LOWER ELEMENTARY: KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 3rd GRADE
In the younger elementary years, students are fascinated with stories and asking big questions. Students want to know where things come from and learn about the great accomplishments of humankind. The Montessori elementary curriculum engages the student’s imagination and creativity while focusing on the broad concepts and skills that will provide the foundation for more abstract work. Students work with specially designed, multi-sensory materials that teach abstract concepts in a concrete manner.
Lessons encourage self-discipline and enhance the student’s ability to concentrate. The school day allows for 2-3 hour blocks of concentrated work (individual, in pairs, or small groups). Daily circle time is used to foster a sense of community by providing opportunities to share experiences, present projects, and work in a supportive environment building confidence, compassion, independence, and communication and conflict resolution skills.
UPPER ELEMENTARY: 3rd AND 4th GRADES
The upper elementary program for 3rd and 4th grade students continues the foundation provided in the lower elementary levels. From a daily work plan to a weekly work plan, students learn the value of time management and planning. Academic expectations are higher in this level but Montessori materials still provide the basis for most of the instruction in language, mathematics, and science. While there are many opportunities for students to engage in learning through computer technology, the Montessori materials are still fundamentally important to bridge each student’s developmental process from a need for concrete representation to the understanding of abstract concepts in mathematics, science, and language.
Montessori schools are well prepared for the adoption of Common Core standards, which call for students to understand rather than to memorize. In addition to an individualized but challenging academic experience, students participate in physical education, voice and instrumental studies as well as art education. The goal of the Upper Elementary Program is to prepare students for the Upper School.
To learn more about the elementary program, you can visit the individual learning environment (LE) pages section of our Website or make an appointment to tour our campuses. Find out more about our Upper School and Secondary Programs in this section of our Website.
“The Montessori philosophy is a method of seeing children as they really are and of creating environments which foster the fulfillment of their highest potential – spiritual, emotional, physical, and intellectual – as members of a family and the world community….. Montessori practice is always up-to-date and dynamic because observation and the meeting of needs is continual and specific for each child.” ~ www.montessori.edu