weeks. An example of a project done in 5th grade is creating a stop motion video using various materials of their choice.

3rd grade art
Moventures and Performing Arts

K-2nd grade Fine Arts Show performed on the Cathie Webber Stage
Moventures is a combination of dramatic arts, movement, art, and music with our 1st through 3rd grade students. Beginning in 4th grade, our students participate in performing arts.
In Moventures our 1st and 2nd graders do various movement activities. Students also learn different childhood games from various countries and learn about the culture in those countries as they learn the games. In 1st grade, students are starting to build upon their acting skills and are introduced to concepts such as improvisation.
In 2nd grade, the students use drama skills they learned in previous years to create their own skits with a group of their classmates. In both classes, students are challenged to grow in spatial awareness, acting skills, collaboration, and in their ability to perform in front of others.
Our 3rd graders create their own skit as a class. They create the theme, characters, plot, setting, scenes, and lines. When the story is complete, the students make the props and sound effects. They record themselves acting out the scenes, and the teacher edits the “movie” to watch as a class.
The 4th and 5th graders explore theatre games that focus on creativity and collaboration. Through group warm-up games, students learn the importance of eye contact, listening, and connecting as an ensemble. Through mime and creative movement games, they use their imaginations to express themselves individually. As the school year progresses, students explore emotion and expression in storytelling. We also work to develop confidence and stage presence through rehearsal and performance on our stage.
Each spring the K - 2nd grade students and the 3rd – 5th grade students work with the music and performing arts teachers to present musical productions on the main stage for their family and friends.
Computer Programming
In 2nd and 3rd grade, our students spend time each week learning about how computers work and how to program them. They complete lessons on digital citizenship, sequencing, binary, loops, conditionals, events, and data.
Throughout the year, they have opportunities to express their creativity through their work, such as programming the choreography for a dance performance or designing a game.
Student project
Enjoy this Dance Party programmed by one of our 3rd graders

Physical Education
We strive for our students to find physical activities they can enjoy doing for the rest of their lives
In P.E. class we learn basic skills and rules of various games. The lower elementary classes accomplish this through different types of station work. The upper elementary classes build off of that and spend more time on mini games. The goal is for all students is to get exercise and to have fun. We strive for every student to find one or more activities that they enjoy and can continue doing for the rest of their lives.
Examples of sports we learn to play or do:
- Soccer
- Football
- Basketball
- Volleyball
- Floor Hockey
- Baseball
- Bowling
- Badminton
- Frisbee Games
- Golf
- Fitness Drumming
We emphasize cooperation, perseverance, sportsmanship, hard work, and goal setting. Each month we also spend time going over a specific health-related topic.

Class Highlights
Indiana Jones – Using scooters and a rope to cross a floor of "hot lava", the only safe zone is on a hula hoop island. How do you get your team of four or so students from one end of the gym to the other? The game requires planning, team cooperation, and an understanding of the laws of physics!
Character Education
Character development is one of the most fundamental aspects of any child's education
The principles instilled during childhood influence the type of citizen, parent or leader a student will become. Our Character Building program helps model appropriate behavior. We strive to nurture the growth of these ideals in our students' social and emotional development.
Our Character Building Qualities include:
- Respect
- Gratitude
- Cooperation
- Honesty
- Resourcefulness
- Reliability
- Self-Control
- Good Judgment
- Perseverance

Family Groups - Each student is assigned to a multi-grade family group. At our all-school assemblies, the families take part in group bonding activities. Here the students are performing the "handshake" they created.
