The Upper Elementary classroom provides a true community in which students meet not only superior academic standards, but are also part of an environment where they develop a strong sense of “being” and become independent, self confident and self disciplined individuals. Reading and Mathematics are firmly established, and we are now ready to take on the more substantial curriculum of learning culture, and the arts and sciences to a greater degree than is found in other more traditional schools.
The Upper Elementary Program builds on the content of the Lower Elementary global curriculum, expanding students’ awareness of their place in the world’s history. There is an expansion upon what has already been learned in the areas of care of self, the environment, animals and others. Time management, organization, and setting reasonable, responsible goals are a priority at this level. It is a time when children cross the bridge between using hands–on, manipulative materials and the abstract understanding of concepts. Work on group projects, use of community resources (such as libraries and museums) and an expansion in field studies become important new elements in our Upper Elementary curriculum. Our students move through the major curricular themes from concrete presentations towards greater depth, detail, and abstract understanding. With mixed age groupings, our children engage in individualized and small group instruction and cooperative learning opportunities. As well, these groupings provide the opportunity for the older students to act as role models for the younger students and the younger function as a form of review for the older students.
Children at this age will find their studies to be more in depth, but nonetheless challenging, stimulating and fun.
