Barnwell Primary School Parent Information Session Montessori Program

Montessori Overview “ The first duty of an education is to stir up life, but leave it free to develop” ~ Dr. Maria Montessori A s5 year old student laying Montessori math materials that teach place value Our goal today is to share our enthusiasm for a curriculum that empowers children to become life-long learners and care takers of their environment. We will give you an overview of Montessori education and the application process. We’d like to share with you a short video clip of a Primary Montessori Classroom in action before we explain the curriculum and the application process.

What Is Montessori? PERSON PHILOSOPHY Children learn by discovery. Dr. Maria Montessori was the first female physician in Italy. She devoted her life to child development. She started by working with asylum children who had learning disabilities, and they excelled academically. Her first Children’s House (school) was for children of Italian day workers living in a housing project. PHILOSOPHY Children learn by discovery. Lessons progress from simple to complex and concrete to abstract. Children are natural learners.

Child’s Role: To respect the rights of the group and the other individuals in the classroom Take care of the environment Through play, be led naturally to work

Parent’s Role: Be sensitive to the needs of the child and see the child as having infinite possibilities to learn Allow home environment to be a learning environment (limit negative/excessive stimuli: TV, video games) Provide a healthy, nutritious diet Be involved and communicate with the classroom teacher when/wherever possible Nurture and encourage the child to be the best person he/she can be Foster independence

Teacher’s Role: Follow the child’s interests and needs Prepare an environment that is educationally interesting and safe Lead the child to discover his/her own abilities and interests Provide experiences that lead to new learning Maintain communication with parents on a regular basis Promote peaceful interactions and academic excellence

Three Important Principles: Repetition- the child can repeat an activity, which aids in concentration and leads to mastery. Movement- the child can walk around the room at his/her own will. Movement is essential for some lessons and aids in cognitive development. Choice- the child may choose his/her own work. So…are there limitations? Yes

The Classroom Management is in…. Control of Movement- the child is taught to move carefully and with purpose Number of works- there is one set of each lesson on the shelf Peace Lessons- lessons are given in how to share and collaborate with peers Observation- the teacher knows what each child has done and leads him/her to what he/she needs to do next

Montessori Outcomes Academic – broad curriculum knowledge, understand concepts as well as application – especially in math Behavior – self-regulating, peaceful Independence Self-confidence as a learner Seek out challenging tasks Cooperative, work well with others Compassionate Love learning & school!!

There are five major areas: Practical Life Sensorial Language Math Culture and Science

Practical Life Creates an important foundation Aids in developing concentration, fine motor skills, coordination, order, and independence (leads to better math, language skills) Lessons show a child how to care for oneself and the environment

Sensorial Designed to appeal to and train the senses Designed to teach the child about the properties of the world Foundations for Math

Language Begins with visual discrimination and leads to oral instruction Letter sounds learned before names Writing before reading Phonics and Whole Language combined

Math Hands-on materials Curriculum includes: numeration, place value, basic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division =

Culture Peace Curriculum that teaches problem solving and valuing other cultures Other areas: zoology, botany, physical science, geography, history, art, music and movement

Geography

Physical Science

Botany

Zoology/Herpetology

Application Process 3 year olds must be 3 by September 1 and be fully potty trained by the start of school. Paperwork should be submitted as quickly as possible after being contacted about an available slot. Parent/Guardian must attend an informational meeting.

Program Schedule 3 year olds 4 year olds 7:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Breakfast and Snack No Lunch 4 year olds 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Breakfast, Snacks, and Lunch Rest time

Transportation 3 year olds 4 year olds Parents must provide transportation to and from program 4 year olds Students can ride school buses

Parent Involvement Parents/Guardians are welcome to volunteer and make classroom visits throughout the year.

Questions