Montessori elementary studies are based on a cultural curriculum which integrates history, geography, mathematics, science, biology, language, literature, art, music, computer, and Bible. This interdisciplinary approach helps children build creative and critical thinking skills. The assignments, projects, and field trips include individual work, small and large group cooperative work, and decision making and evaluation. At the upper elementary level, seeds are planted for advanced concepts in math, chemistry, physical and earth sciences. In keeping with Montessori s process-oriented educational philosophy, assessment of a child s performance is based on a systematic collection of information, including observations by teachers and parents, portfolios containing examples of work and conferences.
Parents receive written progress reports at regular intervals.
Impact of Montessori Elementary Education on the Child A child who has completed a Montessori Elementary Program will have developed competence in both the social and cognitive areas. The student will have experienced first-hand the value of working cooperatively in a community where there is trust. The student will have learned that one may use both concrete information and one s own imagination to explore the world, and understands the importance of taking responsibility for one s own work and creating a personal code of morals. While most math programs are oriented toward the teaching of arithmetic rules and practices, the Montessori method focuses on developing a comprehensive understanding of the patterns, concepts, and skills underlying the system of mathematics. Every new concept is presented with manipulative materials and the student is asked to record the steps of the process and demonstrate the underlying thinking for the problem.