Kindergarten, First Grade and Second Grade
The Kindergarten program is collaborative, developmentally appropriate, and built on the tenets of teaching to the whole child. Our classroom provides a caring atmosphere that gives students the freedom to experiment and explore. Through our day we engage them, laugh with them, listen to their stories and allow space for the unique facets of each child to blossom. We believe that the acquisition of knowledge is active and that children learn best when engaged experientially, working in concert with their peers and conducting independent research. Our classroom environment is enriched by playful inquiry and social and emotional support, thus the children in our kindergarten grow to be inquisitive, reflective and critical thinkers. We believe that student driven and teacher guided subject matter comes alive, as our curriculum makes meaning through deep exploration. Classroom investigations are integral to our program and children develop a strong sense of self and community.
Kindergarten Curriculum Overview
View The Core Educational Offerings Canton Country Day Offers To Our Kindergarten Students
In kindergarten the focus is on a systematic, sequential program for phonics. Teachers preview skills, formally introduce them, then create opportunities for children to apply, integrate, and practice these skills repeatedly as they move toward mastery by the end of the year.
In writing, the children learn the proper formation of both upper- and lower-case letters. They write in a variety of formats including lists, small moment stories, informational projects and letters.
The children learn to write numbers, use manipulatives to help develop an understanding of our number system, create patterns and begin the study of addition and subtraction.
In kindergarten, students learn about themselves and the world around them. They talk about families, how to share and take turns, making friends, and being a helper. Students also get the opportunity to learn about neighborhoods, the world, and how they can take care of it. As part of their study of the world, students learn about a variety of holidays and how they are celebrated.
Students will continue to learn about the process of scientific inquiry in a developmentally appropriate manner and with modeling and support. Topics will come from the three main branches of science - Life, Earth and Space, and Physical, and will support classroom explorations and projects as appropriate.
Students are introduced to and develop the recognition of technology and the importance of the role it plays in the world. Kindergartners practice and develop coding, logic, problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration through basic technology skills using iPads.
Spanish lessons will cover a variety of themes that will include vocabulary for greetings, numbers, colors, calendar, weather, the body, animals, family, and holidays. Students will be introduced to Spanish language and Hispanic culture through communicative games, songs, rhymes, children’s literature, and physical activity.
Our students also have Art, Library, Physical Education, Music, Movement, Wilderness and Wildlife. Information about those classes can be found on their respective pages.
First grade at Canton Country Day is a year of exciting growth, discovery, and increasing independence. Our program nurtures each child’s natural curiosity while building strong foundations in reading, writing, mathematics, and critical thinking. Through hands-on projects, creative expression, and collaborative learning, students develop not only academic skills but also confidence, empathy, and a love for learning. In our supportive, engaging environment, first graders are encouraged to ask questions, explore new ideas, and take on challenges that prepare them for future success.
First Grade Curriculum Overview
View The Core Educational Offerings Canton Country Day Offers To Our First Grade Students
Our goal is for children to become independent, fluent readers who love to read and who read critically and thoughtfully. During first grade, children are introduced to a wide variety of text sets. The students' learning deepens when they think, talk, read, and write about authentic texts across many different instructional contexts. Children work individually, in small groups, and in a whole group setting.
In first grade students will be creating narratives, opinions, and expository writings using the writing workshop model. Writing workshop is an instructional method that focuses on the strengths and needs of each individual writer. Teachers provide direct instruction on the writing process, craft, genres and mechanics. Students are given time and choice of what to write, and opportunities to share with audiences.
In first grade we use a problem-solving approach based on everyday situations. Students will make connections between their own knowledge and experiences, and learn basic skills in meaningful contexts so that mathematics becomes “real.” Students use a variety of engaging formats for frequent practice of basic skills. In addition to daily practice, students will find patterns on the number grid, work with addition and subtraction fact families, and play games designed to develop important skills.
In first grade we discuss the structures of schools and families. Students learn how to get along with classmates, follow school rules, and identify people who work at a school. Students also focus on character development, life skills, and academic learning. We work together to create a classroom geared towards helping each other successfully handle the complexities of contemporary society, reinforcing social skills, critical and creative thinking, ethical decision making, and conflict resolution, and building self-esteem.
Students will continue to learn about the process of scientific inquiry in a developmentally appropriate manner and with modeling and support. Topics will come from the three main branches of science - Life, Earth and Space, and Physical, and will support classroom explorations and projects as appropriate.
Students have the opportunity to use multiple types of technology within our classroom. We use Chromebooks in a variety of ways to enhance fundamental first grade skills. Technology topics include basic computer skills, internet safety, beginning coding, an introduction to Google Docs and Slides, and using digital tools to create content.
Spanish lessons will cover a variety of themes that include vocabulary for greetings, numbers, colors, calendar, weather, the body, animals, family and holidays. Students will be introduced to Spanish language and Hispanic culture through communicative games, songs, rhymes, children’s literature, and physical activity.
Our students also have Art, Library, Physical Education, Music, Movement, Health, Wilderness and Wildlife. Information about those classes can be found on their respective pages.
Second grade at Canton Country Day is a time of expanding skills, deeper understanding, and growing responsibility. Students build on their strong academic foundation with more advanced reading, writing, and math concepts, while also developing critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Lessons are enriched with science exploration, social studies projects, and opportunities for creative expression in art, music, and technology. Our supportive and engaging classroom environment fosters collaboration, curiosity, and confidence—helping each child become a thoughtful learner and an active member of the school community.
Second Grade Curriculum Overview
View The Core Educational Offerings Canton Country Day Offers To Our Second Grade Students
Children become independent, fluent readers who love to read and do so critically and thoughtfully. A balanced reading approach is used with an emphasis on quality literature, poetry, and explicit instruction in phonics (decoding skills). Children work individually, in small groups, and as a whole group. Written and oral comprehension skills such as describing the setting and main characters, finding the main idea, inferring, making predictions, learning new vocabulary, and reaching conclusions are emphasized. Through reading and discussions, children develop critical thinking skills and confidence in their ability to communicate their ideas. Children work with Words Their Way, which is an approach to spelling where children look at words as a whole and identify patterns they see through word study.
Students learn and explore the writing process of pre-writing, drafting, conferencing, proofreading, editing, and publishing. Students experience different types of writing including real life moments, fictional and non- fictional stories, poetry, autobiographies and research reports. Students will also learn cursive writing.
Second graders work on skills throughout the year using a hands-on approach where they are encouraged to independently problem-solve. They learn multiple strategies to solve addition and subtraction problems within 20 and how to solve two- and three-digit addition and subtraction problems with and without regrouping. They will learn how to tell time to the minute, count, add and subtract money, tell the temperature, and measure lengths and volume using standard units. They will collect and analyze data, read and write simple fractions, and work with two- and three-dimensional shapes. The children will develop an understanding of place value to 10,000.
Second graders learn about communities. They identify different types of communities, problems communities face, and how to be a good leader and citizen in their own community. They also learn about goods and services and how they are brought to us. Second graders learn about maps and their features. They also spend time researching and writing about the history of the first Thanksgiving.
Students will routinely investigate, explore, and discover using scientific inquiry. Topics focusing on atmosphere, weather, physical forces, and living interactions on Earth, will be a focus using hands-on experiments and problem based learning.
Students have the opportunity to use multiple types of technology within our classroom. We use Chromebooks in a variety of ways to enhance fundamental first grade skills. Technology topics include basic computer skills, internet safety, beginning coding, an introduction to Google Docs and Slides, and using digital tools to create content.
Spanish lessons will cover a variety of themes that will include vocabulary for greetings, numbers, colors, calendar, weather, the body, animals, family and holidays. Students will be introduced to Spanish language and Hispanic culture through communicative games, songs, rhymes, children’s literature, and physical activity.
Our students also have Art, Library, Physical Education, Music, Movement, Health, Wilderness and Wildlife. Information about those classes can be found on their respective pages.
INSTITUTIONS OF CCDS ALUMNI
