Elementary Years

Elementary Years- Grades 1-6

Children between the ages of 6 and 12 develop a reasoning mind that asks why and how things happen in the world. The children's own questions, then, provide the basis for their explorations. And what better answer, said Maria Montessori, than to provide them with the universe itself? With their ability to think abstractly and the power of their imaginations to "see" what can not be seen, the universe is the limit for their search!

The Montessori teacher guides and assists the students in this search. The stories of the Great Lessons and other presentations provide a framework in which the details of the various disciplines--mathematics, language arts, the sciences, social studies, history, and geography--can be studied and the conceptual skills that children need to become literate members of society can be mastered. The Montessori curriculum, rather than being a collection of random facts, takes an interdisciplinary approach and emphasizes the interconnectedness of life, as well as emphasizing the unique role and responsibility human beings have on our planet.

Working independently or in small groups, students teach themselves and teach each other, learning at their own pace as they pursue their projects and master the basic skills. Teachers set up additional learning opportunities and try to nurture and encourage the students' varied interests. The arts, music, and physical education are integrated as much as possible with the other subjects. The mixed-age classes and cooperative learning approach also foster the social development of each child and the sense of community.