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Kingsley’s elementary students acquire and master lifelong
skills of learning. Throughout their Upper Elementary years, children
become adept at planning and organizing their work independently.
As they complete an assignment or study, they are introduced to
new skills and concepts that extend and deepen their thinking and
understanding of the world around them. The core values of the program
are independence, self-esteem and respect for others.
Each classroom at Kingsley reflects the the ways children learn
and exemplify the benefits of careful planning:
- Multi-age groupings encourage children to take on new challenges,
develop self-confidence and serve as role models for their classmates.
Once children master a concept or skill, they are given the opportunity
to demonstrate their mastery by teaching other children.
- Classroom materials reflect many levels of understanding
and reinforce independent learning.
- Individual or small group lessons are given during long
work periods, allowing children to learn a new skill or concept
and then practice it within moments to reinforce their understanding.
- Students progress at their own rate, moving ahead when ready,
or taking the time to internalize new concepts and skills without
concern for their classmates’ pace.
- The design of the classroom allows for children to work
independently in study centers, in small groups, or in open areas
on the floor, depending on the nature of their studies and the materials
they are using.
Throughout their Elementary years, Kingsley students explore the
world as scientists, authors, mathematicians, geographers, anthropologists,
historians, artists, athletes, actors, musicians and Spanish speakers.
Teachers are present at all times to guide, encourage and assess
children as they work to fortify skills and concepts, and take on
new challenges. Teachers in Kingsley classrooms are advocates, guides
and friends.
The Upper Elementary classrooms comprise students in grades 4,
5 and 6. There are 20 children and two teachers in each classroom.
Teachers are fully certified and work as a team to meet the academic,
social and emotional needs of their students. Teachers in the Arts
and Sciences, including music, drama, art, science, health, library
and technology, also support the learning in each classroom. Beginning
in Preschool and continuing through Sixth Grade, students learn
to speak, read and write in Spanish.
Kingsley provides an integrated, individualized and academically
challenging program that meets the changing developmental needs
of the elementary child. In the Upper Elementary classroom, children
build on their broad base of knowledge, constructed with the help
of Montessori materials and best practices, by incorporating other
educational practices into their learning. Students in grades 4-6
work with textbooks to learn a common method of receiving information.
They practice the skills of test-taking and literary analysis. Introducing
multiple perspectives and approaches at this stage of children’s
development honors Upper Elementary students’ growing sophistication
and curiosity.
Honoring children at their appropriate academic, social, emotional
and physical stages of development is at the heart of a Kingsley
education from children’s earliest years through their graduation.
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