Stafford, Davidson, and Harrison decided to take on a very large project, a house structure, during a recent Friday ICO.
The Lower Elementary students at FOA participate in Innovative Creative Opportunities (ICO) on Friday mornings. This special time is set aside to allow students to go through the creative process and the only requirements are that the project has to be meaningful and there has to be a final product. Students have access to many types of materials such as cardboard boxes, feathers, googly eyes, glue, paint, glitter, tape, you name it! At the end of every ICO period, the students share with the group about their project.
Stafford, Davidson, and Harrison, pictured on the right, took on the task of building a housing structure one Friday. When interviewed about their project by Ms. Jill, they explained where they found inspiration for the project and what they enjoyed about the project.
Stafford, Harrison, and Davidson: “Stafford got the idea from the TV show ‘Barnwood Builders’ where they tear down a barn and rebuild it with the same wood. They were building a tiny house. We used little and big sticks from the woods at Five Oaks. We stacked them like log cabins are stacked. We found a tree stump where a tree had fallen in the woods. We had to roll it down the bridge but it started rolling too fast so I had to put my foot out to stop it.”
Stafford: “The part I liked the best was taking some little sticks to build a shelf to put stuff on.”
Harrison: “I liked getting the log and making a really big chair in it.”
Davidson: “I liked the lounge chair that we made out of a log.”
ICO on Fridays is an exciting time to be in the Lower Elementary classrooms. Problem-solving, collaboration, conflict resolution, and going through the creative process are all skills practiced during Friday’s ICO time. Students take full advantage of this time to get truly creative and think outside the “literal” box.
FedEx Day is an event the Middle School students look forward to all year. This is a day that they take on a project of their choosing with the goal of “delivering it quickly” just as FedEx does. Students plan their projects in advance but have to complete the projects in a single day. The following day they present it to the class.
On Dec. 12, students got busy executing their Fed Ex Day plans. There were several parent volunteers available to assist the students in creating their projects. Problem-solving, critical thinking, and creative thinking are all skills that are used on this exciting day. These important skills are also embedded in the Middle School program every day as we strive to cultivate original thinkers. Many times, students learn as much or more from their errors then they do from their successes throughout this fun and innovative day.
“Best Fall Festival ever!!!” was sung by students and parents alike during this year’s Fall Festival. This annual school-wide event brings FOA families, friends, students and teachers together to celebrate the Fall season, recognize harvest traditions worldwide, and enjoy socializing and laughing together.
The festival kicked off with student performances from each level as they showcased their World Music and Spanish curriculum. After the performances, everyone enjoyed crafts, food, pony rides, hayrides and great music by The Drover’s Old Time Medicine Show. New this year, we welcomed Robino’s Food Truck and the King of Pops popsicle stand. It was a delicious and fun way to celebrate a new season!
Thank you to our 2016-17 Five Oaks Academy Title Partners 
“Where do students attend high school after graduating from eighth grade at Five Oaks Academy? ” This is a question many prospective parents ask when considering FOA as a fit for their child and family. This very important question is answered by looking at the individual student. The Middle School (MS) teachers begin the conversation about high school options with students and parents early in the 7th-grade year. With the frequent changes in program options, the MS teachers maintain a relationship with guidance and admissions counselors from high schools in this area so they can help families navigate this important decision.
The FOA Middle School prepares students academically, socially and emotionally for the rigors of high school. Academically, students are guided in learning effective note-taking, developing organization skills, and refining time management skills. Students are taught to study for a variety of test formats and to use their time efficiently in doing so. Students are taught to focus on the importance of details and how to use textbooks effectively as a resource. Additionally, students are coached in developing their problem-solving abilities and resourcefulness. Students who are academically and emotionally prepared, are given the chance to earn high school credits in several areas of study.
The social and emotional development of our students is as important as academics in preparing them for the transition to high school and beyond. The MS teachers guide students in conflict resolution and clique-busting strategies to further develop their social adaptability. Students learn about the social components of attentiveness in their classes with techniques such as the SLANT strategy (Sit up, Lean forward, Activate your thinking, Name key information, and Track the talker). Students learn how to put their best foot forward each day by being introduced to the idea of “snapshots,” the impressions a teacher may get of them based on their behavior when only seeing them for a single class period. These impressions may alter the teachers willingness to help a student or give them the benefit of the doubt when grading their work.
Another integral part of the MS experience at FOA is the time our teachers spend guiding our students in exploring their unique interests and developing their individual strengths. Students take the Strengthsfinder Assessment to help them more formally identify and assess their strengths. Part of this exploratory journey involves participating in internships that allow students to experience different career options. Our 6th-grade students mentor throughout the FOA campus as they learn about the internship process. Our 7th and 8th-grade students go out into the Greenville business community three times a year and shadow business professionals in areas of interest to them. These internships provide students with valuable experiences to draw upon as they start the process of figuring out who they are and what their goals are in life.
On September 21 at 9:30 a.m., FOA students, teachers, and faculty (as well as students from all over the state of South Carolina) gathered together, joined hands, and sang a beautiful version of “Light a Candle for Peace” lead by World Music Director, Mr. Chris Cash. This song was sung around the world for 24 hours straight on this day in celebration of the International Day of Peace. The song was followed by observing a moment of silence and peaceful reflection. Five Oaks Academy students were thrilled to be a part of a worldwide event that was designed to strengthen the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and people.
FOA’s Upper Elementary and Middle School Chess teams competed on Wednesday, March 16 in the South Carolina Independent School Association’s (SCISA’s) State chess competition in Sumter, SC. As a team, the Middle School finished 2nd out of 19 schools and the Upper Elementary finished 10th out of 17 schools. Two members of the Middle School team, Ranjan and Thomas, finished in the Top Ten! This was the second 
If you are considering choosing a Montessori education for your child and would like to find out more information about Five Oaks Academy, we invite you to attend one of our two upcoming Open House mornings on March 15 or April 12 at 9:00 am. Please call or email Jessica Greer at 864-228-1880 jessica@fiveoaksacademy.com for more information or to sign up for this event.
