EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
The Toddler Community
"Help me to do it myself” ~ Dr. Maria Montessori
The teacher assists the child in developing self-control and self-confidence through communication and real life activities. In this safe and caring environment, these young children are encouraged to explore and challenge themselves as they develop into independent human beings. It is during this period of development that a balance between trust and independence begins to emerge.
The Toddler Program serves children in a small and intimate group of twelve children; a Montessori trained Toddler teacher and a trained teacher's assistant. There are two program options, either half or full day. The environment conforms to the physical needs of the children, both in the size of the furnishings and in the opportunities for development.
The Primary Community
“The essential thing is for the task to arouse such an interest that it engages the whole personality. In our schools this moment of healing is not the point of arrival...but it is the point of departure, after which ‘freedom of action’ consolidates and develops the personality.”
~ Dr. Maria Montessori
Children in this stage of development love to work in a community of independent learners. A wide range of activities engage the children at all levels of ability and maturity, and facilitate the Montessori goals of individualized work, timely progress, independence and social awareness. This stage of development provides the foundation for all future work. Since Montessori recognizes that children learn best through their own efforts, the role of the Montessori teacher is that of an "objective observer".
The Elementary Community
“The passage to the second level of education is the passage from the sensorial material level to the abstract. A turning toward the intellectual and moral sides of life occurs at the age of seven.”
~ Dr. Maria Montessori
The elementary community is composed of children who thrive on learning with and from each other. This collaborative learning environment emphasizes an integrated learning process that achieves academic success, social competence and earth literacy. Students develop the ability to work cooperatively in reaching a goal, to contribute ideas, to listen to others, and to respect individual differences. According to Dr. Montessori, it is during this stage of development that the child’s imagination “flares forth”.
The Lower Elementary
Students in the lower elementary class build upon skills and concepts that were introduced during the primary years. The lower elementary program recognizes that an important developmental task for elementary children is to discover their place in the group. Thus, many of the presentation lessons are given as a group. Lessons are also presented in a manner that actively engages the reasoning mind and kindles the imagination.
The Upper Elementary
Upper elementary students continue working to master academic knowledge and to develop learning skills. One might say the emphasis shifts from “learning to read to reading to learn” in all areas of the curriculum. As the students move toward the abstraction of ideas, lessons relating to the universe and the interrelationship of all things are presented. Students combine their reasoning intellect with their imagination to integrate knowledge of the universe from all aspects of the curriculum. The MOMI upper elementary and middle school students are also involved in Student Initiated Business Endeavors. Please refer to the Student Initiated Business Endeavors section following the Middle School Program description.
The Middle School Community
The Montessori Middle School program as outlined by Dr. Montessori is a response to the needs and psychological characteristics of the adolescent and revolves around understanding the ways in which one's culture functions.
The school must be an experience in the elements of social life. An environment created to assist the adolescent to achieve independence and to recognize that manual and intellectual work are equally essential for a civilized society.
~ Dr. Montessori
The adolescent needs to explore all aspects of society. Communicating, orienting to, classifying, and working within the community are all integral to an adolescent's healthy development. Community service, apprenticeships, and work on the land, supported by a solid academic foundation, provide the gateway to the development of the personality and social organization.
Dr. Montessori divided the syllabus into 3 parts:
1. The opening of ways of expression
a. Free choice in all kinds of artistic occupations including: music, dance, theater and art
b. All types of creative writing including: prose, poetry, and journaling
2. The fulfillment of the fundamental needs that we believe to be the formative forces in the development of the human spirit
a. Moral education
b. Mathematics: to understand the special forms of progress of our times
c. Languages: to establish understanding between peoples
3. General education
a. The study of the earth and living things
b. The study of the building of civilizations and of human progress
c. The study of the history of humanity