Extracurricular

Experience Weeks

About Experience Weeks

Hands-on learning is an essential element of a Montessori education. That’s why we’ve created Experience Weeks as a time and place for students to research questions, think critically, communicate effectively, work collaboratively, and master core academic content.

By moving beyond the walls of the classroom to local institutions and landscapes of the North Shore students gain new, more in-depth ways to investigate, understand and learn.

Two of the six week sessions are included in each 1st-8th grade student’s tuition. Students may certainly register for additional weeks.

Experience Weeks are located at and travel from the Harborlight campus. We are pleased to have partnered with several community partners to enhance the students’ learning experience. Experience Weeks are for students in grades 1 to 9 who want to stretch themselves.

Schedule

The six weeks coincide with both public and independent school calendars for 2024. All Experience Weeks are also open to grade 1-8 students who are not currently Harborlight students (homeschool, public school, independent school). 

Week
Duration
Week 1:
February 19 through February 23
Week 2:
March 11 through March 15
Week 3:
March 18 through March 22
Week 4:
April 15 through April 19
Week 5:
June 17 through June 21*
June 19th closed
Week 6:
June 24 through June 28

Learning Through Experience Weeks

Experience Weeks engage students and develop Four Deep Learning Skills: critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity. The structure of these courses reflect a Montessori model of student-centered, interactive instruction that explores a particular course or topic in a 5- step cycle of learning that creates habits for future learning in college & career.

List of 5 items.

  • Interaction & Inquiry

    Students develop and ask questions about their experience as they learn new course content and use material and observation for – research methods, exploration of environment, or reinterpret an existing experience at a deeper level.
  • Reflective Observation

    Students receive non-evaluative feedback from teachers and experts in the field to summarize new information in an organized way. The experience and hands-on learning and of asking questions frames their thinking as they interpret and seek answers.
  • Conceptualization

    Students engage in project-based learning to expand their understanding of new concepts. They learn through collaboration and planning their activities.
  • Application

    Students apply their newly acquired skills and knowledge to the world around them. Taking the notes, sketches, and observations from their journal as a guide.
  • Assessment

    Students are evaluated at the end of their coursework. They are asked to perform real-world tasks that demonstrate meaningful application of essential knowledge and skills both effectively and creatively.

Experience Weeks 2024 Courses & Registrations

List of 15 items.

  • Science Lab: STEM 101

    FEBRUARY 19-23
    Lower Elementary (Grades 1 – 3)

    “Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.”  - Socrates
     
    Integrating STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education into our Experience Weeks courses offers numerous benefits for young students. STEM activities foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills and encourage students to approach challenges with a hands-on/inquiry-based mindset. This approach not only enhances their understanding of core subjects taught in the classroom but nurtures a lifelong love of learning. The teachers designed STEM activities that make abstract concepts tangible, foster a deeper comprehension of complex ideas, and require teamwork to find innovative solutions!

  • Unplugged Mind: Nurturing Tranquility through Meditative Arts

    FEBRUARY 19 - 23
    Lower Elementary (Grades 1 – 3)

    “How many times have you noticed that it’s the little quiet moments in the midst of life that seem to give the rest extra-special meaning?” – Fred Rogers
     
    In today's digital age, children often find themselves immersed in the captivating world of technology, engaging with screens and interactive devices. It is essential to balance their screen time with activities that promote mindfulness and creativity. Encouraging children to explore meditative art provides a valuable alternative, fostering focus, relaxation, and self-expression. Through meditative art activities, students develop a deeper connection with their thoughts and emotions, fostering a healthy balance between technology and introspective, artistic pursuits.


  • Enchanting Realms: The Mystique of Dragons and Mermaids

    FEBRUARY 19-23
    Upper School (Grades 4 – 8)
     
    "But a mermaid has no tears, and therefore she suffers so much more." – Hans Christian Andersen
     
    Dragons and mermaids have become ubiquitous in literature, films, and gaming. The origins of these fantastical creatures, the duration of human fascination with them, and their scientific feasibility generate many intriguing questions. Throughout this week, students will delve into the historical foundations of belief in these beings, explore diverse cultural variations, and assess the scientific plausibility of their existence. Teachers have designed a variety of original activities, including reading and movie excerpts, hands-on labs, and engaging discussions to gain insights into the mythical world of dragons and mermaids. To conclude the week, each student will undertake a creative project, such as crafting a short story, developing a graphic novel, or applying scientific knowledge to invent a creature with realistic potential.

  • Boston Sports: A Tapestry of Talent, Legacy, and Unrivaled Fandom

    FEBRUARY 19-23  
    Upper School (Grades 4 – 8)

    “Fenway is the essence of baseball.” – Tom Seaver, Hall of Famer
     
    Bostonians are known for their unwavering support and loyalty to their sports teams. Visit some of the city’s iconic venues - TD Garden and Fenway Park and come along to the local museums that honor New England sport’s history. In addition to delving into Boston sports culture during this Experience Week, we will also play some of our favorite pastimes such as basketball and baseball. This week offers a memorable experience for both fans and players alike; it will inevitably turn you into a passionate sports enthusiast –one of the standout features of Boston sports fan base!

  • Ancient Civilizations: Greece, Egypt, China

    MARCH 11-15 & 18-22
    Lower Elementary (Grades 1 – 3)

    “An education capable of saving humanity is no small undertaking; it involves ….the preparation of young people to understand the times in which they live.” – Dr. Maria Montessori
    Ancient Civilizations (Greece, Egypt, China) is an interdisciplinary, cultural story of how humans, spanning various eras, met their essential material needs: shelter, food, clothing, transportation, defense, and communication along with spiritual needs: love, religion, culture/art/music, and beauty. The core lesson embedded in this immersive experience is the recognition that a shared set of fundamental human needs unites us all. These two weeks culminate in the creation of an Ancient Civilization Fair that will showcase their learning process.

  • Theatre Intensive with Gloucester Stage

    MARCH 11-15 & 18-23
    Upper School (Grades 4 – 8)
    This two-week collaboration between Gloucester Stage Company and Harborlight Montessori provides an intensive experience in theatre production, on stage and backstage, for students in grades 4-8. Katie Oberlander has, once again, written an original play for this year’s cast. In addition to acting, students participate in all aspects of theatre, including box office management, lighting and set design, costumes, and props. Students will participate in a full-scale original production as the culmination of their experience. Students MUST be available for both performances (including dress rehearsals) on Friday, March 22 @ 7PM & Saturday, March 23 @ 1PM. More details to follow. 

    $1,000.00 Harborlight full day 7:30-5:30
    $800/community students only attending GSC hours (drop-off and pick-up at GSC)

  • Rock Hounds: Explore the World of Rocks and Minerals

    APRIL 15-19
    Lower Elementary (Grades 1 – 3)

    “Not all who wander are lost. Some are looking for cool rocks.” -Unknown
     
    Children (and adults) have a natural curiosity when exploring rocks. Over the course of this week, students will learn how rocks are formed, the difference between rocks and minerals, and all about gemstones and birthstones, while they explore hands-on examples. Exciting field trips to the Harvard Museum of Natural History and Halibut Point will complement their exploration. Students will end the week with a learning showcase to share with guests on Friday.

  • More STEM: Simple Machines

    APRIL 15-19
    Lower Elementary (Grades 1 – 3)

    “It’s uncategorical, a fuel burning oracle, a fantasmagorical machine!” -“Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang”

    Come explore the wonderful world of simple machines! Through hands-on experiments, students learn about the principles of physics that form the backbone of countless everyday devices that make life easier. Students begin with a study of the six different types of simple machines: lever, inclined plane, wedge, screw, wheel and axle, and pulley. Working both independently and in teams, the students will design and build replicas of simple machines. Discoveries and demonstrations will be shared at the end of the week. 

  • Erdkinder: Learning at Appleton Farms

    APRIL 15-19
    Upper School (Grades 4 – 8)

    Animals have a mind of their own and weather changes daily. Kids need to figure out ways to get chores done if animals, weather, or equipment doesn’t want to cooperate.” Lilly Den Blog Post
     
    Erdkinder translates to "children of the earth". Dr. Montessori used this term to describe the value of 'schooling' on a working farm. Working together with the educators at Appleton Farms, Harborlight students will learn the history of the oldest, continuously operating farm in the United States. April is time to plant the garden, play in mud puddles, and discover what wild creatures are stirring. Appleton Farms becomes our classroom where students will learn through hands-on experiences tending to daily routines in the gardens, fields, and forest! Guided by the farm school educators, students will organize and cultivate their educational garden, care for the animals, and whip up delicious snacks. Additionally, we'll venture into various habitats and scout for signs of wild animals. Dr. Montessori's Erdkinder intention was to provide a balance of manual and intellectual work, leaving students prepared to take an active role in society. Appleton Farms education – “inspiring the next generation of conservationists through immersive educational experiences”.

  • Coastal Creatures & Seaside Ecosystems

    June 17-21 (19 off)  
    Lower Elementary (Grades 1 – 3)

    “The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination, and brings eternal joy to the soul.” – Robert Wyland
     
    Embark on a fascinating exploration of seaside ecosystems with our Coastal Creatures program. Over the course of a week, students will investigate an array of animals inhabiting our ocean and coastlines. From curious crabs and lively periwinkles to seagulls, lobsters, and whales, this immersive study promises an in-depth understanding of coastal wildlife. Excursions to local beaches, the New England Aquarium, Maritime Gloucester, and a whale watch experience are all part of the engaging itinerary. Join us for a week of discovery and appreciation for the wonders of our coastal environments.


  • Theatre Workshop

    June 17-21 (19 off)  & June 24-28
    Lower Elementary (Grades 1 – 3)

    “Theater games are a process applicable to any field, discipline, or subject matter.” – Viola Spolin
    During this two-week program, students become fully immersed in the world of theater arts! Through engaging in theatrical activities, children acquire valuable, transferable skills such as public speaking, teamwork, memorization, the ability to receive constructive feedback, and character development, among others.  Activities such as warm-ups and theater games, make way for auditions and script readings in the first few days. Then the cast and crew come together to pull it all together: develop characters, memorize, and recite lines, coordinate to rehearse scenes, create sets, props and costumes! Then, curtains up for the final performance for friends and families! (on campus, time TBD)

    REGISTER
  • Travel Adventures: Rocky Mountains

    June 16-21  
    Upper School: (Grades 6 - 8)

    Pack your bags and EXPLORE YOUR WORLD. Students will travel on an adventure to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado where they will explore, engage, and connect amidst the breathtaking Rocky Mountains, expansive High Plains, and serene Prairies. This adventure places a special emphasis on connecting with Colorado's natural wonders, fostering a deep appreciation for its rich environmental and cultural tapestry and history of the region. Details and total fees due to follow, the registration below is the deposit/reservation only. (Open to Harborlight students only)

    REGISTER HERE

  • Inspired by the Masters: A Study of Famous Artists

    June 17-21 (19 off)
    Upper School: (Grades 4 - 8)  

    "I am seeking, I am striving, I am in it with all my heart." - Vincent Van Gogh
    The world is full of inspiring artists (past and present) to explore. This week will cover the artist's life, media, works, and fame or (notoriety). This week will be dedicated to learning about the life and work of 5 artists: (TBD). The students will record their lessons about the artists, the process of creating art in the 'style' or medium of the artists, and their reflections on the personal process of learning and creating art. The design of the week-long study will integrate short biographical films, reading and lessons, museum visits, and uninterrupted time to create and explore art. An art show will be on display at the end of the week. 


  • Trails and Pathways: Adventures on Foot

    June 24-28  
    Lower Elementary (Grades 1 – 3)

    “Nature is a tool to get children to experience not just the wider world, but themselves.” – Stephen Moss
     
    This week, our adventures will lead us through the local trails, with a special emphasis on trail etiquette and stewardship. Explore various ways to enjoy the trails from geocaching to developing a keen appreciation for the sensory experiences all around us – sight, smell, and sounds. The learning experiences will extend to identifying both visible flora and fauna, as well as those cleverly concealed under logs and between rocks. On Friday, we will have a family and faculty hike at Bradley Palmer State Park and share the knowledge and skills development through this Experience Week. (Rain or shine, please consider the weather and dress accordingly.)

    REGISTER
  • Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) and Magic, The Gathering (MTG)

    Upper School (4th-8th)
    June 24-28

    This week is for all levels of players - from novice to expert! Learn the basics of D&D and MTG. We will split the day between the two activities. Students will learn how to roll characters, go on adventures, and defeat foes in the fantasy world of D&D. In MTG, they will learn to build decks, take care of their cards, and play a draft tournament. What do these creative role-playing/tabletop card games teach? Teamwork, problem-solving, communication, vocabulary, listening skills, imagination, and strategy. These games scaffold collaborative and social engagement while creatively tapping into student expressions of teamwork, bravery, compassion, negotiation, gamer etiquette, and critical thinking, all while developing statistics, predictability, and mapping skills.




Harborlight provides a limited number of need-based partial scholarships for Experience Weeks and Summer programs that are open to greater-Beverly students, grade 1-8, who do not attend Harborlight during the academic year. The process to apply is simple. Please complete this application and return it to the Admission Office at Harborlight with the required documents attached. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Not all programs offered can be discounted, please check for eligibility.

Popular Past Course Descriptions

List of 24 items.

  • Author's Corner: Write, Illustrate, Publish: (Grades 1 -3)

    During this week, young authors will study the work of local authors and illustrators and learn what inspires their craft. They will immerse themselves in writing in their genre of choice: personal narrative, poetry collection, instruction manual, or fiction/storytelling; editing and revising; illustrating or book cover design; peer review; and finally publishing and marketing (think book signing!) their very own books. The week will include visits to local bookstores, libraries, special guests, and possibly a publishing house and will culminate in an author's corner in the Harborlight library for friends and family. Through this week-long immersive experience in literature, students discover they can write clearly and skillfully and joyfully read and connect to the writing of their peers.  In the words of Lucy Caulkins "through this they learn to live together as caring, thoughtful readers and writers".
  • Down Under, Journey Through the Outback: (Grades: 1 - 3)

    Let's take a trip "Down-Under" mate and learn about some unusual animals found nowhere else in the world, make delicious Aussie delicacies and have a gander at different natural wonders of Australia's varied geography! Join teacher Meg Portnof and journey through the Outback. This week of exploration and discovery will include art (including Aboriginal-type artwork), history, geography, music, and more. The week will culminate in a mini-fair that showcases student learning.
  • Geocaching: (Grades 1 - 3)

    Geocaching is a fun recreational activity for all ages. Students will go on real-world treasure hunts in their outdoor adventures this week. Geocaching is a fun recreational activity for all ages, it is a game of following GPS coordinates to 'hide' our own geocache objects and seek geocache objects already hidden by other players in our geocaching global community. This week's lessons will build upon Harborlight's Botany, Zoology, Geography and Environmental Stewardship curriculums. It will challenge students to apply mathematics (measurement, estimation, graphing, and Geometry) to their field experiences in nature.
  • Indigenous Peoples of North America: (Grades 1 - 3)

    Explore the history, heritage, and culture of North American Indigenous peoples. Engage in research, inquiry, study, and understanding with a focus on some of the more than 70 tribes within the United States and Canada. This week will include a study of some of the collections of the Indian Rights Association archives and materials that source communication, organizational records, and documents. A cross-disciplinary approach to this week's study will also provide an understanding of social justice and natural resources on Native American lands. This week's studies will culminate in a fair with projects and presentations.
  • Inland Explorers: Journey of Learning through Marsh & Meadow: (Grades 1 - 3)


    The Japanese Paper Theater Story of the Sunflower inspires observation at the inland marsh and meadow. Lark Learning STEM staff guide the use scientific methods to test and make predictions and design an inland habitat for the Meadow Lark and follow interaction between various animal species. Use scientific methods to test and make predictions and design an inland habitat for the Meadow Lark and follow interaction between various animal species. Design a favorite creature and discover movement through synchronization experiments, and explore hands-on artistic 3D modeling concepts.
  • Main Streets and Back Roads: (Grades 4 - 8)

    Much like Chronicle's Main Streets and Back Roads, students will explore gardens, footpaths, statues, parks, trails, waterfronts, and more of our neighboring cities and town. Students will visit Gloucester, Salem, and Newburyport to explore tourist attractions, off-the-beaten-path destinations, notable architecture, and the hidden 'quirky-corners' of these communities. While on campus they will design a destination brochure for an imaginary  city or town of their own that is inspired by their favorite sights, sounds, and flavors from the week's adventures.
  • Museum School: (Grades 4 - 8)

    Did you know that Massachusetts has 228 museums? During this week, students will visit a different museum each day to explores themes in art, history, and science. Harborlight will equip each student with a sketchbook/observation journal for taking notes and drawing. They will explore exhibits and galleries, roam the grounds and halls, think critically, examine purposefully and be immersed in culture. They will also complete scavenger hunts in Boston that highlight parks and works of art and also The Story of America. The notes they take, memories they record, and images they sketch will serve as a visual diary of their studies.
  • National Parks: (Grades 4 - 8)

    Our New England national parks are a perfect place to engage our student's innate curiosity about history of time and place and sense of wonder about the outdoor world. This week the national parks from New Hampshire to Boston will be our classroom. Hands-on learning activities will guide their connections to heritage, culture, history, and natural habitats for wildlife. There will be an opportunity for students to research and virtually explore national parks out of our range to visit. At the end of the week the students will present proposals for places in the US they would choose to designate a national park and defend their pick.
  • New England Arts & Crafts: (Grades 1 - 3)

    Expand your art experiences as we explore the five types of craft media: ceramic, metal, glass, wood and fiber. This week will combine visits with local artists and craftsmen in our region and hands-on practice using these media in different forms in our Harborlight art studio. Students may explore weaving, painting, carving, sculpting, beading, and more. Students will keep a reflection journal and present their art at the end of the week.
  • Queen Victoria, Fact or Fiction: (Grades 6 - 8))

    During this week, the students will learn to analyze historical movies for “truth” and understand that only certain stories are told, and usually from one perspective. They will be able to watch other historical movies and understand the questions that should be asked. To begin the week, there will be a multi-media presentation about Queen Victoria and her life including a study of three movies covering different times in her life; “The Young Victoria”, “Mrs. Brown”, and “Victoria & Abdul.” Students will create a movie story board on a poster detailing one specific aspect of Queen Victoria's life they would like to tell in their own voice.
  • Roller Coaster Science: (Grades 4 - 8)

    How to build a better Roller Coaster! Students will study the engineering design process to create a 3D model of a roller coaster that they will pitch to Six Flags Amusement Parks for 2024! There is a great need for research and development and Six Flags will be the ultimate physics and engineering lab.  

    Through this course students will be able to explain potential and kinetic energy, work in teams through the design process (including using time constraints and a budget), and market their projects through multi-media presentation, persuasive writing and speeches. During the showcase, invited parents and guests will be able to vote for the BEST COASTER for 2024!
  • Signs of Summer: (Grades 1 - 3)

    During this week, students will explore our campus, coastlines, and neighboring habitats for signs of summer (officially June 21st!). Students will spend the week using their five senses to observe and record the changing of the seasons in places such as the woods, tide pools, and local gardens. At the end of the week, each one of them will find a medium to tell their story of summer in New England. "Live in the sunshine, swim in the seam drink in the wild air." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
  • The Art of Film Production: (Grades 4 - 8)

    This one-week collaboration between FC Academy Filmmaking (the creators of the Boston International Kids Film Festival) and Harborlight Montessori provides two distinct and intensive experiences in filmmaking and stop-motion animation for students in grades 4-8. 
    Stop-Motion Animation Only 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
    This one-week course provides an intensive experience in stop-motion animation. Stop-motion is an animated filmmaking technique in which objects are physically manipulated in small increments between individually photographed frames so that they will appear to exhibit independent motion or change when the series of frames is played back. Students will learn the principles of animation and produce a short film using objects found around the house and brought to class. The week will culminate in a presentation of their work for family and friends. *This course requires a touch screen device with access to the free app Stop Motion Studio (available for iPods, iPhones, iPads, Androids, etc).

    Filmmaking Only 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
    This one-week course provides an intensive experience in filmmaking. Students will work collaboratively to bring creativity to life in a fun, and exciting learning environment. Students will learn scriptwriting, storyboard sketching, improvisation, and camera skills. Together they will write, shoot, and edit a film in a genre of their choosing and edit their project together using the professional editing software Adobe Premiere. The week will culminate in a presentation of their work for family and friends.
  • The Beauty and Science of Snowflakes: (Grades 1 - 3)

    Winter, the coldest season of the year, kicks-off our Going Out Experience Weeks annually. Plunging temperatures bring conditions for the perfect snowflake to take shape in this integrated week of study. Students will explore the principles of weather and climate that produce snow crystals, investigate the types of snowflakes through geometry of plane crystals, and appreciate the natural beauty that is both art and chemistry (a changing state of matter-H2O). The week will culminate in an art and storytelling presentation.

    “Every crystal was a masterpiece of design and no one design was ever repeated.” - Wilson 'Snowflake' Bentley, Author of Snowflakes in Photography
     
  • Travel Adventures: Florida Everglades (Grades 6 - 8)

    Pack your bags and EXPLORE YOUR WORLD. Students will travel on an adventure to Southern Florida and the Everglades.  Students registered for this Experience Week will be involved in the budgeting, planning, scheduling of reservations, and researching places to eat, sights to see, and recreation activities. 
  • Vernal Pools, Life in Shallow Water: (Grades 1 - 3)

    The Audubon Society of Rhode Island has been known to call vernal pools in this area "wicked big puddles". Students will study what makes these 'puddles' special, from characteristic formation to disappearance to the creature that emerge, thrive, and breed uniquely in this habitat. An investigation into the creatures who depend on vernal pools with a focus on amphibians, invertebrates, and insects - and most especially the fairy shrimp. Trips out to the local wetlands and woodland hollows will focus on exploration, observation, and engendering an appreciation for the protection and conservation of the vernal pools and the forested uplands that create them. A presentation at the end of the week will be available to parents and guests. 
  • Winter Wonders: (Grades 1 - 3)

    Winter, the coldest season of the year, kicks-off our Going Out Experience Weeks annually. Plunging temperatures and icy weather bring many changes all around campus and in our neighboring forests, oceans, and farms. Some animals migrate, while others seek other habitats because of changes in their food supply, and some hibernate.  Students, educators, and naturalists explore together the science and nature of winter including hibernation, migration, adaptation and more. Our campus and neighboring habitats provide venues for field observation and nature study. The week will culminate in an art and science presentation.
  • Coastal Creatures: Create 3D Prints with BlocksCAD! (Grades 4 - 8)


    Design and 3D print through coding with the BlocksCAD 3D modeling program, while studying the coastal ecosystem of Magellanic Penguins with the staff of Lark Learning STEM. Beginning with the Japanese Paper Theater Story of the Penguin nesting in South America, and observation of migration, seasonal habitats and life cycles of coastal creatures, employ the basics of design, coding logic and movement, and engineer solutions to support the penguin ecosystem as a final project.
  • Exploring Instrumental Music: Music Through Mentoring (Grades 1 - 3)


    Join the professional musicians of Harborlight’s music program for a week of solo and group music-making. Students currently taking instrumental lessons explore different styles of ensemble music and develop their technical and note reading skills. Those with little-to-no instrumental experience interact with a variety of instruments (piano, guitar, recorders, and percussion), to learn the basics of instrument playing and note reading, and small-group ensemble work. The week will culminate with a final performance.
  • Revolutionaries in the Art World: From Research to Practice (Grades 4 - 9)


    Learn about artists who made a huge difference to international culture. Using the Peabody Essex and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museums as our classrooms, we will explore the context – the art, time period and the social structures – in place at the time that these artists worked. Students will apply their studies and observations to hands-on art projects building off of the work they have studied.
  • The Earth Science of Geology: Exploration, Experimentation & Inspiration (Grades 1 - 3)


    Study geology through small group work, experiments, research, art, music and games. Field study will take place at Halibut Point State Park and the Harvard Museum of Natural History. Points of reference will include- rock formation study and specimen collection and classification. Mineral sketch books, rock painting and collage will allow students to discover rocks as an art medium and inspiration. Research and study of the economic impact of the granite industry on the North Shore will round out this interdisciplinary course.
  • At the Water’s Edge: Eco-Poetics, Eco-Art and Coastal Ecology (Grades 4 - 8)


    Join Salem Sound Coastwatch for a series of interactive field trips designed to immerse students in the study of coastal ecology. We will plant eelgrass, conduct water testing and engage in a variety of stewardship activities to improve the health of the coastal ecosystem. Students will be challenged to express their observations and awareness through poetry and art. This course aims to inspire caring and respect for the environment, stimulate dialogue and encourage children to think about the long-term sustainability of their environment.
  • The World Around Us: Embracing the North Shore (Grades 1 - 3)


    Take an in-depth look at our North Shore world, with its rich natural, cultural and human resources. Explore what makes the North Shore unique through a study of local biomes. This course will feature journaling, observation and reflection, and producing original art expressions. Bring a heightened awareness and perspective to the world we live in every day – gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of everything around us and a stronger sense of our place in the world.
  • Mapping our Backyard: The Art and Science of Topography (Grades 4 - 8)


    Study a variety of maps (physical, political, topographic, climate) and learn how they are used to display information about the world around us. Working on campus and around the North Shore, students will orientate themselves to the area and create a variety of maps as a group and individually. A culminating project will be creating topographical maps, learning to represent contour and other topographical features using different colors, shaded relief, and color gradients, employing the knowledge and experience they have gained throughout the week.

Request Information

For more information about Harborlight Montessori and our infant/toddler, preschool, elementary, or middle school programs, please make an appointment to visit our Beverly, MA campus. You can contact us here.

About Harborlight

Harborlight Montessori is a non-profit, independent, day school for students infant through grade 8 that is committed to innovative teaching and learning.