With departmentalized style of learning, students remain in the same classroom for the first half of the day with classroom instruction in math, spelling, English, religion and specialist classes. In the afternoon, students rotate between classrooms for science and social studies. This method allows teachers to become more focused in their specialty subject and will also enable these teachers to work with students for more than one year in these subject areas, allowing them to better know the students and their specific needs.
The multiage component incorporates specialty and enrichment units into the curriculum quarterly, with each unit lasting one to two weeks. The multiage style of learning deliberately places students of different ages and abilities in the same classroom. The most important factor in this form of education emphasizes that students learn at different rates and in different ways. The classroom teachers plan and implement these units as a team rather than as teachers strictly for their grade level.
Much of the multiage philosophy is already part of the SMLS curriculum. Instruction, assignments and assessments are individualized to meet students’ needs specifically from an academic as well as social standpoint.
This approach to learning is a result of the continual research and investigation of educational practices and philosophies, and the desire to continually meet and exceed the needs of SMLS students.
Core Curriculum Components:
- Religion
- Reading/Literature
- English/Spelling
- Science/Health
- Music - specialist
- Art
- Computer
- Handwriting
- Mathematics
- Social Studies
- Library
- Physical Education - specialist
- Social Skills
*Enrichment opportunities are evaluated and offered when available and appropriate.
Students in grades 4 and 5 can be cast members in our annual spring musical. All students who wish to be in the performance will receive a speaking part. Kindergarten through 3rd grade are encouraged to participate in the chorus.
Grades 4 and 5 make an annual trip to the Environmental Learning Center (ELC) in November. The students spend two nights at ELC and participate in numerous environmental education experiences.