Lower Elementary Academy Half-Day Program, Grades 2-4
This is a one-day per week, 4.5-hour drop-off program for students. The parent is NOT required to stay on campus during this time. All teachers have had a background check completed. We cover literature, art, music, and science with the students and they eat a home packed lunch and have lots of outside recess time. We run this program on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Fridays. You choose the day that works best for you. Students are dropped off in our kiss and ride line and picked up at the end of the day in the same manner. Caregivers never need to leave their car!
- Literature
- Could you imagine adopting a talking mouse? Stuart Little is a renowned children’s fantasy that has been well received by critics and especially known for its amusing scenes! Students will explore personification while reading this tale of a talking mouse who has to overcome social barriers in order to fit in with his human family. We will explore the themes of acceptance, socialization, and growing up while discussing the vivid imagery and other wonderful literary elements (irony and metaphors to name just two) this tale has to offer.
- Hugh Lofting’s entertaining classic, Dr. Dolittle, about the eccentric doctor who could speak to animals has charmed readers of all ages since it was first published in 1920! This eccentric doctor who talks to animals makes for the perfect opportunity for students to describe characters based on the evidence of what they say, do, and think. Students will also examine cause and effect in a story based on the character’s actions. By the end of this classic your children too will talk to animals!
- When a spying ace fighter-pilot chocolate historian/medical inventor writes children’s fiction you get none other than The Fantastic Mr. Fox, a fantastic story with an even more fantastic plan. This Roald Dahl magical adventure is alive with imagery and personification. Students will learn that the narrator is an unseen character, as the book is relayed in the third person. This allows both inner thought and outside speech to be observed by the reader. But the most fantastic discussion will arise when we explore socioeconomic status and philosophy. How can Mr. Fox be morally right and morally wrong at the same time
- Science – Mammals
- Let’s learn all about mammals! Mammals are a particular class of animal. We will learn what makes an animal a mammal and dive in to explore classification, characteristics, and their habitats. We will also take a look at endangered animals and learn about the world wide efforts to protect these animals.
- Art
- With so much stunning art in the world, we are going to broaden our scope this year. We will continue to do projects that reflect the other work we are doing at Inquisiminds, but we will also discover some famous artwork, learn about the fundamentals of art, and explore our own artistic voice.
- Music/Dance Movement
- Music is fun! Understanding the fundamentals of music theory gives students a base for playing all kinds of music. In this class, students will use a mixture of a piano keyboard, drums, flashcards and other media to engage students and start their path to becoming a musician. By the end of the course, students will understand basic musical elements such as rhythm, intervals, keys, scales, chords and harmony and how to read written music, including the signs and terminology commonly used.
Minimum Required Enrollment: 7
Course Length: 4.5 hour class once per week/ 12 weeks / 54 hours / semester
Quarter 1– 4.5 hour class once per week/ 6 weeks/ 27 hours
Quarter 2– 4.5 hour class once per week/ 6 weeks/ 27 hours
