Language Arts

Kindergarteners build a strong foundation for a lifetime of reading and writing. We start by mastering the Foundations for Reading—learning how a book works, from following words left-to-right to identifying the author and illustrator. Our curriculum is built on the Science of Reading, a proven approach that shows how the brain learns to read. This means we explicitly teach phonological awareness, which is the critical ability to hear, blend, and separate the individual sounds in words. Students immediately apply this “sound skill” to decode (read) and encode (spell) their first words. They build confidence and fluency by reading engaging, “decodable” sentences that use the letter-sound patterns they have just learned. We balance this skills work with content-rich read-alouds. By listening to and discussing complex stories, students build a robust vocabulary and gain background knowledge about the world, which is essential for comprehension (understanding what they read).In Foundations for Writing, students learn legible printing and use a fun combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose their first simple narratives and informational pieces.

Math

Our math program teaches students to be flexible, problem-based thinkers. The goal isn’t just to memorize facts, but to understand how numbers work. Kindergarteners learn to count to 100 and master cardinality—the crucial concept that the last number you count (e.g., “five!”) represents the total amount of items. They will learn to write, order, and compare numbers up to 20, using hands-on materials to solve their first addition and subtraction story problems (up to 10). Students will also explore hands-on geometry with 2D and 3D shapes and learn practical skills like telling time, simple measurement, and spotting patterns.

Science

Kindergarten science is all about hands-on investigation! Students act as young scientists, making observations and investigating phenomena in their own community. They explore the needs of living things by observing plants and butterflies in Pinecrest’s very own pollinator garden. They learn about forces by investigating how different pushes and pulls affect an object’s speed or direction. They also study energy by measuring the warming effect of sunlight on different surfaces. This inquiry-based approach encourages them to use the scientific method—asking questions, forming a hypothesis, and analyzing their data to understand why things happen.

Social Studies

Our social studies program “starts small” by focusing on the local community to ignite a passion for history and social science. Our young learners grasp the fundamentals of good citizenship by practicing respect, following rules, and learning why we have them. They will explore basic history, patriotism, and national symbols; discover local geography; and learn to gather information from various sources. We also introduce economic reasoning by discussing real-world concepts like needs vs. wants and the different jobs people do in our community. Students will also learn about important historical changemakers who made our world better.

STEAM

STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) is a daily enrichment where students take their science knowledge and become inventors! This dynamic, inquiry-based class is all about hands-on problem-solving. Instead of just observing forces, students apply their knowledge by designing and building a class pinball machine to see pushes and pulls in action. Instead of just measuring sunlight, they use the engineering design process to design and test a structure that reduces the sun’s warming effect. This project-based learning is deeply integrated with visual arts, encouraging imaginative expression. The year includes a STEM Night and an Art Show, inviting families to celebrate the students’ growth in design and creativity.

PE

In PE (four times a week), Kindergarteners focus on teamwork and fundamental movement. Through fun games and activities, like relay races that involve throwing and catching, students develop hand-eye coordination and sportsmanship. They also learn about health and wellness, such as noticing how their bodies feel during vigorous exercise. The year ends with Field Day, a beloved tradition where students join cross-grade-level teams for a fun-filled day of athletic challenges.

Performance

In Performance Class (twice a week), students dive into the exciting world of theatre. This class is fantastic for building confidence, collaboration, and social-emotional skills. Students learn to use their “actor’s tools” (voice, body, imagination, and courage) to bring stories to life. The curriculum is grounded in The Eight Acting Habits of Mind—thinking strategies for solving problems creatively. For example, in the game “Night at the Museum,” students learn body awareness and control by freezing as statues and “coming to life” when the “nightguard” (the teacher) isn’t looking. The year culminates in an ensemble performance of a play on a professional stage, teaching everyone that theatre requires teamwork to reach a common goal.

Music

Kindergarteners enjoy Music class twice a week, transforming into creative musicians. They learn to improvise simple melodic and rhythmic patterns using their voice, movement, and instruments. Students develop critical listening skills (identifying instruments, recognizing fast/slow and loud/soft) and technical applications (singing in an ensemble, matching pitch, and feeling a steady beat). The Winter Concert is a joyful highlight, where students showcase their “first instrument”—their voice—by singing and moving together as a collaborative team.

Humanities

Humanities class (twice a week) takes students on an enriching journey through a three-year global cycle. Kindergarteners become “cultural detectives,” exploring the traditions, arts, dance, and music of diverse regions from the Andes to East Asia. The class moves beyond just seeing traditions to connecting them, guided by a mindfulness lens to foster social-emotional wellness. For example, students might explore the theme of “light” by discovering the meaning of candles in different cultural holidays and festivals around the world. This approach cultivates authentic relationships between cultural arts and other fields of knowledge, fostering a lifelong appreciation for our global community.

Social Emotional

Pinecrest implements a daily program to develop essential social-emotional skills. We focus on ten foundational character traits throughout the school year, such as Respect, Cooperation, and Perseverance. Through engaging activities, read-alouds, and role-play, Kindergarteners work toward three main goals: “Be kind,” “Be strong,” and “Be well.” Their work centers on practical skills like Strong Listening (for respect and empathy), Following Directions (for responsibility), and Emotion Identification. This program ensures students develop the critical social and emotional foundations necessary for success in school and life.

Field Trips

Field trips are essential for supplementing and deepening classroom instruction. We offer a blend of “in-house field trips,” where subject experts come to Pinecrest, and off-campus trips. Kindergarteners will enjoy experiential learning at local nature centers, science centers, and Smithsonian museums, connecting their classroom lessons to the world around them.

Language Arts

First-graders grow into confident, independent readers and writers. They strengthen their phonics skills (how letter sounds work together) to begin reading simple stories on their own. We continue to explore rich, complex topics through class read-alouds and discussions, which builds their vocabulary and knowledge of the world. By the end of the year, first-graders write with a clear personal voice, composing creative stories and personal narratives with multiple strong sentences. In the spring, they showcase these skills by writing and illustrating beautiful Haiku poems and detailed personal stories.

Math

In first-grade math, students develop deep conceptual understanding through observation, wonder, and exploration. They learn that there are many ways to solve a problem and use hands-on tools like blocks, drawings, and number lines to understand why math works, not just memorize rules. This year, they apply their understanding of place value (what the “ones” and “tens” columns mean) to add and subtract 2-digit numbers. They learn to compare numbers up to 100, measure the world around them, and tell time to the hour and half-hour. They also become data analysts by conducting surveys about their interests and discussing the results, and even apply their geometry skills to create amazing works of art!

Science

First-grade science is all about exploring the world through hands-on investigations and design challenges. Students explore light, sound, living organisms, and our Earth’s place in the universe. To understand what causes day and night, students may use globes and flashlights to model how the Earth’s rotation creates patterns of light and darkness. To investigate sound and light waves, they might build simple string telephones to see how vibrations travel or use prisms to discover the rainbow of colors hidden in white light. They also use recycled materials to create 3D visuals and projects, demonstrating their understanding of key concepts in a creative, hands-on way.

Social Studies

This first-grade curriculum focuses on foundational concepts of citizenship, community, and diversity. Students learn about their place in the world by studying local and global geography, Virginia history, famous leaders, and basic economics and government. We emphasize social-emotional learning and community values through character development and explorations of different local cultures. Students apply their non-fiction writing skills by researching notable people who have made significant contributions to our country and the world.

STEAM

STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) is a daily, hands-on class where students investigate phenomena and use the engineering design process to solve problems. Engineering challenges require students to define a problem, sketch out solutions, build physical models, and analyze data. For example, first-graders might build LEGO bridges in teams and then run experiments testing different weights on each bridge to observe its stability. Through the visual arts component, students experiment with different media, such as weaving, to connect their learning to other fields. The class culminates in a STEM Night and an Art Show, celebrating their innovative and artistic achievements.

PE

First-graders enjoy PE four times per week, focusing on refining their movement and coordination. They continue to develop an understanding of how their bodies move through fun games and activities. For example, students practice throwing beanbags into a hula hoop, focusing on proper stance and spatial awareness to improve their form and accuracy. They also learn how vigorous physical activity connects to enjoyment and better health, deepening their understanding of its importance and the role of nutrition (energy balance) in their lives. The year ends with Field Day, a beloved tradition where students join cross-grade-level teams for a fun-filled day of athletic challenges.

Performance

The first-grade Performance Class (two days per week) focuses on developing students’ creative processes as they work together to improvise stories that include a setting, characters, and a dramatic conflict. The curriculum is grounded in The Eight Acting Habits of Mind—thinking strategies for solving problems creatively. For example, in the theatre game “Magic Rocks,” students use pantomime and their “actor’s tools” (voice, body, imagination, and courage) to pretend-play activities like baking a cake or giving a cat a bath. The year culminates in an ensemble performance of a play on a professional stage, teaching everyone that theatre requires teamwork to reach a common goal.

Music

First-grade students enjoy music class twice per week, becoming active musicians by composing simple rhythmic patterns and improvising responses with their voice and body percussion. They deepen their understanding by classifying the timbres (unique sounds) of different instruments and distinguishing between rhythm and melody. Students advance their technique by reading and writing simple notation (like quarter notes) and learning to play two-pitch melodies on instruments. The calendar year culminates in a Winter Concert, where first-graders showcase their skills for their families.

Humanities

In Humanities (twice per week), first-graders continue their three-year global cycle, evolving into storytellers as they dive deep into the myths, legends, and histories that have shaped our world. Students learn to retell these tales, identify their core values, and connect them to their own lives through art and conversation. Mindfulness is also integrated to help students make personal, meaningful connections. For example, first-graders create their own “sit spot” in nature, a place where they can quietly observe the world throughout the year. This practice mirrors the values of respect and patience central to many worldviews and cultivates an appreciation for nature.

Social Emotional

Pinecrest’s social-emotional curriculum cultivates essential skills through ten foundational character traits. The program is designed around three core outcomes: “Be kind,” “Be strong,” and “Be well.” Throughout the year, first-graders explore these traits through mindfulness, read-alouds, and role-play. The specific focus for first grade is on building friendships (with respect and empathy), maintaining focus (with perseverance and courage), and fostering emotion awareness (with gratitude and honesty). This ensures students develop the critical foundation needed for success in the classroom and beyond.

Field Trips

First-graders enjoy a dynamic blend of “in-house field trips,” where subject experts visit the school, and off-campus excursions. Throughout the year, students will visit locations like Smithsonian museums, local nature centers, and interactive science centers to enrich their learning. All field trips connect directly to the curriculum, bringing classroom lessons to life.

Language Arts

Second Grade is a major year for literacy independence! Phonics instruction advances to mastering complex word patterns, such as “vowel teams” (like ea in “read”), “r-controlled vowels” (like ar in “star”), and multisyllabic words (learning to break down “bas-ket-ball”). This helps students read grade-level books with accuracy, fluency, and expression. Students don’t just read—they analyze. Comprehension focuses on finding evidence in the text to support their ideas, identifying key plot details, and even comparing different versions of the same story. In writing, students compose more complex sentences and learn advanced grammar (like irregular plurals). They also begin the transition to cursive handwriting and develop essential research skills to explore topics that interest them, such as researching an animal for a ‘non-fiction’ report or learning about a historical figure.

Math

Math in second grade builds a deep and critical foundation for all future math. Students move well beyond basic facts to master place value up to 1,000. Using this knowledge, they learn to confidently add and subtract 3-digit numbers. A key focus is preparing for multiplication by working with equal groups (e.g., “How many wheels are on 4 cars?”). Students will also master practical, real-world skills like telling time to the nearest 5 minutes, counting money and making change, and understanding fractions (halves, fourths, and eighths

Science

Second-grade science focuses on hands-on exploration as children investigate how materials change, how plants grow, and how landforms are shaped through encouraging curiosity and hands-on exploration. The curriculum is built around the engineering design process, requiring students to ask questions, model solutions, and analyze data to solve practical problems. A powerful example of this is a unit where students tackle the fictional challenge of creating a better school glue; they iteratively design, test, and modify various mixtures to meet specific property goals. By exploring the anchor phenomenon of understanding different properties of matter through real-world examples and hands-on challenges, students truly embody the role of an engineer, learning to overcome the frustration of failure and achieve the elation of a successful final solution. This purposeful application of science concepts through solving practical problems in the early elementary years provides a solid foundation for understanding the deeper, unobservable reasons behind material properties and the causes of these changes.

Social Studies

In second grade, students become young historians and researchers. They explore the clear links between civic responsibilities and core American principles, like freedom and democracy. Students research and discuss the contributions of individuals who have worked to improve the lives of American citizens. The curriculum takes a deeper look at Indigenous Cultures, including tribal sovereignty and geography, as well as the diverse ethnic origins, customs, and traditions that enrich the United States. Students also master new map skills and learn basic economic concepts, such as the difference between producers, consumers, and scarcity. We emphasize social-emotional learning and community values through character development and explorations of different local cultures. Students apply their non-fiction writing skills by researching notable people, like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. or Amelia Earhart, who have made significant contributions to our country and the world.

STEAM

The Second Grade STEAM class (5x per week) provides a deeply integrated, project-based environment where students are engaged as innovative problem-solvers. The core of the class lies in engineering design and computational thinking. Students are learning to break down problems, collect and analyze data, and understand automation. For example, second-graders may learn about binary coding and using binary code to “write” a message with beads. In the visual arts component, students utilize the creative process to generate various solutions to art challenges, incorporate unexpected results, and reflect on their work, while also building critical thinking skills by interpreting emotions in artwork and describing collaboration skills. One art challenge is the opportunity for each student to make a unique snowflake print after learning different techniques for printmaking. The calendar year culminates in a STEM Night in December that celebrates their ability to integrate technology, design, and art to solve complex problems. The end of the year is also an opportunity to celebrate 2nd-graders’ artwork throughout the year through a community Art Show.

PE

Second-grade physical education (PE) takes place 4x per week. The course emphasizes correct movement patterns, focusing on developing fundamental motor patterns through varied experiences. Students will practice sports such as cricket or soccer, to refine these movements. They progress in their understanding of major muscles and bones, health-related fitness concepts, and the energy balance benefits of physical activity. At the end of the year in PE, students showcase the skills they have learned by participating in Field Day through joining cross-grade-level teams for a fun day of athletic activities.

Performance

Through Performance Class two times per week, second-graders are empowered to become skilled storytellers and team players. The Performance curriculum is grounded in The Eight Acting Habits of Mind – thinking strategies to solve problems and creatively complete tasks. As an example, second-graders learn to think collaboratively by improvising stories in small and large groups through theatre games like “Three-Headed Expert,” – where students work together to answer questions one word at a time – and “One Sentence Story” – where students must build on contributions from others to produce a successful story. These games also help students advance their communication skills by encouraging the inclusion of everyone’s ideas, active listening, and speaking clearly at an appropriate volume. Second graders use their actor’s tools (voice, body, imagination, and courage) to develop and perform scripted characters with an understanding of a character’s journey and the consequences of a character’s actions. They also sharpen their vocabulary with theatre terms to identify the meaning in performances, and discuss varied audience responses. The year culminates in an ensemble performance of a play on a professional stage, giving second-grade students the chance to shine alongside their peers, and teaching them that theatre requires individuals to work together to reach a common goal.

Music

The second-grade music curriculum (twice per week) develops students into confident, creative musicians. Students compose simple pentatonic melodies (the five-note scale used in many folk songs) and improvise rhythmic “question-and-answer” phrases. They sharpen their listening skills by identifying instruments by sight and sound and describing changes in tempo (speed) and dynamics (volume). Students refine their technical skills by reading and writing more complex rhythms (like half and whole notes) and singing melodies with increased pitch accuracy. The calendar year culminates in a Winter Concert where second graders showcase their new skills for their families.

Humanities

Second-graders enjoy humanities class twice per week, offering students deep explorations into different parts of the world and their cultural aspects. Students become junior culturalists, studying civilizations across the globe on a 3-year cycle. The curriculum focuses on understanding various arts, cultural experiences, and significant cultural contributors. For example, 2nd-grade, in collaboration with 3rd-grade, may present a read-aloud and tableaus (a living picture, using bodies to represent a scene) of the poem, I Hope by Monique Gray Smith, relating its message directly to the study of the First Peoples of the US. The humanities curriculum provides several annual opportunities for students to present their discoveries and interpretations of world cultures to the broader community. The class connects to mindfulness to help students make personal connections and foster a lifelong appreciation for global communities. Related to the poem sharing, students may reflect on hope, and generosity in various reflective, mindful activities.

Social Emotional

Pinecrest’s second-grade social-emotional curriculum uses daily instruction to teach ten foundational character traits through activities, mindfulness, discussions, and role-play. The program is built on three core outcomes for students: to “Be kind”, “Be strong”, and “Be well”. Second-graders specifically focus on using: engagement to build responsibility, perseverance, and courage; conflict resolution to strengthen respect, empathy, and cooperation; and emotion regulation to develop gratitude, honesty, and creativity. This daily focus ensures students gain the essential social and emotional competencies needed for success and well-being.

Field Trips

Second-graders enjoy a dynamic blend of “in-house field trips,” where subject experts visit the school for engaging presentations, and off-campus excursions. Throughout the year, second-grade students will visit locations like museums where they work with Museum experts to have curated hands-on experiences. A second-grade field trip highlight is visiting a zoo after finishing their economics zoo project, where students design their own zoo, including the animals, goods, and services, and a budget. All field trips connect directly to the curriculum students are learning in their core subjects.

Language Arts

Third grade is when students transition from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.” They develop fluency by reading a wide variety of challenging texts, including fantasy, fables, historical fiction, and biographies.

 

Reading Comprehension: Students learn to analyze texts like a detective. They don’t just read a story; they learn to identify the theme, understand the author’s point of view, and compare different versions of the same fairy tale. They also study morphology, which is the “architecture” of words—how prefixes, suffixes, and root words change a word’s meaning.

 

Writing: Students learn to write for different audiences and purposes. They learn to organize their ideas and compose narratives, informational pieces, and persuasive arguments. A major focus is on the writing process: students learn to revise and edit their own work, strengthening their ideas, word choice, and sentence structure, just like real authors.

Math

Using a problem-based learning approach, third graders tackle the cornerstones of all future math: multiplication and division. They master their facts within 100 and learn to understand the relationship between these two operations. Students also secure their understanding of place value up to 1,000, using it to add and subtract large numbers. They apply these skills to solve real-world problems involving:

• Fractions (understanding, comparing, and expressing)

• Measurement (weight, liquid volume)

• Geometry (area and perimeter)

• Time (telling time and calculating elapsed time)

Science

Third-grade science focuses on forces, life cycles, trait inheritance, and Earth’s weather and climate, using inquiry, evidence-based reasoning, and engineering design. The curriculum grounds abstract and global concepts in extensive firsthand exploration and sense-making activities. For example, the Balancing Forces unit challenges students to explore a fictional scenario of understanding a town’s new floating train service. Through the train example, students plan investigations on balanced and unbalanced forces, find patterns in data, model magnetic interactions, and engage in robust scientific discourse to understand complicated science topics. Students explore forces that are acting on and around them every day, often unseen and misunderstood, through reading informational text, finding patterns in data, and showing their ideas with models—both physical models and diagrams. They also have the opportunity for plenty of student-to-student discussions as they grapple with course topics.

Social Studies

Students apply geographic principles to analyze and understand past historical societies. They focus on the contributions and heritage of foundational cultures: ancient China, Egypt, Greece, Rome, and the West African empire of Mali through the lenses of their political, economic, and social structures. Third graders recognize the profound connection between the past and present, seeing how ancient governments, technologies, customs, and traditions laid the groundwork for the modern world. They also continue refining their map skills and strengthen their grasp of basic economic and civics concepts.

STEAM

In the 3rd-grade’s daily STEAM class, there is a significant focus placed on engineering design, where students define complex problems with clear criteria, generate and compare multiple solutions, and plan fair tests to improve prototypes. This may look like working on a multi-part project where students start with creating an aerial view and front view drawing of famous landmarks, such as the National Museum of African American History and Culture. After drawing, the students may create their own individual models of the building. Finally, the Visual Arts component fosters creative thinking, critical analysis of art and culture, and advanced application of elements like learning about the world of abstract art through studying artists like Kandinsky and creating renditions using a similar style and color. The class culminates in a STEM Night in December and an Art Show in May, celebrating their innovative and artistic achievements.

PE

In PE class (4x per week), third-grade students refine their skills, learning to both receive and provide appropriate feedback to teammates, such as when practicing Handball. They learn to apply and combine skills in more complex game situations, like using advanced footwork and dribbling skills to prepare for basketball or soccer games. Students also build their fitness knowledge, relating regular physical activity to health, and learn about different body systems. At the end of the year, all students showcase their skills during Field Day, a fun day of athletic activities with cross-grade-level teams.

Performance

The third-grade Performance Class (meets two times per week) prepares students to be thoughtful theatre artists and citizens by applying and reflecting on the elements of the creative process (create, perform, respond, connect) through individual and group performances. The Performance curriculum is grounded in The Eight Acting Habits of Mind – thinking strategies to solve problems and creatively complete tasks. As an example, third-grade students learn to commit to choices through the improvisational exercise “Press Conference,” where they must answer questions as scripted characters from stories and plays, without being given “correct” answers from the author or playwright. This and other performance activities allow students to use their actor’s tools (voice, body, imagination, and courage) to share a variety of stories confidently for an audience. Students also explore how literature is adapted for the stage, and examine how artists have presented the same stories throughout history. The year culminates in an ensemble performance of a play on a professional stage, giving third-grade students the chance to shine alongside their peers, and teaching them that theatre requires individuals to work together to reach a common goal.

Music

Through music class twice a week, the third-grade music curriculum elevates students’ musicianship, as they build a foundation of ukulele skills and successfully improvise complex rhythmic question-and-answer phrases. Students significantly advance their technical application by singing rounds and partner songs in two-part ensembles, reading and notating rhythmic values that include sixteenth notes, and playing melodies with expression. Students showcase these skills annually in the Winter Concert, performed for the entire Pinecrest community.

Humanities

In their Humanities enrichment class (2x per week), third-graders step into the role of researchers and collaborators. Students move beyond “what” to “why,” explaining the historical importance of major cultural contributions. Through social-emotional skills and mindfulness, students learn to look inward, which helps them look outward to understand the great cultures of the globe. For example, they might study an ancient myth from East Asia, understand its cultural significance, and then share their own creative rendition of the myth. This is a year of dynamic dialogue, where students learn to skillfully build upon their peers’ ideas and foster a shared understanding.

Social Emotional

Pinecrest’s third-grade social-emotional curriculum uses daily instruction to teach ten foundational character traits through engaging activities and discussions. The program guides students toward three core outcomes: to “Be kind”, “Be strong”, and “Be well”. Third-graders apply this framework with a specific focus on: using perspective-taking to cultivate respect, empathy, and cooperation; demonstrating engagement to build Responsibility; employing flexible thinking to develop perseverance and courage; and practicing emotion advocacy to support gratitude, honesty, and creativity. This daily focus ensures students develop the crucial social and emotional competencies for success and personal growth.

Field Trips

Third-grade field trips are designed to directly enhance and deepen the core curriculum by providing real-life, experiential learning opportunities. Students will go off-campus multiple times throughout the year; for instance, they might visit the zoo to connect directly with their Language Arts unit focusing on animals.

Language Arts

In fourth grade, students learn to read like analysts, exploring texts for deeper meaning in characters, themes, and historical contexts. They read to learn about the world—and themselves. To do this, they master advanced morphology, which is the “architecture” of words. By learning to decode Greek and Latin roots (like arch and graph), prefixes, and suffixes, they can unlock the meaning of complex, multisyllabic words. This allows them to read and understand diverse poetry, from Walt Whitman to contemporary Black, Hispanic, and Native American writers. In writing, students compose well-developed, multi-paragraph pieces—narratives, reports, and persuasive essays. For example, after researching famous inventors, students write a persuasive “invention pitch” for their own creation, complete with arguments and illustrations. They also conduct formal research, learning to synthesize information from diverse sources and give credit to avoid plagiarism.

Math

Fourth grade is a critical year where students master complex computation and build a foundation for all future math. This is the year they master multi-digit multiplication (e.g., $36 \times 24$) and long division. Students also dive deep into fractions, learning to add, subtract, and compare them. For the first time, they connect fractions to their new work with decimals. The curriculum also includes key geometry concepts, such as measuring angles with a protractor, and practical skills like calculating area and perimeter. Students learn to be flexible problem-solvers, applying all these skills to multi-step, real-world challenges.

Science

Fourth-grade science is deeply centered on Energy, Waves, and Earth’s dynamic processes, all explored through the Amplify Science approach of figuring out real-world phenomena. Students engage in the roles of scientists and engineers to solve compelling problems, such as investigating a city-wide blackout by exploring how to effectively convert energy from one form to another. This involves hands-on work where students design, test, and refine devices like solar panels and wind turbines, observing firsthand how energy is transformed and transferred. The curriculum uses an integrated learning model where students learn by doing—conducting investigations, reading informational texts, and engaging in scientific discourse. The entire process teaches students to build scientific explanations using evidence and rigorous reasoning.

Social Studies

Fourth-graders take a deep dive into Virginia Studies, exploring the Commonwealth’s rich history, spanning from the foundational cultures and contributions of its Indigenous Peoples and the dawn of Jamestown, straight through to the present day. This journey embeds geographic, economic, and civic concepts directly within the historical narrative. They will utilize geographic tools to analyze how both physical and cultural geography shaped Virginia’s past. There will be an emphasis on developing critical skills: learning to analyze, interpret, and demonstrate knowledge of key events and ideas. Crucially, students will understand the lasting impact and contributions made by people of diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. They’ll also explore the powerful ideas that form the foundation for political institutions in Virginia and the United States.

STEAM

The fourth-grade STEAM curriculum is a daily class that is a project-based, interdisciplinary program that empowers students as advanced researchers, ethical digital citizens, and innovative engineers. Students transition to complex problem-solving by defining design problems with clear criteria and constraints. They plan and conduct fair tests where they control variables and identify failure points to improve models. For example, they may create their own foosball machines out of a shoebox, and problem-solve how to make parts move as well as how to make it functional! In the Arts, students integrate their scientific learning into a creative process. They advance their technical skills while using imaginative and expressive strategies to create art and collaborate with others on projects. They analyze and interpret works of art using advanced visual arts vocabulary and learn to implement different artists’ techniques. Fourth grade will also work on what it means to be an artist and develop their own style and technique. The year includes a STEM Night and an Art Show, inviting families to celebrate the students’ growth in the design process and artistic achievement.

PE

In PE (four times per week), fourth-grade students work on achieving proficient movement patterns. Through team sports like soccer, handball, cricket, and basketball, as well as strength and cardiovascular activities, students combine skills in more complex situations. This helps students develop the social-emotional skills to handle a competitive environment in a healthy and supportive way. At the end of the year, students showcase their skills by participating in Field Day on cross-grade-level teams.

Performance

The fourth-grade Performance Class (meets two times per week) supports students as they grow into mindful storytellers and informed critics, capable of in-depth analysis and technical execution of different styles of performance. The Performance curriculum is grounded in The Eight Acting Habits of Mind – thinking strategies to solve problems and creatively complete tasks. As an example, students practice considering others through the improvisational exercise “A/B Conversations,” where they take turns playing both the A and B characters (who are in conflict with one another), and discussing the scene from both perspectives. Class activities intentionally connect theatre to history, community, and culture, and encourage students to think about how they can use their performance skills to better their lives and the lives of others. Additionally, fourth-graders collaborate on solutions to design and technical elements to enhance a dramatized story. The year culminates in an ensemble performance of a play on a professional stage, giving fourth-grade students the chance to shine alongside their peers and teaching them that theatre requires individuals to work together to reach a common goal.

Music

In 4th grade, students will lean heavily into playing techniques on the ukulele within their twice-per-week music class. They learn to accompany songs using tonic, subdominant, and dominant chords (the “I-IV-V” chord progression) and practice playing in ensembles. Students sharpen critical thinking by distinguishing between major and minor tonality, identifying rondo form (ABACA), and interpreting the meaning of basic time signatures (2/4, 3/4, 4/4). They also actively engage in giving and receiving constructive feedback on performances. The calendar year culminates in a Winter Concert where fourth-graders showcase their skills.

Humanities

Fourth-grade Humanities (2x per week) focuses on diverse world civilizations. The curriculum explores the relationship between a culture’s art, literature, and technology and its core values, such as how the philosophy of the Islamic world shaped its scientific achievements. Using mindfulness, students use their own values and class-shared values to understand how their personal wellness connects them to other cultures and their ways of life. Students analyze these cultural experiences from regions around the globe on a 3-year cycle of different regions. An example is how students will share Indigenous and ancient games, and connect these to the study of the Ancient Olympics. Through this activity, students explore the similarities among common games created throughout history. Throughout the year, students in the humanities curriculum get multiple chances to share their findings and interpretations of cultural phenomena with the larger school community, for example, sharing their favorite ancient game!

Social Emotional

Pinecrest’s fourth-grade social-emotional curriculum uses daily instruction to teach ten foundational character traits and promote the core outcomes of “Be kind”, “Be strong”, and “Be well”. Fourth-graders specifically apply this framework by focusing on: conflict resolution to strengthen respect, empathy, and cooperation; building organization to develop responsibility, perseverance, and courage; and using positive self-talk to cultivate gratitude, honesty, and creativity. This daily instruction ensures students are equipped with essential social and emotional competencies for academic and personal success.

Field Trips

At Pinecrest, all field trips connect directly to the curriculum in the classroom, creating real-world connections to course topics. In 4th grade, students may visit local Virginia historical sites, such as Riverbend Park, to learn about the indigenous people of Virginia and connect to their Virginia Studies. Students may also explore Science Centers and a variety of Smithsonian museums. For certain field-trips, students may enjoy taking public transportation to various field trips to facilitate real-life skills.

Language Arts

Through units on the U.S. Constitution and the Renaissance, fifth-grade students build deep knowledge and critical thinking skills, learning to read with purpose and write with clarity.

 

Reading & Analysis: Word analysis shifts completely to morphology, where students examine Greek and Latin roots (like tract in “detract” or “tractor”) and affixes (like ir-, inter-, il-) to decode complex words and build an advanced vocabulary. Students apply these skills to challenging texts on the Maya, Aztec, and Inca empires; ocean ecosystems; and Native American history. They are required to quote evidence directly to support their claims and analyze how an author’s point of view (e.g., differing perspectives on land ownership held by Native Americans and pioneers) influences a text.

 

Writing: Students master the writing process to compose complex, multi-paragraph pieces. This includes a comparative project on ancient empires, an informative report on their local ecosystem, and a persuasive opinion essay. For example, students may write a letter arguing whether Don Quixote’s good intentions justify his often-calamitous actions.

Math

Fifth-grade math is a capstone year that prepares students for middle school. Fractions, decimals, and volume take center stage as students solve complex, multi-step problems. This is the year when students master all four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) with both fractions and decimals. They learn to apply the order of operations (PEMDAS) to solve complex equations, find the volume of 3D shapes, and understand the basics of a coordinate grid. This deep computational fluency is the critical foundation for success in pre-algebra.

Science

In fifth-grade science, students think like real scientists by investigating the “unseen” world. They explore chemical reactions by acting as food scientists, investigating what causes an apple to brown or what gas makes bread rise, learning to identify when a new substance has been created. When studying ecosystems, students build and observe their own sealed-jar aquariums, modeling how energy flows from the sun to plants, snails, and bacteria. They also use microscopes to study plant and animal cells, discovering the tiny structures that are the building blocks of all life.

Social Studies

5th-grade students take a deep dive into the early history of the United States, spanning from pre-colonial times all the way up to 1865. Students use historical and geographical analysis skills to explore key ideas and pivotal events that ultimately strengthened the Union. They explore chronologically, weaving in core concepts of civics, economics, and geography to understand change and continuity in our history. They analyze foundational documents and speeches that established American ideals and institutions. Through current technology resources, students will also connect with the past by examining the everyday life of people throughout this era, utilizing both primary and secondary sources.

STEAM

Daily in STEAM class, students dive into advanced concepts, consistently defining design problems with specified criteria and constraints, generating and comparing multiple solutions, and conducting fair tests with controlled variables to refine prototypes. They use a deliberate design process—leveraging digital tools to plan, manage, and refine prototypes—and demonstrate perseverance when working with open-ended problems. For example, students may explore a famous landmark such as Fallingwater (a house designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright) online, make detailed observations, create blueprint sketches of each level of the building, and later build their own scaled models, including the surrounding terrain. These STEM activities will have an opportunity to be showcased to families at an annual STEM Night.

Art is also an important element in STEAM class. Students apply the full creative process to create work that expresses personal ideas. They grow to understand what it means to be an artist and develop their own style. The year culminates in an annual art show, curated by the 5th-grade students who apply the creative process and design process to plan, design, and set up the event.

PE

In PE class (4 days per week), fifth-grade students apply movement principles, anatomical knowledge, and game strategies to improve their performance. Through team sports like soccer, handball, cricket, and basketball, they learn to handle a competitive environment through a social-emotional lens. Students also learn to access and use resources to plan and track their own personal fitness, exhibiting a physically active lifestyle. The year culminates in Field Day, where students join cross-grade-level teams for a day of fun athletic challenges.

Performance

In fifth grade, students (twice per week) take ownership of their performances by creating, rehearsing, sharing, and evaluating speeches and scenes. They learn the distinct roles of performers, designers, and producers. The curriculum is grounded in The Eight Acting Habits of Mind, focusing on flexibility and collaboration. For example, students practice contributing staging ideas for the whole play, not just their own part, and learn to self-assess and provide constructive feedback. This collaborative approach directly connects to the year’s culminating project: an ensemble performance of a play on a professional stage.

Music

Fifth-grade students (2x per week) significantly advance their instrumental skills on the ukulele, playing music of increasing difficulty and complexity in ensembles. They continue to grow their understanding of music theory, learning to sight-read notes and apply expression to their playing. Students showcase these skills annually in the Winter Concert and at the Pinecrest graduation ceremony, performing for the entire community.

Humanities

The 5th-grade Humanities class (2x per week) has students tackling sophisticated concepts, investigating how traditions are passed down and how historical events, like the rise and fall of Rome, are interpreted from various viewpoints across civilizations. As skilled communicators, they facilitate their own discussions and synthesize years of learning by channeling knowledge into polished, high-quality creative presentations. For example, they as a class may collaborate to write and present a land acknowledgment for Pinecrest School, recognizing the Piscataway Conoy Tribe at the all-school assembly. With the class’ focus on mindfulness, students are able to participate in this and other powerful reflections, preparing them for global citizenship.

Social Emotional

The Fifth Grade Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum develops students’ interpersonal skills and leadership. The program focuses on the core outcomes to “Be kind”, “Be strong”, and “Be well”. This approach prepares students to be thoughtful, organized, and resilient young leaders with a special emphasis on:

• Leadership and Collaboration: Students cultivate Respect, Empathy, and Cooperation by practicing these skills as a leader in group settings.

• Self-Management: They develop Responsibility through the lens of organization, improving their ability to manage tasks and resources effectively.

• Resilience: Students use Perseverance and Courage by applying practical goal-setting strategies to overcome challenges.

• Well-being: They utilize Gratitude, Honesty, and Creativity to support effective stress management techniques.

Field Trips

At Pinecrest, all field trips connect directly to the curriculum, creating real-world connections to course topics. Students may go to local museums, such as Planet Word, to explore their Language Arts curriculum or local science labs to connect hands-on learning with their science curriculum. In the upper grades at Pinecrest, students enjoy taking public transportation to various field trips to facilitate real-life skills.

Language Arts

Sixth grade is a year of deep textual analysis as students read and respond to complex texts, developing their own voice through persuasive and explanatory writing.

 

Reading & Analysis: Students transition to fluently reading challenging texts, engaging in intensive analysis of both literature and informational articles. They must cite ample textual evidence to support their claims and analyze complex story elements like internal vs. external conflict and the function of “static” vs. “dynamic” characters (characters who change). Vocabulary is built by applying knowledge of Greek and Latin roots and affixes to predict the meaning of unfamiliar words.

 

Writing & Research: Students write sophisticated, multi-paragraph essays, learning to develop a clear thesis statement and organize evidence logically. Research skills mature as students learn to evaluate the validity and credibility of multiple sources and use standard citations to present their findings ethically, such as in a formal research paper on a global issue or a biographical presentation on a changemaker.

Math

Sixth grade is a pivotal year that bridges arithmetic and advanced math. Using Amplify Math, students are introduced to key middle school and pre-algebra concepts.This is the year they master all four operations (add, subtract, multiply, divide) with fractions and decimals. They also dive into:Ratios & Proportional Reasoning: Understanding how two quantities relate (e.g., miles per hour, unit price).Integers: Introducing negative numbers and learning to add, subtract, and plot them on a number line.Pre-Algebra: Using variables to write expressions and solve one-step equations (like x + 5 = 12).

Science

In sixth grade, students dive into the “big picture” systems that shape our world. To understand Earth’s systems, students act as meteorologists, building and testing their own weather-tracking instruments to investigate how energy from the sun drives the water cycle and creates weather patterns. When studying life science, they use microscopes to compare cell structures and design models to show how cells function as the building blocks of life. They also explore our place in the solar system, modeling the gravitational forces that keep planets in orbit.

Social Studies

Sixth-grade students continue their deep dive into United States history, picking up at 1865 and exploring the major turning points that have shaped modern America to the present day. Students use historical and geographical analysis skills to investigate the social, economic, and political changes that define our nation. They explore chronologically, examining pivotal eras such as Reconstruction, westward expansion, industrialization, and the waves of immigration that transformed the country. Through the analysis of primary sources, foundational speeches, and current technology resources, students will connect with the past by examining the nation’s response to major conflicts like the World Wars and the Cold War. They will also trace the powerful narratives of the Great Depression, the New Deal, and the Civil Rights Movement to understand how the U.S. grew into a global superpower and continues to grapple with its founding ideals.

STEAM

Daily in STEAM class, students tackle advanced, open-ended problems using a deliberate design process. They learn to define problems, test prototypes with controlled variables, and persevere through failure. For example, sixth-graders might be challenged to build a Rube Goldberg machine—a complex machine designed to perform a simple task. This project requires them to apply their knowledge of energy transfer (from science class), use precise measurements (from math), and collaborate creatively to make all the parts work in sequence. The Visual Arts component focuses on developing a personal artistic style, with students learning to self-evaluate and provide constructive peer feedback. The year culminates in an art show, curated and designed by the 6th-grade students themselves, who apply their design skills to plan and set up the entire event.

PE

In PE (4 days per week), sixth graders apply their skills to game strategy and tactics. The focus shifts to proficiently combining movements in complex team sports and individual activities. Students learn to use resources to plan and track their own personal fitness goals, exhibiting a physically active lifestyle. They also practice leadership and sportsmanship, learning to manage a competitive environment in a healthy, supportive way. The year ends with Field Day, where students showcase their skills on cross-grade-level teams.

Performance

In sixth grade, students (twice per week) take ownership of their performances by creating, rehearsing, sharing, and evaluating speeches and scenes. They learn the distinct roles of performers, designers, and producers. The curriculum is grounded in The Eight Acting Habits of Mind, focusing on flexibility and collaboration. For example, students practice contributing staging ideas for the whole play, not just their own part, and learn to self-assess and provide constructive feedback. This collaborative approach directly connects to the year’s culminating project: an ensemble performance of a play on a professional stage.

Music

Sixth-grade students (2x per week) take their instrumental skills to the next level. Building on their ukulele foundation, they form modern band ensembles (incorporating ukulele, percussion, and keyboards) to play more complex music. The focus shifts to composition and arrangement, where students learn to write their own melodies and harmonies. They also continue to build their music theory knowledge by sight-reading and analyzing musical pieces. Students showcase these advanced skills at the Winter Concert and the Pinecrest graduation ceremony.

Humanities

The 6th Grade Humanities class (2x per week) has students tackling sophisticated concepts, investigating how traditions are passed down and how historical events, like the rise and fall of Rome, are interpreted from various viewpoints across civilizations. As skilled communicators, they facilitate their own discussions and synthesize years of learning by channeling knowledge into polished, high-quality creative presentations. For example, they as a class may collaborate to write and present a land acknowledgment for Pinecrest School, recognizing the Piscataway Conoy Tribe at the all-school assembly.

Social Emotional

The Sixth-grade Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum develops students’ interpersonal skills and leadership. The program focuses on the core outcomes to “Be kind”, “Be strong”, and “Be well.” This approach prepares students to be thoughtful, organized, and resilient young leaders with a special emphasis on:

• Leadership and Collaboration: Students cultivate Respect, Empathy, and Cooperation by practicing these skills as a leader in group settings.

• Self-Management: They develop Responsibility through the lens of organization, improving their ability to manage tasks.

• Resilience: Students use Perseverance and Courage by applying practical goal-setting strategies to overcome challenges.

• Well-being: They utilize Gratitude, Honesty, and Creativity to support effective stress management techniques.

Field Trips

All field trips connect directly to the curriculum, creating real-world connections. In sixth grade, students may visit locations that align with their study of U.S. history and civics, such as the U.S. Capitol Building, a local courthouse, or a historical society to see primary documents from the 20th century. As in the upper grades, students often take public transportation to facilitate real-life skills and navigation.