An effective elementary school mathematics program must consider a range of objectives aside from computational skills. Indisputably, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division are necessary for daily life, but so is the development of truly understanding mathematics, which frees children from rote memorization. Memorization must be preceded by an understanding of symbol and quantity and practice with a variety of activities, prepared in a logical structure that allows children to acquire mathematical knowledge.

In addition to guided presentations, children have the liberty to choose work from the appropriate tasks. Students need sufficient experiences with mathematical concepts at the concrete level or manipulative level before learning at the abstract or symbolic level. In the Montessori classroom, when children come back to the materials, their ideas are expanded, and they actively take part in their learning processes.

History and World Geography
We are all members of the human family. Our roots lie in the distant past, and history is the story of our common heritage. Without a strong sense of history, we cannot begin to know who we are as individuals today. Our goal is to develop a global perspective, and the study of history and world cultures forms the cornerstone of our curriculum.

With this goal in mind, we teach history and world cultures from age three through graduation. Our youngest students work with specially designed maps and begin to learn the names of the world’s continents and countries. Physical geography begins with the study of landforms. In the first grade our students continue with a study of the formation of the Earth, the emergence of the oceans and atmosphere, and the evolution of life. They learn about the world’s rivers, lakes, deserts, mountain ranges, and natural resources.

Lower Elementary Curriculum

Introduction to Language
The Montessori approach to language is based on the assumption that there exists in every child a mechanism for the acquisition of language.

During the elementary years, Montessori increasingly focuses on the development of research and composition skills. Through the divisions of study, the curriculum utilizes a fully integrated language program which fosters strong skills in listening comprehension, increasing phonological awareness, verbal expression, vocabulary/spelling, handwriting, the writing process, and grammar. Students write every day, learning to organize increasingly complex ideas and information into thoughts and stories. Speech is an integral part of the language development of each student. Montessori elementary students write daily and weekly; reports, letters, poetry, scripts and dialogues, journals, logs, book reports and research papers. Montessori students live and work in a rich language environment, which encourages a passion for excellent writing skills and the joy of literature.

Spanish Language
An increasing number of people in the world are utilizing Spanish as their first language. Included in those numbers are many of our own citizens and also those emerging nations, which lie just south of our borders. The objective of our Spanish curriculum is to introduce our children to this increasingly predominant language. This will enrich their understanding of language in general and we believe that this exposure to and usage of the Spanish language gives our children tools in which will help them to succeed in their future endeavors.

The purpose of the Spanish program is to introduce students to a new language and culture and to start to develop communicative skills. The content includes developing skills in four major program areas: listening, speaking, reading and writing. At each level of learning, a student should exhibit increased proficiency in each of these four areas.

Introduction to Mathematics
Today, our highly technological world demands a level of mathematical knowledge that is very different from that of the past. Even though machines are capable of calculating computations, creative people are the key.

In a Montessori classroom children are presented various lessons utilizing Montessori apparatus and teacher made materials. Independently, students actively take part in their own learning process and guided discoveries.