Montessori Upper Elementary Curriculum

Our Upper Elementary class curriculum includes Language Arts, Math, Science, and History objectives. Extra-curricular offerings including P.E., Spanish, art, computer technology, and music are also incorporated for all students.

Specific Objectives for Upper Elementary Science

Zoology

1.00 Five Kingdoms of Living Things: Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plant, Animal
     1.10 Review of description by size, appearance, characteristics
     1.20 Comparison and contrast across kingdoms and over time
          1.20.1 Cell organization, mode of nutrition, movement, number of cells
          1.20.2 Review of life cycle per living thing
          1.20.3 Discuss issues of extinction
     1.30 Zoological classification including Chinese Box
2.00 Cell
     2.10 Characteristics of life: nutrition, respiration, absorption, excretion
     2.20 Comparison of plant and animal cells
     2.30 Cell structure and function: membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, nucleolus,
            endoplasmic reticulum, nuclear membrane, ribosome, Golgi apparatus,                 chromatin, lysosomes, mitochondria, vacuole, chloroplasts, centriole,
            cytoskeleton, microtubule
3.00 Vital Functions of Animals
     3.10 Classification and differentiation of chordate and non-chordate animals
     3.20 Identification, comparison, and differentiation
          3.20.1 Nutrition
          3.20.2 Respiration
          3.20.3 Circulation
          3.20.4 Sensitivity
          3.20.5 Support
          3.20.6 Reproduction
     3.30 Dissection to reinforce appropriate vital functions
            for amphibian, reptile, bird, and mammal
4.00 Systems of the Human Body
     4.10 Comparison of human body to Great River, government
     4.20 Identification, structure, components, purpose, and function
          4.20.1 Musculoskeletal
          4.20.2 Nervous
          4.20.3 Circulatory
          4.20.4 Respiratory
          4.20.5 Digestive and excretory
          4.20.6 Endocrine
          4.20.7 Reproductive
          4.20.8 Immune/Defense

Botany

1.00 Plant Classification
     1.10 Tradition vs vascular and non-vascular
     1.20 Differentiation by biomes
2.00 Plant Life
     2.10 Life cycles
     2.20 Review of parts of plant
3.00 Vital Functions of plants
     3.10 Nutrition
     3.20 Respiration
     3.30 Circulation
     3.40 Sensitivity
     3.50 Support
     3.60 Reproduction
4.00 Conservation of species
     4.10 Protective functions

Environmental Science

1.00 Water conservation
     1.10 Grey water
     1.20 Cisterns
2.00 Energy conservation
     2.10 Solar energy
     2.20 Geothermal energy
     2.30 Hydroelectric energy
     2.40 Wind
     2.50 Fuel cells
     2.60 Biomass
3.00 Waste conservation
     3.10 Recycling
     3.20 Composting
     3.30 Biodegradation

Astronomy and Earth Science

1.00 Astronomy
     1.10 Review of Universe, whole to part
     1.20 Review of solar system: planet order, characteristics
     1.30 Introduction to stars
          1.30.1 Constellations
          1.30.2 Mythology: Greek and Roman
     1.40 Astronomical Relationships
          1.40.1 Earth to sun (years, seasons)
          1.40.2 Earth to moon (months, phases of the moon, lunar calendars)
2.00 Planet Earth
     2.10 Timeline of life
          2.10.1 Fossil evidence
          2.10.2 Rock cycle: sedimentary, ignateous, metamorphic
     2.20 Origin of earth
          2.20.1 Theories
          2.20.2 Plate tectonics
  3.00 Weather and Meteorology
     3.10 Measurements and instruments
          3.10.1 Temperature, humidity
          3.10.2 Barometer, aerometer, thermometer, hydrometer
     3.20 Work of Air
          3.20.1 Layers of the Atmosphere
     3.30 Work of Water
          3.30.1 Water cycle
          2.30.2 Effects of water on landscape (erosion, freeze and thaw)
          3.30.3 Water conservation    
     3.40 Classification and identification of major cloud formations
     3.50 Types, causes, and safety measures for weather conditions
          3.50.1 Thunderstorms
          3.50.2 Hurricanes
          3.50.3 Tornadoes

Chemistry

1.00 Three States of Matter
     1.10 Definition and identification of solid ,liquid, gas
     1.20 Forces and how they act on matter: gravity, inertia
     1.30 Vocabulary and experiments for chemical and physical changes in matter
          1.30.1 Properties and changes observed through senses
     1.40 Creation of solutions
     1.50 Effect of heat on matter
2.00 Definition and experiments for acid and base
     2.10 Testing of liquids
     2.20 Testing of soil
3.00 Periodic Table of Elements
     3.10 Presentation of chart
     3.20 Periodic organization of chart
     3.30 Location and identification of common elements
4.00 Atomic Structure
     4.10 Vocabulary and identification of molecules and atoms
          4.10.1 Protons, electrons, neutrons
          4.10.2 Atomic diagram
     4.20 Chemical bonds
          4.20.1 Ionic and covalent
          4.20.2 Electron dot diagrams

Physics

1.00 Electricity
     1.10 Where electricity is used
     1.20 Observation of whole to part: lamp to bulb to filament
     1.30 Existence of circuit for electricity to flow
     1.40 Definition, observation and experiments: conductors, circuits, electron             and flow, static electricity, electrical charges and generators
2.00 Observation of and experiments for magnets
     2.10 Magnetic north
     2.20 Magnetic field and force
     2.30 Relationship of magnetism and electricity
3.00 Theory and purpose of gravity
     3.10 Center of gravity
     3.20 How size, weight, size, and mass affect gravity
     3.30 Falling objects
4.00 Definition and experiments for buoyancy and changes in buoyancy
5.00 Balance
     5.10 Scientific scale, gram scale
     5.20 Making predictions and estimations
     5.30 Balancing point and center of gravity
6.00 Definition of and manipulation of seven simple machines
7.00 Flight
     7.10 Principles and forces acting upon flight
     7.20Air foil, lift, wind
     7.30 Effect of air speed, air pressure
8.00 Light (spectrum, ultraviolet, transparent, and opaque)
     8.10 How light moves/travels
     8.20 Effect and use of light filters
     8.30 Mirror effect
9.00 Sound
     9.10 Propagation of wave: speed (frequency), pitch (amplitude)
     9.20 Experiments with sound through different states of matter
     9.30 How sound can be affected or changed
10.00 Heat
     10.10 Conduction of heat energy
     10.20 How gas pressure affects heat
     10.30 Energy changes
11.00 Motion
     11.10 Causes of movement
     11.20 Mass and kinetic energy
     11.30 Influences on motion: weight, texture, inertia, friction
     11.40 Newton’s Law of Action & Reaction
     11.50 Movement of air

Scientific Process and Principles

1.00 Observation
     1.10 Whole/part relationships reinforced and highlighted
     1.20 Experiences within prepared classroom environment
     1.30 Experiences in natural environment: nature walks, field trips
     1.40 Experiences involving all five senses
2.00 Classification
     2.10 Grouping ideas, concepts, options, etc.
     2.20 Research process
     2.30 Synthesis
3.00 Measurement and Quantification
     3.10 Identify, calibrate, and utilize scientific instruments for data collection
     3.20 Analyze data for reliability
     3.30 Quantify experimental
4.00 Inference and Prediction
     4.10 Identify possible outcomes
     4.20 Identify probable outcomes, with educated prediction
     4.30 Infer future outcomes, possible sequelae
     4.40 Utilize deductive and inductive reasoning
5.00 Experimentation
     5.10 Self-directed trials through prepared classroom environment
     5.20 Group trials on random environmental topics
     5.30 Annual participation in science fair project
     5.40 Hypothesis generation
     5.50 Create research process to prove or disprove hypothesis
     5.60 Complete research/experiment protocol/procedures
6.00 Questioning, Evaluation, and Presentation
     6.10 Analyze results/data for compatibility with premise
     6.20 Evaluate entire research process for reliability, errors in judgment, etc.
     6.30 Individual interests encouraged for presentation during share time
     6.40 Oral and written presentation for science fair project

* CHEMISTRY and PHYSICS are two areas that readily lend themselves to experiments and to the Scientific Process. Students are encouraged to consider/test any idea they identify throughout the entire curriculum.