Elementary Program

(ages 6 to 12 years; Association Montessori International (AMI) Associated)

For a discussion on Dr. Maria Montessori, her philosophy and the Montessori Method, please read What is Montessori?

As the primary class brings the world to the child, the elementary program brings the child to the universe.  In a Montessori elementary classroom, topics are presented in a way that recognizes the interdependence of all subjects.  Accordingly, while all the typical elementary topics are taught, such as arithmetic, reading comprehension and social studies, the entire curriculum is taught in an integrated way, with common themes running across all subjects.  For example, when presenting Chinese numerals, we study both mathematics and calligraphy.  When we study flower symmetry, the lesson includes both botany and geometry  This helps to create systems perspective of the world for the child, which is vital to fostering creativity and innovation.  This is very unlike traditional education which teaches subjects in isolation, leaving the child unable to see the connections between topics. 

Oak Knoll’s Elementary curriculum covers all aspects of human culture, not just the topics that are generally considered academic.  From Irish dancing to square roots, plate tectonics to economic geography, our days are filled with learning, exploration and joy.

The structured environment of a Montessori classroom allows the child to work with freedom but still fulfill all the academic expectations of his/her teacher, parents and society.  Every week, the Montessori guide meets with each child to create a lesson plan that ensures continued academic progress and to assist each child to establish goals for completing projects, papers and on-going work.  The guide presents lessons to specific children in small groups.  This ensures that students are introduced to a subject when they show a natural interest in that subject and are not prematurely pushed to the next step.  The children learn at their own pace with many opportunities for in-depth discovery.

When not in lessons, the children have the freedom to explore their interests, coupled with the responsibility of practicing previous lessons and fulfilling commitments made in their weekly lesson plans.  The outside world is very important to the Montessori elementary curriculum.  The students plan trips to museums and visits to experts to further their exploration of topics of interest.  Giving each child independence and the tools to thrive in society is one of the goals of the Montessori elementary.  This would not be possible if the child’s exploration were limited to the classroom.

As our children study with us during their elementary years, they will cover the traditional elementary topics, but in a much more realistic and in-depth way.  They will learn in a classroom filled with materials that excite wonder and with a method that has been shown through educational research to work with the way children naturally learn. 

We currently have openings in the elementary class for the 2009-2010 school year.  For more information or to schedule an observation, please call us at (626) 345-9929.