photo of The Glen Montessori School

The Elementary Program

(Grades 1st through 6th currently offered)

Program Options:

The Elementary environment is designed for children ages six through twelve. This curriculum is notable for both its academic rigor and breadth of content. The impressive achievements of the typical Montessori elementary student are made possible by the child’s free access to a range of stimulating academic and cultural materials and through opportunities for self-directed research. Montessori Elementary programs strive to allow children involvement in their local communities through extensive field trips and community service projects. Through this involvement, children can develop the awareness of self, community, and culture that is a cornerstone of Montessori education.

The Curriculum

The Elementary program emphasizes an authentic Montessori curriculum that focuses on values: Respect for Work; Respect for Feelings; Care of Self; Care of the Environment; and the conviction that everything in the universe is somehow connected. The Elementary Program is strongly rooted in Montessori philosophy and emphasizes each child’s individual development.

The cultural curriculum (geography, history, botany and zoology) is emphasized at the elementary level with the goal of helping children to see themselves as citizens of the world and the heirs to the tremendous human potential in each of us.

Children in the elementary Montessori classroom will be challenged to exceed typical expectations by stressing the importance of skills that determine lifelong success. Projects and lessons highlight proficiency in traditional areas, as well as social skills, community service and care for the Earth.

Elementary Classroom

When you walk into a Montessori elementary classroom, you may see a small group sitting on the floor with an adult facilitating a lesson. Other children will be working individually, with partners, or in groups of three or four. There are shelves full of science experiments, models and other hands-on project materials. There are cartons and cabinets full of card materials and research project outline forms to help children remember the steps in finding things out for themselves. There are various collections of reference materials laid out within convenient reach of the project materials. Every child also has a form to help track his daily progress as he fulfills his work contract, covering subject by subject, step by step according to the individualized path that he and his teacher have agreed to.

Self-Directed Activity

The elementary classroom may appear to be unstructured, but this seemingly random, yet obviously purposeful activity, is basic to the independent learning and self-directed activity of the Montessori approach. A Montessori teacher looks at each child as a unique human being and strives to challenge each child according to his or her developmental needs and abilities.

Dr. Montessori was convinced that children are born curious, creative, and intelligent. In designing the elementary program, she was attempting to cultivate this human potential, nurture the spontaneous curiosity with which all children are born, and inspire a sense of wonder in their spirits. At the elementary level, Montessori students learn to think for themselves. We know that each has particular strengths and a distinct learning style. We know that each child’s emotions and self-esteem play a critical role in whether or not they are ready to learn.

Networks of Meaning

As children explore the Elementary curriculum, they will encounter webs of connections and networks of meaning in all that they do. In this sense the child will discover that, no matter how small or apparently insignificant, every particle of the universe serves some purpose. The social and natural sciences in Montessori elementary are presented with a specific goal in mind; to set each child out on a lifelong search for meaning.

Preparation for the Future

The elementary curriculum prepares children for the challenges they will face as adolescents and helps children to face critical issues that occur from ages 6 to 12. At that age, the child must come to view himself as able to master skills and complete tasks. Criticism, comparison, and competition weaken children at this age. They need an environment that builds motivation and notices improvement. The need “mastery learning” an approach that allows every child the multiple methods and the time needed in order to succeed at high levels of competence.

Resources

The Glen has a wonderful Computer Media Room/Library where students will complete research projects and do term papers. Students will also take keyboarding and basic computer classes.

Specials

Special classes are built into the curriculum. Elementary classes will have Art, Music, Spanish and Physical Education classes on a weekly basis.

Busing to the Glen for Elementary

Busing is available from local school districts within ten miles of the school.