Curriculum
The Lower School is where we encourage girls to ask big questions, find their voices and grow into strong thinkers and active problem solvers. Bryn Mawr’s PK-5 curriculum is designed to harness their enthusiasm and excitement about learning.
Click on the tabs to explore the Lower School curriculum
by grade level.
Pre-Kindergarten
Language Arts
Our early literacy program nurtures a love for language through engaging activities in speaking, writing, and reading. Students expand their vocabulary, share personal experiences, and participate in meaningful conversations. Emergent writing is encouraged through scribbles, drawings, and letter formation, helping students express their ideas. Through group reading and storytelling, they recognize story elements like characters, settings, and events while exploring the roles of authors and illustrators.
Mathematics
Students develop a strong mathematical foundation through hands-on exploration and problem-solving. They build number sense by counting to 20, recognizing numerals, and matching numbers to quantities. Geometry concepts come to life as students identify and describe 2D and 3D shapes while using positional words. They create and extend simple patterns, compare measurements, and explore early addition and subtraction through real-world scenarios, making math both interactive and meaningful.
Social Studies
Our social studies curriculum fosters a sense of identity and belonging. Students learn about community rules, teamwork, and their role in society. They explore different family structures, celebrate cultural traditions, and discover the contributions of historical figures. Lessons on community helpers introduce children to various careers, helping them understand how people work together to make a difference.
Computer Science
Pre-Kindergarten is a device-free curriculum more closely aligned with a STEM program that focuses on listening to descriptions, making observations, answering questions, using directional vocabulary, completing fine motor tasks, memorizing, inventing, sorting, patterning, and sequencing. The curriculum is divided into four units: Intro to STEM and Legos, My 5 Senses and Patterns, Simple Machines and Build It!, and Sequencing and Programming.
World Language
Pre-K students are part of our FLEX (Foreign Language EXploration) program. The students spend the year exploring languages with a focus on French and Spanish. They are exposed to music, books, and games in French and Spanish, and instruction focuses on developing listening skills, learning to make the sounds of the language, and building a basic vocabulary set.
Values
At The Bryn Mawr School, we nurture character as much as intellect by embedding our eight core values—Respect, Compassion, Understanding, Resilience, Integrity, Kindness, Responsibility, and Curiosity—into every grade level. Through engaging stories, hands-on activities, and meaningful discussions, students explore these values in ways that grow with them, becoming more thoughtful and complex as they progress. This intentional approach helps shape confident, compassionate, and principled learners who carry these values beyond the classroom.
Science
Curiosity drives our hands-on science program, where students observe, predict, and experiment. They explore the properties of objects, investigate cause and effect, and use simple science tools like magnifying glasses and scales. Engineering concepts come alive as they design structures with blocks and recycled materials. By studying plants, animals, and life cycles, students gain a deeper appreciation for the natural world and seasonal changes.
Art
Creativity flourishes as students experiment with colors, lines, and shapes using a variety of materials. They express emotions and personal experiences through their artwork while learning basic artistic vocabulary. Collaborative projects foster teamwork, and students take pride in making decisions about displaying their creations, developing confidence in their artistic voice.
Physical Education
Young learners engage in a variety of activities designed to develop their fundamental movement skills, coordination, and social interactions. They practice locomotor movements such as running, hopping, skipping, and galloping to improve agility and body control. Students explore different ways to move and interact with their environment, helping them gain confidence in their physical abilities. They also learn sportsmanship and cooperative games, fostering teamwork, sharing, and positive social interactions.
Kindergarten
Language Arts
At Bryn Mawr, Kindergarten students dive into a literature-rich program that fosters a love for reading and writing. Through a fun, hands-on approach, they develop phonemic awareness and explore the writing process. Our curriculum includes D'Nealian handwriting, oral language development with an emphasis on vocabulary building, and reading comprehension skills that encourage making meaningful connections with texts.
Mathematics
The math curriculum lays a strong foundation for critical thinking. Students engage in activities that build essential skills such as calendar concepts, place value up to 100, and numbers up to 20. They explore patterns, sorting, graphing, shapes, and basic measurement, while practicing addition and subtraction using interactive manipulatives to deepen their understanding.
Social Studies
In our social studies program, Kindergarteners learn about themselves and the world around them. From discovering the joy of starting school and making new friends to exploring their personal identity with “All About Me,” students build a strong sense of community. They also learn about families, heritage, and celebrate diverse cultures through special months like Latinx, Black History, and APISA. Character education is integrated through the empowering “Mighty Girls” unit, encouraging kindness and respect for others.
Science
Our engaging science curriculum sparks curiosity as Kindergarten students explore the world around them. Through a fun “Frozen” theme, they learn about the water cycle and how water changes states. They also explore the importance of healthy bodies and minds, focusing on both physical and emotional well-being, and dive into the fascinating world of dinosaurs, discovering their history and characteristics.
Art
Kindergarten is a time for creativity and self-expression, where students explore a wide range of art materials while discovering their unique artistic voice. Our program encourages growth through activities that enhance writing, scissors, and listening skills, all while celebrating the boundless imagination of each student. Using materials such as paper, paint, clay, and wood, children navigate the art studio with joy, building confidence and finding excitement in every creation.
World Languages
Our Kindergarten students take their first steps into the world of languages through our FLEX (Foreign Language EXploration) program. They explore the foundations of both French and Spanish, engaging with music, books, and games to immerse themselves in each language. With a focus on developing listening skills, making language sounds, and building a foundational vocabulary, students enjoy an interactive introduction to the global community around them.
Computer Science
In Kindergarten, we introduce students to the exciting world of technology through our hands-on Computer Science curriculum. Students explore the basics of technology use, including important safety practices, as well as coding, robotics, and creative making. The curriculum fosters essential social, emotional, cognitive, fine motor, and mathematical skills, all while encouraging students to think critically and work collaboratively in fun, interactive centers.
Music
Our Kindergarten music program builds upon the natural joy of musical exploration by introducing structured activities that develop rhythm, pitch recognition, and expressive movement. Through singing, playing percussion instruments, and creative movement, students begin to match pitch and keep a steady beat. Key musical concepts, including high and low sounds, fast and slow tempos, and call-and-response singing, strengthen listening, coordination, and early musical literacy. Students shine with confidence as they participate in the Winter and Spring Concerts, sharing their musical talents with the school community!
Physical Education
In Kindergarten Physical Education, students build fundamental movement skills while enhancing confidence, coordination, and teamwork. They participate in fitness activities that promote strength, endurance, and flexibility in a fun, supportive environment. Students practice locomotor movements like running, hopping, and skipping to improve balance and spatial awareness, while also learning sportsmanship and the importance of teamwork through cooperative games. They refine motor skills by engaging in activities like striking, throwing, catching, and balancing, with exciting games and equipment like jump ropes, scooters, and parachutes adding variety to their experiences.
Values
At The Bryn Mawr School, we nurture character as much as intellect by embedding our eight core values—Respect, Compassion, Understanding, Resilience, Integrity, Kindness, Responsibility, and Curiosity—into every grade level. Through engaging stories, hands-on activities, and meaningful discussions, students explore these values in ways that grow with them, becoming more thoughtful and complex as they progress. This intentional approach helps shape confident, compassionate, and principled learners who carry these values beyond the classroom.
Grade 1
Language Arts
Our first grade program focuses on literature-based learning with an emphasis on phonics, comprehension, and targeted phonics instruction. It also includes writing activities such as narratives, stories, poetry, and nonfiction to support language development.
Mathematics
The math curriculum covers essential concepts such as pattern and number relationships, addition and subtraction facts to 20, and place value for 1s, 10s, and 100s. It also includes learning about graphs, linear measurement, time, geometry, 2-digit addition without regrouping, and identifying 2- and 3-dimensional shapes
Thematic Studies (Social Studies and Science)
The curriculum explores Maryland ecosystems and the rainforest, providing students with hands-on learning experiences through service learning projects. Additionally, students engage in activities involving bunnies and chicks, fostering an understanding of animal life cycles and environmental stewardship.
Computer Science
The first grade Computer Science curriculum is focused on solving a problem. Students continue to build on the fundamentals of technology usage and safety, coding, robotics, and maker. Learning what it means to be an engineer and how they solve problems is a highlight of the year. Students also learn the importance of working as a team to complete a challenge.
Music
The first grade music curriculum nurtures creativity and musical growth through purposeful play. Students work to develop beat competence and their understanding of the differential between beat and rhythm through movement, body percussion, and playing classroom instruments. Basic music notation is introduced, allowing students to read, write, and perform simple rhythmic patterns. Students demonstrate what they can do in both Winter and Spring Concerts.
Physical Education
First graders are always on the move in PE! Building on the locomotor skills and coordination developed in kindergarten, they dive into tagging and cooperative games that boost fitness, strength, and game strategy. Along the way, they learn to take risks, challenge themselves, and celebrate their accomplishments. Every student experiences the joy of movement and the confidence that comes with being an active participant
Values
At The Bryn Mawr School, we nurture character as much as intellect by embedding our eight core values—Respect, Compassion, Understanding, Resilience, Integrity, Kindness, Responsibility, and Curiosity—into every grade level. Through engaging stories, hands-on activities, and meaningful discussions, students explore these values in ways that grow with them, becoming more thoughtful and complex as they progress. This intentional approach helps shape confident, compassionate, and principled learners who carry these values beyond the classroom.
Art
The first grade art curriculum theme is fundamentals and focuses on foundational techniques and media, including tempera painting, drawing with markers, crayons, and colored pencils, as well as collage using paper. Students explore creative expression through En Plein Air outdoor drawing, and develop digital skills with iPad animation. The curriculum emphasizes key elements of art, such as color, shape, and line, to build a solid foundation in visual arts.
World Languages
First grade students transition from our FLEX (Foreign Language EXploration) program to our FLES (Foreign Language in Elementary School) program. For the first half of the year the students study both French and Spanish and then they choose which one they would like to study for the remainder of their time in Lower School. This choice allows students to transition into a more focused language study where they are able to develop a greater level of proficiency.
Grade 2
Language Arts
Our language arts program focuses on developing strong reading and writing skills through the explicit and systematic phonics program. Students engage in small-group reading sessions tailored to their level, strengthening comprehension and fluency. Writing is a key focus, with opportunities for journaling, responding to literature, and creative storytelling. Additionally, students gain proficiency in D'Nealian cursive writing, refining their fine motor skills and written communication.
Mathematics
Students develop a solid foundation in number sense, gaining fluency with addition and subtraction through a deep understanding of place value. Bar models are introduced to strengthen problem-solving skills, while early multiplication and division concepts are explored through real-world applications. Our hands-on, engaging approach ensures all students build confidence and proficiency in math.
Social Studies
Students explore the concept of communities, with a special focus on Baltimore, learning about the people, traditions, and roles that shape them. They also engage in our inspiring Women of the World unit, studying influential women who have made a global impact. Through reading biographies and conducting research, students develop critical thinking and writing skills as they compose research papers and present their findings to an audience of parents.
Science
Second graders in science start off the year with a careful exploration of the needs of life. As a class we observe plant growth in ideal and not so ideal conditions. This emphasis on hands-on work is maintained throughout the year where they create model seeds, observe and study insects, conduct experiments on structure, and research dinosaurs and connect them to modern day birds.
Music
Second grade music engages students through singing, speaking, movement, and instrumental play. Students expand their melodic understanding by singing and reading notation of the pitches of the pentatonic scale, strengthening both ear training and music literacy. They explore accompaniment figures such as ostinatos and drones, learning to layer these patterns in ensemble settings.
Art
The second grade art curriculum theme is expanding. Foundational skills are incorporated into more advanced techniques such as geometric painting, block printing with a focus on repetition, and sculpture using papier-mâché. Students also explore fibers through weaving, encouraging creativity in texture and form.
Computer Science
The second grade Computer Science curriculum is focused on making a difference. Students expand the fundamentals of technology usage and safety, coding, robotics, and maker. The curriculum supports students in learning how to research and present that information.
World Language
The second grade curriculum focuses on dialogues that allow students to share information about themselves and their lives. Students are introduced to some basic reading in the target language, while prioritizing oral communication. One of the highlights of this year is working with the SPCA to use our language skills to help pets find homes.
Physical Education
Second grade physical education fosters skill development, teamwork, and a love for movement. Students refine motor skills, build coordination and learn fundamental techniques for sports such as soccer, basketball, and tennis. Through teamwork, sportsmanship, and fun fitness activities, students develop endurance, strength and a foundation for lifelong wellness.
Values
At The Bryn Mawr School, we nurture character as much as intellect by embedding our eight core values—Respect, Compassion, Understanding, Resilience, Integrity, Kindness, Responsibility, and Curiosity—into every grade level. Through engaging stories, hands-on activities, and meaningful discussions, students explore these values in ways that grow with them, becoming more thoughtful and complex as they progress. This intentional approach helps shape confident, compassionate, and principled learners who carry these values beyond the classroom.
Grade 3
Science
Third grade science is a hands-on exploration of the world around us. Students investigate traits and heredity by growing, pollinating, and harvesting plants, then compare their findings to moths to see how traits are passed across generations. They also explore weather and climate, magnets and forces, and the principles of flight. The year concludes with an exciting parachute-protected egg drop.
Music
Third grade music is an exciting journey of discovery, creativity, and performance. Students deepen their understanding of rhythm and melody through engaging activities, including two-part rhythmic and melodic canons that enhance independence and ensemble skills. Their hard work and creativity shine in the Winter Concert and the Spring Maypole Performance.
Art
The third grade theme in art is perspective. During this crucial year students are introduced to more advanced drawing techniques, including 1-point perspective drawing using pencil, and value techniques using colored pencil, and charcoal. Students also explore watercolor and tempera painting, as well as an introduction to sewing in fibers.
Language Arts
Our language arts program immerses students in a rich variety of literature, from timeless classics to captivating cultural myths. Through guided reading, creative storytelling, and hands-on writing experiences, students develop essential literacy skills while bringing stories to life. Engaging projects, research activities, and art integration help deepen their understanding of both fiction and nonfiction.
Mathematics
Our math curriculum strengthens students' understanding of key concepts such as place value, fractions, decimals, and patterns. Through engaging lessons and hands-on manipulatives, students master all four operations, enhance problem-solving skills, and build confidence in mental math. Geometry, measurement, time, money, and data analysis are explored in ways that make learning both fun and practical.
Social Studies
History comes alive as students embark on an exciting journey through ancient civilizations such as Pompeii, Egypt, and Greece. They develop essential map skills and engage in in-depth research using Maryland as a model for state studies. Hands-on activities, interactive lessons, and service-learning projects help students make meaningful connections between history and the world around them.
Computer Science
Our third grade Computer Science curriculum encourages creativity and innovation by teaching students to design with a purpose. Through engaging lessons in technology usage and safety, coding, robotics, and maker activities, students develop essential digital skills. A highlight of the program is designing and 3D printing projects that support local nonprofits.
World Language
Our third grade World Languages curriculum brings language learning to life through two exciting and immersive units. Students embark on an imaginary journey to Spain or France, where they explore the culture, traditions, and landmarks while building their vocabulary and grammar skills. The second unit, our beloved Dollhouse Project, allows students to design and describe rooms in the target language.
Physical Education
Third grade physical education is filled with energy, excitement, and teamwork. Students are eager to refine their skills, tackle new challenges, and immerse themselves game strategies and team dynamics—including the valuable lessons of both winning and losing. A highlight of the year is preparing for and performing two Maypole dances, a beloved Bryn Mawr tradition that brings movement, rhythm, and celebration together.
Values
At The Bryn Mawr School, we nurture character as much as intellect by embedding our eight core values—Respect, Compassion, Understanding, Resilience, Integrity, Kindness, Responsibility, and Curiosity—into every grade level. Through engaging stories, hands-on activities, and meaningful discussions, students explore these values in ways that grow with them, becoming more thoughtful and complex as they progress. This intentional approach helps shape confident, compassionate, and principled learners who carry these values beyond the classroom.
Mawrtian Strings
Mawrtian Strings is an inclusive and inspiring program open to all students in grades 3-5, whether they are just beginning or building on prior experience. Students have the opportunity to learn violin, viola, or cello through weekly sectionals and rehearsals, developing technical skills, musicality, and a love for playing in an ensemble.
Grade 4
Science
Fourth grade science is a hands-on exploration of electricity, sound, and the human body. Students design and build circuits for model shoebox rooms, soldering their own lights and switches. They bring music into the lab by studying sound waves and how they create different tones. A major focus of the year is human anatomy, where students construct life-size circulatory system models.
Music
Fourth grade students take an active role in their musical journey through creativity, collaboration, and performance. They deepen their understanding of rhythm, melody, and harmony by composing and arranging their own pieces, incorporating their ideas into events like the Winter Concert.
Art
In fourth grade, the art curriculum explores our relationship to the world through a study of global art and its cultural impact. Students create digital drawings of landscapes inspired by their International Expo Country report, while also learning fibers techniques such as Shibori fabric dyeing, sewing, and embroidery.
Language Arts
Fourth grade Language Arts integrates literature with social studies, creating a rich and engaging learning experience. Students strengthen their writing skills through research, reports, and the writing process while building proficiency in spelling, grammar, and vocabulary. These activities help students become confident communicators and deepen their understanding of the world around them.
Mathematics
Fourth graders build a strong mathematical foundation by exploring place value, whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. They develop proficiency in all four operations while learning to compare, order, and round numbers. Geometry concepts such as area, perimeter, angles, lines, and symmetry come to life through hands-on activities.
Social Studies
Fourth grade social studies take students on a global journey as they explore landforms, continents, and oceans. They study diverse cultures from Africa, Europe, Asia, South America, North America, and Australia while strengthening their map skills. The highlight of the year is the International Expo, where students showcase their research on different countries.
Computer Science
Fourth-grade Computer Science focuses on making meaning through technology, creativity, and problem-solving. Students develop digital wellness, coding, and maker skills while learning to navigate Chromebooks with confidence. The highlight of the curriculum is a culminating coding project that integrates Science and World Languages.
World Language
Fourth grade World Languages focus on building strong sentence construction skills through grammar and vocabulary development. Students practice creating original sentences and describing scenes both in writing and speaking. A key highlight of the year is reading a short chapter book in the target language.
Physical Education
Fourth grade PE builds physical skills, teamwork, and a love for staying active. Students develop strength, endurance, and coordination through activities like juggling, cup stacking, Frisbee and softball. Team sports such as soccer, basketball, lacrosse, volleyball and tennis teach technique and sportsmanship, while cooperative challenges promote communication, respect, and lifelong fitness habits.
Values
At The Bryn Mawr School, we nurture character as much as intellect by embedding our eight core values—Respect, Compassion, Understanding, Resilience, Integrity, Kindness, Responsibility, and Curiosity—into every grade level. Through engaging stories, hands-on activities, and meaningful discussions, students explore these values in ways that grow with them, becoming more thoughtful and complex as they progress. This intentional approach helps shape confident, compassionate, and principled learners who carry these values beyond the classroom.
Mawrtian Strings
Mawrtian Strings is an inclusive and inspiring program open to all students in grades 3-5, whether they are just beginning or building on prior experience. Students have the opportunity to learn violin, viola, or cello through weekly sectionals and rehearsals, developing technical skills, musicality, and a love for playing in an ensemble.
Grade 5
Language Arts
Fifth grade Language Arts deepens students' comprehension and critical thinking as they explore a diverse selection of award-winning novels. They analyze texts for quality and accuracy, integrating new ideas into their understanding. Writing skills are refined through evidence-based responses, while vocabulary grows through engaging activities connected to their readings.
Mathematics
Fifth-grade math focuses on mastering fractions, decimals, ratios, and percentages through computation and multi-step problem-solving. Students apply their knowledge across all four operations while also exploring geometry and graphing concepts. The curriculum emphasizes real-world applications to build confidence and mathematical fluency.
Social Studies
Early U.S. history comes to life as students explore Native American adaptations, the Age of Exploration, and early settlements and colonies. Through individual and group projects, they examine historical events from multiple perspectives. In January and February, students shift focus to the Civil Rights Movement, researching influential activists from the 1900s.
Science
Fifth graders start the year developing their laboratory skills, practicing with scales, graduated cylinders, and other methods for measuring matter. They study the solar system, with a special focus on scale and proportion. Students build and launch rockets, developing and applying engineering skills. A highlight of fifth grade is the BioEYES program, which brings live zebrafish to the school where students observe how fish embryos develop.
Computer Science
Fifth-grade Computer Science focuses on self-expression through technology. Students refine their Chromebook skills while advancing in digital wellness, coding, and maker activities. The year culminates in an exciting game design and coding project, where students learn to give and receive constructive feedback.
Art
In fifth grade, the art curriculum centers on the theme of identity, encouraging students to explore self-expression through contour line drawing and drawing from life. Students also work with collage and tempera painting, as well as cut paper collage. The year culminates in a collaborative Spring Show, where students create visual representations for a folk tale or fable.
Music
Fifth grade music challenges students to balance independence and collaboration as they develop advanced musical skills. They expand their rhythmic and melodic abilities with sixteenth notes, triple meter, and polyphonic singing while strengthening their confidence in performance. The year culminates in the 5th Grade Spring Show, where students stage a story and compose all the music themselves.
World Language
Fifth graders deepen their understanding of language structure by studying verb conjugations, noun-adjective agreement, and sentence construction. They bring their learning to life through creative projects such as writing original books in Spanish or performing skits in French. The highlight of the year is French/Spanish Day, where students immerse themselves in a full day of activities conducted entirely in the target language.
Physical Education
Fifth graders thrive on teamwork, competition, and exploration. They embrace the challenge of new sports, develop a variety of skills, and gain confidence as strong, capable athletes. With a growing sense of leadership, they take on responsibility for organizing and running Lower School Field Day—an exciting culmination of their PE journey that showcases their collaboration, sportsmanship, and school spirit.
Values
At The Bryn Mawr School, we nurture character as much as intellect by embedding our eight core values—Respect, Compassion, Understanding, Resilience, Integrity, Kindness, Responsibility, and Curiosity—into every grade level. Through engaging stories, hands-on activities, and meaningful discussions, students explore these values in ways that grow with them, becoming more thoughtful and complex as they progress. This intentional approach helps shape confident, compassionate, and principled learners who carry these values beyond the classroom.
Mawrtian Strings
Mawrtian Strings is an inclusive and inspiring program open to all students in grades 3-5, whether they are just beginning or building on prior experience. Students have the opportunity to learn violin, viola, or cello through weekly sectionals and rehearsals, developing technical skills, musicality, and a love for playing in an ensemble.