Programs

Upper Elementary

Upper Elementary

Grade 4-6

Dr. Maria Montessori

"The greatest gifts we can give our children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence"
In WSM’s Upper Elementary, healthy social, emotional, and physical development is encouraged through cross-level group activities and lessons. Growing intellectual capacity is matched by challenging concepts and curriculum.
Under the guidance of two Montessori certified teachers per classroom, Upper Elementary students are introduced to textbooks and continue to utilize advanced Montessori materials to master academic objectives. Homework is also introduced in the Upper Elementary program.
Setting West Side Montessori Upper Elementary classrooms apart from traditional grade 4-6 classrooms, students are able to control the order in which their work is completed resulting in a strong sense of personal responsibility for academic achievement and task completion.

Freedom within developmentally appropriate boundaries is a hallmark of a true Montessori classroom and Upper Elementary students learn to efficiently plan their time and independently direct their learning within a carefully curated curriculum. As a result, Upper Elementary students enjoy coming to school while tackling their transition to adolescence with a sense of confidence and self-direction.

West Side Montessori’s Upper Elementary curriculum includes robust instruction in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, Spanish or French, art, music, physical education, outdoor education, and technology. Each Upper Elementary classroom is staffed with two full-time Montessori certified teachers and a part-time classroom assistant, providing the small student-teacher ratio required to properly implement a highly-effective Montessori environment.

List of 5 items.

  • Language Arts

    Blended with Ohio’s Learning Standards for English Language Arts, novels and Storyworks magazine are used to teach literary elements such as genres, characterization, plot, theme, and conflict in the UE Montessori curriculum. Students set independent reading goals each trimester and take Accelerated Reader comprehension quizzes. Comprehension skills are developed through Specific Skills and Reading for Understanding. Additional vocabulary practice is incorporated through novels and the use of Sadlier.
     
    Upper Elementary grammar expands upon what the students learned about the 9 parts of speech in Lower Elementary and examine each part of speech in more depth. Daily Language Review and Daily Paragraph Editing are used to practice and refine grammar and punctuation.
     
    Students are given opportunities to explore different genres of writing through Writer’s Workshop time. There is an emphasis on expository (research) writing through Independent Investigation. Note-taking skills, creating an outline, writing a rough draft and final draft, and documenting sources are learned and reinforced throughout the process. Also, students create a visual aid and use speech note cards for an oral presentation. Writing is integrated throughout all academic areas.

  • Mathematics

    Montessori materials are used to introduce concepts to promote understanding, but the usage of materials is reduced as we bridge between the concrete of Lower Elementary and the abstract of Middle School.
    • 4th-level concepts: math vocabulary, place values, expanded numeral form, number sense, numeration, multiplication concepts, factors, 4-operations with unknown numbers, integers and absolute values, decimals, making and interpreting graphs, long division, fractions, order of operations, mean, median, mode, and range, exponents, and roots, area and perimeter, time and money.
    • 5th-level concepts: long division without remainders, multiplication and division of decimals, 4-operations with fractions, higher exponents, scientific notation, complex order of operations, distance, rate, volume, money, geometry, and review of concepts.
    • 6th-level concepts include Roman numerals, multi-based math, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, chance and probability, simplifying terms, algebraic expressions, parts of a circle, pi, polynomials, squaring binomials and trinomials, the Pythagorean theorem, and review of concepts.

  • Culture

    With an emphasis on developing research and reference skills, students collaborate in small groups to create written and oral presentations.
     
    History and Geography topics in 4th level include the Age of the Earth, Early Humans. Fifth-level studies are dedicated to the Ancient Civilizations of Mesopotamia, China, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. 6th-level topics include the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and exploration, Native Americans, and the colonization of North America.
     
    Science topics are presented in a 3-year cycle. The biology year concepts include the Kingdoms of Life, dissection, simple and complex body systems, and dissection
     
    The physical science year explores the Laws of Motion, physical and chemical changes, properties of solids, liquids, gasses, and plasma, The Periodic Table of Elements, parts of an atom, molecules, compounds, acids and bases, and includes a variety of experiments using the Scientific Method.
     
    The earth science year topics include layers of the Earth, earthquakes and volcanoes, the rock cycle, the power of water and wind causing erosion, the water cycle, weather, storms, layers of the atmosphere, and space, both inside and outside of our solar system.

  • World Language

    Upper Elementary students continue to study French or Spanish. 5th and 6th level classes meet three times a week and 4th level meets twice a week. World Language instructors weave storytelling, the dramatic arts, and literacy in an integrated program that builds fluency.
     
    A variety of innovative motivating factors, such as gesturing and choral speaking, encourage students to stay in the target language.

  • Co-curricular Subjects

    Outdoor education, art, music, physical education, and STEM classes are included in each child’s weekly schedule and are taught by specialists in each area of the curriculum. Band is offered in 5th level.
     
    Co-curricular specialists often work together to plan student performances.

Toledo Campus

Perrysburg Campus

West Side Montessori is an independent, accredited Montessori school educating children 13 months through 8th grade (preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, and middle school). We are one of the leading private schools in Toledo and the nation.

WSM does not discriminate on the basis of ethnic origin, race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability in the administration of its admission policy, educational policy, or any school-administered program.