the maplewood way

Maplewood Academy uses an emergent-style curriculum called the Immersive Learning Environment, or ILE for short. Though there are many differences (the class environment, use of technology and lesson structure, for example), the most noticeable modernization from more traditional curricula is the lack of textbooks used. Though textbooks are valuable tools for older learners, our experience has shown that younger students benefit more from play-based learning, and more freedom in their academic environment in general. 

The ILE uses two, six or twelve-week Themes, or “Big Ideas” to create an umbrella for the children’s learning goals. For example, each year begins with “I’m Alive!”, which explores the concept of living things. It opens with conversations, focused play and explorations into home life, community and the classroom, with the purposes of ‘building community’. This allows all students, whether they are new to Maplewood Academy or returning to us, to adjust or re-adjust themselves into their new classroom environment. Additionally, it provides the students with an instant connection to each other by way of discussing comfortable subjects like family, friends and pets. Gradually, this Theme grows into deeper topics like the differences between plants and animals, what living things need to live, animal classifications and habitats. Of course, these Topics are all well-planned by our educators to suit the interests and comprehension level of their class group and dynamic.

Another advantage to the ILE is the learning goals. Though we do have specific goals for each lesson, Topic, Theme and year over all (our Maplewood Standards), our main priority is developing the character traits that will be used as our students get older, and will even be used throughout their lifetime. Our experience has shown that students who graduate are the most successful when they are RESPECTFUL, OPEN-MINDED, COOPERATIVE, ADAPTABLE, INDEPENDENT and INQUISITIVE. As adults, these are all traits that are crucial to our day-to-day life, so Maplewood Academy’s development team has worked for many years developing a curriculum that fosters them.