Redesigning the Upper Elementary Integrated Humanities Cycle

One of the hallmarks of Kingsley’s Upper Elementary Curriculum is an integrated and thematic humanities cycle. Literature, writing, cultural, and social-emotional lessons share a guiding theme each year, with the goal that every student develops an interdisciplinary approach to learning. 

At Kingsley, we believe that one of the hallmarks of excellent teaching is the willingness to pause, reflect, and refine. Best practice in education calls for schools to revisit and revamp their curriculum every few years to ensure that students are receiving the highest quality instruction—rigorous, thoughtful, and engaging. This past year, over multiple Professional Development days, the Kingsley Upper Elementary team embraced that challenge, working together to reimagine and consolidate their four-year curriculum into a robust three-year thematic cycle. 

The result is a comprehensive program that is both deeply meaningful and aligned with state and national standards. Teachers carefully examined each unit to identify key objectives and guiding statements, ensuring that every lesson connects back to essential skills and understandings. Many curricula focus on rote memorization of dates, timelines, or quick facts, whereas at Kingsley, our curriculum emphasizes lasting impressions—lessons that resonate with students and help them see connections across history, literature, and the world around them.

Claire Harris, Director of Elementary Education, is incredibly proud of this update. “This work honors the Montessori three-year cycle,” she shares. “Every Upper Elementary student will now move through the same three themes during their time in Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Grade, regardless of their starting point.”

The benefits of this redesign are wide-ranging:

• Continuity and Concision: Cutting out repetitive content ensures that each year is full of fresh and engaging units, allowing students to explore topics more deeply.
   
• Relevance in Context: By decoupling the curriculum from the presidential election cycle, students can study civics through varied and authentic lenses, such as local and midterm elections.
   
• Teacher Expertise: A streamlined program improves instructional success. New Upper Elementary teachers will gain full curriculum fluency within three years, rather than four, accelerating their ability to deliver rich and consistent instruction.

Above all, the new thematic cycle provides students with a sense of purpose in their studies. It allows them to engage in big-picture thinking, to grapple with enduring questions, and to connect their learning to their lives. This is education that stays with them—not just until the next test, but for years to come.

“The entire team was excited to have the opportunity to look critically at our curriculum and make positive changes to best meet the needs of our students. We will continue to weave in elements of the classic Montessori Great Lessons and uphold Kingsley’s tradition of excellence in public speaking. Our alumni will be happy to hear that the puppet shows, skits, speeches, and gallery walks have not gone anywhere!” 

–Lucy Kapples, Upper Elementary Teacher

“Geography will continue to be a major focus each year, and I’m excited for students to do a deeper dive into U.S. geography. We’ll use our home city of Boston as a jumping off point to explore migration patterns, governments and elections, cultural renaissance, and more.”

–Hadley Catalano Manning, Upper Elementary Teacher

The three-year curriculum continues to prioritize the Kingsley values of curiosity, independence, confidence, and responsible citizenship. The global perspective offered by Kingsley’s Upper Elementary humanities cycle is unique in the Boston area, and is foundational to our graduates' success in middle school and beyond. 

“One of the things I’m most proud of is the way Kingsley’s humanities curriculum partners with local institutions. As a city school just a short walk from the Boston Public Library’s central branch, our students have the enormous privilege to work closely with the experts at the Leventhal Map & Education Center. Having access to incredible primary sources, like early census maps of Boston, expands our students’ research skills and deepens their personal connection to the subject matter. Additionally, experience in the library archives is yet another opportunity for our students to practice navigating the world with care, respect, and confidence.”

-Claire Harris

We look forward to sharing additional curriculum updates throughout the year. If you’d like to learn more about the Upper Elementary curriculum, we invite you to visit our Upper Elementary webpage here. Thanks for reading!