Lower School Curriculum
The principal aim of the Lower School is to encourage students to realize their full potential through immersion in a curriculum of high academic standards and expectations. At Armbrae, we follow the Nova Scotia curriculum, but it is enriched in many areas and we provide our students with opportunities to think critically and dig deeper into concepts.
In the Lower School, our small class sizes enable teachers to differentiate curriculum in order to support the individual needs of each student. Our curriculum is designed to allow students to develop strong foundations in literacy, numeracy, Science and French alongside social, emotional and learning skills.
Our focus is on helping students develop self-confidence, self-discipline and a lifelong love of learning. Developing a well rounded student is of paramount importance so our Lower School curriculum is enriched with Drama, Music, Art, Physical and Health Education, Library and Computer Studies. Field trips are also integral to our program and allow children to widen their interests and further their personal growth. These programs both enrich and challenge students’ interests as we prepare them for our Middle and Upper School Programs.
Lower School Director
Throughout her 20 year teaching career, Tara Burt has taught in both public and independent schools and has been a teacher at Armbrae for the past 18 years. During this time, she has taught a variety of grades in the Lower School including Grades 2, 3, 5 and 6. Tara was appointed to the position of Lower School Director in July of 2019. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Dalhousie University, and both a Bachelor of Elementary Education Degree and a Masters in Elementary Education from Mount Saint Vincent University. She is currently working on her CAIS Diploma in Independent School Leadership with the hopes of graduating with that certificate this summer.
Tara is committed to excellence in teaching and learning and is well known for developing positive and collaborative relationships with students, colleagues and parents. She has an excellent understanding of child development and the needs of young learners. This year Tara has been highly involved in developing lessons for the Lower School on resilience as part of our new partnership with Dr. Michael Ungar’s R2: Rugged and Resourced curriculum.
Overview
A typical day in the Lower School consists of five one hour periods with three breaks for outdoor playtime. For three periods of the day, students are with their homeroom teacher for core subjects (Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies) and two periods are with specialist teachers (French, Music, Physical and Health Education, Art, Drama, Library and Computers).
Lower School Schedule
Mondays,Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
Features Include: 5 x 60 min periods | 60 min lunch
| 7:30am - 8:00am | BeforeCare (P-6 Students) |
| 8:00am - 8:25am | Drop off Outside Play (P - 6) 8:20am Students line up |
| 8:25am - 8:40am | Daily Homeroom |
| 8:40am - 9:40am | PERIOD 1 |
| 9:40am - 9:55am | Recess | 9:55am - 10:55am | PERIOD 2 |
| 10:55am - 11:00am | Travel/Movement Break |
| 11:00am - 12:00pm | PERIOD 3 |
| 12:00pm - 12:30pm | Lunch (Classrooms) 12:00-12:20 |
| 12:30pm - 1:00pm | Outside 12:20-1:00 |
| 1:00pm - 2:00pm | PERIOD 4 |
| 2:00pm - 2:15pm | Recess |
| 2:15pm - 3:15pm | PERIOD 5 |
| 3:30pm - 4:00pm | Co-Curricular Activities |
| 4:30pm - 5:45pm | AfterCare |
*SCHEDULE for Thursdays
Features Include: 5 x 50 min periods | 60 min lunch | Full School Assembly | Advisory Period
Download 2023-2024 Bell Schedule
To learn more about Armbrae Academy please Email Suzanne Morrison or call directly 902-830-1418