Building a strong academic foundation and nurturing social skills.
Individualized mentoring paired with collaborative learning
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Strong Foundations
The habits and skills developed now will have a lasting
impact.
What you'll find below:
A Taste of 3 - 5 Curriculum
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Visit The Dorris-Eaton School.
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Grades 3 - 5
Stimulating and enjoyable, Dorris-Eaton's academically sound upper elementary curriculum enables teachers to motivate students to reach their potential. Students tackle all subjects with excitement and ease because they know their teachers are there to walk them, step-by-step, through the process of successful learning. They also know that praise for a job well-done awaits.
Peppered throughout the weekly schedule are classes in art, music, Spanish, and physical education, each taught by a teacher specializing in their field.
Language Arts
The multifaceted skill of reading is taught using a combination of quality literature, poetry, and novels. Guidance through the process of writing, along with a focused grammar program, develops strong, confident writers. From third-grade biographers to fifth-grade essayists, students have ample opportunities to polish their style and skills. Their grammar knowledge also provides a logical foundation for learning a foreign language—in our case, Spanish.
Mathematics
In mathematics, our focus on computational and conceptual thinking skills builds with each grade. Along with computation and word problems, third graders move from estimation and writing equations to mental math and looking for patterns. Fourth graders discover the concept of order of operations, compute using fractions, decimals, and percents as well as work with data analysis. The emphasis in fifth grade on converting decimals, fractions, and percentages from one to the other is balanced with statistics and positive/negative numbers. Joining the Math Olympiad team in fifth grade marks the beginning of their journey into competition math–opportunities that continue throughout our junior high.
History and Science
Lively discussions and projects accompany history lessons on communities, cultures, and countries. Students learn to discern trends, read maps, and understand topography and its influence on history. History is brought to life through reenactments. Although most projects are done independently, small-group projects foster leadership and communication skills.
From moon phases to microscopes, metrics to microbes, the science curriculum is designed to unearth curiosity and organize the quest for answers by introducing the scientific method and performing lab investigations. A science laboratory provides the perfect space where students perform experiments and discuss their findings.
Public Speaking and Social-Emotional Learning
Public speaking, from speeches to oral reports, fosters personal confidence and leadership abilities. Learning to become a confident speaker makes the transition to the junior high debate team a seamless endeavor.
In all that transpires, thinking and questioning are continually encouraged. After all, problem solving—from mathematical to social—requires open-mindedness, initiative, and empathy. Being an outstanding citizen depends on more than academic strength. Throughout each day, students are guided to demonstrate kindness, respect, empathy, and responsibility.
