Lower School

The education of academically gifted students in first through fourth grades at Sycamore is based upon significant modifications in key components of a traditional curriculum:

Content: The content of the curriculum is coordinated around reading and other language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and the arts. Students study content that is more abstract, more complex, broader, and deeper than the norm. Studies are both accelerated and enriched through flexible grouping strategies, field trips, resource people, mentors, and written and visual media. Instruction in music, art, Spanish, computer science, and physical education is provided by specialists in those areas.

Thinking skills: After establishing a solid knowledge base, emphasis is on critical and creative thinking skills, problem solving and logical reasoning, research skills, and a wide variety of communication skills.

Products: Students are assisted in individual and group investigations of real problems that necessitate research and involve the development of a product. They learn to develop products in several categories: written, oral, media/visual arts, and performing arts.

Environment: The development of positive self esteem, independence, interpersonal skills, leadership, responsibility, appreciation of diversity, and the understanding of one’s giftedness are aims of Sycamore School. Teachers promote concern and compassion, risk-taking, curiosity, organization, communication, and imagination by establishing classrooms that are complex, open-ended, and accepting environments.

First Grade - Fourth Grade Goals

• To assist the student in acquiring a strong knowledge base and mastery of basic academic skills
• To provide a learning environment that will permit and encourage the student to develop his/her potential while interacting with intellectual peers
• To establish a climate that values and enhances intellectual ability, talent, creativity, and decision-making
• To encourage students in developing and using abilities for self-appraisal, recognition of personal talents and interests, and establishment of short and long-term goals
• To enhance the development of leadership skills, social awareness, and responsibility
• To provide opportunities to develop skills in independent study, self-directed learning, and research
• To provide instruction in problem-solving and critical thinking
• To encourage the development and use of higher-level thinking skills
• To encourage creative thinking and expression
• To provide for aesthetic awareness and the ability for self-expression through artistic skills
• To cultivate and reward opinions, reactions, and questioning attitudes that lead to divergent responses to real life problems
• To provide processes that will allow the students to deal with ideas, theories, and concepts that require reflective, critical, and creative thinking

Class Hours

Grades 1 – 4: 8:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Friday

Contact Glenna Lykens, Head of Lower School, for more information at glykens@sycamoreschool.org.