Upper Elementary: Grades 4–6

The math curriculum in the Upper Elementary program includes arithmetic, geometry, and pre-algebra. Upper Elementary teachers initially observe and assess each student’s skill level to determine student placement in the curriculum. Students learn basic operations, math facts, fractions, decimals, word problems, measurement, ratio and proportion, percentages, graphing tables and charts, rounding and averaging, as well as geometry and pre-algebra. Students improve upon their problem-solving skills by working collaboratively. The Upper Elementary math curriculum is built to ensure that all students are challenged appropriately, while progressing toward higher mathematical thinking. Sixth grade students participate daily in one of two math classes offered with the Middle School math teacher.

The Upper Elementary language curriculum fosters the growth and development of receptive and expressive language. Students continue to develop skills in essay writing, stylistic writing, research and report writing, creative writing, and analytical and critical thinking. Sentence analysis and diagramming using manipulative grammar materials continues through the language curriculum. Choices of literature complement other areas of the Upper Elementary curriculum including history, cultural studies, and social skills. Comprehension, reading aloud, and group discussion skills are reinforced, and techniques for literary criticism are introduced. Each student completes an in-depth research project on a topic of personal interest that culminates in a written report and presentation to the community.

The purpose of ELA in Upper Elementary is for students to transition from learning to read to reading to learn. Through focused lessons in reading comprehension, writing, grammar and vocabulary, students continue to build skills and gain independence in literacy. In the fourth and fifth years, students work in guided reading groups and continue to explore the writing process through a more creative lens while writing short pieces connected to content. There is more of a focus on spelling and grammar skills during this two year cycle. In the 6th year, ELA work becomes truly interdisciplinary as students learn reading, research and writing skills that help them to craft their MMUN position papers, write Lab Reports for Environmental Science, and analyze literature.

The Upper Elementary history curriculum is a three year cycle which covers each of the seven continents and consists of three basic units:

• Creation of the universe, humans, migration and ancient civilizations
• Civilization, exploration and early colonization of North and South America
• Colonization beyond Jamestown leading to the creation of the United States, and the early challenges of becoming an independent nation.

The purpose of History and Geography in Upper Elementary is for students to better understand the “how” and “why” behind many of the natural and human-made aspects of our global community. Through our work in these areas, students develop their understanding of world cultures, natural and political geography, and seek to understand the events of the past which have helped to shape civilization today.

In the fourth and fifth years, students engage in work designed to enhance their practical vocabulary in these areas, help understand the foundations of modern civilization both globally and in the United States, and continue their exploration of our planet from Lower Elementary through hands-on projects and simulations. In the 6th year, this work culminates with a global civics curriculum which exposes students to different forms of government and social organization as well as engages them in
international problem solving through Montessori Model United Nations (MMUN).

The Upper Elementary science curriculum is a three year cycle that is designed to provide an overview for students of botany, zoology, earth science, and human
biology which will be explored in more depth in Middle School.

Upper Elementary students use the scientific method to design their own experiments to present at the Oak Meadow Science Fair held each spring. Additionally, sixth grade students may continue to regional and state level science fairs.

The Upper Elementary geography curriculum is a three year cycle which covers
each of the seven continents and consists of three basic units:

• Economic geography explores natural resources, their use and the interdependency of humans
• Physical geography explores the Earth’s composition and its relationship with the sun, advanced land and water forms, biomes, continents and countries
• Cultural geography explores regions, cultures and the Fundamental Needs of Humans

The Upper Elementary Spanish curriculum expands upon the four basic skills of language acquisition: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students continue to practice their conversation skills through skits and interactions with each other, and with the teacher. Card games, Lotería, and customized theme board games serve as a fun way to reinforce vocabulary and dialogue. Classes meet twice a week. The curriculum is guided by a monthly theme that may include vocabulary, reading and writing assignments, and cultural units, which include exploration of regional food and dance.

Beginning in the sixth grade, regular homework and project assignments are given. Students also begin to take quizzes to prepare them for Middle School. In addition to the expansion of vocabulary, students learn to conjugate regular verbs in the present tense, and learn to form the simple future tense. They also learn the irregular verbs ir and ser and the correct use of estar. Reading in Spanish is practiced in the classroom and assigned at home. Writing extends to include creating flash cards, making regular entries in a personal reference journal, practicing translation skills, and completing grammar reinforcing exercises.

Social and emotional learning, as defined by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), includes self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, responsible decision-making and relationship skills. The development of these skills helps to promote positive social interaction and conflict resolution and additionally is directly related to successful learning. Social and emotional concepts include cooperation, responsibility, teamwork, community, kindness, impulse control, conflict resolution, self-care, and acceptance. Lessons are taught through projects, role-playing, experiential learning, visual cues, and guided discussions, in small groups, by grade level or with the entire Upper Elementary Program.

Upper Elementary students attend art classes by grade level, once a week. Students continue to develop a deep understanding of materials and processes in order to independently pursue projects of their own design, as well as achieve competency while working on class projects. The teacher provides a foundation in which students work independently on projects of their choice. Studio Habits of Mind (HGSE) are used as a framework for further investigation and collaboration. Awareness of art history and art as an expression of culture continues to be important at this level.

Upper Elementary fourth and fifth year students begin the year with an extended band unit every fall term, in which students learn to play wind instruments of their choice, in preparation for joining Oak Meadow’s optional Concert Band. The winter term includes a unit in Caribbean music, playing and writing music for steel pan drums from Trinidad, and learning syncopation through calypso, reggae and soca styles. The year concludes with a combined drama and music unit, in which students perform a fully staged African folk tale play, in conjunction with a musical composition unit that centers around understanding modal systems, with each individual writing original music on the kalimba, a type of African thumb piano.

Sixth year students have a weekly Music & Drama Class consisting of performance or project-based units that vary each year, depending upon student interest and can include Vocal Music Ensemble, Music Instrument Building, Song-Writing and Composition, Music History, and Group ‘Ukulele and Ocarina Classes.

In addition to weekly classes, Upper Elementary students have various musical opportunities before and after the school day, including Concert Band, Concert Choir, and private lessons in vocal performance and a wide variety of instruments. Upper Elementary students also have an opportunity to participate in a full-scale musical theater production after school, with Lower Elementary and Middle School students. Recent shows have included Frozen, Seussical, Peter Pan, Madagascar, The Lion King, Alice in Wonderland, Charlotte’s Web, and The Aristocats.

Movement and developing a healthy lifestyle are at the heart of our program. Upper Elementary students attend physical education classes by grade twice a week. Students at this level continue to refine simple locomotor skills. Emphasis is placed on improving knowledge and specific sport skills needed to perform in individual, group and team sports. Students continue to develop greater muscular strength, endurance, flexibility, and cardio-respiratory endurance, which prepares them for physical fitness testing. Sixth years also participate in health education classes.

Field trips are an integral part of the Upper Elementary curriculum and include excursions to local places of interest as well as the annual overnight experience at Nature’s Classroom. Sixth years participate in an art-science focused trip to Western Massachusetts and Cape Cod in the spring. During their visit, students study and connect art and environmental science by visiting museums, Woods Hole, the National Seashore and other area establishments.

Service to the community as a practical life concept takes on an increasingly important role in Upper Elementary. As lessons in grace and courtesy continue, so does an emphasis on community service. Upper Elementary students develop a deep commitment to their community. They take on active roles in caring for their environments, setting community expectations, and supporting their larger communities within the building and outside of Oak Meadow School.

Upper Elementary students continually take care of their learning environments through daily chores and responsibilities. Students also learn to manage their time by completing homework and long-term projects such as book reports, year-long projects, and preparing for the Science Fair. They use planners to keep track of their daily schoolwork. While students do not participate in standardized testing for the sake of scores, they are exposed to test-taking skills and strategies to prepare them for high school and beyond.

Hands-on challenges that invite students to collaborate to solve real-world problems while applying the engineering design process, scientific method and their academic knowledge are the vehicles by which students experience Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Students work in the laboratory weekly, where they use scientific equipment and their developing experience of the process to discover the world around them.

Nature-based learning is incorporated into the Upper Elementary Science/STEM curriculum. Students participate in monthly adventures, in all kinds of weather, exploring local conservation land, focusing on forest and vernal pool ecology, animal tracking and foraging. Nature-based learning experiences allow students to understand and appreciate the outdoors and to develop a sense of place within the natural environment.