Lower School Specials

Visual Art

The elementary school arts program fosters creativity, independence, and a sense of ownership in the visual arts. Rooted in the Teaching Artistic Behavior philosophy, the program empowers students to work like professional artists, respecting their choices and treating the art room as their personal studio space.

Emphasizing exploration, experimentation, and persistence, the program encourages students to develop their artistic voices. Students work with a variety of core media, including clay, pastels, and paint, while also having opportunities to explore digital media, animation, and mixed media. Whether trying new techniques or diving deeply into an area of interest, students are supported in their creative journeys.

 

3 third grade boys work with modeling clay in an art class at St. Elizabeth's School in Denver

Library

The St. Elizabeth’s School Library program is designed to foster a love of reading and lifelong learning. Students visit the library once a week for library class, where they listen to and discuss a book, participate in an activity, and have dedicated time to select books for check-out. Book selection emphasizes representation, student interests, and connections to monthly character traits, ensuring that all students see themselves reflected in the stories they read.

The library houses a thoughtfully curated collection of approximately 9,000 titles, spanning a wide range of genres and reading levels for students in grades K-8. With a strong focus on diversity and engagement, the collection supports both academic exploration and personal reading enjoyment. Students are encouraged to check out books outside of their scheduled library time.

Each year, the library hosts at least one author visit, giving students the opportunity to learn about the writing process and ask questions directly to the author. Additionally, a local storyteller visits to share stories in the oral tradition, enriching students' appreciation for storytelling in all its forms.

Kindergarten students prepare for story time in the library at St. Elizabeth's School in Denver

PE

St. Elizabeth's School is dedicated to the physical well-being of its students, as research indicates that children learn better when given time for physical activity. As part of this commitment, all students from Kindergarten through 8th grade have the opportunity to engage in daily physical activity. Most physical education classes take place outside, allowing students to move and play in the fresh air, with indoor classes held only during inclement weather.

Students play croquet on the green during a sunny PE class at St. Elizabeth's School in Denver

Music

K - 2nd Grade Music

At St. Elizabeth’s, primary music education begins with the belief that the voice is a child’s first and most accessible instrument. In Kindergarten through second grade, students engage in joyful group singing, building a strong foundation in music literacy and creativity. They explore rhythm and melody through interactive experiences with classroom instruments such as hand drums, xylophones, and Boomwhackers.

Our program embraces musical diversity, incorporating culturally inclusive repertoire and music that reflects students' everyday experiences. With a focus on relevance and engagement, St. Elizabeth’s nurtures essential musical skills while fostering a lifelong love of music.

4th Grade students play a circle hand clapping game in music class at St. Elizabeth's School in Denver

3rd - 5th Grade Music

In 3rd through 5th grade, students begin exploring the fundamentals of the ukulele, drum set, and xylophone as they play together in a Modern Rock Band setting. They learn four-measure patterns on each instrument while playing along to popular songs from movies and the radio. Through this hands-on, collaborative experience, students develop essential musical skills, including keeping a steady beat, playing basic rhythms, and building simple chords. By the time they enter Middle School, they will have a strong foundation in rhythm and ensemble playing, preparing them for more advanced musical exploration.

Spanish

The Lower School Spanish program at St. Elizabeth’s School reflects our commitment to fostering empathy and a passion for global learning. Research shows that early exposure to a second language provides lasting benefits, so our program emphasizes both language acquisition and cultural understanding. Young learners absorb language best when they are engaged and having fun. By incorporating games, songs, music, storytelling, and interactive activities, lessons feel like play—enhancing retention and making learning joyful. Through this approach, students naturally develop key fundamentals, including high-frequency words, phrases, pronunciation, simple dialogue, and basic sentence structure. This joyful introduction to Spanish builds a strong foundation for future language learning and inspires lifelong curiosity about communication and diverse cultures.

The doorway to the lower school Spanish room says "Hola" and through the door you can see students watching the teacher at St. Elizabeth's School in Denver    Young students read a book about animals in the lower school Spanish class at St. Elizabeth's School in Denver, CO

STEAM

In STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), students engage in hands-on projects that integrate Colorado science standards with creativity and critical thinking. Through experiments, innovative problem-solving, and collaborative challenges, students explore scientific principles in meaningful, real-world contexts. This interdisciplinary approach deepens their understanding of core concepts while equipping them with essential skills such as collaboration, innovation, and perseverance—building a strong foundation for future learning in both STEM fields and the arts.