LOWER SCHOOL

At FBA, Bridge Kindergarten is offered as an optional “gift of time” after PreK 4 and before entering Kindergarten. The Bridge Kindergarten student/teacher ratio is much smaller than the Kindergarten ratio. The smaller class size enables Bridge Kindergarten students to receive specific individualized instruction and support from the teacher.

The Bridge Kindergarten curriculum is not a repeat of PreK 4 curriculum, nor is it the same as the Kindergarten curriculum. The Zaner Bloser Super Kids curriculum meets and challenges students where they are as they learn phonics and other reading readiness skills. Students also enjoy exploring math and science concepts with the Bob Jones Math curriculum and STEMScopes curriculum, respectively.

Bridge Kindergarten students continue using the Handwriting without Tears curriculum, building on fine motor and handwriting skills they have learned since PreK 3. The Biblical Choices curriculum encourages students to find ways to integrate Biblical truths in their everyday lives. Our dedicated teachers also integrate these truths into daily lessons and conversations.

"Bridge Kindergarten is a unique opportunity that FBA offers in order to enhance social, emotional, and cognitive growth prior to Kindergarten. Students are exposed to a wide variety of hands-on and active learning experiences. With new, cutting edge technology such as the Activ Panel, we allow for better student collaboration, as well as developmentally appropriate technology integration."

-Jeanie Cherry, Bridge Kindergarten Teacher

Through balanced literacy components such as read-alouds, shared reading, guided reading groups, and writer’s workshop the Kindergarten Into Reading curriculum, establishes a strong foundation in early reading skills for our youngest learners. This curriculum also incorporates a balance of high frequency word recognition and explicit phonics instruction.

Problem solving skills and the concrete-pictorial-abstract learning progression are at the heart of Math in Focus, a Singapore Math based curriculum. Students learn about the importance of observing and exploring the world around them with their five senses through the STEM-Scopes science curriculum. They also use high interest, engaging thematic units to study additional science and social studies concepts.

Kindergarten students continue using the Handwriting without Tears curriculum, building on fine motor and handwriting skills they have learned since PreK 3. The Biblical Choices curriculum encourages students to find ways to integrate Biblical truths in their everyday lives. Our dedicated teachers also integrate these truths into daily lessons and conversations.

“Kindergarten is such a special year, because it a year full of discovery, creativity, and learning. I love Kindergarten because the students are so full of energy and joy and they are eager to learn and try new things. The best part is when a child reads for the first time and his face lights up. As students become readers, the world instantly becomes a more interesting and exciting place. The opportunity to watch students make these learning discoveries is what brings me into the classroom each day with excitement and expectation!”

-Marybeth Barefield, Kindergarten Teacher

First Grade gives students an academic experience steeped exploring, creating, and learning more about the world around them. First grade students expand upon their foundational reading and writing skills through the Into Reading curriculum, which includes a balanced literacy approach to learning to read, as well as explicit phonics instruction.

Problem solving skills and the concrete-pictorial-abstract learning progression are at the heart of Math in Focus, a Singapore Math based curriculum, and students are encouraged to master their addition math facts by the end of first grade. The STEMScopes science curriculum builds on concepts taught in Kindergarten to encourage first grade students to explore the why and how of the scientific concepts they are learning about.

First Grade students continue using the Handwriting without Tears curriculum, building on print handwriting skills they have learned since PreK 3. The Biblical Choices curriculum encourages students to find ways to integrate Biblical truths in their everyday lives. Our dedicated teachers also integrate these truths into daily lessons and conversations.

"First Grade students come through the doors with contagious energy and excitement, and as teachers, we get to take those eager learners and work hand-in-hand with them to lay a strong educational foundation. From special events – like First Grade Historical Americans Day – to the everyday – like using candy and toothpicks to respond to a STEM challenge, we strive to teach in an engaging, learner-centered way. Lower School is a such special place to teach and learn!"

-Kathleen Ivie, First Grade Teacher

Second Grade classrooms offer authentic learning through exploration and collaboration throughout the day. The Into Reading curriculum continues to help students develop a strong foundation in reading and writing, but also starts to introduce students to the concept of reading to learn through developing deeper comprehension skills.

Problem solving skills and the concrete-pictorial-abstract learning progression continue to be at the heart of Math in Focus, a Singapore Math based curriculum, and students are encouraged to work towards mastery of subtraction facts by the end of second grade. The STEMScopes curriculum encourage students to experience hands-on science and exploration.

Second Grade students continue using the Handwriting without Tears curriculum, building on the print handwriting skills they have learned since PreK 3 and beginning to learn cursive. The Biblical Choices curriculum encourages students to find ways to integrate Biblical truths in their everyday lives. Our dedicated teachers also integrate these truths into daily lessons and conversations.

"Second graders are a joy to teach as they are eager to learn and willing to try new experiences that are put before them. Being able to see students grow in their critical thinking and independence throughout the year is something I treasure about this age group. Their consistent joy and excitement makes me look forward to spending each day with them in the classroom as they pursue academic growth!"

-Waverly Walk, Second Grade Teacher

Third Grade curriculum is characterized by inquiry-based investigative learning. Problem solving skills are developed in Science study and with Math In Focus, an authentic Singapore Math program. 3rd Grade students have fully transitioned from learning to reading to learn, but emphasis is still placed on language arts instruction. Through on-campus activities and off-campus field trips, students are given opportunity to discover how their knowledge has real-world application. Biblical truth is integrated into daily lessons.

"3rd Grade is a very transitional year for the kids. While they are still innocent and eager to please their teacher, you start seeing them grow up. I love 3rd Graders because they are at an age where they start to teach me so much while I am teaching them and I love getting to see them develop their sense of humor!"

-Emily Viladot, Third Grade Teacher

Fourth Grade leads FBA's Lower School and student academics and activities reflect the challenge needed for successful transition into Middle School. Classrooms and teachers are warm and supportive, but students are assuming more ownership of their academic progress. Novel Studies and Vocabulary development are important elements of Language Arts study. Experiments in the STEMscopes science curriculum enhance learning. Math In Focus develops students' ability to problem solve and to monitor their own thinking. Biblical truth is enthusiastically shared and consistently integrated into instruction.

"I love 4th Grade because it is a mix of the students becoming more independent while still relying on their teacher. They are striving to do well and feel accomplished when they learn and conquer their academics. I love how the students are so curious and full of questions, and how energetic and lively they are. It has been so much fun to teach in the small group environment at FBA because it gives me personal one-on-one time with each student but also as a whole class!"

-Madison Zabel, Fourth Grade Teacher