Lower School: Kindergarten – 3rd Grade
The best start means the best results! Getting started with a positive attitude!
The first few years of education should give a child the right start—a solid grasp of the basics, a love of learning and a genuine curiosity about the world around them.
In our Lower School we focus on creating an environment which achieves this in several ways: the care our teachers have for each student, highly personalized student- centered education and an effective basics program integrated into a rich curriculum.
The Curriculum
The Delphi Reading Program is nationally recognized for its effectiveness in teaching young children to read, to develop a love of reading and ultimately a high literacy level. Designed with an integrated approach, the Lower School curriculum also includes a firm grounding in the basics, such as writing, spelling, math, geography, history and science.
In addition, our teaching methods engage students in creative activities which encourage the exploration of their surroundings and help them relate what they learn to real life. A unique aspect of the Delphi Program is that all students develop good study habits—they literally “learn how to learn”.
Hands-on Approach
Young children learn a great deal by observing the world around them. We encourage this by getting students involved in activities both inside and outside the classroom. Students engage in a variety of research projects as well as STEM activities as part of their regular curriculum. STEM classes allow a child to learn first-hand about basic concepts in engineering, physics, biology or chemistry. “Research” projects help a child observe activities or phenomena in the environment.
Students in the Lower School spend well over half their day involved in some kind of hands-on activities or creative projects. Walk into a classroom at this level, and you’ll generally find a beehive of motion.
Field Trips
Field trips are scheduled regularly and focus on interaction with the world around them. Field Trips also provide the much needed hands-on experience to support many areas of a student’s studies. Emphasis on “hands-on learning” gets the students out to a variety of destinations such as: museums, library, aquarium, zoo, nature centers. They may also go behind the scenes to learn about everyday businesses such as a restaurant, supermarket, music store, and more! They may also visit places of government such as the post office, fire station, police station, city hall, etc.
The Arts
Music, dance, art and woodshop are very popular at Delphi and get the creative juices flowing!
Students learn to create art in a variety of mediums including watercolor, pencil, charcoal and oils as well as getting experience in several types of crafts and pottery.
In music, students learn fun songs, musical skits and how to play basic rhythm instruments.
Students participate in at least one major performance each year to gain experience working with an ensemble and performing in front of an audience.
In woodshop, students learn how to use basic tools and create amazing products.
Physical Education
P.E. is offered daily with an emphasis on fitness, self-discipline, team spirit and fun. P.E classes include such things as exercises, gymnastics, dance, games and playground time as well as seasonal activities such as ice skating, swimming and bowling.
Forms vs Grades
We realize each student is an individual and needs to be addressed as such in his or her education. Delphi utilizes the concept of “Forms” rather than grade levels. A student completes a Form upon accomplishing the graduation requirements needed to complete that Form. In this way, each student can get the full benefits from the curriculum and keep advancing at their own optimum pace.
Lower School Photos
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