Educational Program
Classrooms
The Montessori Primary program offers a unique, mixed-age classroom environment, for children approximately 3 to 5 years old. Here, children engage in individual learning experiences, as well as one-on-one interactions, which are integral to the Montessori Method.
Educational Tools
A teacher groups Montessori materials from the same learning area on adjoining shelves. This way a students can easily find materials they would like to work on, and progress at their own pace. The five areas of a Montessori classroom are: Practical Life, Sensorial, Math, Language, and Cultural.
Key Areas of Learning
The five key areas of learning in the Montessori environment include:
Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics and Cultural Subjects.
Prepared Environment
The “prepared environment” is Maria Montessori's concept that the environment can be designed to facilitate maximum independent learning and exploration by the child. In the prepared environment, there is a variety of activity as well as a great deal of movement.
The 6 Main Elements of the Prepared Environment
1. Freedom
2. Structure and Order
3. Beauty
4. Nature and Reality
5. Social Environment
6. Intellectual Environment
The Three-Hour Cycle
In many cases, the three-hour cycle is the first activity of the day following morning circle. So a typical Montessori classroom involves students, parents, and educators arriving at the classroom, engaging in greetings and circle time, then continuing on to the 3-hour work period.