learning ~ how to live ~ together
Elementary
The years when the question changes from ‘what’ to ‘why’ — and the whole universe becomes the curriculum.
Since it has been seen to be necessary to give so much to the child, let us give him a vision of the whole universe. The universe is an imposing reality, and an answer to all questions. We shall walk together on this path of life, for all things are a part of the universe, and are connected with each other to form one whole unity.
Dr. Maria Montessori
The elementary program
Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary
The Village Montessori School Elementary program is uniquely designed to meet the developmental needs of the child from 6–12 years of age. It is broken into two sections: Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary. Lower Elementary consists of children in grades 1st through 3rd while Upper Elementary has 4th through 6th grade students.
This is a time of great social and intellectual growth. In the toddler or primary years, the focus of the child is on ‘what’. The Elementary child’s focus changes from ‘what’ to ‘why’. Elementary children explore the universe through their emerging power of imagination. Given the proper environment, they will develop enlightened scholarship and responsible leadership.
At a glance
The elementary day
- Age range
- 6 – 12 years
- Lower Elementary
- 1st – 3rd Grade
- Upper Elementary
- 4th – 6th Grade
- Full Day hours
- Monday – Friday, 8:20 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Extended Day hours
- Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- What a day looks like
- Long, uninterrupted work cycles, with individual and small group lessons so each child learns at his or her own pace
- Grouping
- Multi-age classrooms — children remain in each classroom for three years
The Extended Day Elementary Program accommodates families who need extended hours.
My son wakes up every morning excited to come to school. VMS is such a blessing! He actually gets upset when the week ends!
E.H.
Elementary Curriculum
An integrated, interdisciplinary approach
Our prepared AMI Montessori environments emphasize an integrated, interdisciplinary approach. Children are encouraged to explore as individuals and within small groups through stories, beautiful, detailed charts, and hands-on materials. Village Montessori’s Elementary community supports and appreciates each child’s abilities and contributions.
Children work within long, uninterrupted work cycles, freeing themselves to explore areas of personal interest. They participate in individual and small group lessons, enabling each child to learn at his or her own pace. Multi-age grouping facilitates continuity within the community from year to year, as children remain in each classroom for three years. Additionally, younger children look to their older peers as mentors, while the older children have many leadership opportunities as part of their school mission.
Exploration
Montessori Elementary classrooms harness the child’s urge to know and learn about our world through exposure to the entirety of human knowledge, including the history of ancient civilizations, the mechanics of language, biological classification, the details of physical and political geography, and the methods of mathematics from basic operations through cube roots and algebra. In every case, children are given key lessons, allowing for open-ended exploration in areas of specific interest to the child.
Self-Discipline
Children are encouraged to share what they have learned with the whole community and thus create a rich culture of discovery in which everyone is constantly exposed to a wide variety of information. It is our vision that the acquisition of knowledge is its own reward. This is why our students tend to be self-disciplined and intrinsically motivated in their work.
Responsibility
Responsibility is fostered as students maintain work journals and meet regularly with the teacher to review work and discuss possible approaches to further study. Through careful observation, the teacher is able to introduce each new lesson at the ideal time and to supplement and reinforce the child’s learning to ensure mastery of core concepts and skills.
Montessori Elementary students learn how to negotiate the inner world of ideas while balancing the social interests of their community. They develop real world skills of negotiation, compromise, and a solid work ethic driven by an inner sense of self-awareness and purpose.
Where it begins
The rest of the path
Come and see
See what a work cycle looks like at nine years old
Visit our Lower and Upper Elementary communities and meet the guides who will walk this path with your child.