Belleair Montessori Academy
Elementary Program
5-7 Year Olds
The task of the Montessori center during the elementary school age is to aid the student in his own natural development which includes basic physical, emotional and cognitive skills necessary for functioning in his society and world. The student of this age wants to know how everything came to be. We must give him the history of the universe, the world, the coming of plants and animals, of humans. We must give him the laws of nature, the interactions of people as they work, and have worked in the past, to fulfill their physical and spiritual needs. He wants to explore. We can send him out into the world with purpose and give him the tools to research with his mind and his imagination. He wants to be important, to direct his own programming.
The whole language program supports the students in researching:
- Geography
- History
- Language
- Science
- Mathematics
- Reading
- Music & Movement
- Physical Education
- Computer Technology
Within the walls of each Elementary classroom, each subject area is carefully designed to promote optimum learning for all students. Everything is interrelated, one lesson leads to many others. The student moves from concrete towards abstract understanding. We always work from the big picture to increasing detail. Every three years major themes in the curriculum are studied again in greater depth and abstraction.
Language
The elementary Montessori language arts program places stress on the development of strong skills in composition and creative writing. Reading and spelling instruction are firmly rooted in the study of phonetic spelling and of words as they appear in standard written English. Students are encouraged to research, compose, and write beginning in the first year. The students will be able to experience speech, reading, phonograms, puzzle words, grammar, punctuation, homonyms, contractions, and other aspects of language when they show readiness.
Mathematics
Mathematics is studied with the use of manipulative materials. As students progress in there abilities, they are guided toward more abstract thinking. Once the student moves to the abstract, the manipulative is no longer necessary. In our classrooms, all students are given the opportunity to work with addition, multiplication, division, subtraction, fractions, word problems, geometry, measurement, rounding, and factoring when they show readiness.
Cultural Subjects (Science, History, and Geography)
Following Dr. Montessori's belief that the heart of the child from ages 6 - 12 was most moved by a desire to learn about their surrounding world, the curriculum includes the study of Zoology, Botany, and Functional Geography (Physical Science, Geography, Ecology and the History of past civilizations. This program will teach the students to process science; how to ask questions, observe, collect, analyze data, and conduct experiments. The ultimate goal of the Elementary Program is to develop the students' abilities and self confidence so that they are well prepared for further academic challenges. This will enable them to take charge of their own learning in order to become cooperative, contributing members of society.