A Real Life Learning Approach
We have based our middle school on the philosophy and educational methods o
f Dr. Maria Montessori. While Montessori education has been largely associated with the young child, Dr. Montessori also addressed the needs of adolescents. Our middle school presents a “real life” learning approach to education where students feel academically competent and challenged, are engaged in activities that balance manual and intellectual work, build meaningful relationships with peers and teachers, gain confidence and create a vision for their personal future.
The Emerson Farm Middle School program offers:
- A developmentally responsive curriculum
- Individualized learning for each student
- Multi-aged grouping
- Mastery learning, coaching and experiential learning
- Large blocks of uninterrupted work time
- Individual and cooperative learning activities
Meeting the Needs of the Adolescent Student
The Emerson Farm Middle School program addresses the unique characteristics of adolescent children. Since this is a time of profound growth and change, our middle school classroom is carefully prepared to meet the middle school student’s social and academic needs. The Community Meeting, Socratic Seminar, personal-reflection ti
me, individual academic time, group-work activities, coaching and age appropriate resource materials are some of the elements used to establish a positive learning environment. They allow students to develop leadership skills, practice peer-to-peer interaction, refine or expand problem-solving skills, express acknowledgements of others in their lives, as well as excel in their academic studies.
The Student:
- Is responsible for his or her learning
- Develops a new sense of self within the classroom and larger community
- Takes on new, more mature responsibilities
- Actively contributes to the learning environment
The Teacher
- Serves as an appropriate role model, coach, mentor and instructor
- Maintains a positive classroom environment
- Consults regularly with students
- Provides concrete, experiential learning activities, as well as guidance in creative thinking and problem solving
- Communicates regularly with parents
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