Meadow Montessori's upper elementary program, the Intermediate Class, is structured for children ages 9-12. It covers the traditional grades of fourth through sixth. The Intermediate Class, like the Junior Class, emphasizes the use of Montessori materials over the use of textbooks. However, it is in this classroom that children are first introduced to textbooks. After children have a firm understanding of a concept -- in any academic area -- textbook work is introduced as an additional aid.

Reading                                           
Reading is not a "subject" in the Intermediate Class. Reading is what reading is -- a tool with which we can learn, discover and celebrate the world and ourselves. Reading is completely integrated into the classroom curriculum at this level. In the event that a student is experiencing particular difficulty with a specific skill, we do use the Barnell-Loft Skill Series as an addition to our program. For a look at the types of literature used, please consult the history portion of this curriculum.

Grammar                                       
In the first year of the Intermediate Class (traditional fourth grade), the young student begins to look at the function of words at a more advanced level. Taking each part of speech, he/she now does the work of advanced classification. Taking all the nouns in the world, for example, we can classify them into two main categories and three smaller sub-categories. Adjectives can be one of seven different kinds. The greatest piece of work at this time is the study of verb conjugation.

In the second year, we move ahead with the parts of a sentence. We begin the year by classifying sentences by type-- declarative, interrogative etc. We analyze phrases and learn the basics of diagramming sentences.

The third year of the Intermediate Class brings the work of analyzing clauses and phrases. All types of sentence complements are studied and diagrammed. This work is supported with activities from a text.

Mathematics                               
The first-year student in the Intermediate classroom brings with him/her a strong basis in arithmetic. This year is spent solidifying the skills of all four operations at an abstract level. The children work with decimals and are introduced to the Decimal Board, as well as the Decimal Checkerboard. Multiples and factors are important to master at this time and are introduced with the Montessori Pegboard. Students work from a mathematical textbook -- Saxon Math 54 -- for the first time during this year.

The second-year students in this classroom advance in their mathematical skills with the study of more complex arithmetic. Large multiplication and long division problems are done abstractly (without materials). Montessori math materials are still very important at this time and the students work extensively with powers and square root.

At the same time, fractions become very important. At the end of this year, students are adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions. Story problems are emphasized as well as practical problem-solving. In addition to the Montessori math presentations, the students work from the textbook -- Saxon Math 65.

The third-year students continue their work in the Saxon Math series with Saxon Math 76. We chose to use the Saxon series because it very successfully combines arithmetic, problem-solving and geometry in every lesson. The Montessori materials are used to present every new concept that appears in the text. Square root and cube are two very complex mathematical concepts that are mastered at this level. Often a student will have performed a mathematical operation with a Montessori material many times, but is "thrown" when this same operation appears in a text. This is the year that bridges the work of the materials to the work of the text, and vice-versa. The student must know how to work using Montessori materials, as well as working abstractly.

Geometry                          
The first-year student in the Intermediate Class begins the study of geometry with a review of the geometry nomenclature. All of this work is reviewed with an emphasis on mastery at this point. The concepts of similarity, congruency and equivalency are introduced.

The second-year student is busy with the work of equivalencies. Using the constructive triangles, the student examines the relationship between different geometric figures.

The third-year student, using the insets of equivalence, explores the formulas for area and volume.

History                              
History in the Intermediate Class builds on the foundations of the Junior Class. The first-year student begins the year with the study of man. The Time Line of Life, the focal point of history lessons in the Junior Class, ends with the appearance of people on earth. The Intermediate student picks up this theme as he/she delves into the work of the Time Line of Man. This work carries the student from man's first appearance on earth to the establishment of the first civilizations. It covers the first half of the year. During the second half of the year, the student studies a number of the great civilizations -- Egypt, Greece, Rome, China and India. Once again, the work the student has done in the past -- the work with Fundamental Needs of People -- is the backbone for these studies, along with the Time Line of Civilizations.

As mentioned, literature is connected with the study of history. A sampling of novels the student may read in the first year include Hatchet, The Bronze Bow, The Golden Goblet, and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The reading list changes each year and parents can request a copy of the current list from the classroom teacher. Approximately one novel is read each month.

The second-year student's study brings him/her closer to home. American History is the topic and we begin our studies with the indigenous peoples of North America and their civilizations around the year 1000 A.D. Our studies continue with the first settlers in America through the Revolutionary War and end right before the Civil War. Literature that supports the study of early American history is the following: The Witch of Blackbird Pond, Johnny Tremain, Streams to the River, River to the Sea, and Harriet Tubman. In addition, Daniel Boorstin's The Landmark History of the American People is used.

The third-year student continues the study of American History from the year 1830 through modern times. The Civil War is covered in depth. The Industrial Revolution, modernizing, World War I and World War II are important topics covered during this year.

Literature is essential to the study of history once again. Some of the novels that students may read are the following: A Gathering of Days, Young Mark Twain, Caddie Woodlawn, My Antonia, Across Five Aprils, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, and Summer of My German Soldier.

Geography                                          
The study of geography is closely linked to the student's studies in history. In the first year, the student works primarily with classified nomenclature learning the names and definitions of major geographical structures. For example, when the student studies ancient Egypt, he/she will also study the parts of a river and irrigation. With the study of ancient Greece, the student studies the parts of mountains and the different kinds of islands. It is easy to imagine how the topics of geography and history can be easily integrated.

The second-year student studies the geography of America. What effect did ocean currents have on the explorers who set out for North America and other places? How did the coastlines of North America affect the settlers who established colonies here? What were the rivers that ran through North America that Lewis and Clark explored as they searched for a waterway from the Atlantic to the Pacific?

The third-year student is involved with the political geography of the United States. Every state and capital must be memorized. State flags are studied, their history and symbolism. A great deal of emphasis is placed on the expansion of the United States across this continent.

Science                             
The study of science is more formalized in the Intermediate Class. Science is covered with larger groups and not broken down into first-, second- and third-year students; rather, the class covers similar science topics and works on them together. Therefore, we see science as a three-year cycle.

The first cycle of the Intermediate science program emphasizes experiments. The scientific method is stressed. A number of experiments are conducted to increase the student's powers of observation. Among the topics covered are weather, electricity, simple chemical changes, and forms of energy. Many of these concepts are presented with the impressionistic charts. Botany and botany nomenclature are important at this time.

The second cycle of the science program takes us back to biology and the study of vital functions. Looking at both vertebrates and invertebrates, the student studies the functions that sustain life: respiration, circulation, digestion, sensitivity, locomotion, and reproduction. Dissection is an important part of this year's work.

The third cycle of science emphasizes physical science -- astronomy, geology and mechanical science. Once again, all work is based on experiments and exploration.

Foreign Language               
Students at the Intermediate level continue their study of foreign language. At this level, the students receive textbooks. They meet at least twice a week.

Music and Art                                  
Students continue with the musical instrument they chose at the Junior level. They continue to meet twice a week for instrumental music and once a week for vocal music. Art classes are held twice a week.

Physical Education               
Team sports are introduced at the Intermediate level. The basics of soccer, basketball, baseball and other sports are taught. The students participate in the Presidential Physical Fitness program.

Practical Life                        
Practical Life involves the cleaning and care of the classroom and all of its inhabitants -- a wide variety of animal and plant life. The children also travel to museums and theaters.