First - Third Grades

In a challenging and supportive learning environment, dedicated teachers address the unique intellectual, spiritual, social, and physical needs of each student. The well-balanced lower school curriculum focuses on giving each child a strong foundation in the core subjects of reading, English, math, science, and social studies, while providing opportunities for creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving. Encore classes in Bible, art, computer, library, music, physical education, science lab, and Spanish, round out the rigorous core curriculum.

Each grade level has unique traditions and units of study.  For example, the annual Presidents Program, now a well-known event at CMDS, wraps up the first graders’ study of the US Presidents and remains a high point for the students and their families. Second graders are introduced to the research process as they immerse themselves in an exciting animal unit, during which they create individual booklets and group PowerPoint presentations showcasing their newly obtained knowledge.  The third graders’ study of American immigrants culminates with each student taking on the persona of an immigrant arriving in the United States for the very first time.  Their "visit" to Ellis Island gives them a taste of what it might have been like for those who passed through the federal immigration station, so many years ago.

FIRST GRADE:

Language Arts: McGraw Hill: Reading, Spelling, & Grammar
Math: Saxon Math
Science: Thematic Units, Weekly Science Lab
Social Studies: Thematic Units
Bible: Daily Devotion, Weekly Bible Class, Weekly Chapel program on Tuesdays
Fine Arts: Weekly Art & Music Classes, Christmas Musical
Foreign Language: Weekly Spanish Class
Library: Weekly Library Class
Physical Education: PE Class twice a week
Technology: Classroom computers, iPads, iTouches, Weekly Computer Class
   

SECOND GRADE:

Language Arts: McGraw Hill: Reading, Spelling, & Grammar, Select Novels
Math: Saxon Math
Science: McGraw Hill, Weekly Science Lab
Social Studies: Thematic Units, Scott Foresman: People And Places
Bible: Daily Devotion, Weekly Bible Class, Weekly Chapel program on Tuesdays
Fine Arts: Weekly Art & Music Classes, Christmas Musical
Foreign Language: Weekly Spanish Class
Library: Weekly Library Class
Physical Education: PE Class twice a week
Technology: Classroom computers, iPads, iTouches, Weekly Computer Class
 

THIRD GRADE:

Language Arts: McGraw Hill: Reading, Spelling, & Grammar, Select Novels
Math: Saxon Math
Science: McGraw Hill, Weekly Science Lab
Social Studies: Thematic Units, Scott Foresman: Communities
Bible: Daily Devotion, Weekly Bible Class, Weekly Chapel program on Wednesdays
Fine Arts: Weekly Art & Music Classes, Christmas Musical
Foreign Language: Weekly Spanish Class
Library: Weekly Library Class
Physical Education: PE Class twice a week
Technology: Classroom computers, iPads, iTouches, Weekly Computer Class