Ms. Annie Gray and Ms. Annie O'Farrell are the Elementary room directresses.
The Elementary Rooms are divided by what would traditionally be considered 1st through 3rd grade and 4th through 6th grade. Our elementary program offers an environment that allows the child to grow, flourish and explore in a warm, nurturing space. Montessori at the elementary level is different from the junior program and has many unique characteristics. The basic components of the elementary classroom include:
- Children ranging in age from 6 to 12 years.
- The ability to progress through the curriculum at their own pace by not being confined to works based solely upon their grade level.
- A curriculum which covers a wide range of interests and abilities to meet the individual needs of the students.
- A director who knows the children well as they are together for a 3 year period.
The program has an integrated curriculum. Language Arts encompasses writing and composition skills while creative writing is strongly encouraged. Literature is an important element in the reading program and the children are introduced to high quality materials early on.
The Mathematics program encompasses many disciplines. In the Montessori method arithmetic, algebra and geometry are interrelated. As with other areas in the curriculum, the process of moving from the concrete to the abstract is highly visible. Mathematics is always presented to the child using hands on materials to provide a firm grasp of the mathematical idea being taught.
One of the primary elements of the Montessori method is to teach children global ideals as well as tolerance. This is accomplished within the Cultural curriculum. The Cultural curriculum includes history, geography, geology, science, arts, and music. All of these elements of the curriculum are integrated. For example, children will use their math skills in determining populations of a country which they may be studying as part of the geography curriculum. Not only will the students learn "where" the country is located but the art and music cultures of that country.
The children also add to the social skills they have been developing from the time they start in the Montessori program. They learn to do projects together and solve problems. During this process they learn conflict resolution skills and develop the ability to assess moral questions and ideals. Thus, the classroom functions as a small community within which each child develops a desire to learn and interact appropriately with others including tolerance of differing views and beliefs. All of this provides an excellent base of academic and social skills necessary for future endeavors.
