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Our Lower
and Upper Elementary Program provides for a smooth transition from the
Primary Program. Students expand their knowledge in a wide
range of academic subjects; building on the skills and social
abilities that they developed in the primary classroom. Critical
thinking, problem solving and research skills are
emphasized. Interests now soar into all areas of learning, and
our classroom reflects this exciting new stage of
development.
In
keeping with the Montessori philosophy, subjects are offered
in an integrated way and the children come to understand
how everything they learn is interrelated. Children keep on
working at their own pace. Emphasis is placed on developing
strong work habits and responsibility for completing assignments
to the best of their ability.
The curriculum covers a
comprehensive range of interests and abilities in order to
facilitate children of diverse learning styles. The environment is carefully structured for challenges and success at all
levels. The teachers use a child's curiosity, imagination
and development of social skills as natural motivators for
learning.
The
multi-age classroom continues to provide a sense of
stability for the children. Younger children are stimulated
by the work that their older classmates do, while older children have an opportunity to develop strong leadership skills
within the group.
Learning at the elementary level is still based on the use
of concrete materials. Children learn through experience
and discovery. Gradually, as they work their way through the
curriculum, they develop abstract concepts and begin to
work more with pen and paper.
Every Friday each child will meet individually with a teacher for a
brief period to review the week's work and to organize the work that
should go home. This is a good opportunity for the children to
receive undivided attention and an encouraging word about their
work.
The
elementary Montessori curriculum lays the foundation for
further growth and understanding. The child moves from a
carefully structured environment to one that they construct
for themselves using the base of concrete understanding that
they have developed between the ages of 6 to 12 years.
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