THE PRIMARY CURRICULUM
Primary Classrooms, for age group 2 1/2 to 6 year olds are carefully
designed for children to "learn by doing". In our carefully
designed environment there are a variety of activities. It is a
calm, structured space constructed to meet a child’s individual
needs. Here, the child experiences a blend of freedom and discipline
in a space especially designed for his or her optimal development.
The Montessori preschool curriculum is interdisciplinary and interactive.
It encompasses five broad areas:
1. PRACTICAL LIFE exercises instill care for self, for others,
and for the environment. Activities include many of the tasks children
see as part of their daily routine in the home such as preparing
food and washing dishes. The exercises of Practical Life allow the
children to learn to function independently by caring for their
own needs and the needs of the class environment. They learn to
complete such tasks by developing their powers of control and concentration.
One distinct group of Practical Life exercises is referred to as
"Grace and Courtesy" which aids the development of social
relations (greeting, serving, accepting, apologizing, thanking,
etc.)
2. SENSORIAL AREA focuses on the development of sensory perception.
All five senses are engaged as children learn to differentiate among
sizes, colors, weights, forms, textures, scents, tastes, and musical
sounds. Aristotle said, "There is nothing in the intellect
which was not first in the senses."
3. LANGUAGE AREA offers the young child the opportunity to
develop oral language through discussions, storytelling, poetry,
vocabulary lessons, etc. A phonics approach to reading is incorporated.
The "Sandpaper Letters" help children link sound and symbol
effortlessly, through a sight-sound-touch presentation of the alphabet.
Numerous studies have found that explicit and direct phonics instruction
offers significant benefits to children learning to read. The earlier
children receive phonics instruction, the better. Many reading experts
and the National Reading Panel stress that phonics instruction must
be individualized for every child. One-size-fits-all phonics instruction
doesn’t always work. A Montessori classroom offers just that:
individualized phonics instruction starting in the Primary class.
Writing and reading skills are generally developed consecutively.
To further enhance reading development, children are taught grammar.
4. MATHEMATICS activities help children learn and understand
the concepts of math by manipulating concrete materials. Various
activities allow the child to internalize concepts of quantity,
sequence, decimal system, place value and to explore the processes
of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. This work
gives children a solid understanding of basic mathematical principles,
prepares them for later abstract reasoning, and helps develop problem-solving
capabilities.
5. GEOGRAPHY, BIOLOGY, BOTANY, ZOOLOGY, ART and MUSIC
are integrated in the Primary Class curriculum. Children learn about
people and cultures in other countries with an attitude of respect
and admiration. Art programs give children every opportunity to
enjoy a variety of creative activities and gain knowledge of the
great masters. To enrich the Music program Dr. Montessori designed
a set of bells corresponding to the keys on the piano. Teachers
are trained to use "The Bells" to teach the children the
pitch of musical notes. This type of "ear training" is
excellent preparation for any further pursuit in music. Children
should be exposed to this type of training early so we start it
in the Primary class. Each classroom has an adjacent outdoor environment
where children will garden and explore nature.THE TODDLER
CURRICULUMThe Montessori Toddler environment is carefully
prepared to aid the toddler in achieving independence. Social
interaction with other children, development of language skills,
cooking, music, and movement activities are stressed in this
curriculum. The curriculum also includes activities that
allows the young children to develop fine and gross motor
coordination and visual discrimination through the senses and
learning materials. There is a small garden area outside the
classroom where the children care for plants and seeds. The
toddler community has one teacher and one assistant in a class of 16
children.THE SUMMER CAMP CURRICULUM
The Summer Curriculum will offer children the opportunity to work on
the Primary Montessori Curriculum. This camp will provide the
children an opportunity to experience varied topics in a fun filled
environment. Each session will emphasize a specific topic.
These topics are:
- Botany: Study of flowers, trees and edible plants. The children will get a chance to do a lot of planting, gardening, Botany experiments, leaf collection and related art work.
- Zoology: Study about wild and domestic animals, fishes, reptiles and birds. Children will learn about their characteristics and habitats. To culminate the studies "Pet a Zoo" will come to school and bring a variety of animals for the children to see and play with.
- American Heritage: Children will explore different aspects of American culture: history, art, music, food, holidays, national parks, monuments, etc.
- Food and Nutrition: Children will learn about food groups, digestive system and the importance of eating nutritious foods. There will be lots of activities for the children that involve food preparation following simple recipes.
"Our results have been surprising, for the children have shown a love of work which no one suspected to be in them."Click here for a list of printer friendly pages.
- Maria Montessori