Upper Elementary
Upper
Elementary: Grades 4 –5 (children from approximately 8 to 10 years of age)
Children
in grade 4 and 5 are entering the important transition years between childhood
and preadolescence. Academically, they
are consolidating skills acquired at the primary level, while at the same time
learning and developing new academic skills and concepts that will prepare them
for what lies ahead in middle school and high school.
The
program closely follows the Ontario Curriculum guidelines. In addition to the
core academic subjects of reading, writing, and arithmetic, the curriculum also
includes: science, social studies, Mongolian, art, drama, music, and physical
education. A strong emphasis is placed upon organizational skills, research
skills, and the development of good work/study habits. Computers are used as an
educational resource, and special events, field trips and extra-curricular
activities round out the program. The structured program and small class size
allow for the potential of each student to be maximized.
Ongoing
assessments allow us to evaluate our teaching and to monitor the academic
achievement of our students.. Formal written report cards are issued to parents
three times a year with teachers providing anecdotal summaries of individual
student achievement. Regular parent-teacher conferences are scheduled to allow
for personal insights to be shared.
The
school day is divided into three parts consisting of: English Language Arts;
Mathematics; and Science/Social Studies. Classes are heterogeneous in order for
children to be able to learn from and with each other and to support each
others strengths. The first 15 minutes of the day is devoted to home room time,
with the teacher being the advocate of the children in that class.