What is Montessori Elementary School Like?
“An inner change has taken place, but nature is quite logical in arousing now in the child not only a hunger for knowledge and understanding, but a claim to mental independence, a desire to distinguish good from evil by his own powers, and to resent limitation by arbitrary authority. In the field of morality, the child now stands in need of his own inner light.”
-Dr. Maria Montessori, describing the second plane of development
You may be wondering whether you want to continue with Montessori education into the elementary years. What does that look like? What are the benefits? Here are some answers to your questions to help you make the pivotal decision about your child’s educational future.
Continuing With Freedom
By choosing to continue in Montessori school, you are giving your child the opportunity to have choices. In the Montessori method, there is no “one-size-fits-all” curriculum. Instead, students are encouraged to explore, discover new interests, and foster a love of learning. Unlike traditional schooling, the Montessori method encourages the child to reach their full potential by steering away from the standardized approach and instead, following the child.
We know that children do their best when they are able to choose their work. Autonomy creates self-motivated children who are driven to learn more. During the second plane of development, the child will want to explore working in groups and collaborating. Montessori elementary classrooms encourage this developmental need and support them in their need for socialization. In Montessori elementary, we encourage the child to follow their passions, think critically, build their unique love of learning, and collaborate with others.
The Curriculum
During the elementary years, the Montessori method’s individually paced curriculum challenges children academically, while honoring their well-being and sense of self. By engaging as contributing members of their community, your child will learn to question, think critically, and take responsibility for their own learning. These skills will support them throughout their lives.
The elementary program is based on the fact that children learn best through movement and work with their hands, and in an environment that provides cognitive, social, and emotional support to help them reach their full potential.
The Montessori method addresses the child’s need as they enter a new period of development that is characterized by:
A growing interest in socialization
A transition from concrete to abstract thinking
An interest in fairness, social justice, and compassion
Thinking and memory that is enhanced by creativity and imagination
A Classroom That Reflects Community & The Real World
The Montessori elementary classroom functions as a happy community. Each student is focused and takes joy in their work. They explore, read, invent, experiment, confer, create, prepare snacks, and sometimes maybe even meditate or practice yoga in our meditative corner.
Meanwhile, the guide circulates through the room, observing the students and making detailed notes about their progress, allowing the guide to offer individualized support and know when it is appropriate to introduce a new material. The expectations in the classroom are both exquisitely clear and engagingly open-ended. Our aim as Montessorians is to shape future community leaders, activists, and citizens of the world.
From Observing To Leading
If your child experienced their Capstone (kindergarten) year in the Montessori classroom, you may have already seen what the third year in the three-year cycle can really do! It is incredible how everything comes together when your child has the opportunity to be a leader in their classroom.
A similar three-year cycle will take place in the Elementary classroom. Younger children follow the examples set by the older students and have advanced peers to work with in areas of the curriculum where they are less experienced. Children will be able to learn from one another, lead, share, and serve as role models in the classroom. This cooperation allows children to develop patience and respect for differences.
In a Montessori elementary classroom, your child will have an increased responsibility to manage their own work, along with thoughtful guidance from their teacher. Each student will be encouraged to identify what inspires them and what challenges them.
Over the years, your child will learn how to organize their time effectively, plan for large school projects, and work well with their peers.
Most importantly, they will begin to understand what they love to do and have the opportunity to explore and expand upon their interests. These opportunities will help them develop deep critical thinking skills and take responsibility and ownership of their learning.