Lower School Oral Literature/Social Studies/Science Program

The Oral Literature/Social Studies/Science class (referred to as “Core” class) utilizes an integrated curriculum approach to provide information related to social studies, science, and literature. Emphasis is placed on concept development, vocabulary, comprehension, oral expressive language, and listening skills. Generally, students in grades 1 through 3 are placed within the “Core” program, although some 4th grade students may also be included if their language and reading skills indicate a need for this type of integrated program. This class meets for two periods each day, which allows the teacher to integrate content area information with literature skills through topic or theme-related units. A multisensory approach is used within this class, providing the students with the opportunity to explore the units taught through a variety of hands-on activities. Material is presented orally to the students, as the students in the “Core” program are generally at the beginning reading level. Field trips are planned whenever appropriate to provide further reinforcement of the instructional units. There is a three-year cycle of instructional units within the “Core” program, which covers information that would generally be covered within social studies and science instruction in grades 1 through 3. In addition to these units, “Core” teachers also present instruction related to health (nutrition, personal safety), social skills development (conflict resolution and problem solving), fire prevention, and concepts related to various holidays throughout the year. Students receive one period a week of music and art during their “Core” class. Students may not necessarily go through all three years of the “Core” curriculum; this will depend on their grade level and skill level when they enter the Eagle Hill program, and how quickly they progress in their reading and language skills. When students are able to use reading in order to access information, or when they have gone through the three-year cycle (generally third or fourth grade), they then move into separate Literature and Content classes (either a social studies or a science).