The upper elementary Learning Environment

Language Arts: The Language Arts curriculum in Upper Elementary emphasizes language as an art of communication. Over the three-year cycle, students become proficient readers, writers, speakers, editors, authors, critics and poets. They learn and practice essential skills in grammar, punctuation and expression in a range of contexts, including small and large group lessons, independent work, writing prompts, journal writing, research projects, oral presentations, portfolio reflections and literature analyses.

Each written assignment is an opportunity to practice and perfect the skills of writing. Students discover that their use of language, whether written or spoken, communicates valuable information about who they are as people and offers insight into how they think. Through a variety of literary forms, including biographies, short stories, novels, poems, essays, editorials, news articles and theatrical plays, students observe and analyze models of effective communication. As they begin to define their own identities, they develop an appreciation for the rewards of effective communication.

Literature circles are fundamental components of the Language Arts program in both Lower and Upper Elementary classrooms. At the Upper level, students engage in in-depth analyses of texts, assuming the role of writer, critic, or main character to understand the literary development of ideas. Readings complement thematic studies in history and culture and reflect the developmental stages and interests of students. Several literature circles are in progress at any given time to meet the needs of the range of learners in Upper Elementary.

Students are exposed to primary sources in history and science and to secondary sources across the entire curriculum. All of these texts provide opportunities to apply skills in language arts, including comprehension, fluency, inferential reasoning, identifying cause and effect, author’s purpose, making predictions, making connections (text-self, text-text, text-world), analyzing characters and identifying themes. All primary sources, non-fiction and literature circle selections help build vocabulary. They also enhance understanding of parts of speech, word formation and sentence and paragraph structure.

To supplement the skills learned through literature circle and readings across the curriculum, each student practices the development of specific skills in workbooks. These resources isolate individual skills and give students repeated practice. In addition to helping them master the conventions of language, these exercises help students prepare for standardized testing. The workbook series offer several levels through which students progress at a guided pace.

Mathematics: The Upper Elementary math curriculum emphasizes the relationship of math to everyday life and problem solving. Students’ need for manipulative materials decreases as they learn to internalize abstract concepts and value efficiency in computation. Upper Elementary math builds a foundation of skills and concepts that students use in their future studies of algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics and trigonometry. The geometry curriculum expands students’ working knowledge of geometry in nature and design, using formulas, theorems and proofs.

Lessons, in-class assignments, projects and homework assignments are drawn from many resources, including textbooks and advanced software. Throughout the three-year cycle in Upper Elementary, students work extensively with the following concepts, skills, and applications, adding layers of complexity as they master each level:

Division

• mastery of division facts > single-digit division > multiple-digit division
• rounding numbers and estimating quotients

Fractions

• review of common multiples and factors
• fractions and equivalence > simplest form > comparing and ordering fractions
• addition and subtraction with like denominators > addition and subtraction with unlike denominators > multiplication and division of fractions > multiplication and division of mixed numbers

Decimals

• decimal place value > ordering and comparing decimals > estimating and rounding decimals
• addition > subtraction > multiplication > division of decimals

Ratio, proportion and probability

• equivalence > rate > ratios to solve proportions > predicting > diagramming > interpreting fairness

Percent

• estimating percent > relationship between percents, fractions and decimals > calculating percent, discount and interest

Pre-algebra, integers and the coordinate plane

• numbers less than zero > comparing and ordering integers > integer operations > order of operations > coordinate plane > writing equations > evaluation expressions

Graphing, statistics, and data analysis

• collecting, organizing and interpreting data > mean, range, mode, medium > graphing data

Measurement and geometry

• naming polygons > slides, flips, turns and symmetry > ordered pairs > points lines, angles and planes
• systems of measurement > length, area > perimeter, volume and circumference

Science and Science Lab: Upper Elementary students approach their scientific investigations as authentic scientists, hypothesizing, testing ideas and documenting conclusions. Students explore the scientific world using the inquiry method. Units in earth science, biology, physics and chemistry are incorporated into their thematic studies. Among the topics investigated are plants and animals, heredity, ecology and classification.

Lab reports, observations and notes are an integral part of exploration and discovery. Students use technology to conduct research, document their discoveries and present their findings and conclusions.

Science Lab provides hands-on experience in the formal setting of science exploration. Third- through sixth-grade students meet weekly in the Lab for focused studies of scientific principles. Technology plays an integral role in the Science Lab, as students are encouraged to complete research tasks using online as well as print resources. They consult the sources best suited for their research needs, and are expected to present their findings clearly, thoroughly and in unique and interesting ways.

Students at the Upper Elementary level continue using the scientific method in their lab experiences and are guided to further expand the written expression of their ideas by providing many details, observations and conclusions about their work. Detailed writing enables the students to consider alternate solutions and procedures to their problem-solving. Regular group discussions facilitate collaboration and in-depth exchange of ideas. Students share their findings with their Upper Elementary classmates as well as with students in the Lower Elementary.

Fourth-grade Science Lab topics of study include water systems, electricity, solar power and energy conservation. Fifth-grade topics of study include weather systems, bridges and structures, rocks and minerals, physics and communications. Sixth graders study landforms, body systems, telescopes, chemistry and environmental awareness.

The Charles River Study and the Annual Science Fair provide dynamic forums for students to demonstrate their knowledge of the interconnections of science and geography.

History and Geography: History, culture and geography studies are informed by young peoples’ developing awareness of their abilities to affect the directions their lives will take. Students begin to think more abstractly and are guided to engage in comparative analysis as they study history and contemporary society. We incorporate geography into cultural studies. Students learn, compare and contrast the themes of geography that impact societies’ growth and development, including location, place, the interactions of people and environments, movement and regions. Throughout their studies, students investigate the fundamental themes of social studies:

• culture
• time, continuity and change
• people, places and environments
• individual development and identity
• individuals, groups and institutions
• power, authority and governance
• production, distribution and consumption
• science, technology and society
• global connections
• civic ideals and practices

Themes are presented in three-year cycles, allowing students to build a foundation of knowledge for historic comparison and contrast. Each theme provides a context for students to explore how and why people make choices, and how people’s choices impact their lives and the lives of others. Overarching concepts and specific historical periods shape each study:

• Year One: Courage and Innovation
  The United States at the Turn of The Century: 1880 – 1930
• Year Two: Tradition and Transformation
  From Renaissance Europe to Colonial America
• Year Three: The Individual and Society
  Ancient Civilizations and the Foundations of Democracy

Technology: Technology complements the curriculum by providing alternative ways of explorating, completing and presenting work. Technology skills are applied in subject-matter learning, enabling students to acquire expertise in context. Students master problem-solving, choosing tools most appropriate for accomplishing a task efficiently, online research, synthesis and presentation skills through the Upper Elementary years.

Students at the Upper Elementary level use technology in the classroom for research, word processing, idea organization and presentation. They work collaboratively with various software programs and continue to receive guided instruction on the appropriate use of the Internet.

During weekly Science Lab classes, students use print and multimedia resources. They research topics of study, and then use various technologies to present their ideas to their peers, teachers and parents. Sixth-grade students use PowerPoint® to enliven the presentations of their Senior Projects.

Visual Arts: Art is a language that comes naturally to children, and the language of art is spoken at Kingsley from Early Childhood through the Upper Elementary years. Take a walk through the halls at Kingsley Montessori and you will be captivated by the student artwork on display. Lessons are designed to teach students a discreet set artistic principles and techniques, and to allow students to connect their lives as artists to classroom themes and projects.

Our students develop new skills and techniques during weekly visits to the art studio. Regular assemblies and exhibits provide opportunities to share work with the community. Performances by outside artists through our Cultural Enrichment Program also introduce students to a variety of artistic mediums.

Following a whole school project in September, Upper Elementary students explore the following topics in studio art:

First-Year Elementary:

• painted self-portraits
• 3D copper mask construction based on Ancient Egyptian Art
• textile weaving projects
• drawing
• printmaking
• art history

Second-Year Elementary

• self-portrait drawings
• textile tapestries
• Medieval art
• illustrated manuscripts
• drawing
• plein air sketching
• painting
• watercolor

Third-Year Elementary

• preliminary sketch techniques
• painting
• intricate Native American bead works on individual looms
• carving lino block prints
• mosaics
• art history
• sculpture
• textile prints
• Senior Class projectsPerforming Arts

During weekly music and drama classes, students explore varied performance genres, musical notation and composition. Students study the lives and music of composers, world music and blues and jazz, as well as character creation, public speaking skills, communication through scat singing and group storytelling. At weekly elementary assemblies, students join with their younger friends to build community through the arts. Performances by outside artists through our Cultural Enrichment Program also offer students opportunities to discover a variety of artistic media.

Physical Education: We encourage our students to develop a love of physical learning and discovery. Our physical education program uses state-of-the-art facilities to develop lifelong skills of fitness. Beginning in the Lower Elementary years, students participate in weekly swim and gym classes.

Our swim program is held at the MIT Athletic Center, where students explore water safety, basic lifesaving techniques and advanced swimming strokes. In January, Upper Elementary students take a break from swimming to explore indoor rock climbing at a licensed climbing gym.

The gym program in Upper Elementary begins with a cooperative games unit that focuses on developing teamwork and social skills, positive reinforcement, working as a group and working towards a goal. Cooperative learning skills support Kingsley’s philosophy and contribute to the development of practical life skills. Throughout the year, gym classes emphasize:

• endurance
• strength
• flexibility
• agility
• fitness
• team sport skills
• track and field skillsHealth

As students continue to develop an understanding of self and the human body, the health curriculum expands to include a focus on the human body and wellness, both physiologically and emotionally. Students in Upper Elementary follow the Pyramid Explorations curriculum, which focuses on the daily food guide pyramid and these topics:

• nutrition
• human body and development
• balanced meals and snacks
• the importance of calcium and other nutrients
• the challenges and rewards of early adolescence

Spanish: We view language as a tool for communicating and cultivating connections. Spanish is a core part of our curriculum, from the Early Childhood years through the Upper Elementary grades.
Studies show that children who begin a second language at an early age achieve a high degree of proficiency, gain a better understanding of the English language, improve their overall performance, become more flexible thinkers, use critical thinking skills effectively and display a better understanding and appreciation of cultural differences and social interactions. By the time students complete their Upper Elementary years at Kingsley, they are able to understand, converse, read and write in Spanish.

Upper Elementary students continue their study of Spanish in age-specific groups. We introduce concepts and structures sequentially, from simple conversational forms to more complex grammatical constructs. Students explore culture, art, music and the geography of Spanish-speaking nations. During their Upper Elementary years, students engage the study of Spanish in a dynamic, broad context:

Year-One Elementary

• reading, writing and reciting in Spanish
• learning grammatical structures
• studying housing of different Latin American countries
• exploring Puerto Rican history

Year-Two Elementary

• conducting conversations and making class presentations
• focusing on everyday objects involving family, friends and travel
• practicing guided and spontaneous writing
• exploring a cultural study of Mexico

Year-Three Elementary

• transitioning to learning Spanish through a textbook
• continuing the study of grammar and sentence structure
• exploring a cultural study of Ancient Incan cultures

Senior Project: Students in the sixth grade conduct a year-long research project designed as a mini-thesis. In the fall, students propose three topics of interest, and in consultation with their teachers and the Director of Elementary and Head of School, select a topic to investigate throughout the year. Guided by their classroom teachers, students create a timeline and independently plan, research, write and present their projects to the Kingsley community. The final presentation includes an oral report and PowerPoint® presentation.