Welcome to St. Edmunds’s Academy

The First Grade classrooms and programs at St. Edmund’s Academy are designed to establish the basic academic skills in children who learn quickly and who profit from an enriched, varied and challenging environment. The classrooms are active, industrious, flexible, nurturing, safe, child-centered and very busy, as well as full of their fair share of enjoyment and fun. The teachers strive for a sense of accomplishment by developing clear expectations that build a sense of respect, cooperation and community.

The activities of the day expand each child’s ability to:

• communicate through spoken and written language
• understand and manipulate number concepts
• build upon his/her natural fascination with the world
• negotiate, solve problems and work with other children
  and adults
• take increasing responsibility and acquire self-confidence

Language Arts and Mathematics are at the core of our First Grade program: Reading is central to the First Grade classroom; children’s literature, in all its forms and charm, provides our basic texts. Literature moves beyond the page with such occasions as “The Very Hungry Caterpillar Breakfast” for students and their parents. The event combines wonderful food and the reading of the children’s own stories.

Phonics is taught sequentially; with teacher guidance, the students discover and use the rules and patterns needed to turn the spoken language into a written one.

Handwriting instruction utilizes the D’Nealian alphabet.  Children love the grown-up look of D’Nealian letters and are well prepared for the introduction of cursive writing in Second Grade.

Daily Journal Entries related to reading, personal experiences and math encourage creative writing.

Vocabulary is developed through techniques, both formal and informal. Using words to express ideas accurately is consistently emphasized.

Mathematics is taught with a combination of text and manipulative materials. Such an approach ensures that all topics are covered in a manner which is concrete and tangible. Counters, unifix cubes, work mats, place value ten rods and ones cubes, as well as student clocks, are some of the manipulatives used to help students incorporate the abstract concepts of mathematics.

Specialty teachers in science, computer, physical education, art, music, world cultures and library complement the enriched classroom program with field trips and world culture events. Add lunch, recess and our Thursday Chapel Service, and the days pass quickly, combining accomplishment with a sense of enthusiasm and a love of learning.

This year strengthens and expands each child’s abilities and skills with the written word. Focused work in comprehension strategies, phonics, and spelling mesh with the literature based reading program. Children utilize the components of the writing process to develop their writing skills.

The study of mathematics centers on increasing accuracy and speed in computational skills, while expanding the understanding of underlying concepts and problem-solving strategies. Manipulative materials help children learn the “ideas of math,” and special math activities challenge students to think harder and deeper.

Social Studies establishes an understanding of community, our nation, the study of other times and places such as Early America, and the development of chart and map reading skills.

Students learn the responsibilities of homework completion, preparation for class and the importance of respecting the needs and feelings of others. Study skills are emphasized, moving the students to increasing independence and self-reliance.

Higher order and critical thinking skills are developed through a variety of special activities that teach children how to compare, select essential information, predict outcomes, draw conclusions and go beyond the obvious. The teachers are attentive to the developmental levels of individual students, providing extra practice or more advanced activities when indicated.

Field trips, such as a visit to Meadowcroft and the Hall of Egypt at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History complement classroom programs and specialty teachers instruct in science, art, music, physical education, computer, library and world cultures.

Third Grade is the year of major growth in a student’s independence. More work is expected to be done without constant teacher direction. Reading and writing skills have developed to the level where students can and are expected to work on their own for portions of the school day. Study skills remain an important component of the program and preparation for formal tests is stressed. Students also begin to use a daily assignment book that helps to develop their organizational skills. Time management is another skill that is a focus as students begin to receive long-term assignments for which they are responsible.

Reading and writing programs still have strong components of phonics and spelling, but move to focus increasingly upon inferential thinking, understanding of main ideas and the sequencing of elements of a plot. As students read more fluently, attention is shifted to the ideas and information that are presented. Cursive writing is used and expected in all areas.

The curriculum is reinforced through creative projects, hands-on activities and other group work and special presentations.

In third grade the study of Pennsylvania is the focus in Social Studies. The children experience an in-depth exploration of their home state.

Mathematics moves beyond addition and subtraction to multiplication, division, place value, fractions, elementary geometry and developing strategies for problem-solving. Formal work is combined with manipulatives to ensure that both the mechanics and the concepts of math are integrated. Multiplication tables through 12 are mastered by mid-year.

Specialty teachers continue to instruct in science, art, music, physical education, computer, library and world cultures.

This is a high-energy year that combines expanding skills with the natural enthusiasm and curiosity of this age.

Fourth Grade is a year of expansion. With the basic skills of learning well in place, fourth grade offers the opportunity to forge ahead in all areas. Organizational and study skills are a constant focus as students read novels that revolve around themes of children dealing with life’s issues during medieval, Victorian and modern times.

Writing incorporates the more formal study of the English language, including the mechanics of writing, English usage, vocabulary and spelling.

The class writes, illustrates and produces quality pieces of writing. Journal writing continues as children learn that writing and thinking go hand-in-hand.

Social studies is a tour of the United States by region, with emphasis on geography as well as culture, industry and historical background.

Mathematics continues to strengthen the speed and accuracy of computational skills, but moves to a more powerful focus on problem-solving and higher-level strategies for deciphering complex material. Math uses a variety of games and challenges to stress logic and analysis. Competitive academic teams make classroom learning both fun and exciting. Spelling and geography bees are weekly highlights.

Fourth grade introduces formal grading in most subject areas with tests and quizzes becoming a regular part of academic life.
Specialty teachers instruct in math, science, art, physical education, computer, library, world cultures and music.