Elementary

Elementary Program (1st through 6th grade)

“The true basis of the imagination is reality, and its perception is related to exactness of observation, [so] it is necessary to prepare children to perceive the things in their environment exactly, in order to secure for them the material required by the imagination.” (Maria Montessori, The Advanced Montessori Method, vol. I, p. 196)

The prepared environment of the Elementary Program calls to the imagination in the child. The Primary Program prepares children for this next stage in their development by carefully refining the five senses. Montessori observed that imagination is the most important characteristic of the six- to twelve-year-old student. She was careful to distinguish “a state of imagination in which unrealities predominate” from the Montessori student’s imagination, in which “the delights of the mind are to be found in the great works of art and the civilizing constructions of science, and in those products of the higher imagination which represent the environment in which the intelligence of [the student] is destined to form itself” (p. 197). In other words, fantasy—a lower form of imagination—must be distinguished from the higher imagination.

At Elan Vitale, the elementary program rests on four pillars:

1. The cultivation within our students of a passion for excellence in everything they do, both in and outside of school;
2. The development of a strongly held set of universal values, which include self-respect, respect for others, honesty, integrity, responsibility, empathy, compassion, kindness, peacefulness, a sense of concern for others, warmth, and a love of community;
3. The development of a global perspective and sense of international understanding;
4. And a lifelong commitment to give something back through service to others who are in need.

As in the primary program, we consider the whole child when preparing the learning environment and planning curricular activities. Through the environment and sequence of materials, thoughtful lessons, and teachers who live their innate love of learning, we nurture the continued development of the elementary student in four general ways:

· Intellectually—through the development of thinking abilities, clarification of our picture of the universe, and the development of discipline to maintain
vibrant health.
· Emotionally—by learning to feel and express our complex and powerful emotions—fully and without fear—and to respect and accept them in ourselves and in others. Equally important, students learn to harness their power and not let emotions control our lives unchecked.
· Physically—by helping our students discover, understand and adopt the lifestyle habits most appropriate and beneficial for our bodies and minds. Among these are fresh air, pure water, exercise, sunlight, and proper diet.
· Spiritually—by proceeding on the premise that our world is a beautiful, positive, loving place, a setting that provides the potential for each person to lead a full, free, joyful, and healthy life. While we do not teach religion, nor advocate any particular belief system, we encourage students to explore questions raised by religious teachers and develop the spiritual side of their lives, which we define as the ability to find peace within and hear the small still inner voice that we all possess.

We believe that when children are allowed to grow in an environment that is intellectually and artistically alive, warm and encouraging, they will spontaneously ask questions, investigate, create, and explore new ideas. Learning can, and should be, a relaxed, comfortable, natural process.

The Montessori Approach to Reading, Composition, and Literature

During the elementary years, we increasingly focus on the development of research and composition skills. Students write everyday, learning to organize increasingly complex ideas and information into well-written stories, poems, reports, plays, and student publications. Instead of insipid basal readers, children are introduced to first-rate children’s books and fascinating works on science, history, geography, and the arts. Educators have long recognized that one of the reasons our country is becoming increasingly alliterate (knowing how to read but choosing not to) may be largely due to the boring texts they are taught to read with. Books provide vicarious experiences to spark the imaginations of elementary students.

For more information about our Spalding method reading program, please click here.

Montessori Math Moves from the Concrete to the Abstract

Between six and twelve, the learner is crossing a bridge from the concrete materials of the primary program to the abstract thinking of the adolescent. The Montessori elementary math materials scaffold this bridge. The Montessori math curriculum is based on the European tradition of “Unified Math,” which introduces elementary students to the study of the fundamentals of algebra, geometry, logic, and statistics along with the principles of arithmetic. This study continues over the years, weaving together subjects that traditional schools normally ignore until the secondary grades.
In operations concerned with measurement, geometry shows them how to perform their calculations. In operations concerned with figures, algebra gives a system of still more abstract symbols by means of which more complicated relationships can be comprehended. The calculations of area and volume, of squares and square roots are examples in which algebra, arithmetic and geometry are all involved. For Montessori students, arithmetic, algebra, and plane and solid geometry are not arbitrarily separated.
Elementary students continue to gain hands-on experiences by applying math in a wide range of projects, activities, and challenges, such as graphing the daily temperature and computing the average for a month, or adjusting the quantities called for in a recipe for a larger number of people. Because students love to work outdoors, we prepare tasks that use the school grounds whenever possible. For example, by using simple geometry, children can determine the height of a tree or measure the dimensions of the buildings. They prepare scale drawings, calculate area and volume, construct three-dimensional geometric models, and build scale models of historical devices and structures.
The computer is another key tool used in teaching mathematics. Computers provide all sorts of simulation and problem-solving situations, calling on students to compete against the computer or make reasonable predications. Students work with spreadsheets, graphs and logical analysis.
Math is an important component of entrepreneurial studies, as well. Practical application of math concepts in everyday life, such as handling finances, making economic comparisons, and gathering data for statistical analyses are some of the skills for which running a business provides opportunities.

History and International Culture Come Alive in Montessori Classrooms

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 form the cornerstone of the Montessori curriculum.
Elementary students begin to study world cultures in greater depth: the customs, housing, diet, government, industry, the arts, history and dress. They learn to treasure the richness of their own cultural heritage and those of their friends. They also study the emergence of human beings during the old and new stone ages, the development of the first civilizations, and the universal needs common to all humanity.
At each level, we present a sense of living history through direct hands-on experiences. Students will build models of ancient tools and structures, prepare their own manuscripts, make ceremonial masks, and recreate all sorts of artifacts of the everyday life of an historical era. These experiences make history as it is taught in books come alive for the Montessori students.
International studies continue at every age level in Montessori education. This curriculum integrates art, music, dance, cooking, geography, literature, and science. Children learn to prepare and enjoy dishes fro all over the world. They learn the traditional folksongs and dances in music, and explore traditional folk crafts in art. In language arts, they read the traditional folk tales and research and prepare reports about the countries they are studying that year. Units of study often culminate in marvelous international holidays and festivals that serve as the high points of the school year.
Citizenship is yet another element that weaves throughout the elementary curriculum. Students study the workings of the local, state, and federal governments and begin to follow current events. During election years, they meet candidates, discuss the issues of the day, and sometimes even volunteer in the campaign of a local candidate of their choice.
Field trips are an integral part of our program. Students take all sorts of trips into the outside world to connect them to the larger community and to reinforce their connection to the local, national, and global communities.
The goal is to lead each student to explore, understand, and grow into full and active membership in the adult world.

Hands-on Science the Montessori Way

Science is an integral element of the Montessori curriculum. Among other things, it represents a way of life: a clear thinking approach to gathering information and problem solving. The scope of the Montessori elementary science curriculum includes sound introductions to botany, zoology, chemistry, physics, geology, and astronomy. Through all of this, the aim is to cultivate students’ curiosity and determination to discover the truth for themselves. They learn how to observe patiently, analyze, and work at each problem.
Through the five Great Lessons, students consider the formation of the universe, development of the planet Earth, the delicate relations between living things and their physical environment, and the balance within the web of life. The Great Lessons integrate astronomy, the earth sciences and biology with history and geography.
Our aim is to cultivate children’s fascination with the universe and to help them develop a lifelong interest in observing nature and discovering more about the word in which they live. Children are encouraged to observe, analyze, measure, classify, experiment, and predict, and to do so with a sense of eager curiosity and wonder. In our program, children in the early elementary grades explore basic atomic theory and the process by which the heavier elements are fused out of hydrogen in the stars. Others are studying advanced concepts I biology, including the systems by which scientists classify plants and animals.

The Arts Are Integrated Into Every Subject

Art is part of the everyday learning experiences of students. The arts are modes of exploring and expanding lessons that have been introduced in science, history, geography, language arts, and mathematics. Examples might include creating a replica of a Grecian vase, studying calligraphy and decorative writing, sculpting dinosaurs for since, creating dioramas for history, constructing geometric designs and solids for math, and expressing their feelings about a musical composition through painting.
Traditional folk arts are used to extend the curriculum as well. Students participate in singing, dance, and creative movement with teachers and music specialists. Plays and dramatizations make other times and cultures come alive.

Health, Wellness, and Physical Education

Elementary students are challenged to develop a personal program of lifelong exercise, recreation, and health management. According to students’ interests, this can include cross-country running, aerobic dance, swimming, tennis and so on. The temporary location of the school provides access to multiple facilities. A licensed soccer coach teaches all children how to grow the skills to play soccer.
Another important element in this approach to health and fitness is helping children to appreciate how our bodies work and the care and feeding of a healthy human body. Students typically study diet and nutrition, hygiene, first aid, response to illness ad injury, stress management, and peacefulness ad mindfulness in our daily lives.
Daily exercise will take the forms of yoga, vigorous walking, dance, and care of animals and gardens. We not only want to nurture the skills but also the habits of daily exercise.