Elementary at Childpeace
The Montessori Environment: Elementary
Our curriculum for the elementary child-- Dr. Montessori called it a "Cosmic Education"-- emphasizes the interconnectedness of the many things children observe and learn. Rather than creating the artificial division of knowledge and experience, Montessori education offers an integrated curriculum with a three hour work period in the morning and two hour work period in the afternoon. Connections excite children, stimulate their imagination, and give them a sense that they already know a great deal and can easily master new topics.
The Montessori child feels that the infinite, fascinating world of things and ideas is all accessible. Above all, the child is not dependent on a teacher for all their information; they learn both the habit and methods of finding out more on their own.
The elementary work frequently involves research, discussion, and large-scale projects. The elementary teacher introduces an area of study with a presentation of key information or material and then guides the children while they develop individual or small group projects to explore varied facets of the subject. Unlike the preschool children (whose need is to experience, name, and classify the immediate world around them through the use of their senses), elementary children want to explore a much larger universe through the use of imagination and reason.

Montessori Pedagogy-Elementary
Elementary children, typically, can be characterised by their questioning minds, their ability to abstract and imagine, their moral and social orientation and their unlimited energy for research and exploration. They move from the concrete through their own efforts and discovery to the abstract - thus greatly expanding their field of knowledge.

In a research style of learning, elementary children work in small groups on a variety of projects which spark the imagination and engage the intellect. Lessons given by a trained Montessori teacher direct the children toward activities which help them to develop reasoning abilities and learn the arts of life.

Children, at this age, are driven to understand the universe and their place in it and their capacity to assimilate all aspects of culture is boundless. Elementary studies include geography, biology, history, language, mathematics in all its branches, science, music and art. Exploration of each area is encouraged through trips outside the classroom to community resources, such as library, planetarium, botanical garden, science centre, factory, hospital, etc. This inclusive approach to education fosters a feeling of connectedness to all humanity, and encourages their natural desire to make contributions to the world.

Montessori Elementary Curriculum (pdf)

Recommended Resources (pdf)