"Who does not recall school at least in part as endless dreary hours of boredom punctuated by moments of high anxiety." Daniel Goleman

Elementary Curriculum

The Montessori elementary curriculum expands and builds on the primary experience.


Meeting the Needs of 6- to 12-year-olds

Specific characteristics developed to meet the developmental needs of the 6- to 12-year-old include:

  • three-year cycles with the same teacher (ages six to nine and nine to 12), which allows the teacher intimate knowledge of each child
  • group lessons and group work which facilitate broad social development and cooperative learning
  • use of impressionistic charts as a teaching aid, as children's imaginations develop
  • an interrelated curriculum
  • a "going out" program which increases student awareness of their community
  • a continued progression of beautiful Montessori materials, guiding the child from concrete learning to increasing abstraction
  • shared class meetings to develop personal responsibility

 

Range of Subjects

The elementary curriculum at the NESM Montessori School offers a rich range of subjects, including:

 

Developing Concentration

The children have Cooperative games and recess for an 3/4 hour after lunch each day. There is no recess during the morning.

This system allows three hours of uninterrupted work time which helps to develop concentration, as the children are able to remain at their chosen work activities for extended periods of time.

 

A Warm Classroom Environment

The classroom offers a warm environment for children to learn and develop. They are respected as active participating members and are encouraged to share in the responsibilities of its care.

Class meetings allow expression of thoughts, ideas, feelings, and discussions involving current events. Montessori graduates feel they can make a difference in the world.  The Montessori-based curriculum has unusual substance and depth: it is enriching and challenging.  All elementary students are involved in community service projects. Our school community encompasses many families where different cultures are celebrated.