Elementary (3rd-5th)

Inquiry & Innovation

Children playing outdoor red ball game

At this stage, students begin to see the world—and themselves—with increasing depth and complexity. At WBNS, we nurture that growth by creating an environment where projects invite inquiry, creativity, and collaboration. Learning is standards-based, nature-anchored, and community-driven, helping students connect knowledge to purpose and real-world relevance.

Teachers act as facilitators and mentors, providing meaningful lessons, tools, and feedback while empowering students to take ownership of their learning. Projects weave together literacy, math, science, social studies, regenerative agriculture, outdoor education, STEAM, and the arts, giving children authentic opportunities to solve problems, create, and reflect on their growth.

Through farm, forest, and fellowship, students strengthen their confidence as learners, deepen their sense of responsibility within the community, and practice kindness and integrity in daily life. This is a time of exploration, empowerment, and joyful rigor—preparing students not just for middle school, but for leadership in the wider world.

Children on a hiking trip in a wooded area, holding sticks and wearing backpacks, smiling and posing for the camera.
Group of six children sitting and lying on dirt ground in a forest, smiling and making peace signs, surrounded by greenery and fallen leaves.
A man kneeling and reading a book aloud to a group of children sitting on a log in the woods.
Three children having a tea party outdoors at a wooden picnic table, with plush toys and sunflowers on the table.
Six young girls standing on a fallen log in a forest, smiling at the camera with their arms around each other.
Group of children and an adult hiking on a forest trail surrounded by green foliage.
Two children sitting at a table looking at colorful educational posters or maps, with a jar of markers in the center of the table, in a classroom setting.
Children sitting on wooden benches and playing with recorders outdoors in a covered area with a gravel ground and greenery in the background.
Three children working on homework or drawing at a wooden picnic table outdoors under an umbrella, with backpacks and water bottles nearby, in a park or wooded area.
Two young girls sitting under a large tree in a grassy area, with a backdrop of fields and a road.
A group of children and adults hiking on a gravel trail through a grassy landscape with mountains in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
Two young girls sitting on the forest floor covered with fallen leaves, engaged in an activity, surrounded by large trees and green foliage.
A young girl in muddy clothing sitting on a muddy slope in a muddy outdoor area, surrounded by other people also dressed in muddy clothing, possibly after sliding or falling on the wet ground.
Group of five children and one adult smiling and making funny faces outdoors in a wooded area.
A group of children and a woman gathered around a table in a classroom, with posters and artwork on the walls.
A young boy standing in a cornfield with a cheerful expression, holding a small plant or leaf, with a person in the background and rolling hills in the distance.
Two young girls displaying corn husk dolls they made, standing under a wooden shelter with other children in the background.
A group of people outdoors in a grassy field surrounded by trees, with one person using a mattock to dig or break ground, while others watch in a natural setting under a partly cloudy sky.
A view of a forest with tall trees, green and yellow leaves, and a bright blue sky with some clouds.
Three people gathered around a table looking at a photo album, with one person showing a picture of a bird.

Curriculum At-A-Glance

  • 3rd Grade – Deepen inquiry: ecosystems studies, sustainable community models, myth and story projects.

  • 4th Grade – Connect past, present & place: Cherokee history, NC regions, documenting traditions.

  • 5th Grade – Innovate through imagination: fantasy writing, invention design, survival simulations.

Description of Subjects

Our Project-Based Learning model integrates all grade-level, standards-based subjects (ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, SEL, Eco-Arts, Regenerative Agriculture, STEAM, Outdoor Education & Survival, and Music) into meaningful projects connected to nature, community, and real-world problem-solving.

  • Literacy skills are cultivated daily through authentic experiences. Students practice phonics and decoding in the younger grades, then build toward fluency and comprehension through engaging texts connected to project themes. Writing is integrated into projects as students document research, craft narratives, create persuasive pieces, and reflect in journals. In this way, reading and writing become purposeful tools for communication and storytelling rather than isolated drills.

  • Math concepts are taught through real-world applications within projects. Students explore number sense, operations, geometry, measurement, and data analysis in meaningful contexts—such as tracking plant growth in the garden, designing structures, mapping trails, or budgeting for a classroom project. Sacred geometry and patterns in nature provide inspiration for both conceptual understanding and creative application.

  • Science comes alive through inquiry, observation, and experimentation outdoors and in the classroom. Students ask questions, test hypotheses, and document findings as part of their projects. From studying ecosystems in the forest, to experimenting with renewable energy, to analyzing soil quality in agriculture, students apply the scientific method while connecting to natural cycles and phenomena.

  • History, geography, civics, and culture are integrated into projects that connect students to their place and community. Younger students learn about their immediate environment and local traditions, while older students engage with broader historical themes and global perspectives. Projects might include studying the Cherokee history of North Carolina, simulating early settlement life, or exploring democratic decision-making within the classroom.

  • Students engage with the cycles of planting, harvesting, composting, and animal care as part of their projects. Agriculture lessons highlight soil health, biodiversity, and sustainability, teaching children how humans can work in partnership with the land. From preparing meals with harvested foods to designing regenerative systems, students learn both practical skills and ecological responsibility.

  • Outdoor Education builds awareness, resilience, and connection through direct experience in nature. Projects might include camping, shelter-building, water purification, orienteering, and fire-making (with age-appropriate progression). Students also practice mindfulness and observation in the forest, learning to track animals, identify plants, and cultivate both confidence and humility in wilderness settings.

  • STEAM projects invite innovation and problem-solving rooted in nature. Students design and build structures, experiment with simple machines, explore coding and robotics, and integrate artistic design. The STEAM lab and outdoor spaces become testing grounds where creativity and critical thinking merge, showing students how human innovation can mimic and collaborate with the natural world.

  • Eco-Arts blends creative expression with ecological awareness. Students use natural materials and recycled resources to create visual art, music, and performance pieces that celebrate and interpret their projects. Whether painting with natural dyes, building community sculptures, or composing songs inspired by the forest, Eco-Arts fosters self-expression while deepening appreciation for the natural world.

Focus & Skills

Group of children creating a colorful banner in a classroom. The banner says "The Tinker G" and is decorated with various drawings and letters.

  • Strengthened awareness and appreciation of the outdoors, with growing confidence in observation, exploration, and stewardship.

  • Expanding skills in diverse art forms, using creativity as a tool for expression, innovation, and connection.

  • A practical understanding of food systems, nutrition, and the role of regenerative agriculture in healthy communities.

  • A solid and expanding grasp of mathematics—seeing how numbers, patterns, and problem-solving connect to real-life projects and decision-making.

  • A developing love for reading and writing, using the written and spoken word to communicate ideas, share stories, and explore personal expression.

  • A deepening knowledge of the natural and social world through integrated Social Studies and Science projects that highlight interconnection and relevance.

  • A growing sense of identity and contribution within their learning community—recognizing their unique role, strengths, and responsibilities.

Students Learn To…

Two children sitting and lying on a circular rug with ocean animal designs, surrounded by numbered cards.

3rd Grade : Deepen Inquiry & Problem-Solving

Third graders take on more complex projects that require research and critical thinking. They might investigate ecosystems, design models of sustainable communities, or explore myths and stories that reflect human relationships with nature. Reading and writing expand into comparing texts, summarizing information, and crafting reports or persuasive letters. Math skills like multiplication, division, fractions, and measurement are applied to building, data collection, and design. Students begin presenting their work to authentic audiences, developing confidence and voice.

Group of five people, three girls and two boys, in a forest , smiling and taking a selfie. The woman on the left is wearing a hat and a dark T-shirt, one girl is wearing a yellow beanie, the boy on the right is wearing a black cap with yellow text, and the other boy is wearing a white cap. They are all smiling and enjoying outside.

4th Grade : Connect Past, Present & Place

 Fourth graders explore history, geography, and community identity through projects such as studying Cherokee history, investigating rivers and regions, or documenting local traditions. Reading and writing grow through biographies, historical fiction, and persuasive essays, while math is applied to mapping, scale, and data analysis. Science integrates with social studies as students examine landforms, ecosystems, and resource use. They begin to see the interdependence of natural and human systems, building a sense of stewardship and civic responsibility.

Group of children and an adult posing outdoors near a house, some making peace signs and thumbs up, with a small grave or hole in the ground in front, on a sunny day

5th Grade : Transform Imagination Into Innovation

Fifth graders take on projects that combine creativity and problem-solving. They might design inventions inspired by nature, write and illustrate fantasy novels, or simulate survival scenarios that require applied science and math. Literacy extends into extended narratives, persuasive arguments, and deep text analysis. Math concepts such as decimals, percentages, and volume are applied in design challenges, budgeting, and calculations. Students see themselves as innovators and leaders, preparing for the rigor and independence of middle school.

Two young girls sitting on the forest floor, engaged in an activity, with tall trees and dense green foliage in the background.

Unstructured Forest Time

Aside from being outdoors as much as possible for our core curriculum subjects, and traversing the property throughout the day, students experience 1-1.5 hours each day of unstructured (but not unsupervised!) time in our woods, fields, trails, and creeks.   Here, we have witnessed students building natural shelters, creating games, constructing dams in the creek, and checking in on various habitats of the bugs, insects, birds, and wild animals who reside at Woodson Branch Nature School.  Some choose quieter independent activities like reading a book, writing in their journals, or drawing under a tree or umbrella when its raining.  The value and benefits of this daily practice is immeasurable, but evident in the level of creativity and success with projects during focus times.  Time in nature is a gift that we take very seriously in honoring at WBNS!

A man speaking to a group of children seated on benches inside a wooden shelter, with some children clapping and smiling, surrounded by wooden pallets and outdoor structures.

The WBNS Elementary Experience

At this stage, students begin to see the world—and themselves—with increasing complexity. At WBNS, we honor that growth by providing a dynamic learning environment that invites deeper thought, authentic engagement, and joyful rigor. Our educators act as facilitators and mentors, helping students stretch their minds, strengthen their values, and anchor their learning in community, creativity, and care.

Through farm, forest, and fellowship, we help children become confident learners, capable citizens, and kind humans—ready for what comes next.

We believe children thrive when given the chance to move their bodies, engage their senses, and connect learning to real life. The result is a community of confident, grounded, and joyful learners who are ready to step into the world with curiosity and care.

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