CURRICULUM
The child … is the curriculum.
- Rudolf Steiner
Inquiry-Based Curriculum
Our student-centered, inquiry-based curriculum includes foundational skills in reading, writing, and math, and structured units of inquiry, in both science and social studies allowing students to learn about the world and how they can make a difference.
The result is rich interdisciplinary fields of study and thematic lessons that are relevant, engaging, and exciting to the children at Springwell.
We follow the Common Core State Standards when assessing and planning academic progress for our students for math and English Language Arts. For our reading instruction, we use Wilson’s Fundations for early readers. All work is adapted to meet students where they are at, regardless of grade level or age.
Our Ethos: Academic Musings
Our Inspirations
Our innovative curriculum combines elements of progressive models of education including Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and Waldorf approaches to education. We balance whole group and individual student-led learning activities, with carefully trained staff who engage students in learning activities, then observe, document, reflect, and plan new ways for students to explore their developing understandings on a daily basis.
Reggio Emilia.
We incorporate Reggio Emilia's deep exploration of thematic units. Teachers actively support student agency, honoring all learners and learning styles by using the "Hundred Languages" of children, engaging in interdisciplinary study of rich topics over a sustained period of time, and requiring ongoing documentation and reflection from our teachers.
Montessori.
Montessori, with its beautifully designed hands-on curriculum materials, is a method that is over 100 years old and its efficacy has been well proven. Created by Dr. Maria Montessori, the first woman pediatrician in post-war Italy, these math and language arts materials allow students to continue their personal academic pursuits while working at their own pace in a structured environment.
We also honor the Montessori approach through our mixed-age classrooms, which present each child with the chance each day to be both an apprentice and a mentor.
Waldorf.
The natural unfolding of children's capacities is respected and never rushed. The awareness and space created for play as a way of learning is also an influence from Waldorf, as is our emphasis on students creating their own portfolios documenting their learning. For progress reports, we believe in portfolio assessment, student-led parent conferences, and end-of-year deeply thoughtful narratives written by the caring staff who guide your child's learning every day.
Please note, we are not a Waldorf school and do not follow Waldorf curriculum.
We get asked a lot, “What is inquiry-based learning, anyway?” Well, it’s all about sparking curiosity, encouraging deep questions, and letting students discover answers through exploration and creativity.
Check out how our Upper Elementary class spent the last few weeks diving into their inquiry-based unit on early colonial times and the American Revolution. From hands-on history projects to creative reenactments, they’ve been bringing the past to life in the most engaging ways! Here are updates from Ms. Ileana: