Academics - University School of Milwaukee

Lower School Academics

University School of Milwaukee sets high academic standards in its Lower School curriculum. The integration of art, music, drama, world languages, physical education, and library skills with core subjects provides students with broad experiences, building and educational foundation for a lifetime of growth as learners, leaders, and citizens. Our innovative teachers have the flexibility to focus on each student’s learning style, encouraging them to become creative thinkers and problem solvers. As they work with their students, they are creating more engaged learners and preparing them for the additional academic rigor that awaits them in Middle School.

An overview of each academic subject is provided below. For more information about skills and outcomes in each area by grade level, please see the kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, or 4th grade pages.

Language Arts

USM Lower School students integrate the art of language into their daily lives for enjoyment, self-expression, and critical thinking. Children work at their own levels as they learn about words, read by themselves and to others, journal, and write both creatively and to inform, with teachers meeting with individual students and small groups. Reading instruction focuses on comprehension, accuracy, fluency, and vocabulary expansion. Teaching strategies and common reading and writing vocabulary are consistent through the grade levels to maximize students’ academic growth.

Mathematics

Working from a spiraling math curriculum, USM’s Lower School teachers introduce multiple strategies and tools to help students become successful math thinkers. Multiple experiences with manipulatives allow children to understand mathematics at a conceptual level, and the school’s educational technology enhances studies. Students work both individually and collaboratively to solve real-world problems and acquire number sense. USM students consistently exceed national math scores on standardized tests, evidence of the strength of the school’s comprehensive approach to learning.

Science

Our Lower School science lab provides an excellent setting for students to explore, discover, observe, and communicate. A dedicated Lower School science specialist teacher brings the curriculum to life as students are introduced to the disciplinary core ideas: life science, physical science, earth and space science, engineering, technology, and applications of science. Scientific learning and discovery also occur beyond the walls of the classrooms and lab, with a 125-acre campus with woodlands, prairies, and a new outdoor classroom for students to explore as they develop into scientifically literate citizens.

Social Studies

A Lower School student colors a sign with his Upper School buddy.

In each of USM’s five Lower School grades, the social studies curriculum examines culture, history, geography, economics, and current events. In kindergarten, students learn about and create their own businesses. Students in 1st grade study Japan, Ghana, and the Costa Rican rain forest. In 2nd grade, students study the cultures, languages, and traditions of Native Americans. Students in 3rd grade learn about all the various regions of the United States. A two-day southwestern Wisconsin trip is the culminating activity for 4th grade students in their study of Wisconsin.

World Languages

World Languages classes in the Lower School focus on speaking. Through experiences such as singing songs, playing games, and role-playing, all in the target language, students establish the foundations of their oral proficiency. In both kindergarten and 1st grade, students spend one semester in Spanish and the other in French. Families then choose one language to focus on through at least 4th grade. Culture is embedded into the lessons and units through the use of authentic materials and the application of a cultural lens to topics and themes covered in the curriculum.

Art

All of USM’s Lower School students have the opportunity to create and explore with the Lower School art specialist teacher through a variety of media, including drawing, painting, ceramics, and sculpting. Children observe and explore art and architecture, and students in all grades visit the Milwaukee Art Museum in preparation for the highly anticipated student docent program, when 4th graders present their favorite work of art to family and friends.

Music

Lower School orchestra students perform during a concert.

Music is much more than just singing in USM’s Lower School, as students compose, move, create, and refine listening skills, working with the Lower School music specialist teacher to develop an appreciation for music. Students use technology to explore how music and other arts are intertwined, and take part in performances that build self-confidence as they showcase what they’ve learned.

Drama

Lower School students practice a dance routine.

Through a program not found in many schools, USM's Lower School students learn the fundamentals of drama and theatre through use of their bodies, voices, and imagination. The Lower School drama specialist teacher helps children develop ideas, self-expression, and the use of teamwork. Each year builds on the skills previously learned to develop a deeper understanding of each topic. The fundamentals of theatre are taught so that students have a base knowledge when they move on to Middle School and Upper School classwork and extracurricular activities. The skills they learn in this classroom are vital both in the theatre setting and beyond.

Physical Education

Physical education classes in USM’s Lower School encourage students to be active, enjoy movement, and have fun. The Lower School physical education teachers incorporate health and fitness concepts, providing a great start for a healthy lifestyle. Programming is held in the Read Preschool and Lower School Gymnasium, as well as other indoor and outdoor spaces around campus, including the various athletics fields, to teach the skills that are the foundation for future participation in active lifestyle and athletic activities. Unique to USM, students are also able develop and refine their skating skills in the on-campus Uihlein Ice Arena as part of the physical education program.

Library

All Lower School students at USM visit the Stratton Preschool and Lower School Library regularly, both for library lessons with their classes and also individually to find new books to explore. Their visits and lessons correlate with classroom instruction and research projects as their teachers coordinate with our Preschool and Lower School librarian. Children are encouraged to become independent readers and explore a wide range of genres and authors, cultivating an enduring love for literature.

Academic Resource Center

The Lower School Academic Resource Center (ARC) is a fee-for-service program that provides support for students with specific academic needs. Our specially trained ARC faculty provide instructional interventions to students in kindergarten through 4th grade as a supplement and support for the grade level curriculum already in place. This instruction provides child-specific, one-on-one support in the areas of reading, writing, and math that will help students become more confident learners. We use a structured literacy approach to implement explicit, systematic, and multi-sensory instructional techniques. These individual lessons provide the opportunity for repeated practice, guidance, and immediate feedback. We also obtain frequent feedback from classroom teachers on current skills being taught and work closely with them to ensure that our students receive the support they need to be successful in the classroom.

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