The Avalon School Primary School: Grades K-2

Students in the primary school are introduced to nature, literature, drawing and sports by teachers serving as enthusiastic role models who are well-versed in the rich heritage of the humanities. The traditional rigors of mathematics and grammar form the counterbalance to varied and frequent adventure trips that afford small classes an opportunity to explore their world.

"When I see birches bend to left and right
Across the lines of straighter darker trees,
I like to think some boy's been swinging them..."
from "Birches" by Robert Frost

Curriculum

Religion
We have adopted the Ignatius Press series for our religion program in grades one through eight. Its authentic teaching and beautiful artwork present wonderfully the richness of the Catholic faith. In all things, but especially through our religion program, we hope to form boys into men who will make a more human, more vital society.
Texts:
Our Heavenly Father, Ignatius Press
Jesus Our Life, Ignatius Press

Students are taught the basic prayers, the various articles of the Apostle’s Creed, major stories from the Old and New Testaments, and lives of selected saints.

Mathematics
The Avalon School has adopted the Saxon Mathematics series for our math program. The classes consist of short lectures followed by students working on sample problems. The books are rigorous and there is little "fluff." The learning is incremental with continual review. There is frequent cumulative testing. There is also an emphasis on correcting mistakes, a key area where much learning can take place. The classes will be supplemented with math puzzles, mental math, and topics from the history of math. Saxon books are especially suited for students to advance above grade level and we will do our best to accommodate such cases.

Texts: Saxon Mathematics 1, 2, and 3

History
Texts:
1st Grade Introduction to American & European History; Heroes & Legends
2nd Grade Freedom of Experience

Physical Education
Daily physical education for students in grades K-8 allows them to test their physical limits and to test each other. The Avalon School exposes boys to the regular passel of sports that are commonly played, helping them to develop the skills necessary to compete capably, and encouraging the boys to use their imagination and innate competitiveness to develop games of their own.

Natural History
Science is a hands-on subject. Boys will be encouraged to catch insects, frogs, turtles, snakes and other small animals (little brothers and sisters excluded). We expect them to be able to identify over 50 birds, over 30 trees, and other wild life. Rocks, fossils and artifacts will be observed and collected. Peterson, Stokes, and the Golden Field Guides will be the students' guides and Anna Botsford Comstock's great opus, Handbook of Nature Study, is the teacher's guide.*

In Kindergarten, students study weather, plants, and animal classification
First Grade and Second Grade continue natural history study with the above mentioned field guide books.

Poetry
The reading, memorization and recitation of great poetry is an essential part of the Avalon curriculum and experience and comprises a part of the English literature course offerings. Each grade memorizes and recites a number of poems throughout the year. In addition, the competitive recitation of poetry by House representatives is a staple of festival day celebrations. Poet Laureate Contests are held for the Lower and Middle schools each spring.

Reading/Phonics/Writing
In grades K-2, students work on spelling, grammar, phonics, reading and writing. Students will also listen to stories read aloud from the teacher.

Texts for 2nd grade:
The Door in the Wall, Margarite d’Angeli
The Wind in the Willows, Kenneth Grahame
Rikki - Tikki - Tavi, Rudyard Kipling
Stuart Little, E. B. White
Charlotte's Web, E. B. White

Art
Art is taught one class period per week in grades 3 – 8. Students learn elements of drawing, from basic three-dimensional shapes to more challenging assignments such as the use of perspective, drawing the human person, etc. Projects include learning about and coloringheraldic shields, understanding the color wheel, and color relationships. Students also will seeand study various great works of art.