The Montessori Method
The Montessori Method and curriculum focuses upon the most vital stage of the child’s life: the beginning. It gives him/her freedom in a specially prepared environment, rich in motives for activity, which leads the child to acquire and develop the skills for reading, writing and use of numbers at the age when he/she is particularly sensitive and apt. Making decisions is the highest function of the human mind.
Our curriculum includes practical life, sensorial, language, mathematics, science, art and music, and cultural subjects with numerous hands-on learning opportunities.
Practical Life
The Practical Life materials develop fine and gross motor skills, which enables the child to become more independent in daily life skills.
Through the use of exercises such as pouring, scooping, sweeping, sewing, table washing and personal care, the child becomes more self-sufficient. Real tools and child-sized implements mirror the adult world; to refine depth perception, to strengthen hand-eye coordination, and to practice care of the self and the environment.
Sensorial
The Sensorial materials develop the whole body as the receptor and builder of information.
Sensorial materials introduce descriptive language, size, weight, depth, proportion, length, balance, scents, textures, color, gradation, sounds, and classifications of different medium. Materials are grouped in units of 10 for pre-math skills.
Language
Touch leads to writing leads to reading.
Tactile materials, hand-held letters, 2 & 3 part matching cards, I-Spy games, metal geometric shapes which introduce contours for pre-writing skills, and sandpaper letters all lead to mastery of the sound of each letter.
From this the child literally builds words and sentences, creates imaginative spelling, illustrates journals, stories, and reads.
Mathematics
The math materials are introduced in sequence from simple concepts to increasingly complex mastery, always using solid objects and counting skills before introducing abstract symbols or memorization.
The concrete materials are designed to measure, sequence, pair,
and count using beads, objects, rods, and spindles.
All Materials are self-correcting. We provide various works for 1-10 comprehension, teach place value with the Golden Beads, and introduce multiplication/division as logical extensions of adding and subtracting.
Science
In science the children’s natural curiosity is stimulated through discovery projects and experiments, helping the children draw their own conclusions.
The plant and animal kingdoms are studied in an orderly fashion to foster a love and appreciation for all living things.
Cultural Subjects
During the school year we study the seven continents; we explore each corresponding language, dress, foods, arts, music, geography, land formations etc.
We study the differences and similarities between cultures, what makes us who we are, our place in our family/community/state/county/world and our place in the solar system. Unity within diversity is absorbed through each individual’s interest in relation to the whole group. Conflict resolution skill building is a daily exercise.
Art
Many mediums for expression are available on a daily basis. Most organized art projects are reflective of the continent theme.
Art for young children is a process that unfolds with free choice of different materials, always remembering creativity and exploration are the focus. Themes are planned each year to incorporate different media experiences. We have studied, compared and explored different artists (e.g., Picasso, Monet) in the past.
Music
Music is fundamental in the classroom every day.
Appreciation of music is cultivated and music used by the civilizations throughout history is presented to the child. Music will find its way in to all aspects of the classroom – as a subtle background during work time, to signal clean-up time, as an integral part of the cultural curriculum, as a form of celebration and fun.”
Hands-on Learning Opportunities
Level Fire Company Visit
During our visits from Ms. Rhonda and our firefighter friends, our students are taught to “stop drop and roll” and allowed to see a fire fighter’s gear up close. Students learn the many ways a firefighter helps in the community and even get to look inside the fire engine. Expect your child to come home from school reminding you to change the battery in your smoke detectors at home.
Special Parent Visits
We often welcome in parents for special visits to share about a their culture or heritage.
