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Curriculum "Our
aim is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force
him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his
innermost core." Dr. Maria Montessori
Our classrooms are divided into five
main areas as described below Practical Life Sensorial Mathematics Language Cultural Arts Practical Life:
The child’s introduction
to the Montessori environment begins in the classroom. The environment is
designed to foster within each child coordination, concentration, order and
independence. Mastery of these core skills develops the base needed for the work
in all other areas of the classroom and for all aspects of the child’s life. Sensorial:
The sensorial materials enable the child to order, classify and describe sensory impressions in relation to length, width, height, temperature, color, scent, taste, mass, sound, touch and pitch.
Mathematics: The use of manipulative materials enables the child to internalize concept of numbers, symbols, sequence, operations and memorization of basic facts.
Language: Oral language development, written expression, reading, study of grammar, children’s literature and conversational Spanish are introduced in our language curriculum.
Cultural: The child’s introduction to the basics of geography, history, life and earth sciences, art, music and movement complete the basics needed to educate the whole child.
Kindergarten and lower elementary level children are guided through the state mandated curriculum with much individual attention to their specific learning styles and aptitudes, while continuing to use the Montessori hands-on materials. Classrooms The classrooms are multi-aged, with three, four, and five year old children comprising the preschool through Kindergarten classroom and six, seven, and eight-year old children sharing the first through third grade classroom. The multi-age setting permits the children to learn from each other, allows the older ones to reinforce their knowledge by sharing with the younger children and allows each child to have the same teacher for three years. The children learn to take responsibility for themselves and for each other while learning to get along with children of different ages and abilities, which results in a mutual respect for each other's work and work space.
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