Lower School: Grades 1 - 4
Lamplighter’s Lower School program engages students in Grades 1 - 4 through authentic learning experiences that spark natural curiosity, promote academic rigor, and cultivate a lifelong love of learning, all within a joyful, child-centered environment.
The pillars of the Lower School approach include meaningful student choice, collaborative learning, clear routines and expectations, growing autonomy, and thoughtfully designed cross-curricular connections. Within a safe and supportive environment, students are encouraged to take risks, learn from setbacks, and view challenges as opportunities for growth. As they progress through the program, they develop resilience, confidence, and a willingness to embrace complexity. The result of the Lamplighter experience is a student who is creative, adaptable, knowledgeable, kind, well-rounded, and empathetic, and well prepared for the next stage of their educational journey.
Literacy
Students grow into avid, passionate readers who regularly discuss and analyze books in partnerships and book clubs. Reading and writing are taught in aligned units of study, allowing students to immerse themselves in a single genre for several weeks at a time.
For example, during a nonfiction unit, students read informational texts and then apply what they’ve learned by writing their own “expert book” on a topic of choice, using the text features, structure, and conventions they studied as readers.
Math
The math program is designed to build strong computational fluency while also developing critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. By second grade, students receive 1.5 hours of math instruction each day, allowing time for both skill development and deep conceptual understanding.
Teachers incorporate problem-solving challenges, logic puzzles, math games, fact practice, and collaborative investigations to ensure students not only master procedures but also understand the reasoning behind them.
Integrated Projects
Integrated projects are a hallmark of a Lamplighter education. Students collaborate on hands-on, cross-curricular experiences that connect learning across subject areas and deepen understanding.
For example, second graders host a “State Fair.” Each student researches a state, writes an original nonfiction book, and designs a miniature parade float highlighting the state’s unique features. Parents and other grade levels are invited to tour the fair, celebrating students’ research, creativity, and presentation skills.
Eureka Math Squared
Lamplighter students across all grade levels engage in a rigorous mathematics curriculum through Eureka Math Squared. Grounded in research, the program aligns closely with Lamplighter’s mission and values of joy, curiosity, creativity, and discovery.
The curriculum emphasizes understanding the “why” behind mathematical concepts, building deep number sense and lasting comprehension. It is designed to spark “aha” moments, foster joyful connections, and move ideas from working memory into long-term understanding.
Eureka Math Squared is supported by a comprehensive suite of teacher and student resources, including digital tools, classroom manipulatives, visual models, assessments, home practice materials, and engaging fluency games that make skill development interactive and meaningful.
Learn more about Lamplighter's math curriculum, Eureka Math Squared.
Explore some of the signature cross-curricular projects by grade level in Lower School.
First Grade
In Innovative Projects class, first grade students design and create a variety of original products before launching a pop-up market to sell their items to parents and fellow students. This hands-on experience integrates literacy, math, social studies, science, and art, allowing students to apply academic skills in a meaningful, real-world context. Students also work together in teams, sharing ideas and responsibilities, which fosters collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Second Grade
Second graders explore the United States through an in-depth study of the 50 states. During this weeks-long unit, each student researches a chosen state and creates an original nonfiction book along with a miniature float to showcase its unique features.
Students share their work through both written and oral presentations with parents, teachers, and fellow classmates. From California to Maine, and everywhere in between, students deepen their understanding of geography, culture, and history while learning the research process and strengthening their writing and public speaking skills.
Third Grade
Third graders participate in an annual biography project that invites them to research, write about, and present on a notable individual of their choosing. Each year features a guiding theme, such as influential figures in science, sports, or the arts, helping students explore impact within a particular field.
Through research, writing, and live presentations, students bring history to life while building public speaking skills and learning from the achievements and character of inspiring individuals.
Fourth Grade
Lamplighter Seniors celebrate Pi Day each year on or around March 14 as part of their exploration of this important mathematical concept. In Innovative Projects, students bake a variety of pies, blending math, measurement, and hands-on learning.
The celebration culminates in a festive Pie (Pi) Party during math class, where students enjoy the fruits of their labor while making meaningful and memorable connections to mathematics.
Faculty Expertise
The Lower School faculty is a dynamic blend of veteran teachers who have been with Lamplighter for decades and newer educators who bring fresh perspectives to the community. Faculty are experts in elementary education, and many hold master’s degrees. First grade homeroom teachers instruct both literacy and math, while second through fourth grade teachers specialize in either math or literacy, bringing added depth and expertise to student learning.
Faculty are supported by a robust professional development program that encourages growth in individual areas of interest, as well as ongoing continuing education. The School also provides reimbursement for faculty pursuing advanced or additional degrees, further fostering a culture of lifelong learning among educators.
