Reading skills, comprehension, and vocabulary may be taught through novels and literature as well as traditional readers. English, spelling, and writing are integrated into the language arts curriculum. Students make weekly visits to the library to learn skills and take out books for enjoyment and reports. All students have the opportunity to write paragraphs and stories as well as factual reports and projects.
The mathematics curriculum follows a traditional text but is augmented by using manipulatives, games, and computer activities. With the school’s integrated curriculum, the students’ math abilities play a part in other subjects as they create charts and graphs both by hand and on the computer. Math centers in all the classrooms enhance students performance with both remedial and enrichment activities.
Social science is taught in all grades with an emphasis on understanding. Students study current events as well as history and geography as they learn to see the connections between the natural world, past events, and the development of civilizations. Field trips and special reports, including State Reports for third graders, Native American Culture Day for fourth graders, and World Culture Day for fifth graders, round out this curricular area.
Science may be integrated into other subjects or taught on its own, but it is an important part of the students’ school experience. Every science unit includes a hands-on facet. Again, field trips and guest speakers add to the students’ background and understanding. Keeping science journals helps third graders prepare for the more sophisticated requirements of upper elementary science projects. Fourth graders learn the scientific method by completing group science projects in school, guided by their teacher. The fifth graders are more independent in designing and completing their projects, but the teacher still supervises and consults on a regular basis. Because of the natural surroundings, students can study nature right on campus. The school is also in the process of constructing a community garden to provide a living context to the principles of science.
The teachers in the upper elementary department work closely together to help design and implement a flowing curriculum that meets the needs and goals of the students.
