|
While the early grades of 1-4 are a journey of learning skills and form, the upper grades are expanding more into freedom with students creating their own specialized projects in different subjects. This philosophy comes from knowing the stages of development of the child. The Fifth through Eighth grade student are exploring greater self-discovery and awareness of their relationship to the world around them.
An outline of the subjects brought in the upper grades at Golden Bridges is below: Fifth GradeFifth Graders have a dynamic interest in the world and they need to be inspired in an ennobled way; they thrive on goodness and beauty, seeking truth and striving to imbue their entire world with these virtues. As a picture, the Fifth Grader is like a fine musical instrument that is beginning the process of being tuned. This is a slow and deliberate process, requiring rhythmic evaluations and direction, for the children easily stray onto divergent paths. As one string is being tuned, it is necessary to step back, recheck and see if the others are still in tune. Each individual finding balance results in a harmonious whole. The curriculum traces the evolution of human consciousness through the millennia and across the globe. Fifth Grade is a year of balance, flexibility and harmony.
Language Arts: Composition, outlines, study of plots and characters, grammar, speech and drama Literature: Mythology of ancient cultures Mathematics: Calculations with fractions and decimals, geometric drawing, measurement, prime numbers, triangular numbers Science: Botany History: India, Persia, Mesopotamia, Egypt and Greece Geography: North American geography Spanish: Physical Education: Pentathlon training includes long jump, javelin throwing, discus, running and wrestling Handwork: Knitting with four needles and woodwork Art: Drawing, painting and clay modeling Music: String orchestra and wind ensemble, singing 3 and 4 part harmony Field Trips: Overnight camping for study of California history continued - Bio-regional studies of geography, natural sciences, community building and self-confidence Sixth GradeSixth graders beginning middle school seek balance between their own individuality and their desire to belong. Structure and form in 6th Grade curriculum provide much-needed balance for the students’ polarities of feeling, e.g. joy and sorrow, calm and frustration, etc. The order provided addresses the students’ newly emerging sense of self as they turn from looking outward into the world to looking inward and becoming more conscious of the two. At this time, however, the students’ evolving capacity for critical thinking is in the initial stages — the dawning intellect can be noted in their insightful answers and ability to truly understand cause and effect. A sense of lawfulness permeates the 6th grade curriculum. It is observed in such geometric constructions as the division of a circle; in the patterns of the night sky in astronomy; when studying sound, light, warmth and cold - observable phenomena in the study of physics. In addition, it is seen in the upholding of the chivalrous code by the knights of the Medieval Ages.
Language Arts: Research and expository writing, business writing, speech and drama Literature: Roman mythology and Arthurian legends Mathematics: Geometry, fractions, decimals, measurement (metric), business math, exponents and roots, ratios, percentages, preparation for algebra Science: Physics, astronomy and geology History: Roman and medieval history Geography: Global geography Spanish: Formal grammar, dictation, comprehensive reading, individualized dialogue, and expanded vocabulary, reading, spelling practice, poems and songs Physical Education: Circus arts including juggling, balance skills, acrobatics, gymnastics and team sports including volleyball, soccer and basketball Handwork: Hand sewing a stuffed animal Music: Recorder, singing and string ensemble Art: Charcoal drawing, painting, clay modeling Seventh GradeSeventh Grade is a year of exploration, awakening and discovery. Seventh graders often feel strongly that they are no longer children, but neither are they fully capable of holding onto their new elusive maturity. Seventh Graders can feel emotionally adrift at times, and usually turn to each other for guidance and support. Our curriculum works across all subjects to echo the energy of your seventh grader, including a deep dive into another time of remarkable discovery— the Renaissance. The joy of discovery is linked to history with the study of inspiring biographies such as Joan of Arc and through perspective drawing. While their feeling-life is met through history and biographies, the physical-nature is met working in the sciences: Introduction of chemistry and continuation of physics. In the language arts, creative writing is explored more deeply. Throughout this journey of discovery there is an attempt to raise the drive and thinking of the students to reach further in all aspects of what they do and how they act.
Language Arts: Creative writing and composition, grammar, speech and drama Literature: Classics, biographies, creative writing and poetry Mathematics: Ratios, negative numbers, absolute value, graphing, algebra, powers, roots, business math Science: Physics, chemistry, human physiology and nutrition History: The Renaissance and The Reformation Geography: African geography Spanish: Each student compiles a portfolio that showcases their understanding of grammar, phonetics, vocabulary and culture Physical Education: Circus arts including juggling, balance skills, acrobatics and gymnastics and team sports including volleyball, soccer and basketball. Handwork: Wet-felting wool slippers and woodworking Music: Recorder, singing and string ensemble Art: Painting, clay modeling, charcoal and perspective drawing Eighth GradeEighth grade is the culmination of childhood and it is seen as a crowning year, a springboard into high school readiness and young adulthood.The students are more deeply immersed into adolescence and are met with a curriculum which nourishes their growing curiosity, competence, and thinking while supporting the challenges and wonders they may be experiencing as individuals. The eighth grade curriculum is designed to help the students know the modern world: from history to science to literature; the aim is to help the thirteen and fourteen year-olds feel at home in the present world with their emerging individualities. Throughout the year, eighth graders are recognized as responsible and active citizens of our school community, serving as first grade buddies and volunteering within the school. A highlight of the year is the eighth-grade project, where students propose a subject for exploration, source and work with an independent mentor, and present the results to the school community.
To celebrate your eighth grader’s maturity and self-reliance, the school year ends with an extended wilderness and service trip. Language Arts: Short story writing, composition, grammar, speech and drama Literature: Shakespeare Mathematics: Ratios, negative numbers, absolute value, graphing, algebra, powers, roots, business math Science: Physics, chemistry, meteorology and human fertility History: Industrial revolution, American history Geography: Global geography Spanish: Each student compiles a portfolio that showcases their understanding of grammar, phonetics, vocabulary and culture Physical Education: Circus arts including juggling, balance skills, acrobatics, gymnastics and team sports such as volleyball, soccer and basketball. Handwork: Machine quilting and sewing Music: Recorder, singing and string ensemble Art: Acrylic painting, clay modeling, charcoal and form drawing |
|