Lower Elementary
INSPIRE
The Lower Elementary classes (Acorns and Chipmunks) include 1st graders through 3rd graders. The Acorns are led by Jeff Smith and Naomi Penner, and the Chipmunks are led by Morgan Sprinkle and Jessie Crews. The teaching philosophy in these classes is intentional and holistic. The Montessori materials are used as a foundation when skills are introduced, following our 3-year curriculum and yearly benchmarks for each age level. The students are also offered lessons according to their interests and curiosities. Students work on in-depth projects, both individually and collaboratively, throughout the year.
The foundation of the Lower Elementary classroom is community. Behaviors and choices are often reflected through peace talks and class meetings. Individual strength is developed and celebrated through the interactions with friends in the class.
The Mountain Sun Community School elementary curriculum guides students through themes and threads on a three-year rotation. Each year, skills and objectives are taught, discovered, and addressed through lenses which inspire the children to expand on their interests with depth and attention. Above all, each child is honored as a unique person.
DISCOVER
Each school year begins with the Great Lessons of the Montessori Curriculum. The Lower Elementary classes follow the three-year curriculum cycle along with the Upper Elementary. The academic benchmarks are founded on a developmentally appropriate progression. Montessori’s Planes of Development, along with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study, inform the academic benchmarks of this age.
The daily rhythm of the multi-age classroom offers children opportunities to choose independent work from the shelves, engage in small group lessons, as well as have breaks for snacking and reading. With work plans and a peaceful work environment, the children practice and develop independence and time management skills.
Each day includes a centering where the class gathers to practice mindfulness. Students continue to practice mindfulness throughout the day by exploring nature, practicing breathwork, and pausing for moments of silence.The forest that surrounds the campus provides a beautiful setting for students to have moments of self-reflection and thoughtful community connection.
EXPLORE
The Lower Elementary classes go on two family camping trips per year, in the fall and the spring. The campouts include nature adventures, creek play, and camping with the class community in the forest. In addition to these campouts, the classes take opportunities to go on field trips throughout the region, visiting theaters, museums, arboretums and state forests, along with visits to local civic organizations within the community. Field trips enrich studies and allow students to learn from experts by either going out or inviting them into the classroom.
The classes also have Outdoor Education class weekly, which allows the students to develop leadership skills and engage in cooperative games, as well as explore the natural world that surrounds the campus. As part of these activities, students practice mindfulness and develop a reverence for our planet.
Lower Elementary teachers bring plants and animals into the classroom so students have the opportunity to learn about the life cycles of living things. From caring for indoor plants and class pets, to observing chickens hatching from eggs, students are able to explore the natural world in and out of the classroom.
CREATE
Creativity is encouraged in all aspects of the curriculum in the Lower Elementary classes. Through individual projects and displays of work, poetry, presentations, skits, and more, children can show their understanding of concepts and lessons in creative ways.
Art is integrated into lessons across the curriculum. Creative avenues are offered and encouraged for students to express what they’ve learned. A variety of art supplies are available in the classrooms for children to use. The atmosphere of the classroom supports creativity with calming music, lighting, and ambiance.
Lower Elementary students also participate in Art, Music and Creative Movement classes once a week. These enrichment opportunities provide a variety of media and instruction to give students diverse creative outlets through which to express themselves.
BELONG
Belonging to a community is essential for a child’s development. The Lower Elementary students create a community culture in their classrooms, throughout the school, and in the greater community. They make agreements with each other at the beginning of every school year about how they will treat one another, their classroom environment, and the natural world. They hold themselves and each other accountable to those agreements through Peace Talks and Class Meetings.
The Acorns and Chipmunks participate in Service Learning Projects individually and as a class. As part of their work outside the classroom, second and third grade students choose a project in which they volunteer their time and/or raise money for an organization in the local community. Together, the classes participate in Heifer International's Read to Feed Program annually.