Elementary School

Morrison provides a safe and nurturing environment for elementary students to grow and mature. A solid academic foundation is combined with diverse experiences and opportunities guided by a caring community of teachers. This type of environment encourages our students to take risks, discover their passions, hunger for truth and desire to change.

Kindergarten

Kindergarten is the first opportunity for children to begin to understand that school is a place for learning and working. They will learn about sharing, taking turns, respecting the rights of others, and taking care of themselves. The kindergarten program provides initial learning experiences in language development, number concepts, creative skills, and social and physical growth. Using concrete experiences, pupils are given the building blocks for perceiving, thinking, and problem-solving. Educational experiences provide balance and variety among physical, mental, spiritual, and social activities as the child’s world of awareness is extended from the home to the classroom. The kindergarten classroom is a language-rich experience for all. Students are introduced to basic reading skills through shared reading experiences, rhymes, poems, classic stories, and stories created by children. Technology is introduced as a learning tool. Skills related to visual and auditory discrimination, left to right orientation, vocabulary development, whole word recognition, and relationships between letters and sounds are taught in the context of responding to high-quality children’s literature and our Houghton Mifflin integrated language arts program.

1st Grade

Children in first grade begin to develop independence as readers and writers. Our balanced literacy approach provides a solid framework of integration between all language arts skills. Reading other books at home is encouraged. Teaching comprehension and vocabulary are top priorities. Supplemental core stories also provide opportunities to integrate biblical principles, science, social studies, health, art, and other subjects. Technology is integrated to assist learning. Specialists teach your child Mandarin, visual arts, performing arts, physical education, and library media skills. Each has a key part in your child’s week.

2nd Grade

Second grade is a time to encourage your child’s developing curiosity and ability to understand more complex ideas. Our balanced literacy approach provides a solid framework of integration between all language arts skills. Reading other books at home is encouraged. Teaching comprehension strategies and vocabulary development are top priorities. Supplemental core stories also provide an opportunity to integrate Biblical principles, science, social studies, health, art, and other subjects. Technology is used to enhance learning experiences. Specialists teach your child Mandarin, visual arts, performing arts, physical education, and library media skills. Each has a key part in your child’s week.

3rd Grade

By third grade, most students have become fluent readers and read chapter books with pleasure. Books in a series often draw these students into extending their independent reading. Our balanced literacy approach provides a solid framework of integration between all language arts skills. Comprehension and vocabulary skills continue to grow. Supplemental core stories also allow integration of biblical principles, science, social studies, health, art, and other subjects. Technology skills are developed as learning tools. Specialists teach your child Mandarin, visual arts, performing arts, physical education, and library media skills. Each has a key part in your child’s week.

4th Grade

In fourth grade, we continue to use balanced literacy approach to provide a solid framework of integration between all language arts skills. Comprehension and vocabulary skills are continued priorities to help in the growth of our students as readers. Supplemental core stories also allow integration of biblical principles, science, social studies, health, art, and other subjects. Specialists teach your child Mandarin, visual arts, performing arts, physical education, and library media skills. Each has a vital part in your child’s week.

5th Grade

In fifth grade, we continue to use a balanced literacy approach to provide a solid framework of integration between all language arts skills. Comprehension and vocabulary skills are continued priorities to help in the growth of our students as readers. Supplemental core stories also allow integration of biblical principles, science, social studies, health, art, and other subjects. Students continue using computer keyboards for instruction and practice in typing for speed and accuracy. Specialists teach your child Mandarin, visual arts, performing arts, physical education, and library media skills. Each has a vital part in your child’s week.