Lower Elementary

Montessori Classroom

By six years of age, children have achieved a mastery of the concrete world.  The child understands the immediate environment and becomes curious about its structures. This curiosity is the springboard of learning. In the Lower Elementary environment, the child’s inquisitiveness about his or her wider world is supported through Montessori’s Five Great Lessons. The stories of the Great Lessons introduce the child to the history of the universe and humanity and sparks interest in the details of science, math, social science, and language. The stories help students make connections between the different areas of the curriculum and encourage them to learn concepts for a lifetime, rather than random facts that are quickly forgotten. These Great Lessons are the foundation of a curriculum that integrates all the content areas; reading, writing, oral presentation, math, geometry, cultural subjects, physical and life science, history, social studies, art, Spanish and music.

The six to nine child works in small groups or independently on topics of his or her own choosing. Lessons are presented to foster curiosity and to build skills using a wide range of manipulative materials. As concepts are reinforced, the child progresses to deeper understanding and to greater abstract thinking. Rather than only teach what to learn, more importantly, they develop the tools of how to learn. The methods used in the Montessori curriculum encourage students to think for themselves. 

With the teacher as a guide, the student learns at his or her own pace and in accordance with his or her interests and abilities. The multi-age grouping allows for continuity between teacher and student and between older and younger students. Children internalize time management skills over the course of the three years because they are given choices on how to structure their work cycles.

Lower Elementary is for children from 6 to 9 years of age and is the equivalent of 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade. Class is held from 8:45am to 3:15pm. Elementary Aftercare is available from 3:15pm to 6:00pm.

These skills prepare them for the Upper Elementary and beyond. Lower Elementary establishes solid study and research skills and prepares the student for Upper Elementary.