Elementary classrooms are designed to meet the learning and developmental needs of the 6-12 year old child. Math, language, science, geography, history, music and art are all introduced as part of the great breadth and depth of the human experience. Working in small groups with specially created Montessori materials, elementary-aged children develop a deep understanding of fundamental concepts in each of these subject areas. As the child becomes increasingly able to work on an abstract level, reading, writing and math become tools for learning about the world. Above all, the curriculum in the elementary years is designed to capture the imagination of the child and engender a lifelong love of learning.
The Montessori elementary classroom is built on the understanding that children at this stage of development:
- Have logical, reasoning minds and are able to think abstractly;
- Have an active imagination to support learning;
- Have a strong sense of justice and fairness;
- Are building their social skills through cooperative work and learning;
- Need to be physically active.
All elementary-aged children attend school 8:30am to 4:0pm. Around nine years of age, children transition from the Lower to Upper Elementary program.