Rather than teach each subject in isolation, teachers work together to present subjects in thematic units, which are rich in possibilities for making interdisciplinary connections. Much of the time, the entire school studies various aspects of the same theme at age-appropriate levels of complexity and sophistication. This approach not only makes subject matter inherently more interesting but also provides opportunities for students to learn from one another.
Teachers, parents, and students follow personal progress through portfolio-based assessments, narrative reports, and formal and informal parent-teacher conferences. We encourage and support students who wish to take on academic challenges beyond their age levels, while taking care to ensure that these students are also part of a peer group that best meets their social and emotional needs.
Summers-Knoll continues its relationship with the Independent School Association for the Central States (ISACS). This 15-state regional group is part of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the most respected organization of independent, nonprofit schools in the country.
The curriculum, from its content to the strategies used to teach it, has been reviewed extensively by ISACS. The curriculum more than meets the ISACS standards of quality, quantity, and consistency. The assessment model is integrated and aligned with the curriculum, and it meets all regional and national association standards.
Summers-Knoll is a member of the Association of independent Michigan Schools (AIMS), which is a nonprofit organization of preprimary, elementary, and secondary schools whose purpose is to support and advance independent education in Michigan.
Kindergarten
The Summers-Knoll Kindergarten program offers a full range of activities designed to take advantage of a child’s natural curiosity and love for learning. The full-day program includes time for literacy, math, free choice, and creative play. There are daily opportunities for small and whole group instruction. In addition, these children also participate in all “specials” classes offered at Summers-Knoll: music, Spanish, art, and physical education.
Art
Summers-Knoll provides instruction in the basic skills of drawing, painting, design, and ceramics, as well as lessons in art history and integration of the fine arts into the school's thematic units. Our technology resources also enable students to develop photographic and computer graphics skills. Field trips to local museums, the Detroit Institute of Arts, and the Toledo Art Museum provide depth to the art program.
Computers/Technology
The school offers a comprehensive technology curriculum in which students learn to combine text, sound, and images, using the school’s ample computer and digital media resources. A fully networked and wireless environment enables students to take advantage of technology applications across all academic subject areas. Beginning in fifth grade, students work with their own laptops, and technology is integrated into regular subject areas.
Language Arts
Summers-Knoll students, supported by our library collection and online resources, read broadly from the best in American and international children’s literature. Through exposure to good fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama, they gain a rich and deep understanding of the power of the written word and an expansive foundation of knowledge about the world and human nature. In whole-group and individual instruction, students learn to read for meaning, to strengthen vocabulary, and to comprehend the structure of language.
The writing program is integrated with reading, and students gain extensive writing practice in many forms, with training in writing mechanics, spelling, and penmanship. Language Arts is complemented by technology training in word processing, web design, graphic design, desktop publishing, internet research skills, and image processing. Small classes permit teachers to help students with the development of writing skills on a close, personal basis.
Mathematics
Beyond teaching the skills involved in mathematical operations, Summers-Knoll emphasizes a mastery of conceptual understanding, critical thinking, and reasoning skills. Instruction encompasses real-life applications and helps students progress toward using mathematics as a language. The school is able to take advantage of a trio of mathematics programs, each of which has advantages for particular ages and abilities.
In the early grades, students move through a spiral of lessons at a rate of progression appropriate to each child. Manipulative materials and mathematics software supplement the program; measurement mastery is achieved by hands-on experience. Students develop a set of math reflex memories and skills, which allow for quick recall of facts and efficient computation. Other math materials are used as needed to cover additional areas of interest or for complementary skills.
Beginning in middle elementary, students make a transition to the Singapore Mathematics program, which covers both algebra and geometry in a fast moving and challenging format. Students continue to learn and progress at their own pace. Many will be able to complete more than a conventional year-long program and will be encouraged to take on additional challenges when appropriate.
Music
At Summers-Knoll, students learn music through Orff, Kodaly, and Dalcroze lessons and activities. These approaches come together to create a unique program including movement, speech, singing, ear-training, playing percussion instruments and recorders, reading, creating, and listening. Through the Orff process, students work with and learn the basic elements of music through imitation, exploration, improvisation, creation, and literacy activities. Various musical experiences from the simple to complex, in a language that is easily understood, provide opportunities for the children to learn by doing. Music education at Summers-Knoll nurtures self-esteem, provides opportunities for each child to get in touch with their musical being, and allows for learning more about solving problems and working with others in a community of music-makers.
Music and music history are part of the music education program at Summers-Knoll. Field trips to local concerts and performances by visiting guest musicians complement the in-school activities.
Physical Education
The physical education program at Summers-Knoll is designed to provide children and adolescents with a variety of physical experiences, ranging from gymnastics, individual and team sports and games, swimming, fitness, and wellness activities. Emphasis is placed on establishing personal health and fitness goals in order to set children on a life-long path of making healthy choices. As our student population grows, we anticipate developing an interscholastic sports program with an emphasis on participation rather than a win-loss record.
Science
Students are taught the processes of scientific investigation, which underlies all systematic exploration of the natural world. Through study and hands-on experimentation, they learn the skills of observing, measuring, experimenting, quantifying, predicting, analyzing, and thinking critically.
In the early grades, science becomes the focus during many of the thematic units. Some examples of past themes include space, pond ecology, oceanography, genetics, heat, light and sound, simple machines, and anatomy. Frequent field trips take the program beyond class discussions, reading, and experimentation. From grades 3–5, all students continue to use the process of scientific investigation to explore the physical and natural world.
Science is taught through three separate year-round themes, which follow each other in a three-year cycle. These are Earth and Space sciences, Physical and Chemical sciences, and Life sciences. Whenever appropriate, students will visit sites in the community to support the scientific studies of the classroom. In addition, students will conduct scientific studies on their own, based on personal interest.
Social Studies
Social Studies is an umbrella term for the study of history, geography, anthropology, sociology, and political science. As children growing up in a globally connected world, our students need to learn not only about their own culture and heritage but also about those of other nations and peoples. Beyond teaching geography, economics, and history, we seek to imbue children with a sense of excitement and curiosity about the past, present, and future nature of the world. We give them a sense of the roles they might play within it as well-educated, ethical, and concerned world citizens.
In the early grades, the social studies themes encompass specific time periods or geographic areas that are often examined from a global perspective. Students explore each specific era through the study of historical events, geography, economics, government, culture, and technology. Teachers employ holistic learning approaches, which include strategies in problem solving, conflict resolution, and mediation in relating to peers at school and later in life.
In middle elementary, each multiage group follows a two-year cycle, which takes them around the world and through history. The third- and fourth-grade students go from a year examining Ancient Civilizations to the Renaissance in Europe to a year on the same time period in the Americas and Asia. The fifth-grade students follow a historical track, looking at world history from the Renaissance to the Industrial Revolution one year, followed by a year on the Industrial Revolution to the Present.
Spanish
Summers-Knoll follows the natural approach for learning a second language. This process has six stages: listening, imitation, physical response, oral response, reading, and writing. During the school year, we introduce pronunciation, intonation patterns, basic grammatical structures, and vocabulary using songs, games, and other activities. With our early start, our students are well prepared for advanced study in secondary school. Students in kindergarten–grade
5 study Spanish.
