"Our son just blossomed in Montessori education.  He was this super smart kid who was so bored in traditional education.  Montessori not only engaged him intellectually, it actually helped him learn to be more social and build friendships.  We are so grateful!"
 
-Alumni Parent

The elementary Montessori program is a place that engages the child’s natural curiosity, and fosters each child’s sense of themselves and the community.  Children ages 6-10 years old are focused on their intellectual and moral development.  The classroom setting must stimulate and challenge the learner while nurturing the emerging thinker.  Our teacher guides the children as they contemplate the world, the Universe and their responsibilities as contributing members of society.

The six to ten-year-old has the mark of a philosopher. Wonder is intrinsic to his or her learning. The stars, nature, technology and social life induce great questions. Where did I come from? What are the stars made of? What is justice? What is happiness?  What is right?  What is wrong?

In the Montessori elementary program, the child's own questions provide the basis for exploration of the world.  Because these questions are heeded and nurtured, the child deeply connects with knowledge. Subject matter, then, is made relevant to the child's personal quest, providing an inner motivation. A Montessori elementary education does not give the child a collection of trivial facts but rather bestows a vision of interrelated knowledge and a love of learning.

What is the curriculum at Elementary Montessori?

The curriculum at Amherst Montessori School is rich and engaging, inspiring students to explore and give full range to their natural enthusiasm for learning.  The Elementary students are introduced to the larger intellectual considerations.  Here they examine everything from the microscopic to the cosmic.  Stories, known as the “Great Lessons”, dramatize the creation of the earth, the beginning of life, the coming of human beings and the tools of human communication, language and math.  Inspired, and full of questions, children begin their research.

This curriculum includes ample opportunity for writing essays and reports, using basic research tools, and developing the ability to organize and present information.  At any given time, you might see children building time lines, recording science experiments, writing book reports and compositions, gathering data on the Internet, administering spelling tests to one another, or solving mathematical problems.

Our Elementary Students Learn:

• Reading
• Creative writing, grammar and spelling
• Mathematics (including geometry)
• General science, botany, and zoology
• History
• Geography
• Social studies
• Music
• Art
• Spanish
• Physical education   

Our students often choose their own course of study, and are inspired to design their own field trips to support their learning.

The Amherst Montessori Elementary environment balances the child's developing imagination and powers of abstraction with down-to-earth, concrete, hands-on materials. Each material has its structured sequences designed to lead to discovery and understanding. The Montessori elementary provides diverse and creative passages from concrete experience to abstraction. Mathematics, for instance, is presented through three-dimensional, manipulative materials that reveal simultaneously arithmetic, geometric and algebraic correlations - each providing a concrete way to experience an abstract concept. Likewise, the grammar materials use symbols and visual patterns to assist the child in discovering the parts of speech and analyzing the structure, style and logic of the sentences. The materials for disciplines such as geometry, botany, zoology and geography present basic terminology as the groundwork for future in-depth study. 

What is the role of the teacher?

The teacher in the Montessori elementary classroom must been a keen observer and a natural guide.  The Elementary teacher must watch and follow each individual child’s natural curiosity and unfolding sensitive periods for learning.  Children receive individual and group lessons, as they master concepts and are ready to explore new ideas and skills.  Each child receives truly individualized education, tailor made for both wellbeing and engagement.  The Montessori teacher prepares an environment meant to facilitate children’s independence and ability to freely select work that calls to and appeals to them.

Who is the teacher?

We are delighted to have our former Elementary teacher, Nicole Fuller, returning to the AMS community.  Nicole’s seven years of teaching experience coupled with her Bachelor of Science degree provide a strong foundation in the classroom.  Nicole has earned her Elementary I and II Montessori Teacher Certification (for ages 5.9 – 12 years) from the Toronto Montessori Institute.  Nicole’s passion is Montessori education, and she returns to AMS excited for the possibilities of the coming year.

What types of Extracurricular activities are provided?

Dr. Montessori advocated the classroom as the center of the learning environment, not the boundary.  Amherst Montessori School provides rich academic, social, and extracurricular programs.  Cultural activities are incorporated into the daily lessons of the classroom.  We also bring in specialists and venture out to enrich the depth of the classroom experience.

Students are offered weekly physical education classes, comprised of 4 – 8 week modules focused on building a particular skill.  These sessions may include (but are not limited to) yoga, swimming, tai-chi, ice-skating, and visits to the YMCA.   Amherst Montessori Elementary students will engage in Spanish class and Music class once a week, with lessons integrated in the classroom on the shelves and on the computer.  Finally, our Elementary students will participate in designing and organizing their own field trips and outings, created to support and expand their classroom learning. 

Why Amherst Montessori Elementary for my child?

The Amherst Montessori Elementary classroom is a truly inspiring place to both learn and visit.  Intelligence is nurtured, compassion is cultivated and curiosity is celebrated.  For, as Dr. Maria Montessori explained, “If the idea of the universe is presented to the child in the right way, it will do more for him than just arouse his interest; for it will create in him admiration and wonder, a feeling loftier than any interest and more satisfying.” 

For when our children’s natural curiosity is nurtured and satisfied, and their intelligence and unique brilliance is honored and explored, they become truly independent and compassionate members of our world, prepared to contribute.