Elementary
Grades 1–5

Explicit reading and writing instruction continues at the point where the student left off at the end of the Kindergarten year to ensure a smooth continuum of learning.

Grade-level math instruction allows teachers to differentiate students’ varied learning needs and abilities while maintaining the supportive aspect of group learning and the benefits of peer modeling and sharing strategies.

In social studies, investigations provide students with an understanding of the concept of community and take the children out of the immediate school neighborhood and into the New York City metropolitan area. The students increase their geography skills through the use of maps and directions as students study how families meet their needs and wants in diverse neighborhoods.

The concept of responsible citizenship is introduced, within the family and extending outward to the classroom and broader community.

Literacy instruction continues as children begin reading more difficult texts to develop written and oral comprehension.

Grade-level math continues as the children delve into double- and triple-digit addition and subtraction, geometry, and early multiplication.

In social studies, students study their local community and learn about characteristics that define urban, suburban, and rural communities; democratic principles and participation in government are also introduced.

The second graders begin to weave technology, social studies, and literacy together in creating multimedia presentations and projects. 

The big work of the upper grades is fostering self-awareness and a sense of community. As children gain a sense of self in relation to others, they recognize the impact of their words and actions. Our small and supportive community empowers students to find their voice and advocate for themselves, as they learn to recognize and act in moments of injustice.

In the third grade, we empower students to become more independent and increase opportunities for problem-solving, organizing, and managing their academic tasks. 

The third graders study social identifiers, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and others. Through observations and open-ended learning targets, students begin to understand the complexities and challenges that arise in society due to social identifiers and global goals, and how to be activists for positive change in our community. 

Third graders look to the future to interpret how New York City evolves and changes, while also drawing information from the past. Students study the Lenape people who inhabited Mannahatta land long ago, focusing on change over time. Anti-biased and play-based curricula supports students to understand the perspectives and experiences of history through a critical lens. This exploration supports students' growing awareness of identity, social justice, and representation of groups of people long ago and in today's world.

Integrated writing pieces are supported by individual and small group conferences, allowing teachers to work closely with each student on differentiated goals. With the introduction of 1:1 Chromebooks in the third grade, students further incorporate revising and editing into their process.

Expressing ideas and developing a voice are keystones of the fourth-grade curriculum. Discussions surrounding social conflicts in class — as well as the social issues in the world — provide a forum to share and listen to differing opinions.

Our literacy workshop model provides whole-class instruction with a focus on the strategies, habits, and processes of readers and writers. Children then engage in independent practice and internalize the teaching. Each writing unit takes students through the writing process from start to finish, as they incorporate teacher and peer feedback to refine and develop their crafting moves as writers.

While reading independently, students are able to build their stamina, strengthen their comprehension skills, fluency, and approach unfamiliar words in context. As a community of readers, students often meet in small groups and partnerships, which promote discussion and active participation.

The fourth graders delve deeper into the study of New York City through an immigration unit that incorporates history, geography, culture, economics, and government before the European colonial era to the modern period.

The elementary experience at Corlears culminates in fifth grade, where the children enjoy a memorable and robust year of learning and leadership while preparing to move on to middle school.

The humanities program for the fifth graders encompasses reading, writing, spelling and social studies. The high level of integration at this level provides academic rigor along with highly developed critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills.

Grade-level math instruction utilizes the math workshop model, but also cross-references the content needed to prepare for the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) in the fall. Our 10s students’ problem solving incorporates larger numbers and multi-step problem solving, with a focus on mathematical proofs. Being able to prove your thinking and computation instead of answering, “I just know,” lays the foundation for higher level mathematics and moves students into algebraic thinking.

The students take on many leadership roles within the school community, including classroom buddies, weekly assembly-hosting duties, and an annual, class-generated service learning project.

Each spring, fifth graders attend an overnight trip focused on team-building and making lasting memories as they celebrate their Corlears journey and time spent together.

Graduates of Corlears are vibrant, intelligent and compassionate young critical thinkers, poised and ready to take the next steps into middle school.