Our Program
Lower School
In the Lower School, students are introduced to painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, collages, and crafts. Additionally, students are introduced to imagery from many diverse cultures, both in historical times and in the present, where many of the lessons reflect the cultures or time periods studied in the classrooms. The majority of the projects are taught as units, allowing the students to spend several art classes developing depth of skill and personal expression in their art work. At Friends, each student's art work is recognized and celebrated. Students' work is displayed in hallway exhibits as well as in our Art Shows.
Music belongs to everyone. From the first week of Pre-Kindergarten through the end of eighth grade, general music is an integral part of the curriculum for all Friends School students. At all levels, students take part in singing, moving, and listening to music; beginning in first grade, they start learning to read and write music. The goal is to create not just audiences for the future, but active participating musicians who possess the skills to make music and the desire to enjoy it throughout their lives.
Music in all forms is a priority at Friends School. The Lower School instrumental music program is in addition to the strong general music program and reflects this philosophy.
The third grade is introduced to the three main instrument families that make up the string orchestra and the concert band in a weekly half-hour session. Every student in the fourth and fifth grade plays an instrument in the band or orchestra as part of their requirement.
The hope is that most students will choose to continue their instrumental experience in middle school band and orchestra.
The language arts curriculum is an integrated program of reading, writing, and listening. The literature based approach encourages students to enjoy and appreciate a wide range of genres. Decoding, fluency, and comprehension are emphasized in the early grades. Teachers and students challenge themselves to respond critically to the literature both orally and in writing. Writer's workshop acknowledges students as authentic authors. The workshop format supports writers with constructive responses from peers and teachers. Handwriting, spelling, and grammar are taught as integral parts of being an effective communicator.
The Lower School library supports the commitment of the school to Quaker values, promotes the school's coeducational college preparatory program, ensures that students and faculty are effective users of ideas and information, and encourages use of library materials for personal enjoyment and enrichment.
A continual math program in the Lower School promotes thinking and enhances problem solving. Children are encouraged to learn in a hands-on environment that includes the use of manipulatives such as multi-link cubes and coins, calculators, and computers. Children also learn how to record data sets and to solve problems in a variety of ways. The goal is to develop good thinkers and problem-solvers.
Physical Education in the Lower School focuses on safety, fitness, fun, and cooperation. Since Physical Education is defined as learning through the physical, the focus of each class is to have a child give his or her own best effort in any and all activities. Ball skills, locomotor/non-locomotor movements, dance, creative movement, fitness skills, gymnastics, and organized games are emphasized. Additionally, a large focus of each class is good sportsmanship and good teamwork.
Science education in the Lower School prepares students to be knowledgeable and compassionate decision makers. Topics of study range from inner-Earth to outer space with a focus on environmental preservation. Through the use of active learning situations, students are given opportunities to organize information, compare ideas, and find solutions. In the process, science teachers work to strengthen many of the skills that people use every day, like solving problems creatively, thinking critically, working cooperatively in teams, using technology effectively, and valuing life-long learning.
Children in Pre-K through 5th grade explore themes of community, world cultures and geography, social and economic justice, conflict, and religious freedom. At developmentally appropriate levels, students learn to think critically and reflectively, work cooperatively, and use research skills, supported by library and technology services, to share their knowledge.
The Lower School strives to integrate computer skills in all facets of the curriculum. One of the goals is to familiarize the students with the parts of a computer and basic terminology. While using the drawing tools in various software packages, the children in Pre-Kindergarten to Pre-First become comfortable using the mouse to drag, point, and click. In grades one to five, the computer is used as a tool in reading, writing, math, social studies, science, library, and art. Computer skills are cumulative and include, basic operational skills, word processing, drawing, and multimedia projects.
Meeting for Worship and the daily use of Quaker principles are at the heart of Friends School and guide the Lower School educational program. In classroom Worship times, children in Pre-K through 5th grade learn about Quakerism, as well as reflect on topics involving values, responsible decision making, and other religions of the world. In Meeting for Worship, teachers share stories and queries for the children to think about. Children learn to center in worship and learn that anyone present may speak a heart-felt message out of the silence.
Friends School of Baltimore Since 1784 | 5114 North Charles Street | Baltimore, MD 21210 | 410.649.3200
