3-5: Elementary School
Building on a firm foundation, preparing for the future.
Students in the Elementary School continue in the concept-based curriculum to learn more about the world around them.
Grade 3
Cultural environments
In third grade, we learn that culture is a unifying set of values, beliefs, and customs – as well as artistic expressions, such as art, literature, music and architecture – which define a distinct group of people. We explore how culture constantly evolves by focusing on Ancient Mesopotamia, Ancient Greece, the Middle Ages and the European Explorers to the New World. Additionally, students grow to appreciate the many ways humans have responded to God’s revelation through cultural expressions throughout history.
Grade 4
Cultures
Fourth grade continues the study of cultures with its units on Cultures. The class studies three units: Navajo culture, Jewish culture, and Rhode Island history. Each unit consists of readings, projects, and activities which connect language arts, science, and history. The students develop a rich sense of where these cultures come from and how they affect our world today.
Grade 5
Emergence of Nationhoood
Fifth grade focuses on Nationhood. The curriculum is based on six statements that allow students to explore the founding and development of the United States of America from the early explorers through the westward expansion. These conceptual statements are also integrated into all other subject areas, particularly Reading, Writing, Language, and Bible. In this way, students are encouraged to go deeper and broader in making connections to historical, present day, and future events. These lessons prepare students for the transition from elementary school to middle school.
Differentiated Instruction
Differentiated Instruction ensures that our academic program meets students’ unique learning needs and style. Our goal is for students to know how they learn best and use that information to meet learning objectives and reach their educational potential.
This approach helps students learn their unique skill sets and teaches them how to transfer their learning style into a mainstream academic environment (ie, high school).To learn more about the importance of differentiated instruction at West Bay, please reach out to our Student Resources Tutor