What is the Montessori Curriculum?
All the materials in the classroom are set up so that children can manage the equipment easily. We encourage independent learning so all materials are accessible by the children.

There are several areas in the classroom:

The Practical Life area, which enables children to participate in every day activities such as pouring, cleaning, dressing and opening containers. This area aids in the development of fine and gross motor skills and is preparation for reading & writing.

The Sensorial area reinforces the child's senses by using materials which isolate specific concepts such as color, size and sound.

The Math area first introduces the concrete numbers from 1 to 10, then we introduce the symbols from 1 to 10, and then they are combined. All math is presented from the most concrete concepts to more abstract concepts with increasing levels of difficulty. Children will also be exposed to geometry, fractions and measurement.

The Language area begins by presenting the sound of a letter and having the child trace the shape (Sand Paper Letters). When a child recognizes most of the sounds in the alphabet they are shown how to combine these sounds to form words. Writing is developed after much work in the Practical Life and Sensorial area (refinement of fine motor skills) through the presentation of Metal Insets (tracing and drawing from left to right, top to bottom). French and Spanish are taught in small groups. The children enjoy singing,finger plays and stories in Spanish and French.

The Cultural area consists of science (botany, zoology, experiments), geography (maps of the world, land & water forms), history (peace makers ), visual art (artists and techniques), performing art (mime, clowning, acting) and music (musicians, notation, types of music). The library is always open at Maria's House Montessori School. Children are given a beautiful, quiet area to enjoy books. They are encouraged to check out books and to donate books to their library.

Part of the program relies on Parent Education. All families involved in Maria's House Montessori School are encouraged to participate in the workshops provided by the school.
 

What type of Arts program do we have?
The arts program is included in the Maria's House Montessori School curriculum. All the children will have an opportunity to experience music (singing, percussion instruments, composers, music notation, and movement), visual arts (design, print, sculpting, painting, drawing, sewing, calligraphy, and artists), dance (body isolation, movement, individual dance, partner, group, and folk dance), drama (pantomime, story-telling, puppetry, and clowning), speech (acting, mask-work), martial arts (Taekwondo, kicks, punches, blocks, Korean terms, self defense), and physical education (Obstacle courses, ball handling, organized sports, parachute, games, and bean-bags).

The group lessons, while teaching a wonderful art, more importantly instills tolerance, patience, and confidence in our children.

We try to make all the classes exciting and enjoyable, but if a child does not show an interest in a group lesson, they may choose to do something that draws their interest.

What happens outside?
The Montessori environment utilizes indoor and outdoor space. The outdoor area is set up so that the children have an opportunity to work outside if they wish. There is a garden for all the children to care for. This area will coincide with our botany and zoology program (i.e. learning the parts of the plant or parts of the flower, life cycles, insects, etc.) Children will be asked to read the temperature outside and describe the weather. Older children will gauge the precipitation and the weather and form graphs to illustrate this. The 19th Ave. Park is located right across the street!

Who will teach my child?
Your child will be taught by a trained Montessori Teacher. All teachers must have two or more years of experience before they may direct a class. No more than 27 children are in a class. Each classroom has one assistant who will tend to the care and management of the room, supervise children and give special attention to a child when necessary. Any individual working at Maria's House Montessori School  must have a love and respect for the children and their families.