Lower Elementary "The Children of the Cosmos" Ages 6 to 9 years (Grades 1, 2 & 3) |
Dr. Montessori observed that elementary
children typically are characterized by their
reasoning minds, their ability to abstract and
imagine, and their passion for research and
exploration. The Montessori elementary program
is designed to encourage children to wonder,
work, explore, and develop their interests with
guidance from trained Montessori teachers.
In a research style of learning, elementary
children work in small groups on a variety of
projects, using concrete materials and their
reasoning mind, to develop skills they will one
day need to become productive members of
society. Elementary studies stress the
relationship and importance of geography,
biology, history, language, mathematics, music,
art, physical education, animal care, and
gardening to everyday life. These studies may
open the door to life long pursuits. Exploration
of each area is also encouraged through “going
out” trips outside the classroom to speak with
experts, visit local museums, libraries, etc., and
attend the theater or the symphony, enhancing
the children's understanding about the subject
matter and the community in which they live.
This interdisciplinary approach to education
fosters a feeling of being connected to all
humanity, past and present, and encourages
children's natural desire to make contributions to
the world. The ultimate goal of the Elementary
Program is to develop the students' abilities and
self confidence so that they are well prepared for
further academic challenges and are able to
take charge of their own learning in order to
become cooperative, contributing members of
society. At CMS, children will acquire the
essential characteristics of becoming
independent, responsible individuals who are
prepared to take on life's challenges and
opportunities with courtesy and respect toward
others. As in the preschool, elementary level
Montessori materials are a means to an end.
They are intended to evoke the imagination, to
aid abstraction, to generate a world view about
the human task and purpose. The child works
within a philosophical system asking questions
about the origins of the universe, the nature of
life, people and their differences, and so on. On
a factual basis, interdisciplinary studies combine
geological, biological and anthropological
science in the study of natural history and world
ecology.
Monday-Friday 9:00 am-3:30 pm
Children develop over a 3-year period in the
same classroom
Lower Elementary is equivalent to 1, 2 & 3
grades
Before School 8:00-9:00 am and After School 3:
30-6:00 pm extended hours are available.
The Elementary classroom is a mini society
where children actively seek to find and create a
place in the group. Students share the
responsibility of managing their community; they
learn to respect and care for themselves, others
and the environment. Interdisciplinary studies
combine language, mathematics, sciences,
geography, history and the arts. Mastery of
mathematical and analytical processes, writing
and communications skills and reading
comprehension are the disciplines emphasized
at this level.
The Elementary program extends the continuum
begun during the toddler and preschool years.
The environment reflects a new, more abstract
stage of development and offers the following:
• Integration of the arts, sciences, geography,
history and language that evokes the native
imagination and abstraction of the elementary
child.
• Presentation of the formal scientific language
of zoology, botany, anthropology, geography,
geology, etc., exposing the child to accurate,
organized information and respecting the child’s
intelligence and interests.
• The use of timelines, pictures, charts and other
visual aids to provide a linguistic and visual
overview of the first principles of each discipline.
• Presentation of knowledge as part of a large-
scale narrative that unfolds the origins of the
earth, life, human communities and modern
history, always in the context of the wholeness of
life.
• A mathematics curriculum presented with
concrete materials that simultaneously reveal
arithmetic, geometric and algebraic correlations.
| "Help me to think by myself" |
| Montessori Musings |
It is necessary for the teacher
to guide the child without
letting him feel her presence
too much, so that she may
always be ready to supply the
desired help, but may never
be the obstacle between the
child and his experience.
- Maria Montessori
to guide the child without
letting him feel her presence
too much, so that she may
always be ready to supply the
desired help, but may never
be the obstacle between the
child and his experience.
- Maria Montessori
| Lower Elementary Program Schedule |
| What to expect |