Lyceum Kennedy Primary School program is rich and challenging, and is designed to build up the skills introduced during Pre-school. Our Elementary School level covers the two additional learning cycles of the French Primary School System.
Kindergarten, Grades 1 & 2: The Basic Learning Cycle (Cycle 2)
Cycle 2 starts with Kindergarten which is a transition from Pre-school to Elementary School. The Cycle 2 continues with first Grade (CP) and second Grade (CE1). Students in these grades follow a full-day program. 60% to 75% of their week is taught in French. The focus of this cycle is placed on teaching the basic reading, writing and mathematics skills.
Curriculum
- Reading & Language Arts: In 1st Grade, students begin reading and writing in French and English. They become proficient readers in both French and English by third grade. Literacy and creative writing are developed with an integrated approach to grammar, spelling, vocabulary and conjugation.
- Mathematics: By the end of Cycle 2, students are able to write, name and compare numbers up to 1,000, add, subtract, use mental calculation, and solve simple problems. They draw, recognize, name and describe common planes and solid shapes. Students learn how to use the metric and American units of measurement, and are introduced to multiplication and division.
- Discovery of the world: Students identify the characteristics of living things (growth, reproduction, nutrition), learn rules of hygiene, personal and collective safety, and learn how to respect their environment. They study matter, and reinforce their technology and communication skills. Students are introduced to space (maps, globe), and historical chronology.
- Physical Education: Students develop motor skills and coordination, respect rules, overcome fear and learn about teamwork.
- Arts & Music: Students are exposed to many categories of artistic creation, recognize visual or musical works studied, learn songs and explore various techniques of artistic expression.
A formal assessment designed by the French Ministry of Education in literacy and mathematics is given to all students in French schools around the world by the end of second grade.
Grades 3, 4 and 5: The Consolidation Cycle (Cycle 3)
As continuation on from the first years of the Elementary School, students perfect their skills in reading and writing, both in French and in English, and become fully bilingual throughout the Cycle 3. Students develop independent study habits, and are fully prepared so that they can continue their studies in any French or American Middle School successfully. Cycle 3 includes: third Grade (CE2), fourth Grade (CM1) and fifth Grade (CM2).
Curriculum
- Language Arts: In both languages, students are able to express themselves orally and in written work using appropriate and precise vocabulary, read-a-long text or complete appropriate reading level books, compose texts correctly referring to the spelling, grammar, and punctuation rules learnt.
- Mathematics: By the end of Cycle 3, students are able to write, name, compare and use whole numbers, decimals and some fractions. They master the four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division). They recognize, name, describe and draw common planes and solid shapes. They read and interpret simple techniques of graphing, use mental calculation, and solve more complex mathematical problems.
- Science and Technology: Students are able to undertake a procedure of investigation and conduct simple experiments. They study the Earth and the sky, matter, energy, uniformity and diversity of living things, and the relationships between living things and their environment. Students use computers and Communication and Information Technology on a regular basis as part of their studies towards the IT and Internet Proficiency Certificate (B2i).
- History and Geography: Students open their minds to the diversity and evolution of civilizations, societies, territories, religions and the arts. They are introduced to the main periods of European and American History, and are expected to memorize some historic dates. In Geography, they acquire an understanding of the world, European and American geographical features and use different tools: maps, sketches, graphs, iconography …
- Physical Education: Students learn how to achieve a measured performance, adapt movement to different types of environment, create and perform expressive, artistic or aesthetic activities, and engage in team activities.
- Arts & Music: Students are exposed to a variety of artistic creations, recognize and describe visual or musical works studied using some specific terms of vocabulary. They learn songs and practice diverse forms of visual expression, and are expected to express their feelings and preferences about a work of art.
A formal assessment designed by the French Ministry of Education in literacy and mathematics is taken in fifth grade starting in third grade students take the NY State English and Language Arts (ELA) and math exams.
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