Glenburnie Private School Junior Division

Overview of Junior Division

At Glenburnie, students in the Junior Grades (4 – 6) are provided with guidance to develop independence and a strong capacity for self-direction, both inside and outside of the school environment. The Junior curriculum provides a sound knowledge base in core academic disciplines, with a strong emphasis placed on the development of skills and concepts in all areas of Language Arts and Mathematics. We recognize that learning involves more than the acquisition of information. It involves such things as exploring, inventing, relating/assimilating, communicating and applying information.

As students advance through Grades 4 to 6, they are involved in progressively more complex and integrated activities in order to acquire knowledge, skills and attitudes that will enable them to make informed and rational decisions.

As students master appropriate skills, they are provided with natural extension and enrichment opportunities in all areas of the curriculum. It is our goal that each child is challenged and is achieving at his/her particular level of capability.

It is our belief that by nurturing adventuresome young people who are innovative problem solvers and strong critical thinkers, our students will graduate with a broad base of knowledge, sound skill foundation, and an enthusiasm for learning well beyond their years here at Glenburnie.

Students are challenged to:

Develop positive social values

Accept responsibility

Develop strategies for conflict resolution

Develop positive and appropriate interpersonal skills and strategies

Develop a respect for the perspectives and beliefs of others

Language Arts

Listening

Speaking

Cursive Writing

Grammar Application

Phonics/Spelling Patterns

Spelling Dictations and Applications

Functional and Creative Writing

Reading

Word Recognition (Sight Vocabulary Development)

Oral Fluency/Expression

Comprehension (Factual and Inferential)

Book Reports

Novel Studies

Mathematics

Emphasis is on application of math skills as well as program enrichment laterally and vertical skill development. Some of these skills are:

Number Sense and Numeration

Computations

Problem Solving

Measurement

Patterning and Algebra

Data Management and Probability

Geometry and Spatial Sense

Science

Development of Concepts

Laboratory Work

Recording Skill Development

Science Projects

Social Science

Development of Concepts

Research Skills

Recording Skills

Debating Skills (de Bono’s CORT Thinking)

Oral Presentation Skills

Time Management Skills

Organization Skills

Current Events

Economics

Taught as a separate subject area

Integrated wherever possible with Mathematics, History, Geography, Current Events, etc.

French

Listening Skills

Oral Fluency

Vocabulary Development

Written Language and Grammatical Applications

Physical & Health Education

Health taught as a separate subject

Gross Motor Skill Development

Participation

Cooperation / Fair Play

Strategic Teamwork

The Arts

Music

Junior students study and perform quality music in an ensemble environment. The primary role of the Music Program is to assist each student in the development of his or her potential to create, understand and appreciate the art of music. Classes provide the opportunity for students to develop their instrumental playing skills and talents as well as to challenge students musically, intellectually and emotionally. Creativity and self expression are fostered through ensemble and solo playing. Practical experience on woodwind or brass instruments is used to develop skills in breathing techniques, rhythm, tone, staff notation and instrument care.

Visual Arts

The objective of the Visual Arts Program is to offer students the opportunity to problem solve, think critically, work creatively, and to take risks. Skills are developed sequentially using a variety of tools, materials and techniques. Junior students explore the principles of composition, including rhythm/repetition, movement, contrast, balance, emphasis, and variety. The elements of line, shape, colour, space, texture, value and form are explored at a progressively more advanced level. Art history is integrated throughout the program. The principles of composition and elements and concepts of the Masters are studied and applied to student work.

Drama

The goal of our Junior Drama Program is to challenge students to explore and risk take to develop a variety of strong and effective communication skills to enhance both their academic and social skills. Older students will be challenged to communicate through increasingly detailed movement and sound, to create a mood or feeling through their language and thought, to listen and reflect upon peers’ work as well as to reflect upon and respond to their own work.

Our junior students are also given opportunities to develop effective debating and public speaking skills, not only in Drama classes but in conjunction with Core Subject activities, Town Hall Meetings, projects, Current Events, Oral Speech Festivals and Student Government representation.

Computer / Multimedia Technology

Glenburnie School has implemented technology as an additional tool an adjunct to our curriculum. Technology applications enhance learning opportunities, including teacher presentations. Our full-time Computer Coordinator works with the students and the Homeroom Teacher to introduce new skills that build upon previous learned technologies. Students learn how to acquire information and to communicate responsibly in the global community. Through various software programs and lab time, students acquire many transferable computer skills that will take them through high school, university and beyond.

Acquiring practical knowledge of computer and multimedia technologies is an ongoing learning curve. We believe that the earlier the student is exposed to modern PC skills, the more fluent and comfortable they will become with this advancing technology.

In the middle grades, students continue to apply and refine their skills as well as learn new ones. Presentation software is explored through the use of slide-shows. The advanced features of word processing and spreadsheets are applied with students actively reviewing and editing their work, and creating tables and formatted pages. Typing skills are developed, focusing primarily on accuracy and later developing typing speed. Students also focus on developing both an insight into the parts of a computer, as well as how various technologies work.