Primary
Primary Program 2.5-5 Years
Our Primary Program is designed to meet the needs of two and a half to five year olds and exceed the criteria of traditional preschools. The prepared environment is designed to enhance children's natural curiosity and love of learning. Students select from a wide variety of learning materials designed to match their developmental needs, personal interests, and individual abilities.
Circle Time
Due to the independent learning method of Montessori, the children are not placed in a uniform classroom where they are learning the same basic concepts they need to advance onto different levels of learning. Teachers work with children individually during work time and circle time allows for the entire class to come together in one area to go over basic concepts and lessons. The concepts that are emphasized during this time include daily greetings, manners, calendar (days of the week and months of the year), numbers, seasons, shapes and colors, continents, phonics, basic anatomy and life cycles.
Practical Life
According to Montessori, a child's inner need is to help the child "Do it themselves". As students pursue the Practical Life activities, they develop order, concentration, coordination, independence, as well as care of self and their environment. Other exercises include cleaning, pouring, and wiping tables. Students also learn the importance of taking care of their environment and taking pride in being responsible individuals.
Sensorial
The purpose of sensorial learning is to awaken children's natural curiosity. Through hands on material, it allows children to learn about all five senses. Exploration of materials in our sensorial area offer visual, tactile, and auditory awareness. It also allows children to differentiate sounds, sights, colors, shapes, tastes, smells, and textures of the world. Through materials like the "Pink Tower," children will learn to develop visual discrimination of size and 3 dimensions.
Language
The purpose of language, in the primary years, is to guide the child to communicate and express themselves verbally as well as through writing. Children regularly participate in language activities, which include language awareness, vocabulary development, and an introduction to reading and writing. Materials such as sand paper letters, help the child recognize the shape of the letters, which later assists the child in writing. Metal insets strengthen the child's 3-finger grip and wrist movement, preparing the child for handwriting. Children are taught exercises to expand their vocabulary and introduced phonetic sounds. Exercises to enhance reading skills are achieved by demonstrating how to work with movable alphabets, blend words, and sight reading.
Math
The purpose of math is to introduce the child to reasoning, understanding of symbols and quantity, problem solving skills, and logic. In the Math area, children interact with the concrete and manipulative materials through which they discover the meaning of quantity, while gaining an overview of the number system. Materials such as the sand paper numbers are an effective way of absorbing the mental image of the number, by the process of tracing. Spindle boxes are used to introduce the concept of "zero" as having no quantity. "Number Rods" introduce the child to quantity 1-10, while helping them to develop concept of the number sequence. Students work with the addition and subtraction strip board to understand the basic concepts of putting numbers together and taking them away. Students also work with the Hundred Board, Multiplication Board, Teen Board, and Ten Board. Students are introduced to place value in the very basic format, to prepare them for two and three digit work in the future.
Geography
The purpose of geography is to introduce the child to his/her world and surroundings. Our goal at Montessori School of Castle Rock is to create love for a spectrum of people, cultures, and places. Children are introduced to global maps, continents, countries, and states. Children come to the realization that we all come from different backgrounds, but we are all part of something bigger.
Science and Nature
At Montessori School of Castle Rock, children are provided with knowledge of various aspects of science, earth, and nature. Through a wide variety of activities, children learn about botany, animals, earth, space, and science.
Self-control and self-esteem are enhanced. Communication and conflict resolution skills are learned and practiced.
