Lower School

First grade is an important time in a child’s life. They are evolving in important ways, intellectually, emotionally, and physically. At The Saklan School, we look to support our first graders in their growth, and develop a strong sense of community within the classroom.

Math is integrated throughout the day from morning calendar activities to various projects that require counting, measuring, estimating and other skills. First grade focuses on place value, graphing, algebra, geometry, addition and subtraction facts through double digits up to 99 and problem solving using various strategies. 

First graders read and write a variety of texts. Emphasis is placed on phonemic awareness, sight words and spelling patterns in reading and writing. Editing for grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure in informational and creative writing increases throughout the year. Students present oral reports and memorize, recite, and perform poetry frequently. 

Students develop an understanding of Social Studies by studying their own place in space and time. Students learn about their place in the community and compare rural, urban and suburban communities. Global emphasis is placed on multicultural folktales and homes around the world through a cross-content, art-integrated Project Based Learning unit.

Science units are taught through labs, thematic units, and Project Based Learning units. Topics include space, simple machines, plants, human bodies and life stages, weather, earth materials and animal habitats. Students sort, classify, compare, investigate and observe as they use the scientific method in many hands-on experiments.

Second graders are at an age where they are striving to understand the curious world around them and, in the right environment, have an amazing capacity to learn and thirst for information. At The Saklan School, we provide an abundance of learning opportunities in a safe, personal environment to help each second grade student blossom.

Math is integrated into all subjects. Students learn place value, fact families, computation and regrouping (+/-) up through four digits, graphing, fractions, money, time, geometry, estimation, algebra and measurements. Single digit multiplication and division (up through at least 5) is also taught. Special attention is given to critical thinking and problem solving.

Students learn reliable spelling and editing strategies that they can apply to both familiar and unfamiliar words, and are expected to be accurate and precise in spelling and grammar. Nouns, pronouns, adjectives and verbs are emphasized. The students learn to read and write a variety of texts, and write and publish many multiple page stories, book reports, and books. Public speaking is a major emphasis, with many oral reports and poetry recitals being a feature of this year. Cursive is also introduced in second grade.

Students progress in Social Studies, from learning about where they live to where they are from while researching their family and heritage. In class the students become immigrants, passports included, and write stories about coming to America. Other units include continents/maps, Native Americans and pilgrims, presidents, and people who made a difference (biographies).

Our integrated Science curriculum develops students’ ability to understand scientific concepts through various forms of learning which include creative writing and mathematical equations. They learn about dinosaurs and fossils, mammal and animal classification, inherited characteristics, natural resources, plant growth, pollination and land forms. In the Science/Stem lab, students focus on observing rocks and minerals and investigating forces and work.

Third grade students often have an enthusiastic, energetic approach to learning. They’re building skills and gaining confidence. At The Saklan School, we leverage that enthusiasm to fuel a lifelong love of learning.

Third grade math focuses on problem solving approaches emphasizing strategies, applications and problem formulation. Students learn computation & regrouping, double digit multiplication and division up to 12, decimals and fractions, geometry, fractions, statistics & probability, graphing, estimation and algebraic applications. Students use hands-on activities, mathematical projects & manipulatives that make math fun and memorable.

Through a variety of literature, students learn to read for comprehension, explore word meanings, write using correct grammar and mechanics, and use their listening and speaking skills. Students learn to use resources such as dictionaries, thesauruses, and the internet. Well organized, appropriately structured paragraph writing is emphasized. Students practice and master cursive handwriting.

Students study the geography of the United States and the world with a focus on the experiences of people in the Bay Area through time. These units are enriched through various arts, crafts, writing, literature and drama. Each year third graders explore the driving question, “How can we show respect to the people whose ancestral land our school is on?” This unit culminates in a way that is authentic and relevant to each class and ranges from writing a land acknowledgment to designing and painting murals on campus. 

In third grade, emphasis is also placed on hands-on activities including numerous experiments using the scientific method. Plants, animal life, solar system, and rainforests are some of the concepts explored in Science. Students are involved in various research projects during each unit of study, where they choose the subject that they wish to research, thereby promoting interest and encouraging responsibility. Science studies focus on investigations into elements and compounds; observing physical changes and investigating changes in our atmosphere.

Fourth grade students often show rapid emotional and social growth during this phase of their life. At Saklan, we create a nurturing, comfortable, and safe environment, allowing your child to feel secure so they can continue to flourish intellectually and academically. 

Students study Math through work on numeration, computation, and regrouping numbers through the millions. They multiply and divide multiple digits, add and subtract fractions and decimals. Fourth grade math gives students a greater understanding of measurement techniques, geometry, and algebraic thinking. Students learn the standard and metric measurement units, learn to graph and interpret data using a wide variety of tools.

Students expand their skill of reading to learn. Students read non-fiction texts to collect information. Content related literature is integrated into the social studies and science curriculum. The focus is on reading comprehension. Students are exposed to various kinds of literature and continue to write letters, responses, essays, fictional pieces, poems, and several research reports.

Students expand on their Social Studies by learning about California’s geography and history often through research, and in the field. They study geographic regions and resources, Indigenous nations, the mission and rancho periods, and the lasting social and environmental impact of the CA gold rush.

In Science, students use the scientific method and learn to formulate predictions and justify them based on cause and effect relationships. Topics covered are: changing earth (weathering), electromagnetism, magnetism, and plant and animal adaptations. With the Science Specialist, students focus on investigations into electricity and exploring energy.

Students learn keyboarding, working on Chromebooks in the classroom. They integrate technology with every subject, specifically learning to create Google Docs and Slides, and use technology as a research tool.

Fifth graders are growing leaps and bounds in their social-emotional, cognitive, and language development. At The Saklan School, we leverage these common characteristics to promote community, leadership, and problem-solving to teach to your whole child.

Fifth grade is a huge transitional year for students. They are getting prepared to move seamlessly into Middle School and are academically and emotionally ready to take on that challenge. Fifth graders are given many opportunities to build on their skills used for group and independent projects. Fifth graders are taught the importance of organizational skills, time management, and study skills throughout the year.

Fifth graders go on many exciting field experiences, including a two-night outdoor education experience at the Marin Headlands. This program encourages an understanding of the basic principles of ecology and builds on their sense of community at this seaside location.

Math learning emphasizes problem solving strategies, where students work independently, as partners, and in groups to develop critical thinking skills. Fifth grade math curriculum incorporates analytical thinking and applying concepts in real-world applications through numerous project-based opportunities.

Writing emphasizes the succinct development of multi paragraph essays. Students use a variety of writing elements in order to enrich their writing and become proficient with utilizing enhanced vocabulary, sensory words, creating exciting leads and adding effective dialogue. Students develop their writing skills through: self editing, peer editing and writing groups. Reading comprehension through fiction and non-fiction works emphasizes plot recognition, character development, inferences, main ideas, theme and text dependent answers. 

Fifth grade Social Studies focuses on the early history of the United States. Instruction closely examines our cultural and ethnic diversity and how this “great experiment” has created a country of one national identity while valuing the uniqueness of each individual. Main topics covered are: Early Colonization; American Revolution (Causes and Effects); Constitution (Branches of Government); Westward Expansion; Civil War (Causes and Effects). 

Science instruction incorporates the ability for students to analyze, interpret, evaluate, and comprehend the world around them in meaningful ways. Instruction is presented by the classroom teacher and the science specialist, focusing on the following topics: weather, plants and animals, solar system, water, and the scientific method. The classes are inquiry based and thematically focused.