Other Studies

In addition to the major curriculum areas highlighted on this web site, our elementary program includes other subjects, which may be incorporated into the writing, math, geography curricula.

Science – Students explore the universe, and test their ideas, a basic introduction to the scientific process. Students dissect plants, watch fungus, study object through microscopes, research animals, and do experiments.

Art – Elementary students have art class weekly. This often ties in to reading groups. After reading Boy of the Painted Cave, students did cave paintings using natural colors (beet juice, curries, charcoal). The elementary students explored images of peace, and created the framework for the Art Miles Mural which included younger children and their families.

Service learning – We integrate opportunities for service into our cultural studies. While studying Africa, students made a micro-loan to an entrepreneur in Africa through Kiva. Utilizing curriculum from Equal Exchange, students consider how their choices affect children in other parts of the world. As part of a study of central Asia, we collected Pennies for Peace. Summing up the collections from all the classrooms was an exciting math activity.

Music - In music, children enjoy rhythms and melodies from around the world, often related to cultural or geography studies. Using beautiful instruments, students create rhythms, and learn about pitch.

One of the beautiful things about Montessori education is that the curriculum can launch into topics that fascinate the students. If a child has a specific interest in space, that can provide material for math, language, writing, reading, and art activities. Building essential skills while exploring topics of interest assures that children will be motivated and excited about learning. This is best demonstrated by a student’s comment about a Snow Day:  “Why does school have to be closed? I want to do my work.”