EARLY ELEMENTARY
Early Elementary Students Grow in Understanding, Curiosity, and Capability.
1st, 2nd, & 3rd Grade
Building on the strong foundation set in the Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten programs, the Early Elementary curriculum continues to push and challenge students in developmentally appropriate ways beyond their perceived capabilities. Our faculty focuses on creating a safe and engaging learning environment for our students, where not only do students develop their critical thinking, communication skills, and problem-solving skills, they have fun while they're doing it!
Our Curriculum
First Grade
Our 1st graders are beginning to build problem-solving skills and become more interested in how the classroom intersects with real life.
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In first-grade English Language Arts, students build strong foundations in reading, writing, speaking, and language through engaging, multi-sensory instruction. Using the Phonics First curriculum, students develop phonemic awareness, decoding and encoding skills, and spelling patterns while strengthening their vocabulary and recognition of high-frequency words. Grammar and writing instruction focus on sentence structure, parts of speech, capitalization, punctuation, and clear written communication, with students practicing neat handwriting and the writing process through daily activities. In guided reading groups, students build comprehension, fluency, and critical thinking through discussion and written responses. Through a combination of structured literacy instruction and meaningful reading and writing experiences, students grow into confident, capable communicators and lifelong readers.
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Students continue their math journey by mastering numbers 0-100 and demonstrating multiple representations of numbers from 0 to 20. Students understand and learn the properties of addition and subtraction (strategies, quick facts, inverse relationships, etc.). Students delve deeper into time, money, and measurement. Additionally, students learn to identify and understand place value, skip counting, and repeating patterns. Students are also able to interpret and use basic graphs and charts as representations of data.
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In first-grade social studies, students explore what it means to be a responsible member of a family, classroom, and community. Through the study of rules, citizenship, friendship, and cooperation, they learn how their actions can positively impact others. Students investigate families and communities from the past and present, discovering how traditions, cultures, and ways of life change over time while also recognizing what people share in common. By learning about historical events, diverse cultures, and celebrations from around the world, students develop curiosity, gratitude, respect, and an appreciation for the rich variety of human experiences.
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In first-grade science, students explore the world through observation, investigation, and hands-on learning. They discover how light, sound, and their five senses help them understand their surroundings while exploring patterns in the sun, moon, stars, and Earth's place in space. Students also study how plants and animals grow, survive, and care for their young, making connections between the natural world and everyday life as they develop curiosity and scientific thinking.
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Students are introduced to artists in history. They continue to develop their hand eye coordination by the "see it-do it" which is essential in many activities like letters, placement, writing, spacing. Students work on fine motor skills and hand eye coordination. Students are also introduced to perspective and how to see and create real life on paper or with paper.
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Students in first grade begin to read notes in standard notation as they learn how to read and write basic rhythms through composition, rhythm reading, instrument playing, and body percussion. They learn basic symbols of music by sight and meaning, as well as the notes of the treble clef. Students will play non-pitched instruments.
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Students will work on expanding their vocabulary and learning French phrases. They will gain an increased use of full, simple sentences and continued emphasis on listening, speaking, and visual cues. The year will build to a French breakfast where they invite their parents to enjoy the French language and cuisine. Students will also learn French songs through the annual Lessons & Carols service.
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As part of the Discover Bham Foundations program, first-grade students partner with Jones Valley Teaching Farm for a year-long exploration of the natural world through science, literacy, and hands-on learning. Across three seasonal visits, students use their five senses to investigate plants and animals, distinguish between living and nonliving things, and observe how nature changes over time. These experiences inspire rich language development as students study poetry, culminating in memorizing poems that celebrate the beauty of the outdoors. The partnership concludes with a family poetry celebration, where students share their work and demonstrate how careful observation and curiosity can deepen both scientific understanding and creative expression.
Second Grade
Our energetic 2nd graders are developing their critical thinking skills and want to take on more responsibilities and leadership opportunities, which we encourage and support.
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Second grade English Language Arts is built around four closely connected areas that support students as they grow into confident readers and writers. Through phonics, students strengthen their understanding of letter–sound relationships, spelling patterns, and word structures so they can read and spell words accurately and fluently. Grammar instruction helps students understand how language works by focusing on sentence structure, parts of speech, capitalization, punctuation, and verb usage, which supports both clear writing and strong comprehension. In writing, students learn to express their ideas in complete sentences and organized paragraphs while practicing narrative, opinion, and informational writing and revising their work for clarity. Reading comprehension brings all of these skills together as students read a variety of fiction and nonfiction texts, retell key events, identify main ideas and details, make inferences, and support their thinking with evidence from the text.
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Students are introduced to multiplication tables and build on their knowledge and experience in addition and subtraction up to three-digit numbers. Students study whole number operations and number stories. Students continue to grow their understanding of time, money, measurement, geometry, and data and utilize these skills to solve problems in a variety of ways.
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In 2nd grade, students dive into the world around them and start to understand how it works. They explore rules, leadership, and being responsible citizens, while also learning that things change over time. Kids investigate basic economic ideas like goods, services, needs, wants, and how communities make choices. They build map skills as they learn about U.S. states, capitals, and the continents. Along the way, students discover what makes communities unique, from the people and jobs to resources, population, and the differences between urban, suburban, and rural areas. Throughout the year, these experiences spark curiosity, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of how individuals and communities connect.
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In second-grade science, students investigate the physical world and the living things around them through hands-on exploration and discovery. They study the properties of matter, how materials can change, and the processes that shape Earth's land and water. Students also learn to use maps to better understand their world while exploring how plants and animals grow, meet their basic needs, adapt to their environments, and depend on one another for survival.
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Students continue their study of artists and improving their hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and social development. Students build on their knowledge of the elements of art and perspective. As they grow and develop, their art making activities move beyond exploring with their senses and begin to evolve into symbols that represent real objects, events, and feelings.
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Second grade students continue to read music and rhythms in standard notation, they learn treble clef notes up to two ledger lines as well as bass clef notes on the staff. They compose basic melodies and rhythms and expand upon their learning of expression and intention in music through the second-grade play. Students will play non-pitched instruments.
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Students will work on expanding their vocabulary and learning French phrases. They will gain an increased use of full, simple sentences and continued emphasis on listening, speaking, and visual cues. The year will build to a final project where students build and label an imaginary French town. Students will also learn French songs through the annual Lessons & Carols service.
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As part of the Discover Bham Foundations program, second-grade students partner with Terrific New Theatre, a local theatre company situated around the corner from Advent. Throughout the year, students gain an appreciation for local theatre and an understanding of the basics of the craft. Lessons and activities developing stage presence, character development, and movement culminate in the annual 2nd-grade play, a musical performance held for friends and family in the professional theatre.
Third Grade
3rd graders are learning to talk through problems, express themselves in complex sentences, and solve complex problems.
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In third grade English Language Arts, students strengthen their reading, writing, and communication skills through a rich variety of texts and learning experiences. They expand their vocabulary and word knowledge through integrated phonics and spelling instruction while applying decoding strategies across the curriculum. Students read novels, biographies, and informational texts to build comprehension and critical thinking, expressing their understanding through discussions, written responses, book reports, and research projects. Writing instruction includes creative, narrative, and formal essays, with an emphasis on clear communication, standard English, and the development of cursive handwriting.
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This course builds a strong foundation in multi-digit arithmetic, fractions, measurement, geometry, and data analysis. Students will deepen their understanding of place value, operations, and problem-solving strategies while developing mathematical reasoning and critical thinking skills. Throughout the course, prior Grade 3 skills are reinforced to ensure continuity and mastery. Instruction emphasizes real-world applications, collaborative problem solving, and the use of visual and hands-on models, including storyboarding, to make abstract concepts concrete.
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Exploring Our World: Cultures, Continents, and Connections is an interactive, inquiry-based social studies curriculum designed to help students develop a deep understanding of the world around them. Through the study of geography, cultures, and global connections, students will explore continents, countries, landmarks, and diverse traditions while developing critical thinking, map-reading, and cultural awareness skills. This curriculum emphasizes the ways in which geography influences culture and human activity, while fostering respect and curiosity for the diversity of peoples and places worldwide. Students will engage in hands-on projects, collaborative activities, and experiential learning to bring global concepts to life.
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In third grade science, students explore the forces and patterns that shape our world. Through hands-on investigations, they study motion and magnets, the life cycles and inherited traits of plants and animals, and how living things interact with and adapt to their environments. Students also examine weather, natural disasters, and Earth's changing systems, discovering how science helps us understand and respond to the world around us.
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In 3rd-grade art class, students explore how art communicates ideas and emotions. Students learn about the elements of art—color, line, shape, texture, and space—and how different materials and techniques express creativity. They also consider the role of imagination and observation in the artistic process. Third Graders incorporate various mediums, techniques, and exposure to a range of art projects that begin to showcase their own personal style. They also continue to develop an appreciation for a variety of artists and their design styles and mediums.
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Third graders explore more complicated syncopated rhythmic elements and explore the extended pentatonic scale. Third graders are able to identify all the notes of the treble and bass clef up to four ledger lines above and below the staff. They begin learning about basic music intervals, form, expression, and intent in music. In third grade, we begin to identify major key signatures up to 3 sharps or 3 flats. Students will play non-pitched instruments.
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Students will work on expanding their vocabulary and learning French phrases. They will gain an increased use of full, simple sentences and continued emphasis on listening, speaking, and visual cues. The year will build to a final project where students research and report on a French city using basic French phrases. Students will also learn French songs through the annual Lessons & Carols service.
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As part of the Discover Bham Foundations program, third-grade students partner with the Birmingham Museum of Art for a year-long exploration of world cultures through art, history, and storytelling. Connected to their study of the continents, students investigate the purpose of museums, discover the art and traditions of African and Asian countries, and make connections between visual art and the people and places they study in social studies. Through writing activities and hands-on experiences, including an exploration of Asian cuisine, students deepen their understanding of global cultures. The partnership culminates in a Continents Fair, where students share their learning with families and celebrate the diverse stories and artistic traditions that connect our world.
Academic Highlights
Library
In our school library students in first, second, and third grade have the opportunity to check out books in addition to learning research skills and the responsibilities of digital citizenship.
Physical Education
Students in our early elementary program participate in physical education classes throughout the week in addition to their time on the playground and rooftop gym spaces. In P.E. classes, students focus on teamwork, sportsmanship, and general athletic skills.
Technology
Our early elementary students begin to explore formal technology through their academic work. Classroom Chromebooks and other digital tools are introduced to equip students with the appropriate technology skills.
Early Elementary
Field Trips
We’ve established field trips as an integral part of our curriculum to allow students to experience learning in real-life settings. Understanding more about the world (and city and state!) around them empowers our students to more deeply understand and apply the concepts they are learning about in the classroom. Our location in the heart of downtown plays a critical role in our ability to expose students in a safe but meaningful way to the amazing resources we have right at our doorstep.
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Alys Stephen Center - Alabama Symphony
Burritt on the Mountain
Children’s Theatre
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Jones Valley Teaching Farm -
Majestic Caverns
Children’s Theatre
Terrific New Theatre
The Birmingham Zoo -
Birmingham Museum of Art
Children’s Theatre
Jones Valley Teaching Farm
McWane Science Center
Etiquette and Afternoon Tea at the City Club