Environments

Lower Elementary Montessori

Conceptual Learners – Learning through reasoning mind

The elementary curriculum exposes students of 6 to 9 years to many interrelated topics that get introduced, investigated, exercised and expanded on in different ways throughout the three year cycle. Each time children learn about a topic they receive a new and deeper understanding about the topic. They gain a deeper understanding of the topic and, ultimately, make more meaningful connections about the subject. Based upon the concept of cosmic education, the elementary program honours the child’s innate desire to explore, examine, and make sense of the world. The curriculum connects inter-related parts and helps the children to place themselves in the myriad fascinations of life. The great lessons serve as a starting point for further exploration and as a spark to illuminate the majesty of the world around the child and the possibility of the child’s potential as an active and important agent of change.

The teacher guides each child through the learning process by using materials that fit their specific needs and pace. In each Elementary classroom you will find children working on different concepts at the level that challenges them, without becoming frustrating. We believe that when a child is working like this, they are more engaged and focused. This in turn leads to a deeper understanding of the concepts that will underpin their forward progression.

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Elementary Curriculum

Practical life, which was a separate area in the 3-6 classroom, is now integrated with the day-to-day care of the classroom and its inhabitants. Tasks may include preparation of snack and daily meals and watering of plants and care of animals. Elementary children dust the shelves, organize and straighten the materials, sweep and vacuum, and keep the classroom neat and clean. Each student is accountable for completing class work in the time allotted and confers with teachers weekly to track progress. As children move forward, they are given increasing responsibility in planning and executing their weekly tasks

The elementary language curriculum emphasizes creative and expository writing, interpretive reading of literature and poetry. We focus on word study, spelling, grammar, punctuation, penmanship and capitalization. Research skills are introduced, practiced through individual project work and refined as students work with a wide range of research materials. Students practice and use their reading and writing skills throughout the curriculum. Students further enhance their reading, critical thinking, and writing skills through participation in book groups. Through discussions, students expand vocabulary and develop strategies for inferring, analysis, and responding to interpretive questions. These conversations allow students to practice supporting their opinions with evidence from the text and to share and appreciate different perspectives.

They are introduced to grammar concepts, which help to expand their ability to read, write, listen, and speak in Tamil and Hindi as second and third language.

The mathematics curriculum is presented with concrete materials, which reveal arithmetic, geometric, and algebraic connections. Work with the Montessori mathematics materials ensures that mathematics is not simply memorized, but understood. We extend the children’s knowledge of decimal system as they explore its quantities & qualities. Students practice operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. We study number hierarchy, fractions, decimals, negative numbers, squaring & cubing. Throughout math work, we are continuously applying what we learn to how it relates in daily situations.The materials quickly move the child to an abstraction of math concepts, including problem solving, fractions, borrowing and carrying, graphing, measurement, long division, and algebraic equations.

Elementary students continue exploring geometry on a sensorial level. Students gain a strong understanding of fundamental geometric concepts through consecutive lessons with Montessori materials. Students begin with a study of congruency, similarity & equivalence, preparing them for later area and theorem work. We introduce the study of lines, measurement of angles and the construction of geometric figures.Geometry is a fascinating area of Montessori. Actual wooden shapes are used to master the terminology of all of the plane figures and solids. Matching cards are used to introduce types and positions of lines, types and positions of angles, and special characteristics of shapes. Experimentation with other materialsleads children to their own discoveries of spatial relationships, including congruence, symmetry, and equivalency.

Botany and Zoology encompass a wide field of biological study. Matching cards are used to learn the characteristics of many plants and animals, and charts aid in the classification of the plant and animal kingdoms. After this first knowledge is gained, children begin to research on their own, using their knowledge of specific plant and animal species. Through these studies, students refine their understanding of a life cycle and investigate how environmental alterations affect living systems. Although each individual life, both plant and animal, seems to be selfishly fighting for its own survival, each takes only what it needs and, in turn, makes its contribution to the ecological whole. Montessori calls this its cosmic task.

Elementary students are naturally keen to develop a geographic perspective and explore their place on the planet. They extend their knowledge of continents and countries with further research about the people, language and culture of different lands. Map work continues with the study of geographical features and landforms. Wooden puzzle maps of each continent are studied, with children learning the names, flags, animals, cultures, and geographic features of each country. The study of resources begins with an examination of the crucial role of agriculture. Through role play, creation of product maps and study of products, students learn how the things around them are a result of cooperation and agreement among people and the elements.

Elementary students, armed with great imaginations and deep curiosity, are excellent time travelers. History work in the elementary class begins with the study of each child’s personal timeline, including clocks, calendars, and timelines and then we study the history of the earth, development of the solar system, and early life on earth. Students study aspects of early civilizations, the development of humankind, and recorded history. Students learn how the contributions of humankind throughout history have brought us to where we are today. As various fundamental needs of people (like shelter, transportation, food, and clothing) are explored, the children research and chart changes in these needs over time and across cultures.

In order to broaden your child’s experiences with the outside world, we provide opportunities to visit new places. The children will be taken on field trips as a part of their curriculum. At THIRAVUKOL, we see the outside world as an extension of the classroom. Elementary students enjoy a variety of off-campus experiences, traveling to places such as Museum, Aquarium, Planetarium, Library etc. They provide a wonderful opportunity for children to learn about nature, practice independence, and bond with one another. Older children act as mentors and leaders for younger children and help build and strengthen a sense of community.

As the children explore the cultural areas, they discover a need for research skills. The teacher serves as a guide to a variety of resources including encyclopedias, atlases, dictionaries, thesauruses, and almanacs. The public library is also available for students doing projects requiring additional sources of information.

Our benefits
  • Broad, challenging curriculum
  • Deeper exploration of cultural studies
  • Personalised learning paths
  • Interest based project work
  • Age-appropriate time management skills
  • Become confident, self-respecting individuals
  • Develop group effectiveness skills
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