There is no elevator speech to explain a Montessori education. This research-based educational method is fundamentally and systemically different and was created to meet the needs of each uniquely different child. Though the Montessori method was created more than a century ago by Dr. Maria Montessori, it is a forward-thinking philosophy that adapts perfectly to what educational researchers are saying students need to thrive today. Dr. Montessori’s focus on critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving and time management are valuable skills for the 21st century workforce. The only needed adaptation to her method is technology.

Due to the fact that Montessori is so different from what most of us experienced growing up,  parents have many questions on how it works. At Five Oaks Academy (FOA), a low student:teacher ratio allows each child to receive a customized education. Students learn using hands-on materials that give them a concrete understanding of complex concepts as well as addressing the many different learning styles of individual students. Children learn in a self-directed way and are able to make choices that are age appropriate and are  within the framework and guidance of the teacher. The teachers know how to guide students in a way that provides support at the same time giving children problem solving opportunities. Students follow a rich curriculum that exceeds state standards in every academic area as well as a comprehensive related arts program. Students are  encouraged to explore their own interests as well. FOA incorporates technology through the use of Compass Learning, Kahn Academy, Rosetta Stone and coding courses.

Five Oaks Academy is accredited through the South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA) and is the only Montessori school in the area that offers a cohesive program from toddler through eighth grade. The global community within Five Oaks Academy and its unique diversity, representing over 30 countries, gives students an educational experience you won’t find anywhere else. If you are considering a Montessori Education for your child, please call to schedule a tour of Five Oaks Academy.

The parents, students and faculty of Five Oaks Academy came together on Friday, September 4 for our semi-annual Community Day. This event is held to work on beautification projects around campus, accomplish much needed tasks in classrooms, and build a sense of community with our families. It also provides a meaningful opportunity for everyone to give back to the school! Thank you to all of the volunteers who worked so hard on such a very hot day to help make our campus look beautiful! It is amazing what can be accomplished when we all work together for a common goal.

Five Oaks Academy is proud to welcome guest speaker Joe Ryan, Education Coordinator for the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force within the SC Attorney General’s Office, for a special presentation on Keeping Children Safe on the Internet. Mr. Ryan will provide valuable information about the most popular social media apps that children and teens are using, how they work, and ways they are misusing them. He will also discuss some internet dangers and how to prevent the victimization of children by internet predators.

Please join us on September 10 at 6:00 p.m. on the Five Oaks Academy campus. We would like to extend this invitation to all parents and educators who would benefit from this event.

This summer, the 2015 Advanced Spanish group had the opportunity to visit Mexico City on a three day learning extravaganza. The day after arrival at the Mexico City Airport, the quintet (Ari Flanagan, Maddie Gagné, Kaitlyn Meade, Elli Pallenbaum, and Sidney Pinochet) took a forty-five minute bus ride through the city of Mexico to the Teotihuacan Pyramids. The breathless 236 stair ascent to the top of the sun pyramid revealed a stunning birds eye view of this beautiful country. The group concluded the afternoon by dining at La Gruta on traditional Mexican food, located in a cavern ¡Rico!

Upon waking the next morning, the FOA Junior World Travelers ventured to the Mexican Anthropology Museum. The day was filled with discoveries and revelations about this culture’s history. They even saw the original bones of Lucy, an ancient Australopithecus Afarensis!

Finally, the group enjoyed their last day touring the Frida Kahlo Museum, located at the artist’s summer home. Did you know that Frida is the most renowned Latin-American artist?

In conclusion, the advanced Spanish group would like to thank Ms. Emily, Ms. Pinochet and Sra. Lety, as well as her family for giving them a once-in-a-lifetime experience that they will never forget.

Written by Advanced Spanish students- Elli, Maddie and Kaitlyn 

Congratulations to Five Oaks Academy graduate, Maya Roberts, who won Best Solo at a national dance competition held in Gatlinburg TN on July 8-11.  This competition, Fire and Ice Talent Competition,  gave out two national titles, one for the Best Solo, and one for the Best Group Number. In addition to the Best Solo award, Maya and her group won the Best Group Number.

Maya has been dancing since she was in Primary. She is currently a Junior at Brashier Middle College. We are so proud of her hard work and dedication to her passion. We look forward to seeing the great things she continues to accomplish in life!

We would like to congratulate Saxon Brown for qualifying to compete at the Jr. Olympics that will be held on August 4 and 5 in Norfolk, Virginia. Saxon competed at the state level last month and qualified for the 11 year old boys 400 M and 800 M races.

Saxon is a part of a local track club, the Greenville Jets.  Although this is his first year on the track team, Saxon has already won 3 Bronze,  2 Silver and 3 Gold medals. His hard work and dedication as he continues to set goals and meet them has allowed him to rank 20th in the nation in the 800 M and 15th in the nation in the 400 M. The Jets participate in both the USA Track and Field (USATF) and the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Track and Field competitions.

Way to go Saxon! You can watch the races live at www.aautv.org on Monday, August 4 and Tuesday, August 5. The Five Oaks community is behind you all of the way!

Learning is a hands-on experience in a Montessori classroom. Students learn using materials that engage their senses to gain a concrete understanding of concepts first before moving to a more abstract understanding of the material. This creates a solid base of understanding for students to build upon. The Five Oaks Academy Montessori curriculum is enriching and challenging. Our students explore the realm of mathematics, literature, history, science, geography and the arts in a creative and research based manner.

 In Montessori, the teacher facilitates the student’s learning and students are given choices within structure. With the knowledge that each child has his own learning style, our students at Five Oaks Academy are treated as individuals with their own individual lesson plans. A 12:1 student to teacher ratio allows our teachers to be constantly observing and assessing their students’ learning. This ratio also allows the student constant access to their teachers’ support.

Along with our challenging academic curriculum, our program is designed to develop students’ problem solving and critical thinking skills. We also foster the development of time management skills and help students learn to prioritize their responsibilities. Our students learn how to ask questions and how to find answers to their questions. Having the ability to problem solve, think critically, manage one’s time, ask questions and find answers paired with a very strong academic background creates a student who is prepared for the 21st century workforce. Our goal is for our students to have success not only in the classroom but in the real world as well.

At Five Oaks Academy, we lead our students in discovering and developing their unique talents and possibilities. Most importantly, we strive to foster our student’s curiosity and love of learning. They graduate with an incredible confidence in who they are, in their unique abilities, and in the contributions they can make to the world. We invite your child to join our educational journey.

 “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn” -Alvin Toffler

 

The Upper Elementary students love their “Out of the Box” time in the classroom. During “Out of the Box” time, the teachers introduce a specific piece of literature and then students are presented with a challenge that relates to that story.  In groups, students use teamwork and problem solving skills to collaborate on how to solve a specific challenge within a certain period of time. These activities are rooted in Science, Technology,  Engineering and Mathematics (S.T.E.M) and Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (S.T.E.A.M) and are a fantastic complement to our already rich and integrated Montessori curriculum.

The teachers introduced the last challenge of the year by reading Humpty Dumpty. Students were then asked to create a structure to put an egg in that would then be dropped from a specific height. The goal was to have the egg remain unbroken after being dropped.  There was excitement and a buzz of anticipation as the students created their structures. When the time was up, Mr. Ryan dropped the structures and students cheered as unbroken eggs were pulled from most of the structures.  In addition to addressing S.T.E.M.,  these challenges give students the opportunity to collaborate and use their problem-solving skills to actively solve each challenge. These skills, although not traditionally considered academic skills, are essential for the 21st century learner and are fostered every day in a Montessori environment.

The Kindergarten and Elementary students are learning about Jackson Pollock, an influential American painter and a leading force in the abstract expressionist movement, in Art History.  Pollock was well known for his unique style of ‘drip and splash’ painting.  Last week, students learned about his life and the impact he had in the art world. This week, the excitement is in the air as they replicate the process of his famous drip paining.

The ‘drip and splash’ style, which many believe he introduced to the art world around 1947, were created on canvas laid out on the floor rather than fixing them to an easel or wall. From there, he used a style where he would allow the paint to drip from the paint can. Instead of using the traditional paint brush, he would add depth to his images using knives, trowels, or sticks. At times, random objects would fall onto the wet painted canvas and he allowed them to become a part of the work. This form of painting, known as “action painting,” had similar ties to the Surreal movement, in that it had a direct relation to the artist’s emotions, expression, and mood, and showcased their feeling behind the pieces they designed. He was nicknamed “Action Jackson” because of the dynamic movement he used in creating his artwork.

The students loved the action while creating their very own ‘drip and splash’ painting, just like “Action Jackson”! The mess and fun was abundant! Even the rocks around the painting got in on the action!