Great Lessons
Each year, our work in the elementary class begins with five important stories called the “Great Lessons”. These stories dramatize known facts about
the universe and the progression of human civilization.
Through dramatic stories, experiments, charts timelines, and illustrations we center the children’s interests by helping them create a picture of the whole universe at work.
From here, our classroom opens up to endless possibilities as students follow their own particular interests with a large measure of freedom. This unit of study forms the backbone that integrates our daily curriculum.
The Great Lessons are part of what Montessori called “cosmic education”. This is the child’s gradual discovery of
how all things on earth in the past, present and future are interrelated.
Through this work, the children develop a greater global vision of their world.
Language and Literature
The elementary language curriculum emphasizes creative and expository writing, interpretive reading of literature and poetry.
Children read in groups, independently, and to each other; they play spelling games and receive one-on-one attention from their teachers.
We focus on
word study (including antonyms, synonyms, homonyms, and compounds, as well as the parts of speech), spelling, grammar, punctuation, penmanship and capitalization.
Writing begins with process writing, developing skills for editing and revising. We concentrate on written forms to include
story form, where students analyze literary components of setting, characters, plot, and fact vs. fiction.
Report form is another focus, as are journals, logs and book reports. In this way our Lower Elementary children strengthen their
reading comprehension, research skills,
and writing capabilities.
Research skills are introduced, practiced through individual project work and refined as students work with a wide range of research materials. Students practice and further enhance their critical thinking, reading and writing skills throughout the curriculum.
Mathematics
Following the continuum established in the Primary class, children learn math by working their way from the concrete to the abstract. Through extensive use of multisensory materials, early math lessons involve manipulatives like beads, tiles, and cubes, which may be color-coded or range in size. As the child uses these objects, numeration, measurement, and basic operations are strengthened.
Presented with concrete materials the mathematics curriculum reveals
arithmetic, geometric, and algebraic connections.
Work with the Montessori mathematics materials ensures that mathematics is not simply memorized, but understood.
We extend the children’s knowledge of
decimal system as they explore its quantities and qualities. Students practice operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, problem solving, work with graphs and charts and geometry. We study number hierarchy, fractions, decimals, negative numbers, squaring and cubing.
Throughout math work, students are continuously applying what they learn to how it relates in daily situations.
Geometry
Geometry is a fascinating area of Montessori. Elementary students continue exploring geometry on a sensorial level. Students gain a strong understanding of fundamental geometric concepts through consecutive lessons with Montessori materials. Children use actual wooden shapes to master the terminology of all of the plane figures and solids.
Matching cards introduce
types and positions of lines, types and positions of angles, and special characteristics of shapes.
Experimentation with other materials leads children to their own discoveries of
spatial relationships, including congruence, symmetry, and equivalency.
Cultural Studies
Biology, social studies, geography, history, arts, music, as well as the study of Spanish, all fall within this discipline. At Montessori Pathways we follow the Montessori curriculum spiral, which posits that all studies are interrelated and one lesson leads to many others. Every three years, major themes in the curriculum are studied again in greater depth and abstraction.
History
History work in the elementary class begins with the development of the solar system, and early life on Earth. Students study aspects of early civilizations, the development of humankind, and recorded history. Students learn how the contributions of humankind throughout history have brought us to where we are today.
Geography
Elementary students extend their knowledge of continents and countries with further research about the people, language and culture of different lands. Map work continues with the study of geographical features and landforms.
Science
In this area, the children's natural curiosity is stimulated through discovery projects and experiments, from which they draw their own conclusions. The first science experiments are designed to give the children basic knowledge, which will help them to understand the development of the solar system, the earth and its configurations, life on earth and the needs of plants and animals.
Botany and zoology
Botany and zoology encompass a wide field of biological study. Children use matching cards to learn the characteristics of many plants and animals, while charts aid in the classification of the plant and animal kingdoms. After gaining this first knowledge of specific plant and animal species, children begin to research on their own.
Spanish, Music Development, Physical Education
Specialists in Spanish, music, and physical education also instruct all elementary students on a weekly basis. This additional curriculum allows the children to develop and enhance their skills outside of the Montessori classroom, while also learning to adapt to different environments and situations.
Keeping track of work
Children in an elementary classroom begin to keep a record of their work. This can take the form of a journal, a work plan, or chart. In some classrooms, the children draw up contracts where they agree to do certain work during a week or month. The child still has the freedom to choose their own work, as well as choosing to work with another child or in a group. Keeping track of their work helps students make good work choices, and lets the teacher see which presentations have been done and which are still needed.
Montessori Elementary students learn to trust their own initiative and abilities, take responsibility for their work, and become self-motivated learners. By gaining respect for themselves, others, and the environment, children develop the desire and ability to continue learning throughout their lives.
"Within the child lies the fate of the future."
