The Middle Spiral
Ages 8 - 11
Wonderment, Curiosity & Adventure
Genuine care & a wholehearted perspective guide the Middle Spiral learners on their journey at School Around Us. The building of trust and development of a strong relationship with their teacher, Amy, is essential to the learning process during these years.
The children in the Middle Spiral feel safe to be who they are and they know they can express their opinions and thoughts freely. The unique learning process of each individual is respected and trusted. It is from the relationships they develop that children are supported through the challenges they face. They are able to take risks, build grit and celebrate their successes.
The Middle Spiral feels most cohesive when the learning experience we do together builds on itself, their ideas and mine make it grow into its own entity. We are living the learning and we look forward to it each day.
Academic topics are approached through meaningful experiences that activate all the senses and ways of learning.
Mathematic skills are often developed through math quests, hands on building projects and interactive math simulations & games. Learners develop a relationship with numbers and a personal style of solving problems.
Daily writing, read aloud books and creative writing experiences help learners to develop a love of reading and writing. Reading books together, where learners can feel the book in their hands and follow along with their peers can be a transformative experience, building a deeper connection with language.
Science and history are often the focal point of our integrated themes. The themes we create are guided from essential questions and work to activate many ways of learning. Reenacting events or becoming someone from the past, creating models that help our minds learn through the recreation of an event or a time in history, is a fun and great way to learn. In the past we have done this by imagining what we would pack if we traveled on the Mayflower and then pretended to travel across the sea, acting out real events as we traveled on the boat. If a theme has a science focus, the learning would come alive through experiments, or being immersed in the natural world.
Academics
Developmentally 8-11 year olds are deepening their friendships so they need time to play and do learning experiences together so their friendships can grow. During play their games can become more complex and their imaginative play has become more immersive.
They are becoming attuned to the complexity of their emotions so they can use some structured support on how to express their feelings with care and kindness and to learn what their emotions are telling them.
They are developing problem solving skills and turning their focus to ethical issues. They can now take on another person’s perspective with more depth and understanding. It is a time where learning experiences that build empathy for others in their community, town and the world are so important.
They are gaining a new level of independence and the confidence to take more risks. This age can also be a time of tenderness as they can now see themselves from another point of view. They can begin to develop self doubt or judgements of what they can and can’t do. Supporting them in developing positive self talk is key to their wellbeing. Helping them face their uncertainties is necessary.
With their new level of independence comes a sense of responsibility. They are able to do more for themselves, their family and community. It is a perfect age to start giving back to the community by volunteering or initiating community projects.