Page 78 - 1960 Wardlaw

Kindergarten, First, and Second Grades are of vital importance at Wardlaw, because it is in these early years that the child is introduced to school and school work. The direction which he takes in these early years will have a definite bearing on the re­ mainder of his educational life.
The KINDERGARTEN, under the leadership of Mrs. Elizabeth Schanz, is more than a "play time" for the youngsters, but in actuality is a preparation for the work which will come in the first grade. Mrs. Schanz brings a wide background of educational knowledge to her work; she taught in the English school system for several years.
Mrs. Mildred Lum, Head cjf the Lower School, is al­ so the very able FIRST GRADE instructor. She presents to her boys a carefully worked out curriculum, and under her watchful tutelage, students are able to learn to read earlier and with greater comprehension than in the majority of public schools.
The Wardlaw SECOND GRADE, under Mrs. Helen Grant, is a continuation of and also a branching out from the work started under Mrs. Lum in the First Grade. Besides reading and arithmetic, special proj­ ects suitable to the interests of the six to eight year old child are presented during the course of the school year.
Mrs. Edith Thomas presides over the THIRD GRADE, whose daily work has become more inclusive than the preceding grades. The intellectual curiosity of the third grader is channeled toward many construc­ tive activities. The Third Grade is also the first time that the Lower School boy is introduced to a vigorous
athletic program on an intramural basis. Coaches Harold Breene, Ralph Harris, and Michael Blazo or­ ganize this physical training period, and present to the boys the ideals of "fair play", as well as basic physical education.
The boys of the FOURTH GRADE, growing older, livelier, and wiser, are under the able supervision of Mrs. Margaret Smith, who offers these boys a wider curriculum to meet their expanding interests and ener­ gies. The fourth graders, as did those boys of Mrs. Thomas' Third Grade, participate in the excellent sports program offered by Wardlaw at the Lower School level.
Miss Helen Kershner teaches the "top" class in the Lower School, the FIFTH GRADE. In addition to the regular courses which she offers to this age boy.
LOWER SCHOOL
Miss Kershner has added a special year-long project, an imaginative trip around the world, which intro­ duces her boys to a variety of subjects and new vistas of learning.
As the boys "graduate" from the Lower School, they progress into Junior athletics, and a more adult atmosphere in classroom study.
Days are very full in the Lower School—reading, numbers, learning to write, history, geography, an introduction to music by Mr. Arthur Schroff, art by Mrs. Schanz, and the rudiments of public speaking presented by Mrs. Clelia Saflund—all these create a diversified atmosphere for the Wardlaw Lower School.
There is much to be learnfid, experienced, and explored—and for the boys of the Lower School "THIS IS THE BEGINNING . . .".
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