Near North Montessori:Upper School
9-12 Program
"The child explores the boundaries of the problem to come to an understanding."
Students of the upper elementary delve deeper and with greater detail and exactness into their subject areas. The "time line" approach learned in the lower level is used in social studies and science as a way to organize information. Detailed study of botany and zoology build on the study of life on Earth.
Math functions - fractions, decimals, percentile work, study of area - are applied to problem solving in reality. The computer is introduced as a tool for graphing and the children learn to develop basic programming for logo. Geometry becomes a basis to derive approximate math theorems.
The study of literature explores different types of fiction, folktales and storytelling. Interpretation of the meaning of stories goes beyond simple comprehension of sequence of events to include philosophical, moral and dramatic intent. The children analyze and practice different writing styles.
The children choose and participate in community projects and experience playing an active role in working with a community outside the boundaries of the classroom. Parliamentary rules are learned and used in class meetings. Artistic expression through performance, drawing and design are integral to the program, serving as essential components of the curriculum.
The year culminates in Wisconsin where students participate in Nature's Classroom.
Each area is constantly interrelated with other subjects and kept in historical perspective. In this manner students study the accumulated wisdom of the ages and feel their importance in taking their place in society.