Grades 2-4

Intellectual Adventurers

Elementary level teachers build on the foundation laid in previous grades by providing extended opportunities for independent learning. Students play a vital role in developing the curriculum through project-based themes and are encouraged to explore individual areas of interest. This thematic approach provides a powerful experience as students are directly invested in the intellectual process and have a more meaningful connection to, and mastery of, the subject matter.

With the guidance of teachers and mentors, students design their own ways to solve math problems, structure creative writing pieces, and organize individual projects. Children are encouraged to reflect on their learning and consider how they will apply it to their lives. By providing students with open-ended projects, teachers help students define problems, set goals, and learn time-management techniques in an atmosphere that celebrates inquiry and collaboration. The range of abilities is addressed by using a differentiated curriculum and fostering open communication among peers and between students and teachers.

In the second through fourth grades, a theme is sustained over an entire year. For example, during a study of "water," children examine the difference between mass and density, the many roles water plays in the life of our planet, and the human management of water. Throughout this unit, core subjects such as math, science, and language arts are incorporated into the water theme. The year culminates with each student writing a research report and designing a final project.