Class II

The Lower School social studies curriculum provides the boys with an academic framework through which they can begin to understand themselves, their environment and history in a broader context. Boys study a variety of topics, including in-depth cultural case studies and fundamental geography. The goals of the program include widening the boys’ viewpoint, developing research skills, strengthening their concepts of past, present and future and expanding their knowledge of the world. In Class II the boys examine how the landscape of New York City has changed over time and how it has been impacted by the people living here. Boys begin with a study of the City’s original inhabitants, the Lenape, and focus on New Amsterdam, immigration and modern day New York City. The annual trip to Ellis Island and the Heritage Luncheon are highlights of the year.

The Lower School mathematics curriculum is planned to help boys understand number concepts, the structure of number systems, numerical relationships and number operations, as well as patterns and functions, geometry, probability, data collection and measurement. The boys are encouraged to formulate generalizations about patterns and structure in mathematics and to develop their awareness of the way they use mathematics in their lives. Working in small groups, boys develop their mathematical thinking through problem solving, reasoning, communicating and representing their ideas. Recognizing that the larger part of a child’s understanding at this age is still bound to concrete experiences, the Lower School mathematics program uses manipulative materials as a foundation for teaching boys the basic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. As the boys engage in mathematical investigations, they are encouraged to think of multiple solutions to ensure deeper understanding. The playing of math games enables boys to grasp new concepts and develop fluency with number relationships. Daily classroom math activities are supplemented by weekly lessons in the math lab for each boy.

Classes II and III rely primarily upon good children’s literature and a variety of nonfiction books for reading materials. Small group discussion enables the boys to share their ideas while learning vocabulary and strengthening comprehension skills. Students have the opportunity to write creative stories as well as nonfiction pieces. They are all exposed to a variety of genres of communicating written information. Students are integral participants in the editing of their own work. Through the editing process as well as weekly lessons in spelling and grammar, students learn the mechanics of the English language. By reading to the boys on a regular basis, teachers contribute to the boys’ appreciation of literature and provide models for good writing.