Gr. 1 to Gr. 3

Students focus on the development of their phonics and spelling, reading comprehension and writing skills in Grade 1, all with the aim of developing a real love of reading and stories within all of our young language learners. Spectrum Phonics and Spelling, and a wide range of children’s literature are utilized to support a well-rounded technical and grammatical English education.

English activities aim to build and sustain foundational English literacy knowledge that will stand our learners in good stead as they progress through their education. All lessons are underpinned by encouraging individuality, creativity and self expression.   

Oral communication, reading, vocabulary development, written skills, grammar and conjugation techniques form the basis of our French program at this level. By developing all aspects of their French learning through practicing every day, students learn how writing connects with spoken language.

Teaching French in this immersive way enables children to comprehend at an early age sound sequences and alphabetical ordering that supports decoding skills and allows learners to continue to progress with their French language acquisition. 

Math lessons in Grade 1 are based upon creating positive mathematical learning experiences through varied activities to support logical thinking skills. Children master concepts such as order, number sequencing, mental arithmetic and whole number representation. These lessons are a vital part of the development of mathematical reasoning, analytical thinking and problem solving skills which will help young learners as they grow.

Grade 1 Science classes foster a natural sense of wonder about the world we live in, and enable children to learn about seasons, colours and living creatures in an exciting and engaging setting. Through the use of their hands, senses and minds, learners can satisfy their curiosity and make beautiful discoveries about the planet we live on.

Through a range of class outings and workshops our students further their scientific understanding and gain a deeper knowledge about a range of environmental issues that illustrate the interdependent nature of the Earth’s ecosystems.

Our Social Studies curriculum in Grade 1 helps children understand the benefits and responsibilities of community living, and supports them to see how they can contribute to the wider society they live in. Alongside societal contribution, students also learn about being tolerant, open-minded individuals who appreciate different cultures and traditions. 

Classes explore special days of celebration and memorial, such as Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, Remembrance Day, Lunar New Year and International Day of Peace to name a few. All sessions shape students into proactive citizens and help them make reasoned decisions within their own lives, and the society they are a part of.

Our Grade 2 students explore their connections to themselves, others and the world around them through varied oral and written texts, stories and novels. Classes are structured in an engaging way to ensure learners remain connected to the materials, which are designed to aid their spelling, grammar, literacy, novel study and writing development. They are encouraged to understand how to practically apply the skills they learn throughout the English program. This ensures children establish critical thinking skills, practice interactivity and become well-rounded members of society.

Students at this stage continue to further develop their French language skills, by diving deeper into reading and vocabulary, grammar, conjugation and dictation, alongside poetry and creative writing progression. Grade 2 students will be competent in both verbal and written French by the end of the year and will demonstrate sound reading, interpreting and writing skills through a range of quizzes, assignments, projects, homework and tests.

The curriculum aims to create thoughtful, insightful individuals who can express themselves clearly bilingually, across all mediums.  

With a focus on the ongoing development of critical thinking and reasoning skills, the Grade 2 Math curriculum introduces advanced addition and subtraction, multiplication, Roman numbers, time telling and more complex sequencing patterns. By the end of Grade 2, students will be able to demonstrate clear knowledge and understanding of different concept numerations, problem solving and geometry.

They will also be able to explain and clarify mathematical concepts and thinking patterns.

Grade 2 learners dive into all sorts of exciting scientific concepts including the human body, pollution and protection within the environment, the food chain, animal environments and adaptation, characteristics of water and air as well as nutrition. 

All sessions are engaging and help students develop skills, strategies and habits of critical thinking and investigation.

Students are taken on a journey across time, space and place in Grade 2 Social Studies lessons. We explore national and global geography, learning about Canadian provinces and territories alongside worldwide continents and oceans. Students explore their own citizenship and heritage, as well as delving into the fascinating ancient civilization of Egypt. 

Children are taught about the importance of different professions and members of society, and develop vital social and conflict resolution skills to deal with interpersonal relationships within the school environment. Concepts such as ‘discernment’ and ‘disciplinary thinking’ are also introduced at this level, to boost critical thinking and the building of collaborative and cooperative teamwork.

All English programs of study at The Giles School focus on themes that connect our learning with the real world, to shape learners who are prepared for life in society, not just within their education. Grade 3 students explore world culture, autobiographical and trickster tales through a range of texts and resources. With UNESCO’s statement for the United Nations Literacy Decade of “literacy as freedom” at its heart, English lessons provide learners with a strong basis of language across media literacy, writing, reading and oral skills to ensure ongoing advancement and the tools for self-expression as they grow.

Grade 3  French immersion teaching introduces advanced texts and books to support enhanced bilingual vocabulary, summary, narration, and presentation skills. As grammar, conjugation and orthography capacity improves, students become more creative within their imaginative writing lessons. Weekly dictations continue through Grades 1 to 3, which are scored in the classroom environment. 
 

Across Grade 3 Math, students’ problem solving skills advance to deal with more complex mental calculation, symmetry, multiples, large number recognition, metric system, fractions and  proportionality concepts. By Grade 4 children will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a range of different concepts, operations, numeration, values, problem solving and geometry. 
 

An emphasis is placed upon the importance of protecting the environment in Grade 3’s Science classes, through an in-depth exploration of the impact human and animal life have on the planet. 

Our scientific curriculum also helps children develop their observation and questioning skills whilst exploring diverse topics from different food groups and the digestive systems, to hygiene, health, and bodily functions.  Students learn about friction, motion, speed and mass as well as learning how to handle, test and form hypotheses through experiments, before displaying whether they have empirically proved their theories right or wrong.

History in Grade 3 Social Studies lessons explore the first settlers in Ontario, the pioneers and loyalists, as well as general learning about Canadian territories, lakes and national geography. 

Students will explore the differences between urban and rural communities, before further expanding their social and emotional toolkit by learning about bullying and their roles and responsibilities at home and school. Furthermore, learners use a range of resources to gather, process and communicate differences across a variety of concepts.