Primary Program
(ages 3 to 6 years)

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

The Montessori primary curriculum includes reading, writing, world culture, geography, mathematics, music, art, and science.  Each classroom is a "prepared environment", creating structure within which the children are able to safely and confidently choose their own "work".  Each classroom is divided into areas of learning, such as Practical Life, Language, Sensorial, Mathematics, Art and Culture (including music), and Science.  The Montessori materials in each area progress with increasingly complex activities, which the children are free to repeat as they desire, to fully master each before moving on. Children allowed to follow through on their chosen activities develop attention spans far beyond that which is considered possible for small children.  In addition, having children ranging in ages from three to six years old allows the older children to teach the younger children how to properly use the materials, evidence of their mastery of the various materials.

Practical Life exercises allow children to learn to manipulate simple household objects.  For instance, the youngest children delight in preparing snack for the entire class by spreading peanut butter on crackers, slicing cheese, pouring juice, and setting the food out attractively for others to share. Children love to "do it themselves", and these seemingly simple activities allow the development of muscles which are required later for complex manipulation such as writing and drawing.

The Sensorial materials allow children to refine their senses such as hearing, touch, and perception of colors, and the Art section develops these capabilities with activities including painting, drawing, and working with textiles and clay.

The Music area allows children to learn about musical instruments from many countries, and to experiment with simple instruments and singing.

The Science area includes live classroom pets as well as insects captured in the courtyard.  The children identify their specimens and learn simple scientific principles by observing them.

Mathematics and Language materials are designed to teach everything from simple counting to fractions; letter recognition to advanced reading and writing.

Oak Knoll currently has two primary classrooms, each staffed with an AMI-certified Montessori Guide.