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 all subjects at this level.  We use a three pronged approach to reading: 
-Students are expected to read for their own pleasure.
-Read-aloud
-Texts and literature supported by questions, discussions, and writing.

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), We begin by classifying sentences by type-- declarative, interrogative, etc. Then the students are given an overview introduction to the parts of speech. 

In the second year, the students begin the detailed study of the function of words at a more advanced level.  Taking each part of speech, they now do 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 third year of the Intermediate Class, we move ahead with the parts of a sentence.  We analyze phrases and clauses and learn the basics of diagramming sentences.  All types of sentence complements are studied and diagrammed.  This work is supported with activities from a text.

During all three years, students practice identifying the parts of speech using excerpts from literature.

Mathematics                               

The first year in the Intermediate classroom is spent solidifying the skills of all four operations at an abstract level.  Multiples and factors are important to master at this time and are introduced with the Montessori Pegboard.  The study of fractions begins as well.  Students work from a mathematical textbook (Saxon Math series) for the first time during this year.

The second-year students 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 when the students work extensively with multiples, factors and powers as well as fractions and decimals.

Fractions are a major area of study.  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 may work from a Saxon textbook.

The third-year students continue their work in the Saxon Math series. We chose 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.  Squaring and square root are two very complex mathematical concepts that are mastered at this level.

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.   We introduce the concepts of similarity, congruency and equivalency.

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

History                              

History in the Intermediate Class builds on the foundations of the Junior Class.  First-year student begin with the study of humans.  The Time Line of Life, which is the focal point of history lessons in the Junior Class, ends with the appearance of people on earth.  The Intermediate students pick up this theme as they delve into the work of the Time Line of Humans.  This work carries students from humans’ first appearance on earth to the establishment of the first civilizations in Mesopotamia.  It covers the first half of the year.  During the second half of the year, the students study 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.  Some of the novels students may read in the first year include Hatchet, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Boy of the Painted Cave, and Greek Myths.  The reading list may change each year and parents can request a copy of the current list from the classroom teacher. Approximately one novel is read each month.

Second-year students are brought closer to home.  American History is the topic and our studies begin with the indigenous peoples of North America around the year 1000 A.D., continue with the first settlers in America through the Revolutionary War and end right before the Civil War.  Some of the novels we use to support the study of early American history are: The Witch of Blackbird Pond, Johnny Tremain, Sing Down the Moon, and Harriet Tubman. In addition, the Globe Fearron text, One Nation, Many People is used.

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

Literature is essential to the study of history once again. Some of the novels students may read are the following: A Gathering of Days, Across Five Aprils, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, and Mississippi Trial 1955.
Click here for link to complete Intermediate reading list. 

Geography                                  

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

The second-year students study 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 students are involved with the political geography of the United States.  Every state and capital must be memorized.  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.   In this way we see science as a three-year cycle.

The first cycle of the Intermediate science program emphasizes physics.  The scientific method is stressed.  We conduct a number of experiments in order to increase powers of observation.  Among the topics we cover are three forms of matter: solids, liquids, and gases; and eight forms of energy: light, heat, sound, chemical, magnetic, electrical, mechanical, and nuclear.  Many of these concepts are presented with the Montessori Impressionistic charts.

The second cycle of the science program emphasizes geology.  The earth, how it is formed, types of land and water forms, along with the classification of rocks and minerals are some of the things we cover in this strand, as well as weather and the different strata of the atmosphere.

The third cycle of science takes us back to biology and the study of vital functions.  Looking at 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. Botany is also covered this year.

Foreign Language                

Students at the Intermediate level continue their study of foreign language (Spanish, Chinese, and Latin).  At this level, students receive textbooks.  They meet four times a week.  Instruction combines dialogue practice, listening, along with reading and writing.  Students also get a taste of the cultures that speak the particular language.  There are also extracurricular possibilities for Italian, Chinese, German, and Russian.

Music                              

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. Students prepare winter and spring concerts in addition to an annual opera production.

Art                    

Art is integrated into the history/geography/literature curricula.
Classes are held twice a week and take students through a study of line, shape, color, texture, volume, multiple dimensions, and perspective.  These concepts are taught using a variety of media, including drawing, painting, clay, and fiber.  Students have several venues for showing their work including the Little Red Schoolhouse Exhibit at the county fair and the school’s annual art auction.

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. Sportsmanship, health, skill building, and fun are emphasized.

Practical Life                              

Practical Life involves far more than the cleaning and care of the classroom and all of its inhabitants -- a wide variety of animal and plant life.  The students learn some survival skills during an annual camp week.  The students also travel to museums and theaters and are often involved in the planning of these trips. Students run bake sales as fundraisers, and plan some celebrations throughout the year.  Planning, scheduling, preparing food, decorations and activities are some of the skills they learn.