Primary Grades K-2

At Hillside, our Lower School program provides young learners with the structure, individualized support, and multisensory instruction they need to grow with confidence. Students in grades K–5 build foundational skills in reading, writing, math, executive functioning, and social-emotional development within a nurturing classroom environment.

Designed for Growing Learners

The early grades are a critical time for building confidence and developing the skills students need for long-term success. Hillside teachers provide structured instruction, guided practice, and individualized support to help students build academic stamina, problem-solving skills, and ownership of their learning. Hillside teachers meet students where they are, provide explicit instruction, and create predictable classroom routines that help students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.

What Students Build

Foundational Literacy Skills

Students strengthen phonemic awareness, decoding, vocabulary, comprehension, and written expression.

Number Sense & Problem-Solving

Students use hands-on math strategies to build fluency, reasoning, and confidence.

Executive Functioning

Students practice organization, planning, self-monitoring, flexible thinking, and classroom routines.

Confidence & Independence

Students learn strategies that help them take pride in their progress and grow as learners.

Curriculum & Instruction

Our Primary Grades curriculum is designed to build strong academic foundations while supporting each student’s individual learning needs. Through structured, multi-sensory instruction, students strengthen skills in reading, writing, math, executive functioning, and classroom readiness.

English Language Arts

English Language Arts Programming

Open Up Resouce- EL Education– Hillside educators and students utilize EL Education as a core ELA program to address various reading, vocabulary, and writing skills. EL was created to support students to build skills and content knowledge all while helping them become more confident and collaborative learners. Designed to provide implicit and systematic instruction, EL Education offers comprehensive English and Language arts experiences to assess language standards and engage students in meaningful content.

Each grade level covers four modules within the school year. The four modules allow students to build important content knowledge based on a compelling topic related to science, social studies, or literature. Each module uses rich authentic text.

Content Topics of Modules:

Grade	Module 1	Module 2	Module 3	Module 4
K	Toys and Play	Weather Wonders	Trees Are Alive	Enjoying and Appreciating Trees
1	Tools and Work	The Sun, Mood, and Stars	Birds’ Amazon Bodies	Caring for Birds
2	Schools and Community	Fossils Tell of Earth’s Changes	The Secret World of Pollination	Providing for Pollinators

EL Education Curriculum Addressing Standards for Literacy

Reading Standards:

Text Complexity
Frequent use of grade-appropriate complex text at all grade levels for all students; at the K-2 level many close read-alouds are conducted with texts two or three grade levels above what students can read on their own to encourage high-level thinking and discourse; scaffolds so that all students are successful; Language Dives for all students, more frequent for ELLs; story time to launch every K-2 Lab session.

Vocabulary
Intentional vocabulary building from content-based text; attention to figuring out words from context; decoding; emphasis on academic, Tier 2, vocabulary.

Close Reading
Teacher-led close reading or close read-alouds of content-based texts; carefully developed text-dependent questions; multiple reads for deepening comprehension; focus question that drives a series of sessions on a single text.

Volume of Reading
Daily Accountable Independent Reading at each individual student’s level, or rereading complex text previously read with teacher support; reading to deepen and expand content knowledge and vocabulary; story time to launch every K-2 Lab session.

Research
Gathering evidence for knowledge building before writing; Accountable Independent Reading; K-2 Research Lab.

Fluency
Multiple reads of complex text; research reading; volume of reading; reading decodable texts in the K-2 Reading Foundations Skills Block.

Foundational Skills
A dedicated hour per day to explicitly teach the letter-sound patterns of the English language in the K-2 Reading Foundations Skills Block.

Writing Standards:

Writing Reflects Content Understanding
All writing supports content knowledge. Students write both as they are learning content knowledge, such as note-taking, and as they synthesize that knowledge, such as in their formal writing; note-taking in the K-2 Research Lab.

Specific Instruction in Aspects of Writing
Writing skills, such as use of introductions and transitions, and approaches, such as gathering evidence to support a statement, are scaffolded specifically for particular writing in each module.

Writing Fluency, Ease of Writing
Frequent short writes as well as more developed pieces; almost daily writing in the K-2 module lessons; goal-setting and reflection in the K-2 Labs; writing practice as one specific component of the 3-5 Additional Language and Literacy Block.

Oral Processing of Ideas Before Writing
Frequent opportunities for students to orally rehearse ideas and thinking before writing, including structured conversations and Language Dives.

Writing Process: Plan, Draft, Confer, Revise, Edit
Instruction and scaffolding in each aspect of the writing process; emphasis on use of models, critique that is kind, specific, and helpful, feedback, and revision.

Language Standards:

Standard Grammar and Usage
Short and fully developed writing, including emphasis on revising and editing skills; explicit instruction on specific language standards in K-2 module lessons, often involving analyzing or punctuating songs and poems, and in the 3-5 Additional Language and Literacy Block; Language Dives; embedded grammar and usage instruction within performance tasks and other writing assignments.

Standard Writing Conventions, including Spelling
Short and fully developed writing, including an emphasis on revising and editing skills; focus on letter formation and spelling patterns in the K-2 Reading Foundations Skills Block; explicit instruction on conventions in K-5 module lessons and the 3-5 Additional Language and Literacy Block, including grammar, usage, and mechanics; Language Dives.

Academic and Domain-Specific Vocabulary
Multiple reads of complex text; short and fully developed writing; Language Dives; unpacking learning targets; explicit teaching of the language of habits of character, such as collaboration and perseverance.

Speaking and Listening Standards:

Participation in Discussion, Building on Others’ Ideas
Collaborative protocols; small group discussion; discussion norms; Conversation Cues; sentence frames to scaffold productive discussion.

Presentation of Ideas in a Style Appropriate to the Audience
Presentation of students’ work, both formally and informally, to an audience of their peers, families, or invited guests.

Specialized Reading Instruction

Students receive targeted reading support through evidence-based, structured literacy approaches. Instruction is designed to strengthen phonemic awareness, decoding, fluency, comprehension, and written expression.

Project Read
Project Read supports phonics, spelling, written expression, and reading comprehension through a structured, multisensory approach.

S.P.I.R.E.
S.P.I.R.E. provides systematic reading instruction focused on phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, spelling, and comprehension.

Heggerty
Heggerty builds phonemic awareness through daily practice with sounds, blending, segmenting, and word play.

Visualizing and Verbalizing
Visualizing and Verbalizing helps students strengthen language comprehension, mental imagery, vocabulary, and oral expression.

Math Programming

HMH Math in Focus-Singapore Mathematics (K-8)– Hillside educators use this multi-sensory program built on research emphasizing problem-solving. The Singapore math curriculum framework recognizes problem-solving skills as central to learning. The program’s CPA or concrete-pictorial-abstract approach helps students improve number fluency and better understand concepts through manipulatives, diagrams, models, and abstract symbols.

K-2 Scope of Topics: Kindergarten

Number and Operations
- Sets and Numbers, Number Representation, Counting, Compare and Order numbers, Compose and Decompose Numbers, Place Value, Whole Number Computation: Addition and Subtraction, Whole Number Computation: Addition and Subtraction Word Problems, Develop Fluency with Addition and Subtraction to 5.
Algebra/Expressions and Equations
- Patterns, Expression Models, Number of Sentences and Equations, Equality and Inequality.
Geometry
- Size and Position, Two-Dimensional Shapes and Polygons, Three-Dimensional Shapes/Solid Figures.
Measurement
- Length and Distance, Weight/Mass.
Data Analysis/Statistics and Probability
- Classifying and Sorting.
Making Sense in Solving Problems
- Build Skills Through Problem-Solving, Solve Real-World Problems.
Reasoning
- Use Appropriate Strategies and Thinking Skills to Solve Problems, Apply and Explain Problem-Solving, Explore Concepts, Investigate Mathematical Ideas, Identify, Demonstrate, and Express Regularity in Reasoning, and Use a Variety of Reasoning Skills.
Communication
- Consolidate Mathematical Thinking, Communicate with Peers, Teachers, and Others, Share Mathematical Thinking, Construct Arguments, and Express Mathematics Ideas.
Connections and Structures
- Look for and Use Structure to Recognize Connections in Mathematical Ideas, Understand How Concepts Build on One Another, and Solve Real World Problems in Contexts Outside Mathematics.
Representation and Model Mathematics
- Use Representations to Attend to Precision, Select and Apply Appropriate Models and Tools to Represent Problems, and Interpret Phenomena through Representations.

K-2 Scope of Topics: First Grade

Number and Operations
- Sets and Numbers, Number Representation, Counting, Compare and Order numbers, Place Value, Fraction Concepts, Money, Whole Number Computation: Addition and Subtraction, Whole Number Computation: Addition and Subtraction Word Problems, Whole Number Computation: Multiplication and Division Concepts, Estimation and Mental Math.
Algebra/Expressions and Equations
- Patterns, Properties, Functional Relationships, Expression Models, Number of Sentences, and Equations.
Geometry
- Two-Dimensional Shapes and Polygons, Three-Dimensional Shapes/Solid Figures.
Measurement
- Length and Distance, Weight/Mass, Time, Area.
Data Analysis/Statistics and Probability
- Classifying and Sorting, Collect and Organize Data, Represent Data, Interpret/Analyze Data.
Making Sense in Solving Problems
- Build Skills Through Problem-Solving, Solve Real-World Problems.
Reasoning
- Use Appropriate Strategies and Thinking Skills to Solve Problems, Apply and Explain Problem-Solving, Explore Concepts, Investigate Mathematical Ideas, Identify, Demonstrate, and Express Regularity in Reasoning, and Use a Variety of Reasoning Skills.
Communication
- Consolidate Mathematical Thinking, Communicate with Peers, Teachers, and Others, Share Mathematical Thinking, Construct Arguments, and Express Mathematics Ideas.
Connections and Structures
- Look for and Use Structure to Recognize Connections in Mathematical Ideas, Understand How Concepts Build on One Another, and Solve Real World Problems in Contexts Outside Mathematics.
Representation and Model Mathematics
- Use Representations to Attend to Precision, Select and Apply Appropriate Models and Tools to Represent Problems, and Interpret Phenomena through Representations.

K-2 Scope of Topics: Second Grade

Number and Operations
- Sets and Numbers, Number Representation, Counting, Compare and Order numbers, Place Value, Fraction Concepts, Money, Decimal Concepts, Whole Number Computation: Addition and Subtraction, Whole Number Computation: Addition and Subtraction Word Problems, Whole Number Computation: Multiplication and Division Concepts, Whole Number Computation: Multiplication and Division Real World Problems, Decimal Computation, Estimation, and Mental Math.
Algebra/Expressions and Equations
- Patterns, Properties, Number Theory, Functional Relationships, Expression Models, Number of Sentences, and Equations.
Geometry
- Lines and Angles, Two-Dimensional Shapes and Polygons, and Three-Dimensional Shapes/Solid Figures.
Measurement
- Length and Distance, Weight/Mass, Time, Area.
Data Analysis/Statistics and Probability
- Classifying and Sorting, Collect and Organize Data, Represent Data, Interpret/Analyze Data.
Making Sense in Solving Problems
- Build Skills Through Problem-Solving, Solve Real-World Problems.
Reasoning
- Use Appropriate Strategies and Thinking Skills to Solve Problems, Apply and Explain Problem-Solving, Explore Concepts, Investigate Mathematical Ideas, Identify, Demonstrate, and Express Regularity in Reasoning, and Use a Variety of Reasoning Skills.
Communication
- Consolidate Mathematical Thinking, Communicate with Peers, Teachers, and Others, Share Mathematical Thinking, Construct Arguments, and Express Mathematics Ideas.
Connections and Structures
- Look for and Use Structure to Recognize Connections in Mathematical Ideas, Understand How Concepts Build on One Another, and Solve Real World Problems in Contexts Outside Mathematics.
Representation and Model Mathematics
- Use Representations to Attend to Precision, Select and Apply Appropriate Models and Tools to Represent Problems, and Interpret Phenomena through Representations.

Executive Functioning Support

Executive Functioning

Executive functioning refers to cognitive processes enabling individuals to plan, organize, and regulate their behavior effectively. In the classroom, supporting executive functioning needs is crucial for students’ academic success and overall development. Hillside teachers provide several strategies to promote executive functioning skills among students.

Throughout the day and in every class, students are coached to develop effective executive functioning skills including planning and prioritizing, self-monitoring, organization, impulse and emotional control, flexible thinking, and working memory skills. They are taught how to problem solve and to reflect on the successful use of learning strategies; how to discuss which strategies work for them; and to understand why. Additionally, teachers set up clear routines and expectations, providing a structured and predictable environment. As students experience success, their self-confidence increases which encourages independence, promotes motivation, builds focused effort, and finally, empowers them to take pride and ownership in their own education.

Teachers support students’ self-regulation by teaching them strategies to manage their emotions and handle distractions effectively. Providing opportunities for reflection, self-assessment, and goal-setting can further develop students’ executive functioning skills. By incorporating these supportive strategies, classrooms become nurturing environments that empower students to develop strong executive functioning abilities, leading to increased independence and academic achievement.

A Day in the Lower School Grades

Each day in the Primary Grades is intentionally structured to help students feel successful. Students participate in reading instruction, hands-on math learning, guided writing, classroom discussions, movement-based activities, and opportunities to practice organization, self-regulation, and independence.

Daily Reading Instruction

Students receive structured support to build decoding, comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency.

Hands-On Math Activities

Students use manipulatives, visual models, and guided practice to strengthen mathematical understanding.

Guided Writing Practice

Students develop sentence structure, written expression, and confidence as writers.

Classroom Routines & Reflection

Students practice routines, transitions, self-monitoring, and reflection throughout the school day.

Intermediate Grades 3–5 Middle School Grades 6–8