Language Arts, Math and Social Studies

The joy of the written word is central to Riverhill’s language arts program. Reading, writing, and the examination of good literature are balanced with creativity to create an expanded view of the written word.  A literature-based reading program is used with Third through Sixth Grade students reading novels with an emphasis on literary analysis and Accelerated Reader is also used as an enrichment to encourage a love of reading. Personal journals are incorporated in many grade levels to help students learn to express themselves through writing. Students study grammar and learn to write analytically as their vocabularies grow.  

Riverhill’s Math Department places emphasis on computation, problem solving, math procedures, logical thinking, and math connections to real-life situations.  Riverhill students actually are exposed to “math” in our Pre K2 program when number recognition is introduced.  By Pre K4, students are adding simple numbers with the sum of ten or less.  Subtraction and Addition Speed Drill Fun comes along in Second Grade when students are encouraged to become more and more familiar with basic math facts.  Multiplication and Division are emphasized starting in Third Grade and all Math skills are perfected in Fifth and Sixth Grades.  Extensive exposure to geometry, algebra, math terminology, and numerous other math components rounds out Riverhill’s math program. 

Riverhill’s approach to the study of history and social studies is thematic, not chronological, in the early grades. In-depth studies of Alabama and American history are included. As the students grow at Riverhill, they experience the social sciences through community projects, Thanksgiving feasts, trips to historic places like Montgomery and Washington D.C. and a plethora of classroom activities.