|
Elementary
At six, a great transformation takes place within the child like a new birth. The child wants to explore society and the world, to learn what is right and wrong, and to think about meaningful roles in society. She wants to know how everything came to be, the history of the universe, the world, humans and why all these things behave the way they do. He asks the BIG questions and wants answers.
This is the time to use one’s mind to explore all the areas of knowledge, to learn how to carry out research, and to develop creative ways of processing, exploring and expressing this knowledge. A Montessori elementary teacher gives lessons in all academic areas and guides the children in direction and methods of their own research.
The Montessori curriculum is built around five great lessons given at the beginning of each year for the new students: the creation of earth, the coming of plants and animals, the arrival of humans, and inventions of their minds – language and math.
Earth – Physical Sciences
As in all areas of the elementary curriculum, Earth Sciences—physics, chemistry, and geology -- begin with the overview and progress to the details. The child learns of the functioning of the galaxies, the universe, and then the solar systems. He studies the formation of the Earth, seasons, natural wonders, the weather, rocks and minerals, and more! As he learns about the discoveries of the past he participates in discoveries of the present by means of experiments in all areas.
Plants and Animals – Life Sciences
In the elementary class, for children from age six to twelve, the study of biology has three main focuses:
(1) Experiments and observation of plants and animals to discover both the variety and needs of plants and animals.
(2) Evolution of plants and animals.
(3) Classification of plants and animals.
Geography, History, Biography – Social Sciences
History, geography, and biography—the history of a people cannot be separated from the possibilities of the environment in which it develops, and the leadership of its great men and women. In the beginning of each year, the children are introduced to the study of humankind with stories, beautiful books, maps, posters, timelines and other research inspirations.
The Arts – Art and Music
All of the academic work in the elementary class is connected with, and expressed by means of, the arts. Instead of art and music lessons separate from the classroom the techniques of creating in all areas (art, music, drama, dance, etc.) are introduced by the teacher who guides the students to find mentors following a need or interest. There might be a play acting out the process of photosynthesis or the population of the world, a quilt made with squares of leaf shapes as a school fundraiser, or a series of beautiful watercolors demonstrating the principles of geometry. Just as in all areas, the teacher is in charge of teaching the tools and the students of designing and executing the work.
Math – Geometry, Math, Measurement
Invention, geometry, and math are languages used to explore, manipulate, create and measure real objects in a real world. At this age children continue to enjoy exploring math and geometry concepts if they are related to real life and if they are presented with materials that can be handled, manipulated, and used to create.
In the elementary class stories are told and experiments carried out to show children how humans used their imaginations in the past and how they are using them today to solve problems and come up with great inventions—the use of fire, measuring the earth, compasses, boats, and many others. They see how inventions, geometry and math came about as the result of human progress.
|
