Kindergarden Program
Dr. Montessori observed that children are comfortable and secure in prepared environments where every object has its place and activities are performed in an orderly fashion. Each primary class consists of a mixed age group. This grouping enables children to learn from and help each other without the pressure of competition. Practical life activities such as buttoning, pouring, and washing enable the young child to acquire a wide range of skills necessary in building the child's self-confidence and self-image as a successful, capable person. The basic readiness skills and concepts necessary for reading, writing, and math are developed in a broadly based program which includes science, social studies, art, music, cooking, drama, physical education, movement. Through the continuous fostering of the child's curiosity, children take on increasing responsibility in the management of the classroom. The range of activities in each classroom can satisfy both the youngest child's interest in concrete manipulative materials and the older child's increasing understanding of abstract concepts.
Kindergarden Resources
Our strong educational curriculum follows a 3-year cycle, which is implemented in the following areas of the classroom
Practical Life
These exercises are designed to enhance concentration and focus through purposeful activity, including care of the environment, care of self, coordination of movement, and grace and courtesy toward others. These activities respond to the child’s need for movement and order, while appealing to the growing desire for independence and social relationships.
Sensorial
At this development stage, children learn very effectively through their senses. Our materials and activities stimulate sensory discovery and description, while exploiting the child’s natural desire to explore, classify, and order their surroundings. Through hands-on interaction, children learn concepts of colors, mass, width, length, temperature, texture and other physical properties of items in their classroom.
Math
Our primary math program uses carefully prepared tools that lead the child through a logical mathematical thought process, from concrete to abstract ideas. Manipulative materials assist the child in understanding concepts like linear counting, the decimal system, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Language
3-6 age continues a sensitive period for language development, and our thoughtfully planned environment encourages growth in oral language, written expression, reading, and even grammar elements. For reading, the Montessori approach is phonics-based and highly sequential. We compliment this with appropriate materials for different types of learners. To promote expressive fluency, classroom life provides many opportunities to expand vocabulary and prepare for formal writing instruction.
Geography/Culture
Cultural exercises expose the child to geography, history, physical, and life science basics. The children gain an awareness of the world around them by exploring other countries, their customs, foods, languages, and wildlife. Through multicultural studies we lay a foundation of mutual understanding and tolerance. Due to the rich cultural diversity of our students and their families, we can provide first hand experience of different cultures around the globe.
Peace — Peace education consists of opportunities and experiences for children to develop an ability to understand and access peace within themselves, interact peacefully with others, and eventually engage in activities that create a peaceful planet.
Daily Schedule
7:30-8:30
As the children arrive, they are greeted at the door. They hang up their coats and outer garments, exchanging their outdoor with their indoor shoes. Some children will arrive quietly and wish to begin their day slowly. Others, our “morning” people, might greet the day with robust energy and waste no time greeting a friend. Children are invited to have a relaxed breakfast, help set up the classroom or choose a work from the shelf
8:30-9:00
School officially begins. The children are greeted by the head teachers.
9:00-10:30
The children explore the prepared environment, receiving lessons and working independently. The children choose their work from the different area of the classroom. Individual work time is the most important time because it is then that the children are making individual work choices, working at their own pace, according to their unique interests and abilities. During this time, children can have a self serve snack in our snack area.
10:30-10:45
At the signal, a bell is rung and the children gather for circle. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to get to know each other, share some laughs, have some fun and at the same time learn grace and courtesy. The date and weather are charted and a new work or presentation is shown.
10:45-11:30
Coats, boots, scarves, gloves and hats are retrieved from the hallway and children ready themselves for outside playground time.
11:30-12:10
Most of the children attending Unitarian Montessori School attend on a full day schedule. The children wash their hands, get their lunch boxes and sit for a relaxing social lunch.
12:30-1:15
Kindger gardners head to the enrichment program
1:15-2:30
As the children finish resting they explore the prepared environment receiving lessons and working independently. A light snack is offered at the snack area.
2:30-2:45
Second circle is called. This is usually the favorite time for most children as songs are sung and books are read. The children then have playground time, weather permitting.
3:30
The school day ends and children are dismissed.
Enrichment Program
Kindergarten enrichment focuses on hands-on, play-based activities that boost critical thinking, creativity, and deeper subject understanding
Art Appreciation
Our art program will focus on exploratory experiences, that introduce a variety of concepts and ideas,through the safe use of a multitude of materials. Students will learn about famous artists throughout history, art vocabulary, art terms, and procedures, which will help them evolve their own creative processes. With each session children will learn to improve the control of the small muscles in their hands, building their fine motor skills, which are critical for success in handwriting.
Language Arts
Children will be working on the four parts of Language Arts: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Our sessions will include listening to a chapter book, followed by comprehension analysis and discussion, and movement games that incorporate reading and writing. Through implementing the program Reader’s Workshop, children will learn to ask questions and make connections to different books, giving them the confidence to be a successful reader.
Science and Math Enrichment
Montessori’s method has its base in scientific observation. Observation and classification leads naturally to understanding the world through its environment. Children will be doing hands-on science experiments to enhance the work being done in the classroom. Children will also begin to understand the relationship between science and math by playing different math games, and see how math ties into our everyday lives. We will further classroom math skills that will help children for a lifetime.
Handwriting
Through our handwriting sessions, children will be taught good handwriting habits and skills which stay with them into adulthood. By being in a calm environment, having proper posture, having enough space, and having a good pencil grip, children will receive the essentials to good letter formation. These sessions will engage children with music, movement, fine motor activities, and child friendly language.
Education in Human Values / Library
Children will be introduced to five core values: Truth, Right Action, Peace, Love, and Non-violence, in the context of their classroom experiences, through stories, songs, activities, quotes, and silent reflection. Concepts of Listening, Balance, Patience, Concentration, Friendship, Teamwork, Respect for nature, and more will be reinforced with work in-class and at home. As well children will have the opportunity to visit the school library and bring home a book to share with the family every weekend.