Teachers use the best models from children’s and adult literature in their curriculum, and provide time in the school day for pleasure reading. Grammar and spelling are integral components of the program, and children learn to use the English language effectively through the practice of clear and accurate expository writing.  Imaginative, sensitive, and exploratory use of language is furthered through the pursuit of creative writing, and an annual school-wide focus on poetry culminates with the student publication, Our Children, Our Poets.

The natural and satisfying uses of mathematics are taught from the earliest grades onward with problem solving activities.  Math is used vigorously to promote understanding in all subject areas.  It is employed as an analytic tool in science and social studies projects and is often paired with art to enlarge the vocabulary of pattern and form.  Frequent application of principles maintains a student’s connection between abstract thinking and practical everyday problems.

Because we believe that mathematical competency is grounded in early concept understanding, hands-on manipulatives are selected at each stage to support learning.  Textbooks are used, and computer programs, games, and calculators provide added challenge and enrichment.

The teaching faculty has elected to follow the standards developed by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.  A 9th grade Algebra course is offered to 8th graders.

The social studies program introduces children to the diversity of cultures on our planet and fosters an appreciation of the common elements in the human experience, both past and present. Informed knowledge of geography, climate and the earth's resources is a basic part of this curriculum. In-depth units are designed to encourage children to make connections to other peoples by experiencing their legends and beliefs; their dance, art, and music; by creating their crafts; and by cooking their foods and celebrating their feasts.

Science is a process we use to understand our world and the natural phenomena that occurs within it. Through observation, identification, description, experimentation and explanation, students form a body of knowledge. Curriculum is designed to stimulate innate curiosity, develop critical thinking skills, and produce scientific literacy. Experiences are provided which build upon one another, encourage hands-on participation, allow for spontaneous inquiry and lead to an understanding of concepts and the scientific method.

In science classes and during homeroom, programs appropriate to the developmental ages of children are used to inform them about drugs and alcohol and sexuality. Different aspects of reproductive anatomy and physiology are introduced throughout the curriculum. Films depicting difficult situations that confront present day teenagers are also used in the upper grades to highlight constructive methods of coping. We seek to give students the knowledge to make conscientious decisions about these issues in order to safeguard their lives.

French Curriculum Guide

Education is about engagement. When a student is excited and drawn in by a topic, there are no limits to what he or she can do. The best learning happens when a student is motivated from within.

The French classroom is a place where games, songs, poems, and hard work come together. Students are encouraged to play and study to cultivate their French. In the younger grades, language learning is made fun with games and play. In the older grades, written language merges with spoken French to enrich vocabulary.

The overarching goal of the French program at The Grammar School is for students to have the ability to understand and communicate in basic French. Learning is focused in the area of oral expression but starting in first grade, the curriculum introduces some basic in-class writing and reading tasks. These progress in difficulty through the grades and become the foundation for later work in writing and reading.

Beginning Spanish introduces students to the language and cultures of Spanish speaking countries while developing a strong foundation across the four skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Classes are highly interactive and communicative using art, music, and games among other activities to encourage students to have fun and take risks while expressing themselves in the language. Introductory topics for exploration include myself, my school, families, vacations, hobbies, sports, shopping, and food. Within these contexts, students learn and expand meaningful sets of vocabulary as well as develop a working knowledge of basic grammar. Students also compare and contrast their personal experiences within these areas to those of children from other countries through projects and exposure to typical celebrations and customs. Students make use of the Internet and CDs to listen to native speakers in video clips and recordings as well as read authentic materials.

Music and Technology Curriculum Guide

Music is fluorishing at TGS with a diverse program and faculty.
All Grammar School students:

• sing in a chorus,
• learn to play recorder starting in 3rd grade
• read music
• enjoy dancing
• perform on stage

A new addition to the upper school program is Instrumental Studio during the fall term, offering a choice between band, chamber orchestra and guitar. In winter term, the 7th and 8th graders begin rehearsals for a Broadway Musical which they perform in the spring. As a school, we enjoy singing together at meetings, concerts and special annual events including a fall hike to Putney Mountain, and an assembly to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. Student musicians have an opportunity to perform at several talent shows during the year and professional musicians from the community are often included in our assembly programs.
 
SPECIAL EVENTS:
Music is an activity to be shared and enjoyed together. Many performances to which the public is welcomed are scheduled throughout the year. These include:

• Medieval Faire - in October
• K-4 Winter Holiday Concert in December
• 5-8 Winter Holiday Concert in December
• All School Talent Shows - TBA
• 7-8th grade Broadway Musical - Spring
• K-6 Spring Concert - May

Art Curriculum Guide

On a typical school day the art room at The Grammar School vibrates with the joy that comes from creative expression. The goal of the curriculum is to develop visual literacy in our students. The curriculum is designed to help students develop aptitude with the creative process. The students will learn to evaluate, understand and appreciate the visual world, the interior world of the imagination, and the range of art in different cultures. The curriculum is designed to instill delight in creating visual art.

Visit the Library page for news and announcements.

Library Curriculum Guide

The library is at the heart of The Grammar School, serving as a valuable resource and a welcoming place to our school community.

The Grammar School library has 10,000 volumes, periodicals, and other media. The main library is in the lower school, while the upper school has its own smaller library with titles appropriate to middle school readers. Our fully automated library allows students and faculty to access the library catalog from classrooms and computer labs as well as the library.

At The Grammar School, we believe that literacy is fostered through time spent finding information from a variety of sources, reading for pleasure, and participating in guided literature discussions. To help promote the importance of reading, special times are set aside either each day or during the week, depending on grade level, for silent pleasure reading. Classes visit the library to check out materials, read, and learn research skills. Developing comfort and familiarity with our library allows students an appreciation of libraries as a lifelong source of enrichment and support.

During the year the library hosts several special programs. In the fall, an annual book fair is held, and an author or illustrator visits the school in conjunction with Children's Book Week. Past presenters have included Karen Hesse, Wendy Watson, and Natalie Kinsey Warnock and Jan Reynolds. An annual birthday party to celebrate the library is held in February. Lively literary entertainment provided by various classes is always the most fun part of the celebration.

The library facilitates a reading challenge in March, and in April, recognizes National Poetry Month with a special Poets Day celebration. Throughout the year, the library sponsors the Vermont- wide Red Clover Award and Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award programs. The librarian makes available summer reading lists for incoming grades 2-8 and parents.

Classes and parent groups also use the library for meetings and other events including a monthly coffee open to all parents. Please stop by our main library to "check out" what's going on!

Music and Technology Curriculum Guide

Technology is exciting and alive at The Grammar School. Macintosh computers are available for student use in several lab settings. Some students carry laptops and this is encouraged and supported.

"Tech Time" classes have been incorporated into the music classes, emphasizing basic computer skills through an introduction to varied software and music composition. Through participation in the Vermont MIDI Project, students are able to post their original music compositions on the Internet and receive mentoring online from professional composers. Regular practice in keyboarding is begun in 2nd grade and practiced daily in 6th grade.

Sports Page

At TGS, it is our firm belief that the physical foundation is as important as the academic, social and ethical education of a student. We are a community that wants to engage our students in a love of physical activities that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. We want to help them care for and respect their physical health. To do so, we:

• Require 3 PSD (physical skills development) classes per week, per grade
• Have written physical fitness curriculum strands per grade
• Have an annual budget for replenishing sports equipment
• Cross-country ski as our all school winter PSD, K-8th
• Have in depth alpine or nordic instruction for 7 afternoons each winter
• Have 3 competitive after school soccer teams in the fall
• Have a cross-country running team in the fall and girls running in the spring
• Host an after school cross-country ski program for the local area children
• Have a non-competitive spring after school sport, such as mountain biking, frisbee, softball

Our philosophy for sports is to encourage all students, regardless of ability, to participate, to provide basic instruction, to nurture children’s love of sport, and to have fun. Competitive sports encourage kids to play their best, to learn to cooperate, to become part of something greater than themselves, to win with pride and lose with dignity. At TGS, competitive sports are viewed as an important opportunity to learn and practice sportsmanship. This includes fair play, respect for opponents and coaches, courtesy to all, a striving spirit and responsibility for one’s own actions. At The Grammar School, we expect this of all students, coaches, and parents.