Physical Activity in the Grammar School: Entree to Life Lessons

During the first days of kindergarten physical education (PE), you can find Coach Johnson outside, five and six-year olds walking around him as he chants: “Heel-toe, heel-toe.” It’s embodied learning that is foundational to not only the Regents PE program, but to the whole Regents academic curriculum.

“Obviously kids know how to walk...

Sixth Grade Buddies

One of the joys of sixth grade is being the oldest in the Grammar School. Each sixth grader is matched with a kindergarten buddy to mentor and watch out for during the year. This is an opportunity for leadership for the older students, and the kindergarteners are delighted to be known and cared for by a "big kid."

Why Shakespeare?

There is a great benefit to introducing students to Shakespeare in the latter Grammar School years. Academically, it prepares students for engaging with his text when they move to the Upper School and it helps them with reading comprehension. After all, not only does one have to remember what the lines are but one has to understand what Shakespeare is saying and communicate...

Grammar School Tradition: Shaking Hands

You may know that at the end of each week, students in the Grammar School receive a small pack of Smarties candy. You may not know the other half of this ritual; they receive their candy on their way out the building when they shake hands with Mrs. Palumbo and practice looking her in the eyes and saying “thank you” or “have a good weekend.”...

Why Does the Grammar School Chant?

As I type this, first grade is lining up in the hall to go outside as teacher Mrs. Bryant leads them through a call-out that reminds them how to conduct themselves in line. Across the hall, sixth grade sings through the countries of Asia – with a favorite chorus that rings out every few minutes. Downstairs, second grade sings all the first twenty-six presidents, third...

Kodaly Music Program in Grammar School

Congratulations to Miss Kara Faraldi who received her certification in the Kodaly method of music instruction at the Chenaniah Summer Music Institute at New St Andrew’s College in Moscow Idaho in July! “CSMI is the only place that offers certification in this way of teaching music combined with a Christian worldview,” says Miss Faraldi.

Kodaly...

The New Colossus in Sixth Grade

Sixth grade learned and recited The New Colossus in January, a poem by Emma Lazarus inscribed on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

Fiddlers Visit Sixth Grade for Pioneer Day

“We have a full immersion sense of history in sixth grade, especially with our history and geography songs,” says teacher Megan Maley. “From across the playground recently I could hear a giant chorus of all the territories and provinces of Canada being spontaneously sung by a collection of sixth graders. Not only do these help us on our tests but...

End of Year Traditions

As a student progresses from Grammar to Logic School to Rhetoric School we practice certain rites of passage, recognizing maturity, growth and achievement. A student can more easily embrace their new responsibilities and roles in the future as adults when they are given opportunities to practice this during their development. Students in sixth grade receive a rose and tie,...

Shakespeare Night

Sixth grade presented A Midsummer's Night Dream and fifth grade presented scenes from Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing, Romeo & Juliet, The Taming of the Shrew, The Comedy of Errors, As You Like It, and Hamlet at Shakespeare Night.

"I think deep down inside all of us, we long...

Sixth Grade Worldview Class

One of the distinctives of Regents is a class on Building a Biblical Worldview held every Tuesday during the sixth grade year.  Taught by Sheila and Donna Richardson, the class’s goals are to learn to think biblically in every aspect of their days, to remove stumbling blocks to belief - areas where the teachings of secular culture contradict the Bible, and to...

Sixth Grade Invention Convention

One of the exciting parts of sixth grade is having the opportunity to grow in leadership as the oldest students in the Grammar School. This year, with COVID restrictions lessening, students are once again able to interact more with other grades. Here, sixth grader Oliva R. shows first grader Jackson R. how the TV was invented for the sixth grade’s invention...

Civil War Sing-a-long in Sixth

You can't see the griddle, but these sixth grades are enjoying pancakes and period campfire songs at their Civil War sing-a-long! "One of the most beautiful parts of sixth graders is their ability to process and interact with more advanced material and concepts while retaining the beauty and wonder of childhood," says teacher Megan Maley.

Pioneer Day in Sixth Grade

From climbing Pike’s Peak to running away from bears, these young sixth grade settlers had an amazing Pioneer Day. Students in sixth grade study the early American settlers in westward expansion, and each create and write about a character along one of the six overland trails that pioneers used to cross the country. The unit culminates with a day of celebration and...

Sixth Grade Visits Pine Knot

How many feet deep is the Erie Canal? Four? Ten? Twelve? Twenty? If you answered "four" you are as smart as a sixth grader at Regents! The students are diving into American history and recently went on their first field trip in 18 months to Pine Knot, Teddy Roosevelt's rustic retreat near Scottsville.

Sixth Grade Autobiographies

Living History Days in the Grammar School

Over the course of the past month, I have enjoyed watching Grammar School students participate in class events such as Mammal Day, Monk Day, Famous Explorer Speeches, and Pioneer Day. It is such a joy to see the students’ effort displayed in the costumes they create and the presentations they prepare. More than this, however, I am grateful for the opportunity to see...

Fine Arts Department Presents "An Evening with Shakespeare"

What joy it was to watch the Regents fifth grade drama class perform "The Tempest" and the sixth...