elementari

Elementari is the Italian term commonly used to refer to the first stage of primary education, the scuola primaria, in the Italian education system. It covers five years of schooling following preschool and precedes middle school.

Typical structure and age: students usually begin around age six and complete the cycle around eleven. Classes are organized by year (prima, seconda, terza, quarta, quinta). The curriculum emphasizes foundational literacy and numeracy, with subjects including Italian language, mathematics, science, civics and geography, history, art and music, physical education, and foreign language instruction in later years.

Teaching and assessment: instruction centers on developing reading, writing, basic math, and problem-solving skills, along with social and personal development. Assessment is generally continuous, using classwork, tests, and portfolios, reported to families through periodic reports. At the end of the fifth year, students typically transition to the scuola secondaria di primo grado (middle school).

Terminology and context: the term elementari derives from the historical label scuola elementare; today it is commonly referred to as scuola primaria, while elementari remains a colloquial designation.

International context: while specific structures vary by country, many education systems include a comparable early primary stage known in English as elementary school or primary school.