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3rd & 4th grades
2025-2026
General Info:
Lower Elementary School students are required to register for the 9-12:15 block of Thursday classes from September to May. These students will study Literature & Poetry, Science & Nature Study, Handicrafts & Arts, and Geography. A book list will be provided for all books needed for home assignments.
Course fees (around $32 per week) include in-class instruction, all supplies used in class, and weekly home lesson plans posted to The Dispatch, our communication hub.
The Lower Elementary classes are semi-drop off classes: a parent is required to stay for class mornings several times per year. Childcare is available for younger siblings (up to two) of students whose parents are volunteering. Nursing infants are welcome with mothers who volunteer. Lower Elementary students and parents are welcome to pack a lunch and stay for the lunch hour.
3rd Grade
Course Duration: 28 weeks; Thursdays
Course & Class Supply Fees: $900
Literature & Poetry Students will discover that story is an amazing part of every single culture as they explore the amazing narratives of the world around us through an assortment of poetry, beautiful picture books, and some longer “living book” read-alouds with each country as they “visit” them.
Science & Nature Study
Third grade students will discover some of the world’s amazing creatures, plants, and scientific phenomena as they go from region to region, learning about wildlife that makes that unique location home. From plants, the sky and stars, to amphibians, students will spend time learning not only rare things from all over the world, but how to identify and appreciate the variety of similar creations close to home.
In unity with all other Esprit students, 3rd grade students will engage in a focused nature study of reptiles (Fall), brooks, rivers, and oceans (Winter), and garden flowers and weeds (Spring). Home assignments include some light outside reading and one or two nature walks and studies each week.
Geography
Traveling around the world is a beautiful way to learn, and we will map all about it! Using literature, storytelling, and hands on projects, students will learn about 20+ countries and cultures. We will learn how to find places on our globe, using longitude, latitude, and fixed directions. Each week in class, we will include find and map the countries we visit. Homework includes light mapwork, reading, and some home projects to share with the class. By the end of the year, students will have a beautiful keepsake of their journey around the world.
Handicrafts & Arts
As students wander the world in the classroom studies, they will see famous artists and their works of art and learn both beautiful and useful handicrafts that have been used and shaped by cultures over time. Students will also learn a variety of life and home skills through exploration of the unique traditions and etiquette of different countries and cultures, experiencing those delightful differences in classes each week.
4th Grade
Course Duration: 28 weeks; Thursdays
Course & Class Supply Fees: $900
Literature & Poetry Students will focus their literature study on myths and fairy tales, and legends passed down through the ages. Villains, heroes, love, and sacrifice will be explored through play, projects, and oral and gentle, introductory written narration. Various types of poetry will be introduced and experienced. Homework for this class includes some reading at home and other home assignments.
Science & Nature Study
Fourth grade students will explore ecosystems, the water cycle, and the weather in addition to seasonal nature study discoveries. This class is project based, with some light home assignments in addition to class time experiences.
In unity with all other Esprit students, 4th grade students will engage in a focused nature study of reptiles (Fall), brooks, rivers, and oceans (Winter), and garden flowers and weeds (Spring). Home assignments include some light outside reading and one or two nature walks and studies each week.
Geography
Students will complete a geography-through-literature study and interactive projects to explore maps and learn about the Earth’s surface, continents and oceans, and more. Homework includes light mapwork, reading, and some home projects to share with the class.
Handicrafts & Arts
Students will explore handicrafts and various art forms throughout the year, including weaving, painting, sewing, beading, collage, and more. Famous works of art will be studied through picture study and art experiences. Some handicraft and art supplies will be suggested for at-home practice, but all in-class materials are provided.
The spring semester will explore various handicrafts and includes a focus on learning to crochet. This handicraft grows hand-eye coordination and offers a new creative outlet that can go with you wherever you go! The basic stitches will be covered so that students can go on to make sweaters, blankets, bags, and amigurumi (toys).
There is no cure for curiosity.
Dorothy Parker
New Family Application Begins
February 17, 2025
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