Elementary (6-9 years old)
"Do not be afraid, if you become who you are, you will set the whole world on fire"
(Saint John Paul II) Maria Montessori used the term ‘cosmic education’ to describe the elementary curriculum because of its aim at exposing the children to the extensive range of human knowledge by using an integrated approach to learning. The elementary program continues to build onto the experience and skills acquired throughout the preschool phase. In this stage of development, the child’s mind transforms from an absorbent one, to a creative one; a mind that practices reason and abstract thinking. At the same time, the great power of memory is being developed as well. The child will seek to apply his or her knowledge, evaluate ideas, compare results, and analyze information. For all of these reasons, the elementary stage is an ideal moment for a child to be exposed to different cultures and learn how the world around him or her works. It is essential to respect the skills and intelligence of the child. For this reason, the classroom is set up to reflect this novel phase of development, incorporating the sciences, arts, and humanities. The sciences cover a wide variety of subjects including: geography, anthropology, biology, ecology, botany, anatomy, zoology, and more. The arts are composed of: music theory, violin lessons, dance, cooking and art class. Other main subjects include history, chess, computers, and the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, all while being immersed in a bilingual environment. The mathematics program comprises of several subjects as well, while placing a special focus on arithmetic, geometry, and pre-algebra. The children also learn important skills such as taking measurements, counting money, reading graphs, and telling time. |
Another major component of the elementary curriculum is what are known as ‘The Great Lessons’. These consist of five lessons that are meant to reveal to the children the formation of the world through stories that arouse their imagination and enkindle in them a wonderment about life. The first lesson reveals the beginning of the universe, focusing on how the continents and oceans first came into existence. This is followed by the ‘coming of life’ lesson, using a timeline to discuss the vast diversity of life and how every organism contributes to it, each playing a vital role. The third lesson describes the coming of humans, focusing on the beginning of civilization and the needs of our early ancestors. The ‘story of writing’ concentrates on the development of the alphabet, and the astounding ability of communicating thoughts on paper. The last lesson is the ‘story of numbers’, also known as the history of mathematics. This lesson covers the different numbering systems used throughout history that helped form the decimal system we use today.
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Because of the wealth and plethora of information being provided to the child, it is important that the material is covered in an organized and stimulating manner. To help support and elucidate the lessons being presented, the use of visual aids, such as charts, graphs, timelines, models, and pictures, are integrated into each presentation.
The rest of the Montessori materials are likewise intended to serve as catalysts in the learning process by helping explain theories and concepts in a tangible manner. This facilitates, for the students, the comprehension of each lesson and creates a smooth transition in them, from concrete to abstract thinking. |
The ‘Great Lessons’ are not intended to appear as a final outcome, but as a means to spark an interest in the children of the creation phenomenon, and inspire them to continue exploring for themselves. The stories are introduced as large concepts, portraying the bigger picture in order that the children can later learn how smaller ideas fit into, and build up, the puzzle of life. These lessons aim to trigger in the students a perpetual desire for learning, as they will delve into more specific subjects such as physics and chemistry in the future.
The Elementary program truly encompasses a vast variety of subjects, exposing the children to a rich diversity of information. As in preschool and kindergarten, however, the pinnacle of our education lies not in these teachings, but in the imparting of strong morals and values upon the children. It is our responsibility to instill in them a sense of righteousness, respect for others, and admiration towards life, helping build their character and molding them into the best version of themselves. |