Elementary

Elementary children explore the cosmic story of the beginning of the universe and the beginning and evolution of life on earth, culminating in studies of human beings. Investigation of human beings leads into the study of early humans, needs of humans, and the development of civilizations. Students are introduced to the many fields of human exploration and are then able to weave them into a larger vision of the cosmic whole.

Key Topics
Ancient Societies, Fundamental Needs of Humans, Historical Research, Phases of History, Timelines and Measurement of Time, United States & Minnesota History, World History.

Elementary students learn the history of the English language and use specialized materials to understand the function of words, sentence structure, and grammar rules. The curriculum covers various genres, including poetry, prose, myths, and legends, fostering analytical thinking and personal interpretation.

Students learn to hone their writing skills, becoming proficient in both creative and expository writing. Students also have many opportunities to develop oral language skills. Formal presentation of written work, as well as informal opportunities to argue and debate ideas in class meetings or classroom work time, helps the students become confident and competent in expressing themselves with grace and clarity.

Key Topics
Book and Internet Research, Grammar, History of English, History of the Written Language, Interpretive Reading, Literature, Media Literacy, Reading Comprehension, Spoken Language, Word and Sound Analysis, Written Language.

Every human being possesses a mathematical mind in search of order and pattern. In the Elementary classroom, this power is nurtured to aid the child in constructing a deep understanding of mathematical concepts and fluency in applying these concepts to a range of situations. Concrete learning materials assist the children in building abstract understanding of arithmetic, algebra, and geometry.

Key Topics
Arithmetic, Geometry, Graphing, Introduction to Algebra, Measurement, Operations, Percents and Decimals, Properties and Rules, Proportion and Ratio, Rounding and Estimating, Signed Numbers, Statistics and Probability.

The Elementary child is a keen observer and maker of patterns, often asking why systems work and function together. The child studies this through the investigation of the formation of the solar system, as well as fields of human scientific exploration such as geology, physical science, and biology. 

Living examples of plants and animals allow for the discovery of the relationships and interdependence of living things through the whole of the natural world. This exploration is done in the classroom, as well as through day and overnight trips to the Land School. 

Key Topics
Astronomy, Botany, Chemistry, Earth Science, Ecology, Geography, Human Development, Physics, The Story of the Universe, Zoology.

In Art class, children are exploring a variety of art materials and techniques including bookmaking, papier mache sculpture, watercolors, oil pastels, and painting with acrylics. There is a rich and creative variety of work and collaboration happening in the art studio as the children are becoming increasingly independent in their abilities and learning to care for their shared studio environment and materials. Historical and cultural elements are also studied.

The Art Studio is an expansion of the classroom environment where children are free to explore, hone their personal skills, and work in collaboration to build upon, make connections and deepen their learning. 

Elementary students attend art class once per week and are able to participate in Open Art Studio throughout the week. 

Elementary student's music classes are informed by the Orff Schulwerk pedagogy, a child-centered approach that emphasizes the child’s role in the creation of music, theater, and dance. Students work on improvisation, composition, ensemble work, singing, movement, and music literacy.

Elementary students attend music class once per week, participate in a level-wide all-sing once per week, and are encouraged to use time in Open Music Studio to explore their own musical or theatrical projects throughout the week.

During Physical Education, students take part in activities that demonstrate how to achieve and maintain a healthy level of fitness through a physically active lifestyle. With an emphasis on team play, respect for self and others sets the tone for all students no matter what level of skill they have attained. Students are expected to be inclusive in their play and supportive of their peers so that everyone has an equal opportunity to experience all facets of the game. 

Elementary students participate in Physical Education twice per week and are able to participate in Open Gym Studio throughout the week. 

Elementary 1 | Spanish
Elementary 1 students build upon the Spanish acquired in Children's House in small groups and full class lessons. The Spanish Specialist uses diverse materials such as books, pictures, or games to build Spanish vocabulary and basic sentence structure. Storytelling and small group instruction continue the exposure and use of the Spanish language. Cultural competencies are developed while students learn about Spanish speaking countries and regions around the world.

Lake Country offers a variety of athletics and clubs, all of which are settings where students learn to respect themselves, each other, and the team as a whole. 

League Athletics
Basketball, Cross Country, Volleyball

Intramurals
Archery, Floor Hockey

Clubs
Chess, Choir, News Crew, Rainbow Club, Tech Club

See Athletics & Clubs

Lake Country's Community Kitchen is both a fully outfitted commercial kitchen and a cooking classroom. Beginning at the Elementary level, students are encouraged explore culinary curiosities through project-based learning with the support of the Kitchen Coordinator.

Elementary students are often involved in preparing food for their own overnight trips to the Land School. 

Elementary 1
Anti-Bias Anti-Racist (ABAR) lessons are conducted throughout the year in partnership with classroom guides. Instruction focuses on identity development, stereotypes, inclusion, historical contributions of diverse communities, and upstander behavior. Correlated materials and discussion guides support continued integration across subject areas.

Elementary 2
Structured ABAR lessons are facilitated throughout the year in collaboration with the Equity, Diversity & Justice (EDJ) Advisor and classroom guides. Topics expand to include bias, discrimination, civil rights history, systems of inequity, media literacy, and civic responsibility. Supplemental resources support continued classroom dialogue and analysis.

Elementary students have many interests. Often these interests extend beyond the walls of the classroom to “going out” explorations into the broader community. These student or teacher initiated trips allow children to access resources from the rich diversity of the Twin Cities region and to experience first-hand the interdependence of citizens in an urban community. Students are encouraged to choose appropriate destinations to pursue their personal interests more deeply. They make the arrangements for the visit and learn about their topic of interest. In addition, they engage in the life of the larger community. They are exposed to the numerous individuals whose work makes our society possible. They also learn and practice the norms of behavior expected in the broader society. Going out helps Elementary students continue to explore the possibilities of their own future contributions to the knowledge and functioning of society as a whole.

Our Health & Wellness curriculum is designed for students to explore their identities and deepen their knowledge at developmentally appropriate levels.

Elementary 1
Elementary 1 students continue their lessons from Children's House regarding consent and healthy relationships and begin to add discussions about simple human development as it relates to basic biology. 

Elementary 2
Elementary 2 students learn about healthy relationships, puberty, and anatomy. They receive lessons from the school's Wellness Coordinator, as well as presentations from Family Tree Clinic. The Elementary 2 level also hosts a biennial parent/child health and wellness education event. 

Classroom teachers are in regular communication with our Learning Support & Wellness Team to address student support needs as they arise. If LCS identifies a child who needs more individualized support in the school setting, there are a wide array of options to consider. Based upon a variety of factors, LCS determines what services students with learning and/or mental health challenges will receive from our team of Student Support Specialists. These factors include the presence of a diagnosis, the level and type of need, and the availability of specific types of support.

Support at the Elementary Level

• • Administration and interpretation of Woodcock Johnson Tests of Achievement
• • Structured phonics lessons with reading coach
• • Work with Learning Support Specialist 1-2 times per week, based on diagnosis by an outside professional and/or combined recommendation from student support team and classroom teacher
• • Work with Wellness Coordinator 1 time per week, or on an as-needed basis
• • Individual work with classroom assistants directed by classroom teacher

Elementary 1 at the Land School
Land School faculty facilitate hands-on learning experiences for Elementary 1 students through day visits, “going outs,” and an annual multi-day overnight trip. These experiences nurture responsibility, independence, and familiarity with the land. Students care for animals and support farming efforts while developing leadership skills through practical work.
Core Concepts: Stewardship, leadership, responsibility through hands-on experiences

Elementary 2 at the Land School
Land School faculty facilitate day and overnight stays for Elementary 2 classes, all centered around planting and harvesting a particular crop throughout the year. These experiences foster teamwork, ownership, and a deeper awareness of natural cycles. Students begin to see themselves as essential members of both classroom and land communities.
Core Concepts: Ownership, agricultural literacy, teamwork, seasonal rhythms

Outdoor Education at the Urban Campus
Elementary students have 30 minutes of Recess every day, as well as opportunities to spend time in our Green Space. 

Camp Widjiwagan
In February or March, Elementary 2 visits Camp Widjiwagan, a YMCA camp near Ely, Minnesota, for five days. It is a week of environmental education and exploration of the challenges of winter in northern Minnesota. This adventure is designed to provide an opportunity to develop outdoor skills in a wilderness setting. It is also a chance to practice independence within the supportive community of classmates and teachers. 

Elementary 1

• • All of the learning materials are concrete and hands-on, natural materials
• • Children use printed materials for research and study
• • There are 2-3 computers in each classroom that are used for assistive technology programs to supplement instruction for students who need extra learning support
• • Students are introduced to online health and safety
• • In 3rd grade, students are introduced to keyboarding, the basics of computer use, and digital word processing (formatting, making comments, etc.)
• • If there is a topic of study that is more contemporary, the classroom guide will introduce online research and supervise the research

Elementary 2

• • There are 2-3 computers in each classroom that are mostly used for typing reports and practicing typing, and can be used for internet research using educational search engines
  • Students are introduced to the Google Suite of applications to compose essays, write reports, and create presentations, but are not given access to email or chat features
  • Students continue to develop their typing skills through regular practice
  • The educational search engines of elibrarymn.org, app.Sooth.fyi, and MackinVIA.com (audiobooks) are introduced as research tools, complementing traditional print resources
  • The web-based math program IXL is used for math diagnostics and practice at home
  • All students and parents/caregivers sign a computer use agreement that emphasizes ethical and limited use of technology that aligns with the school’s values

Elementary 1
Elementary 1 students engage in some sort of annual class presentation. This often takes the form of a class play directed by the classroom teacher. The play may be an existing story or something entirely created by the students, and is complete with costumes, music, props, and set design. 

Elementary 2
Every spring, Elementary 2 students participate in a level-wide theatrical production. Directed by the Elementary 2 Music & Theatre Specialist, students participate in all creative aspects of the production, including writing, acting, costume creation, set design, props management, lights and sound, and music composition. This production is also bilingual, with all students performing lines in both English and French.