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Curriculum Primary Class
CURRICULUM SYNOPSIS: PRESCHOOL – KINDERGARTEN
PRACTICAL LIFE: The practical life materials and area are designed to allow training in daily living skills, not only with attention to small hand muscles, coordination and lengthening concentrated work time; but also for promoting patience, orderliness and the love of academic work. The exercises give the child instant success and prepares the child internally for the academic tasks that will follow.
SENSORIAL EXERCISES: As the name implies, the materials in this area were developed to expand the child’s awareness of learning using the five senses. The equipment is designed to focus on a concept using one or a combination of sensory skills to enhance understanding. Letters and numbers are introduced with sandpaper here first, for example, before moving the child into language or math for further work. Thus the child internalizes the concepts on a sensory level before moving to other concrete tasks.
MATH:
Activities in the math area introduce numbers, concepts of addition,
subtraction, place value,
etc., through the use of three-dimensional materials. Mathematical ideas are
offered and reinforced with many pieces of equipment; allowing the child to
“play” with the materials while gaining a firm mental picture of the process
involved. The child should NEVER be expected or asked to abstract a concept
(with worksheets, for example) until a firm understanding of that concept is
formed first. Therefore, especially in the early stages of the year, students
produce small amounts of paperwork; increasing the amount as concepts become
clear and are ready to be transferred to paper. The entire process, as in all
Montessori training, sets a strong foundation of conceptual understanding to
build on in following years as opposed to less effective rote learning or
memorization.
READING/WRITING/LANGUAGE
ARTS: All of
the children, preschool through kindergarten enter the world of reading,
writing, and language through the use of several systems, which includes but is
not limited to Whole Language, Montessori Phonics, and Montessori Language
materials. The children are formally introduced to language through
environmental print (labels, signs, etc.), good library books, and sandpaper
alphabet phonics. By being exposed to all three elements of language (phonics,
syntax, and semantics), good role modeling, fun activities and a rich reading
environment, the student is motivated, and the desire to become a reader,
writer, and a communicator emerges from within.
GEOGRAPHY/CULTURAL: Maps and globes are used sensorially (like puzzles) to introduce the child to the world in which he lives. Preschool and kindergarten students begin with the planisphere world map of continents, North America, the U.S. states, and then move to other individual country maps as desired or needed. There are also activities that teach the children about landforms, houses and homes around the world, flags of all the countries, and Illinois history.
Art and Music: Art and music are a part of the classroom daily. Students are able to explore independently and as a group. Art materials are available along side of the rest of the classroom materials. Music and movement take place each day in a group setting.
Bible: Peaceful Pathways is non-denominational Christian Montessori program. Children are encouraged to explore God's world and hear how important God thinks each living thing is. We celebrate Christian holidays. Our Christian views are brought up spontaneously as they occur as well as in purposeful prayer each day.