Upper Elementary Parent Night2013-2014 School YearSeptember 11, 2013

Tonight’s Agenda• Introductions• Annual Giving • IslandWood Overview • Guiding Principles of Upper Elementary

Curriculum as applied to the Whole ChildTransition to Cedar, Cypress, and Birch

Classrooms• UE Year Long Curriculum• Nuts and Bolts • Q & A• 8:30…6th Year Parent Meeting – Island Project

Whole Child Approach• WMS is a community

of lifelong learners dedicated to facilitating the optimal intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual development of children using Montessori and contemporary educational methods.

SocialEmotionalPhysicalSpiritualIntellectual

9-12 Year Old

• More socially aware of self and others and place

• Testing boundaries (big time!)

• Ability to get what they need out of others

• Need for attention

• Increased socialization

• Higher ability to collaborate

• Increased empathy and compassion

• Intense need for independence

• Acknowledgement and acceptance of differences

Social, Emotional and Spiritual Development

Social, Emotional and Spiritual Development

UE Curriculum• Self-awareness and –

regulation• Group work• Actively connecting

students with others• Literature• Current events• Accountability for

deadlines• Working at own pace and

level

• Community Meeting

• Conflict resolution• Culture of respect• Practice acceptance• Ethical dilemmas• Give positive

attention

Physical Development9-12 Year Old

• Movement is paramount

• Onset of puberty• Need for sleep

changes dramatically from less to more

• Self care and appearance becomes increasingly more important

• Will use somatic complaints to avoid things

UE Curriculum• Freedom of refined

movement• Family Life and Sexual

Health (F.L.A.S.H.)• Setting Boundaries &

Sexual Harassment• Dress code• P.E., Swimming

Lessons• Community

contributions• Overnight Trip

“Exercise increases oxygen flow into the brain, which reduces

brain-bound free radicals . . . An increase in oxygen is always accompanied by an uptick in

mental sharpness.”

-Dr. John Medina,Brain Rules

Intellectual Development9-12 Year Old

• Ability and interest in “Big Projects”

• Need to “go out” – connecting with the greater world

• Movement towards abstraction

• Deeper critical thinking

• Basic Skills continued

UE Curriculum• Big Picture of Year

Long Curriculum• Cultural Curriculum

driving the academics

• Instruction (individual, small and large groups, differentiation)

• 6th Year Exit Project• Academic

Outcomes

Please retire to your child’s classroom. (6th Year Meeting starts in the Plaza at 8:30p.m.)

Curriculum Areas

MathIndividualized

Operations range from basic to pre-algebra

Geometry

Math Facts

Review

Problem Solving

LanguageWriting

Reading Comprehension

Grammar

Mechanics

Analogies

Word Study

Practical LifeArt

Peace EducationGeographyHistory

ScienceInformation Literacy

Curriculum Areas

Curriculum SpecialistsArt

Music

Spanish

Technology

Physical Education

Swimming Lessons

“The child has a great passion to learn. If he did not, how could he find his bearings in the world? The child has natural propensities – what we might call instincts, vital drives, or

inner energies – that give him a power of observation, a passion for certain

things and not for others.”

-Dr. Maria Montessori,Education and Peace

What can we do to support our students?Parent Responsibility• Initiate communication to teachers • Provide lots of healthy food for breakfast, lunch and snacks• Monitor what comes to school in backpacks and lunchboxes

(no electronics please)• Get to class on time• Quick goodbye + use the car line = greater independence• Provide time, space and possible coaching for homework daily• Correct Spectrum Math homework by Thursday night• Provide time and coaching for Vocabulary test on 2nd Friday• Provide modeling, time, and expectation for reading at home

Nuts and BoltsVolunteers

• Room Parents• Volunteer Training• Need for:• Vocab Correcting • Special Events • Halloween Party• Festival of Lights• Auction Projects

• In-Class Practical Life• Material Making

Field Trips• Orienteering• 21 Acres partnership• IslandWood Outdoor

School• Seattle Children’s

Theater• Guest speakersPossibilities . . .• Seattle Art Museum• Pacific Science Center

Nuts and BoltsCommunication

• Email• Office Hours• Leave a voice mail• Messages from Front

Desk• Excused Tardy or

Absence• Goal Setting

Conferences in September (Doodle)

• Conferences in January

Special Events• Science Fair• Family Outings• Community Service• Hopelink• Student Led

• Celebrations• Halloween Party• Thanksgiving Feast• Festival of Lights• Math Curriculum Night