Lower School Curriculum

Where curiosity, creativity, and character take root.
Guided by nurturing faculty, our robust curriculum engages students across core academic subjects and a wide range of special classes—including PE, Spanish, art, music, and more—within a dynamic, 12-day rotating schedule. Chapel gatherings every six days foster reflection and community connection. Rather than giving letter grades, our teachers tap into each student’s unique talents and interests to help them find their own voice and place within our community.
Grade Levels at a Glance
Pre-Kindergarten
EA's full-day PreK program nurtures the whole child in Mind, Body, and Spirit through a dynamic, hands-on program rooted in curiosity, creativity, and community.
Housed in our brand-new, flexible PreK spaces designed specifically for young learners, the program supports each child’s growth across academic, social-emotional, physical, and spiritual domains. With a multi-sensory, play-based curriculum, students explore their interests, build relationships, and develop the confidence to ask questions, solve problems, and think critically. It’s a joyful, purpose-driven start to a lifelong love of learning.
| Art |
Our Visual Arts program nurtures creativity, technical skill, and personal expression at every grade level. In PreK, students build fine motor skills through hands-on use of scissors, glue, paintbrushes, and crayons. They explore a variety of materials to express their ideas and emotions, while being introduced to foundational art concepts like line, shape, and color. |
| Library |
Students see the library as a welcoming place full of resources (including 37,000 books) for both personal and academic needs. In Library, PreK students focus on learning information literacy skills. Books are grouped by type and students gain a basic understanding about the location and organization of different types of resources. They learn to recognize parts of the book and understand the differences between nonfiction and fiction. |
| Literacy |
The language arts program builds strong foundations in reading, writing, speaking, and listening to support effective communication and critical thinking. PreK students build early literacy through daily reading, storytelling, and writing in a print-rich, play-based environment. They explore sounds, letters, and the idea that print carries meaning, laying the foundation for reading and writing. |
| Math |
EA’s math program develops confident and curious mathematicians through a balanced focus on procedural fluency, conceptual understanding, and authentic problem solving. In PreK, students identify, count, and match numbers to 10, subitize with numbers to 6, understand addition as putting together and subtraction as taking apart, and extend and create a pattern. |
| Music |
PreK students build early music literacy through movement, dance, and singing games. They explore folk songs and rhythms while being introduced to instruments, composers, and musical traditions from around the world. These playful experiences lay the foundation for musical expression and listening skills. |
| Physical Education |
In PreK, PE focuses on building foundational gross motor skills through engaging, age-appropriate activities. Students develop coordination, rhythm, and spatial awareness with exercises, music, and obstacle courses. Teamwork and cooperative play are emphasized to foster social skills, sportsmanship, and collaboration. Through creative movement and fun games, children build confidence, fitness, and a lifelong love of active play. |
| Social Studies |
PreK children are just beginning to understand the concept of the world outside of themselves and their family unit. PreK explores this world through monthly themes like Community, where we learn about the different roles of helpers in our community. Children can explore this concept through play in our dramatic play centers. We also have had speakers from the community come in and teach us about their job. |
| Spanish |
Early exposure to a second language helps young learners develop cognitive flexibility, empathy, and curiosity about the world around them. In PreK, students learn basic greetings, the Spanish alphabet, numbers up to 20, colors, the date and weather, games and songs, and even The Stripes. |
| Stripes and Religion |
EA’s Stripes and Religion program helps students of all faith traditions to lead with purpose, faith, and integrity. PreK students are introduced to EA’s 10 Stripes through songs, stories, and visual cues that help them understand core values. They build routines that show care for others, explore big ideas like Respect and Generosity through literature and scripture, and learn to identify their own feelings as they relate to the Stripes. |
| Technological Integration |
Technology is thoughtfully integrated into every grade’s curriculum, both in the classroom and in the on-campus maker lab, the Lambert Family IDEA Studio. Every fall during Spirit Week, EA’s technology coaches lead a student design challenge that combines art and science for the entire Lower School. In past years, students have designed and raced boats, race cars, and more. In PreK, students focus on creation and hands-on exploration. Technology is woven into classroom themes—like building a chair for Baby Bear or a bridge for the Three Billy Goats Gruff. Students program Blue-Bot robots to follow directions and use the laser cutter to make wood cutouts of fish. |
Kindergarten
EA’s Kindergarten program integrates academic rigor with experiential, student-centered learning rooted in meaningful relationships and community. Our curriculum doesn’t just teach content; it helps children see themselves as capable thinkers, questioners, and contributors through inquiry-driven, hands-on experiences that are both joyful and purposeful.
| Art |
Our Visual Arts program nurtures creativity, technical skill, and personal expression at every grade level. In Kindergarten, students explore different artistic techniques and learn about diverse artists to inspire their own creativity. They use art to express ideas from across the curriculum and begin developing visual vocabulary to describe and reflect on their work. |
| Library |
Students see the library as a welcoming place full of resources (including 37,000 books) for both personal and academic needs. In Library, Kindergarteners focus on learning information literacy skills. Books are grouped by type and students gain a basic understanding about the location and organization of different types of resources. They learn to recognize parts of the book and understand the differences between nonfiction and fiction. |
| Literacy |
The language arts program builds strong foundations in reading, writing, speaking, and listening to support effective communication and critical thinking. Kindergarteners grow as readers and writers through phonics, shared reading, and storytelling. They write across genres, form letters, and connect sounds to symbols while building confidence and communication skills. |
| Math |
EA’s math program develops confident and curious mathematicians through a balanced focus on procedural fluency, conceptual understanding, and authentic problem solving. Kindergarteners compose and decompose numbers to 10, learn addition and subtraction within 10, understand teen numbers as 10 and some more, and recognize 2D and 3D shapes. |
| Music |
Kindergarteners develop their singing voices and learn to keep a steady beat through folk music, rhymes, and games. They begin exploring musical concepts like pace, volume, and pitch. Students also discover instruments and composers from various cultures and musical genres. |
| Physical Education |
In Kindergarten, PE focuses on building foundational gross motor skills through engaging, age-appropriate activities. Students develop coordination, rhythm, and spatial awareness with exercises, music, and obstacle courses. Teamwork and cooperative play are emphasized to foster social skills, sportsmanship, and collaboration. Through creative movement and fun games, children build confidence, fitness, and a lifelong love of active play. |
| Science |
Kindergarteners build curiosity about the natural world by exploring how animals and plants survive, tracking daily weather changes, and investigating sunlight and motion. Through hands-on activities, they learn how pushes and pulls affect movement and how the sun helps warm the Earth. Safety and observation are key themes as they discover patterns in nature and begin thinking like young scientists. |
| Social Studies |
Children learn best through experiences that are concrete, meaningful, and connected to their lives. From studying the Mesozoic Era to learning about celebrations of light in other cultures, each thematic unit is designed to build foundational understanding in a developmentally appropriate way, while encouraging curiosity, collaboration, and critical thinking. These rich, hands-on experiences foster curiosity, connect learning to the real world, and culminate in meaningful projects, field trips, and student-led presentations. |
| Spanish |
Early exposure to a second language helps young learners develop cognitive flexibility, empathy, and curiosity about the world around them. In Kindergarten, students build on their foundational skills by learning days of the week and months, family member labels, commands and useful expressions, how to spell their names, how to express how they feel, and more. |
| Stripes and Religion |
EA’s Stripes and Religion program helps students of all faith traditions to lead with purpose, faith, and integrity. Kindergarteners deepen their understanding of the Stripes by discussing, acting out, and reading about values like Honesty and Courage. They begin to identify respectful behaviors across settings, reflect on their choices, and connect biblical stories and real-life examples to their personal growth. |
| Technological Integration |
Technology is thoughtfully integrated into every grade’s curriculum, both in the classroom and in the on-campus maker lab, the Lambert Family IDEA Studio. Every fall during Spirit Week, EA’s technology coaches lead a student design challenge that combines art and science for the entire Lower School. In past years, students have designed and raced boats, race cars, and more. In Kindergarten, students focus on creation and hands-on exploration. Technology is woven into classroom themes—like building a chair for Baby Bear or a bridge for the Three Billy Goats Gruff. Students program Blue-Bot robots to follow directions and use the laser cutter to make wood cutouts of dinosaurs. |
1st
1st grade is a year of growth, exploration, and increasing independence. Powered by EA’s robust specials program and nurturing teachers, 1st grade students begin to discover their place in the world through engaging, hands-on learning experiences that spark curiosity and build foundational skills.
| Art |
Our Visual Arts program nurtures creativity, technical skill, and personal expression at every grade level. 1st graders will undertake a comprehensive study of the elements of art and foundational artistic techniques, supplemented by an introduction to notable artists and a diverse range of art media. |
| Drama |
In Lower School drama, students build confidence, communication, and empathy through creative expression that nurtures both personal growth and social-emotional development. 1st graders dive into imaginative play, using their bodies and voices to transform into animals, objects, and characters. They learn to recognize basic story structure, develop ensemble skills, and use facial expressions and movement to convey emotion. Through simple skits and tableaus, students begin building confidence in front of an audience. |
| Library |
Students see the library as a welcoming place full of resources (including 37,000 books) for both personal and academic needs. In 1st and 2nd grade, students learn how libraries are organized and how to search the catalog. They begin basic research using online encyclopedias and focus on understanding author intent. Literature is used to provide insight into real and imagined worlds. |
| Literacy |
The language arts program builds strong foundations in reading, writing, speaking, and listening to support effective communication and critical thinking. 1st graders develop reading fluency and writing stamina through structured phonics, decoding strategies, and daily writing. They write in multiple genres and participate in discussions that deepen comprehension. |
| Math |
EA’s math program develops confident and curious mathematicians through a balanced focus on procedural fluency, conceptual understanding, and authentic problem solving. 1st graders add and subtract through 120, compose and decompose two-digit numbers, learn fact fluency within 10, interpret data through graphs, and describe attributes of 2D and 3D shapes. |
| Music |
1st graders strengthen music literacy by singing world folk songs and traditional rhymes. They learn to read and write simple rhythms and melodies while building their vocal and listening skills. The curriculum includes exposure to diverse composers, instruments, and music styles. |
| Physical Education |
In 1st grade, PE builds on core movement skills like running, jumping, and balancing, while introducing coordination activities such as dribbling, catching, and kicking. Students engage in creative movement, obstacle courses, and high-energy games that encourage both physical and social development. Through teamwork, partner activities, and Fitness Zone challenges, they learn to set goals, practice sportsmanship, and work cooperatively. The program blends imaginative play with skill building to promote confidence, fitness, and fun. |
| Science |
1st graders deepen their understanding of the natural world by exploring how traits help plants and animals survive. They observe day and night patterns, experiment with light and sound, and discover how people and animals use these elements to communicate. The curriculum encourages curiosity about the world’s rhythms and the structures that support life. |
| Social Studies |
Students learn about citizenship, family history, global traditions, and basic geography and economics. In supportive classrooms, they’re encouraged to ask questions, take risks, and work collaboratively. These experiences help develop confidence, communication, and a sense of their place in the world. |
| Spanish |
Early exposure to a second language helps young learners develop cognitive flexibility, empathy, and curiosity about the world around them. In 1st grade, students build on their foundational skills by learning key verbs and vocabulary such as foods and clothing items, listening to podcasts for comprehension, and more. |
| Stripes and Religion |
EA’s Stripes and Religion program helps students of all faith traditions to lead with purpose, faith, and integrity. 1st graders apply the Stripes at school, home, and in the community by exploring real-life social dilemmas and how to respond with values like Courage and Generosity. Through reflective writing and group discussions, students consider how these values influence their decisions and help them care for others. |
| Technological Integration |
Technology is thoughtfully integrated into every grade’s curriculum, both in the classroom and in the on-campus maker lab, the Lambert Family IDEA Studio. Every fall during Spirit Week, EA’s technology coaches lead a student design challenge that combines art and science for the entire Lower School. In past years, students have designed and raced boats, race cars, and more. In 1st grade, students design and 3D-print their own snowflake ornaments. They also learn basic programming with ScratchJr and create their own digital stories. |
2nd
| Art |
Our Visual Arts program nurtures creativity, technical skill, and personal expression at every grade level. 2nd graders will further cultivate their appreciation of the visual arts through the examination of varied artists, while enhancing their proficiency in painting, drawing, and hand-building. |
| Drama |
In Lower School drama, students build confidence, communication, and empathy through creative expression that nurtures both personal growth and social-emotional development. Building on their skills from the previous year, 2nd graders explore character development and vocal expression, experimenting with pitch, volume, and tone to bring original characters to life. They rehearse short poems, engage in improvisation games, and begin expressing identity through role play, celebrating what makes each student unique. |
| Library |
Students see the library as a welcoming place full of resources (including 37,000 books) for both personal and academic needs. In 1st and 2nd grade, students learn how libraries are organized and how to search the catalog. They begin basic research using online encyclopedias and focus on understanding author intent. Literature is used to provide insight into real and imagined worlds. |
| Literacy |
The language arts program builds strong foundations in reading, writing, speaking, and listening to support effective communication and critical thinking. 2nd graders apply phonics to decode complex words and read for meaning across subjects. Writing becomes more detailed and structured as students revise, publish, and write with a purpose and audience in mind. |
| Math |
EA’s math program develops confident and curious mathematicians through a balanced focus on procedural fluency, conceptual understanding, and authentic problem solving. 2nd graders use a variety of strategies to add and subtract within 1,000, apply addition and subtraction to real-world problems, measure time to the quarter-hour, count money, and explore geometry and multiplication. |
| Music |
2nd graders advance their music literacy through singing, games, and improvisation with world folk music and hymns. They practice reading and creating rhythmic patterns and pentatonic melodies. Lessons continue to explore a variety of musical cultures and traditions. |
| Physical Education |
In 2nd grade PE, students set and work toward personal goals with Fitness Zone Challenges, participate in themed sports and games, and develop cooperation through team-based activities. Regular circuit training and fitness assessments help improve strength, coordination, and endurance. In the spring, swimming and water safety instruction are introduced, alongside ongoing conversations about healthy, active lifestyles. |
| Science |
2nd graders investigate the diversity of life and how plants and animals adapt to their environments. They explore Earth’s surface through erosion models and analyze material properties to understand why we use certain materials for specific purposes. This year encourages critical thinking through comparison, observation, and testing. |
| Social Studies |
In 2nd grade, we focus on the theme of preservation—of people, history, and the land. Students study the Lenape and other Indigenous tribes, culminating in peer-to-peer teaching and hands-on experiences like a Lenape Village field trip and tipi raising. During Black and Women’s History Months, students research a changemaker and create original autobiographies. In spring, students become “park rangers in training,” exploring the importance of conserving natural spaces through research, creative projects, and a visit to the Morris Arboretum. |
| Spanish |
Early exposure to a second language helps young learners develop cognitive flexibility, empathy, and curiosity about the world around them. In 2nd grade, students build on their foundational skills by learning key verbs like tener and gustar, and vocabulary including household items and rooms. They also explore cultural traditions like Dia de los Muertos and study famous Spanish speakers during Hispanic Heritage Month. |
| Stripes and Religion |
EA’s Stripes and Religion program helps students of all faith traditions to lead with purpose, faith, and integrity. 2nd graders practice applying the Stripes in increasingly complex social situations and begin setting personal goals based on their reflections. Through scripture, poetry, and classroom discussions, they examine how their actions align with values and connect what they’re learning to broader community issues. |
| Technological Integration |
Technology is thoughtfully integrated into every grade’s curriculum, both in the classroom and in the on-campus maker lab, the Lambert Family IDEA Studio. Every fall during Spirit Week, EA’s technology coaches lead a student design challenge that combines art and science for the entire Lower School. In past years, students have designed and raced boats, race cars, and more. 2nd graders develop and test their own bubble wand prototypes using the 3D printer. During our National Parks unit, they design and laser-cut custom park badges to go along with their learning. |
3rd
| Art |
Our Visual Arts program nurtures creativity, technical skill, and personal expression at every grade level. 3rd graders will engage in theme-based and interdisciplinary art projects, concurrently developing fundamental woodworking skills. |
| Drama |
In Lower School drama, students build confidence, communication, and empathy through creative expression that nurtures both personal growth and social-emotional development. Building on their skills from the previous year, 3rd graders experience a full rehearsal process, working with scripts, memorizing lines, and understanding stage directions. They strengthen voice and diction for clarity and collaborate in larger groups to stage a class play. |
| Library |
3rd graders build foundational research and reading skills as they learn to navigate the library catalog, explore genres, and identify nonfiction text features. Through engaging read-alouds, book talks, and introductory research projects, students develop curiosity, independence, and a growing love for reading. |
| Literacy |
The language arts program builds strong foundations in reading, writing, speaking, and listening to support effective communication and critical thinking. 3rd graders read and write with greater independence, using book clubs, reading responses, and extended writing projects. They organize ideas clearly and use vocabulary and style to express themselves effectively. |
| Math |
EA’s math program develops confident and curious mathematicians through a balanced focus on procedural fluency, conceptual understanding, and authentic problem solving. 3rd graders place value, addition, and subtraction within 10,000; multiply through 12 with related division facts; represent and compare unit fractions; and understand area, perimeter, and angle classification. |
| Music |
3rd graders deepen their skills by reading, writing, and improvising more complex rhythms and melodies. They sing in chorus, are introduced to musical instruments, and engage in global musical traditions through folk songs and hymns. Music literacy continues to grow through creative and collaborative experiences. |
| Physical Education |
In 3rd grade PE, students build fitness, skill development, and teamwork. They participate in Fitness Zone Challenges, sports units, cooperative games, circuit training, and swimming, with a strong focus on effort, safety, and fun. As the year progresses, activities emphasize coordination, strength, and personal improvement, while continuing to build foundational athletic and social skills. Outdoor play, goal-setting, and regular conversations about healthy lifestyles help students develop a lifelong appreciation for physical activity. |
| Science |
3rd graders explore how life and environments change over time by studying fossils, heredity, and life cycles. They investigate weather patterns, forces, and magnetism through hands-on experiments and engineering challenges. Students also design solutions to environmental problems and track how traits help living things survive and thrive. |
| Social Studies |
3rd grade is a pivotal year as students transition from learning to read to reading to learn, and expand their understanding of the world beyond their own experiences. They begin the year with a deep dive into Pennsylvania’s history, including a visit to Pennsbury Manor, and explore key concepts like geography and map skills. Later, students study immigration and visit Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, connecting historical learning to real-world experiences. The year culminates in a global study where students research different countries and cultures, fueling their curiosity and appreciation for the diverse world around them. |
| Spanish |
Early exposure to a second language helps young learners develop cognitive flexibility, empathy, and curiosity about the world around them. In 3rd grade, students explore world travel and cultural competency. Student-led projects celebrating Día de los Muertos, Hispanic Heritage Month, and Christmas are thoughtfully integrated into the curriculum. |
| Stripes and Religion |
EA’s Stripes and religion program helps students of all faith traditions to lead with purpose, faith, and integrity. 3rd graders explore how the Stripes connect to both Bible verses and current events, and they set personal goals to track their moral development. Through literature, discussion, and peer examples, they begin taking early leadership roles by modeling ethical behavior and decision-making. |
| Technological Integration |
Technology is thoughtfully integrated into every grade’s curriculum, both in the classroom and in the on-campus maker lab, the Lambert Family IDEA Studio. Every fall during Spirit Week, EA’s technology coaches lead a student design challenge that combines art and science for the entire Lower School. In past years, students have designed and raced boats, race cars, and more. In 3rd grade, students are assigned their own laptops. The technology team covers digital citizenship, using and caring for a Mac, and typing. Throughout the year, technology is integrated into their Social Studies units, whether it is a web hunt or pre-selected research resources. As part of a culminating activity for the year, students design an original map which is then laser engraved. All 3rd graders also have a block coding unit. |
4th
| Art |
Our Visual Arts program nurtures creativity, technical skill, and personal expression at every grade level. In 4th grade, students build observational drawing skills with attention to detail and proportion. They explore advanced materials like watercolor, ink, and clay through multi-step projects, and connect their artwork to historical and cultural studies, using art as a tool for storytelling and deeper understanding. |
| Drama |
In Lower School drama, students build confidence, communication, and empathy through creative expression that nurtures both personal growth and social-emotional development. Building on their skills from the previous year, 4th graders deepen their creative skills through improvisation, physical storytelling, and monologue interpretation. They write and perform original scenes, learning to convey meaning through both words and movement. A focus on giving and receiving constructive feedback helps them grow as performers and collaborators. |
| Library |
4th graders strengthen their research skills by asking thoughtful questions, evaluating sources, and organizing their ideas through notes and simple presentations. They dive deeper into literature, exploring diverse genres and voices, while learning to cite sources and share information ethically. |
| Literacy |
The language arts program builds strong foundations in reading, writing, speaking, and listening to support effective communication and critical thinking. 4th graders deepen their literacy through historical texts, research, and writing projects that connect to Social Studies. They analyze texts, write with structure and evidence, and present their learning to others. |
| Math |
EA’s math program develops confident and curious mathematicians through a balanced focus on procedural fluency, conceptual understanding, and authentic problem solving. 4th graders learn multi-digit multiplication and division of whole numbers; compare, order, add, and subtract fractions, mixed numbers, and decimals; and understand area and perimeter of quadrilaterals and composite figures. |
| Music |
Students in 4th and 5th grades expand their music literacy by reading and composing with complex rhythms and major/minor scales. They participate in chorus, and choose to join either band or orchestra, while also exploring music technology. Their study of global music and composers fosters a well-rounded and expressive musical foundation. |
| Physical Education |
In 4th and 5th grade PE, students build strength, coordination, and sport-specific skills through seasonal units in soccer, volleyball, squash, swimming, and more. They engage in Fitness Zone Challenges throughout the year, setting personal goals and tracking progress in a structured, supportive environment. Emphasis is placed on skill application, teamwork, and game play, along with regular discussions on healthy, active lifestyles. With a focus on personal bests over competition, the program prepares students for Middle School athletics while encouraging a lifelong love of physical activity. |
| Science |
4th graders dive into the science of energy, waves, and body systems through interactive investigations. They learn how structures in plants and animals support survival, and how we see and sense the world. Students also examine Earth's processes and natural hazards, using engineering to propose solutions that reduce their impact. |
| Social Studies |
In 4th grade, students explore the theme of freedom through in-depth studies of the American Revolution, the Underground Railroad, and World War II. Each unit highlights how different groups experienced liberty, inequality, and resistance, encouraging students to reflect on justice, fairness, and courage. Through historical inquiry, they build a deeper understanding of the ongoing struggles for equality and the importance of standing up for what’s right. The year culminates in a student-created “Freedom Museum,” where they share their learning with families and the Lower School community. |
| Spanish |
Early exposure to a second language helps young learners develop cognitive flexibility, empathy, and curiosity about the world around them. By 4th grade, they read an entire chapter book in Spanish. Student-led projects celebrating Día de los Muertos, Hispanic Heritage Month, and Christmas are thoughtfully integrated into the curriculum. |
| Stripes and Religion |
EA’s Stripes and religion program helps students of all faith traditions to lead with purpose, faith, and integrity. 4th graders begin reading and reflecting on Bible stories like Noah, David, and Daniel, journaling about how these narratives relate to their lives and values. They engage in discussions that link scripture to the Stripes, encouraging personal insight and meaningful connections. |
| Technological Integration |
Technology is thoughtfully integrated into every grade’s curriculum, both in the classroom and in the on-campus maker lab, the Lambert Family IDEA Studio. Every fall during Spirit Week, EA’s technology coaches lead a student design challenge that combines art and science for the entire Lower School. In past years, students have designed and raced boats, race cars, and more. In 4th grade, core subjects utilize digital resources like Google Educational Suite, infographics, stop-motion video projects, and recorded narrations of students’ writings. For their museum projects, students laser-engrave the original poems created in Library to display. 4th graders have a coding unit using Scratch and are challenged to code games. |
5th
| Art |
Our Visual Arts program nurtures creativity, technical skill, and personal expression at every grade level. In 5th grade, students develop their artistic voice by making intentional choices in materials, style, and subject matter to express personal ideas and emotions. They refine technical skills using advanced tools and media, while also being encouraged to take creative risks, experiment, and thoughtfully revise their work. |
| Drama |
In Lower School drama, students build confidence, communication, and empathy through creative expression that nurtures both personal growth and social-emotional development. Building on their skills from the previous year, 5th graders take on more complex creative roles by writing and performing original scenes, exploring characterization techniques, and building improvisation skills. They lead group projects and experience the full page-to-stage process, including collaborating with Upper School students to bring their writing to life. |
| Library |
5th graders become confident researchers, refining their ability to gather, paraphrase, and present information responsibly. With an introduction to MLA citation and copyright, they learn to use sources ethically and communicate their findings through well-organized reports and multimedia projects. |
| Literacy |
The language arts program builds strong foundations in reading, writing, speaking, and listening to support effective communication and critical thinking. 5th graders refine reading and writing skills as they analyze complex texts and craft personal and expository pieces. They develop voice, structure, and presentation skills, preparing them for Middle School literacy. |
| Math |
EA’s math program develops confident and curious mathematicians through a balanced focus on procedural fluency, conceptual understanding, and authentic problem solving. 5th graders learn all operations with fractions and decimals; multiply and divide in the millions to thousandths, and are introduced to ratio and percent. |
| Music |
Students in 4th and 5th grades expand their music literacy by reading and composing with complex rhythms and major/minor scales. They participate in chorus, and choose to join either band or orchestra, while also exploring music technology. Their study of global music and composers fosters a well-rounded and expressive musical foundation. |
| Physical Education |
In 4th and 5th grade PE, students build strength, coordination, and sport-specific skills through seasonal units in soccer, volleyball, squash, swimming, and more. They engage in Fitness Zone Challenges throughout the year, setting personal goals and tracking progress in a structured, supportive environment. Emphasis is placed on skill application, teamwork, and game play, along with regular discussions on healthy, active lifestyles. With a focus on personal bests over competition, the program prepares students for Middle School athletics while encouraging a lifelong love of physical activity. |
| Science |
5th graders apply scientific thinking to explore matter, ecosystems, and Earth’s changing systems. They analyze real data to understand climate, planetary motion, and conservation challenges. Through engineering projects, students design innovative solutions using Earth materials, preparing them to think critically about their role in shaping a sustainable future. |
| Spanish |
Early exposure to a second language helps young learners develop cognitive flexibility, empathy, and curiosity about the world around them. In 5th grade, students learn to ask and answer 21 key conversational questions, culminating in a spring project where they interview 8th-grade Spanish students. Student-led projects celebrating Día de los Muertos, Hispanic Heritage Month, and Christmas are thoughtfully integrated into the curriculum. |
| Social Studies |
In 5th grade, students explore how culture shapes societies, studying periods from the Roman Empire through the Middle Ages and connecting historical themes to present-day events. They build critical thinking skills through current events and projects like the American Biography Wax Museum, which strengthens research, writing, and public speaking. Throughout the year, students develop strong academic habits and engage in cross-curricular learning that deepens their understanding of the world. |
| Stripes and Religion |
EA’s Stripes and religion program helps students of all faith traditions to lead with purpose, faith, and integrity. 5th graders explore the Stripe of Faith by asking thoughtful questions about belief and studying the world’s major religions—Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. They compare shared values, reflect on their own perspectives, and learn the importance of respecting diverse beliefs in a global society. |
| Technological Integration |
Technology is thoughtfully integrated into every grade’s curriculum, both in the classroom and in the on-campus maker lab, the Lambert Family IDEA Studio. Every fall during Spirit Week, EA’s technology coaches lead a student design challenge that combines art and science for the entire Lower School. In past years, students have designed and raced boats, race cars, and more. 5th graders are issued a new computer which they will take home each day, and are taught about expectations, responsibilities, and digital citizenship. Students create original music using GarageBand in music class, and all core subjects utilize pre-selected resources to enrich and support student learning. Programming a Microbit (a microprocessor) is the focus of the 5th grade coding unit. |