Lower School

Our Lower School is 1st through 4th grades.  "We teach students, not curriculum." That is the philosophy of GHA Principal Leah Summers. Every child at GHA is treated as someone special with learning tailored to his or her own needs. 

The Lower School curriculum builds on the basic learning skills obtained in Early Childhood, enhancing students' creative and critical thinking abilities. Students are challenged to move deeper into the mechanics of writing, math and reading comprehension. Organizational skills are emphasized to help prepare students for the rigors of middle school. Having obtained the basic skills necessary for reading Jewish texts, students push beyond the first layer to begin understanding the depth of Torah learning

• Math
  All students participate in a daily math class, and every class learns the same core curriculum at his/her own level.  Each grade has a specific set of skills that students must demonstrate complete mastery of by the end of the year. Furthermore, all students engage in problem solving to help strengthen their higher level analytical skills.  Students who qualify for math enrichment, which is determined by standardized test scores, will participate in a daily math class where concepts are covered with the pacing and presentation designed for the gifted math student. They also engage in Math Olympiad and Continental Math activities. All students work with the Larson Math Program at least once a week in the computer lab. This fabulous software enables the teacher to set up an individualized program for each student to work through, progressing at his/her own rate.
• Science
  

  Our students are first introduced to the Scientific Method. They then go on to cover units of inquiry which include, amongst other topics, Rocks and Minerals, Organizing Information, Alternate Energy, Erosion, Fossils, Laboratory Skills, and Thinking Critically. Learning certainly doesn’t only take place within the four classroom walls. Our Lower School science program takes a “hands-on” approach to science, and our extraordinary outdoor classroom serves as a great extension of the regular classroom.  Students receive science instruction twice a week.

• Language Arts
  Our comprehensive Language Arts program focuses on spelling, vocabulary, grammar and reading comprehension.  Spelling is guided by a workbook designed for the year ahead (for example, the third graders use a fourth grade spelling book).  This way, the students learn important spelling rules and patterns.  Vocabulary is also taught with a workbook that has students doing activities that strengthen their understanding of the spelling, pronunciation, parts of speech, definitions, synonyms and antonyms for a given list of words.  They also learn to use context clues to complete sentences and word associations/analogies, which is excellent standardized test preparation.  Grammar instruction is a major focus of the Language Arts curriculum as the students are taught to understand and master the rules of the English language to improve their verbal and written expression.  Reading is of utmost importance at all grade levels, both in and out of the classroom.  All classroom reading activities are paired with comprehension activities to challenge our students to develop and fine-tune their thinking skills.  There are some really memorable novels read at each grade level!
• Writing
  The five steps of the writing process (prewriting, drafting, revising, editing and publishing) are stressed in Lower School.  By the end of third grade, students are able to write a descriptive paragraph.  In fourth grade, students are able to write an expressive three paragraph composition.  As a result of the impressive rubric-driven writing curriculum we have in place, we have seen incredible strides made in our students’ writing!
• Social Studies
  Each year, the Social Studies curriculum varies, but the same vital skills (like note-taking) are stressed.
  1st - Colonial Festival, VIP Day
  2nd - Out of State Pen Pals, International Day, VIP Day
  3^rd – Oceans, continents, map reading, communities and time lines
  4^th – Geography (world & U.S.A.), Georgia facts and geography & 50 states and capitals
• Study Skills
  Knowing how to study, as well as being organized, is an invaluable life skill. Starting in third grade, each student discovers what learning style works best for them—whether they are predominantly an auditory, visual or kinesthetic learner.  Also in the third grade, they are given an expandable black binder and guided in categorizing this by subject in order to best organize their school work and any other materials. Throughout the Lower School, we help our students master several skills, such as the use of highlighting, flashcards and graphic organizers.  We also teach time management with the use of an student planner and calendar.  With this, students can best learn how to plan for both short and long term assignments.  By the end of fifth grade, our students are well prepared for the transition to Middle School! 
• School Trips
  1st - Overnight sleepover at Zoo Atlanta
  2nd - Local exhibit
  3^rd – Stone Mountain, Atlanta History Center, The Georgia Aquarium
  4^th - Tour of Atlanta
  
  For Judaics see the Lower School section under the Judaics menu.
  

Susan Usdan, a graduate of GHA, has served as the Director of Lower School since 2004. She received her Master of Education from the University of Georgia. She taught 17 years in public education, the last 10 years as a teacher of gifted children. A Committee Member of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Peer Teacher Evaluator for the Regional Assessment Center for Metro Atlanta, Nominee for Teacher of the Year from her school, and a Phi Kappa Phi Honorary Society member