Upper Elementary

 

Students in Upper Elementary classroom, ages 9-12, continue the work begun in Lower Elementary, moving toward greater abstraction but still relying on experiential learning in all areas of study.

Scope of Work

The scope and pace of study in subject areas such as Math, Geometry, and Language Arts are individualized based on the student’s need. An excellent teacher to student ratio allows time for children to have small group and one on one lessons in these areas.

The sciences, history and geography expand at this level of Elementary as students spend more time with longer range experiments, project, and research. Students work through a three year curriculum cycle so that in their time in Upper Elementary they work on Physics, Biomes and Ecology, Animal and Plant Classification, Cell Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry in the Sciences, and Ancient Civilizations, Medieval Europe, Explorers, Colonial America, Settlers, and Michigan, in History and Geography. In Geography students cover physical earth, political geography, and geology.

Life Skills

As children mature Practical Life continues to focus on taking care of oneself and environment, but what started as tying and snapping is now taking initiative to request necessary lessons, planning one’s work week, asking for help when needed. These life skills prepare students to take on the responsibilities that come in adolescence and eventually adulthood.