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Our Montessori classroom provides a prepared environment that invites children to work and learn. A child’s love for learning is nurtured by giving them the opportunity to engage in meaningful activities. The goal is for the child to gain their independence and self-discipline, develop concentration level and coordination level and coordination skills and give them a sense of internal order. Lessons are presented to the child in a simple and concrete manner. As the child’s interest grows lessons are presented are more abstract and complex.
Montessori does not assign traditional grades. Children are continuously assessed and observed to ensure that they are progressing intellectually. Socially, and emotionally. By assessing an individual, instructors are able to provide new challenges or more support as needed. Students do not have to ‘wait for the rest of the class to catch up’ to receive a new lesson or feel penalized if they need extra time to master a skill or concept. Assessment occurs in many ways…- Daily observation
- Control of error built into the materials
- Record keeping
A montessori classroom consists of the following areas:
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Religion- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
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The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is rich in content. Lessons are presented in accordance with the liturgical year. The materials are used to facilitate meditation and lead to prayer. Through the various activities of the atrium, children are helped to know “the great realities of life as a Christian”.
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Practical Life
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Practical life exercises allow the child the repetitive and manipulative work with real objects which involve order (develops order of math and left to right for reading), coordination (develops gross and fine motor skills for writing), concentration (prepares the child for all future learning), and independence (child achieves self-confidence, self-discipline and a positive self-image). The practical life area is vital to the Montessori classroom.
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Handwriting
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In the handwriting area the child will practice block handwriting. Students will learn how to grip and guide the writing instrument. Metal insets are an essential tool used to prepare the students for writing in a montessori classroom.
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Math
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In this area, we begin by helping the child master their numbers from 0-10. They will learn about quantity, symbol and the sequence of numbers. The introduction to concrete materials, then to corresponding symbols and finally to quantity and symbol is the foundation of moving from the concrete to the abstract in math.
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Language
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This section in the classroom has materials to enhance vocabulary, learn the sounds of the letters, learn how to write letters, and introduce reading skills. Sounds are divided into four categories. Yellow, red, blue and green sounds.
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Sensorial
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Sensorial work will enable the child to concentrate on refinement of all his or her senses from visual to stereognostic. The purpose and aim is for the child to acquire clear conscious information and be able to make classifications in their environment.
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Cultural
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The cultural area provides individual activities, which helps the child to acquire knowledge in geography (physical and political), biology (botany and zoology), history and science.
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