The Golden Grove School Curriculum
If the ideas of the Universe be presented to the child in the right way, it will do more for him than just arouse his interest, for it will create in him admiration and wonder, a feeling loftier than any interest and more satisfying.
Sciences
In the Golden Grove classroom the children move through a series of ‘great lessons’, students will study the universe in its entirety—from the creation of the universe, to the beginnings of life and the evolution of man. These great lessons are taught integrating all of the curriculum areas using language, mathematics, science, geography, history, biology and the arts to investigate and communicate theses concepts. Children discover all things have a special job, a ‘cosmic task’, children learn they also have a ‘cosmic task’ in the preservation and betterment of this universe.
The great lessons consist of:
- the creation of the universe;
- the coming of life;
- the coming of humans;
- the story of language and writing;
- the story of numbers.
Within these lessons a sequence of key lessons in botany, zoology, physical science, history and geography are presented to break down in further detail the grand ideas presented in each lesson.
Language
The Golden Grove curriculum is tailored to the needs of 6–12 year old children. Children will explore the history of language and how it relates to them as a young reader, writer and speaker.
Children will be exposed to a variety of writing and will read and be read to from a wide range of literature. They will learn to identify the parts of grammar and how to use them in language. Children will learn how to write effectively and learn the value of expressing their thoughts, feelings and ideas in their writing.
Children gain a solid understanding of the mechanics of writing including: the use of capitals, periods, apostrophes, commas and quotations. Our word study activities give children further tools for understanding language and using it effectively. For example, the study of compound words, suffix, prefix, antonyms, synonyms, homophones, homograph, singular-plural words and masculine-feminine words.
Mathematics
Mathematics in the Golden Grove School classroom gives the children the background and history of mathematics. It allows children to move through the curriculum in a logical systematic way moving from concrete materials to abstract ideas, concepts and operations which build upon each other. The mathematics lessons and practise work rely heavily on the Montessori mathematics materials that are orderly, attractive, empowering and engaging. The mathematics curriculum includes the teaching of the history of mathematics, number identification, place value, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions and decimals and geometry.