K-3rd Grade Programs

Juniper Tree offers a unique, community style environment with hands-on learning materials and curriculum inspired by holistic approaches to education such as Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Waldorf. We believe in an eclectic approach to enriching our classes and activities. The children are given the time and freedom to explore and play. They are self directed and motivated, based on their current interests.

Our program offers a multi-age classroom setting with a child-centered, developmental, project-based, hands-on approach. Learning takes place at a child’s own pace, giving students opportunities to make choices about how to approach a subject. The teacher works collaboratively with students to provide guidance and individualized support in Language Arts & Social Studies (Mon/Wed) and Math& Science (Tues/Thurs) according to the child's level and needs. In this way, the child experiences success with academic skills. The child will not be pushed into academic areas, but will remain challenged by appropriate tasks.

Language Arts/Social Studies

Mon/Wed 8:30am to 12:15pm

The Language Arts program emphasizes high quality literature through story-telling, reading aloud, drama, creative writing and poetry. The central goal of the program is to have children emerge as avid readers who find joy in literature, and as skilled writers who can express themselves authentically and creatively. Waldorf's beautiful fairy tales and art are also implemented to bring literature and writing to life.

Language Arts/Social Studies

Mon/Wed 8:30am to 12:15pm

Social Studies: Students study geography and diverse cultures from around the world through cultural stories, making art and cooking. As the students get older, they learn about US History and Government through living history and hands on projects. 2nd & 3rd graders also study Economics and every Spring we hold a Marketplace event for the students to create and set up their own businesses.

Math/Science

Tues/Thurs 8:30am to 12:15pm

Our Kinder-2nd grade Math program is a beautiful combination of Reggio Emilia and Waldorf learning concepts. Manipulatives will be introduced to learn various math concepts. The curriculum includes number recognition, decimal system, geometry, four operations of math: addition, multiplication, subtraction and division. Waldorf's beautiful math fairy tales and art projects help children create and solve their own word problems, building a strong foundation for future Algebra concepts.

Our 3rd grade students delve more deeply into the four operations. The curriculum includes telling time, metric system, fractions, percentages, business math and economics. Math is also applied in various creative projects such as woodworking, cooking, and running a business. Every Spring the children set up a Marketplace Day where they organize and set up small businesses of their own.

Math/Science

Tues/Thurs 8:30am to 12:15pm

Science projects are implemented into our Math program. K-2nd grade have fun and practical science such as making volcanos, lava lamps, handmade lip balm and soaps allows students to apply math in a meaningful way.

3rd graders explore and delve into subjects such as biology, chemistry, earth science, nutritional science, chemistry, engineering and robotics. Hands on projects include building RC cars, experimenting with chemical reactions, and designing/cooking a nutritious meal.

Afternoon Enrichment (12:15pm to 2:30pm) & Extended Care (2:30pm to 5pm)

Mon-Thurs

Juniper Tree's Afternoon program for K-3rd is based on the Emilia Reggio approach to education. Children are surrounded by a comforting home environment full of natural and thought-provoking materials. Children are invited to choose their activities, materials, companions, and to manage their play independently. Through play and self-selected activities, they will discover areas of art, blocks, creative play, sciences, math, practical life and literacy.

Juniper Tree offers extended enrichment from 2:30pm to 5pm for working parents at a very reasonable monthly rate.

Friday Program (9:30am to 12:30pm):

Fall & Spring - Children's Gardening &

Outdoor Class

Winter - Beginning Sewing & Knitting Class

Every Friday in the Fall and Spring, we have class at our children's community garden at Martial Cottle Farm and Park where we tend our beautiful vegetable garden. We plant seeds and seedlings as well as weed and trim our plants. We harvest our vegetables when they are ready and eat them for snack. We also enjoy outdoor nature art such as rock painting, building fairy houses and making little fairies to decorate our garden. After our hard work, we walk to the park area where the children enjoy free outdoor explorations. Our outdoor program gives children the opportunity to experience the natural world and engage in meaningful work.

For Winter Fridays, the children learn and practice knitting, hand sewing and machine sewing. Younger students learn basic hand stitching and how to sew on a button. Older students learn how to use a sewing machine safely.

The children pick and choose their own projects and create beautiful items such as ornaments, little bags, scarves, clothing and more.