Indigo Cluster (Grades 2-3)

Welcome To indigo.clusterme.com (Indigo Cluster)--Regina Jeffery & Stacy Messaye

Have you seen a look of wonder and awe on your child’s face recently? When children have the freedom to explore, these expressions come naturally, as do teaching and learning opportunities.  Wonder surrounds us everywhere! In Indigo Cluster, our theme is Wonder and Exploration.

Our Earth Year takes us on a student-led journey wondering and exploring Mother Earth.  Students will learn about the diverse life forms that inhabit this planet, and study them from a multitude of perspectives.  And what about going beyond our world to our universe? In our alternate Space Year, children are intrigued about space and their natural curiosity leads them to explore far beyond our planet.

Indigo's thematic curriculum is developed around student interests and wonderings, which may lead to scientific explorations in geology, botany, zoology, archaeology, paleontology, physics, magnetism, astronomy, and engineering.  Students venture to discover new ways to interact and problem solve by exploring long ago, today, and looking forward to the future.   Indigo Students also wonder and explore about people who make a difference, the amazing contributions they have made, and their impact on the world.  

The Engineering Design Process is an integral part of student learning and exploration. The process begins with a wondering.  It involves asking a question or defining the problem, brainstorming solutions, and then accessing and using information as well as acquired knowledge to develop a solution.  Using project based learning, they are challenged to apply this knowledge in new and useful ways using an invent to learn model.  Students create, build, and test their solutions and are not afraid to fail.  They work, often cooperatively, to revise approaches and try again to improve their outcome. The Engineering Design process is not only used and applied in science but is an approach to teaching and leaning integrated throughout Indigo’s curriculum and encouraged in daily life.  Technology is fully integrated into several steps of this process as a tool of exploration, application, and creative presentation of knowledge.

We are excited each time a child discovers something for the first time!  We encourage them to take risks, push the limits, and explore our world a little further. We strive to provide opportunities for students to explore actively, interact, and communicate with others thoughtfully, and feed a child’s inquisitive nature.   Indigo Cluster is a child-centered community of learners using a variety of strategies and methodologies to meet the needs of our diverse learners.  Children are empowered to share and expand their thinking, while diverse perspectives and strategies are honored. 

Imagine the possibilities when a child is allowed to explore and construct knowledge through their experiences and interests. We provide a hands-on, project based, thematic experience that allows children to touch, hold, move and experience to construct foundational knowledge.   Technology and the arts are fully integrated daily and embedded throughout projects.