Montessori Discovery School

Elementary Program

Elementary Program

Creating an Ethical Framework

At about the age of six, children are ready to grow beyond the experience and knowledge acquired in the Montessori Primary Program. Three aspects of development have a significant impact on their educational needs. Children aged six to twelve:

  • Begin to question why and how rather than simply accept statements as fact.
  • Often are very concerned with moral behavior and will question the right, wrong, and justice of rules and guidelines.
  • Enjoy creating organized social activities with friends, complete with rules and hierarchies.

The “Why and “How”

The Elementary Program at MDS has been created around these developmental aspects. Dr. Maria Montessori said that this is the period when children’s minds are “like fertile fields waiting to be sown with the seeds of knowledge”. The role of the teacher is to assess and provide for the interests and needs of the child through individual and group instruction. The teacher works with each child to help develop his or her interests.

In the MDS Elementary Program, children focus on in-depth studies of core subject areas such as language studies, mathematics, history, science, and cultural studies with an individualized Montessori curriculum specifically designed for your child!  MDS Elementary children enjoy field trips relevant to specific areas of classroom study and continue their study of Spanish as a second language. Elementary students explore and care for gardens and our llamas. 

Creating an Ethical Framework

The principles of Montessori education empower the children to chart their own course. This is their school, their classroom. With the guidance of teachers, students determine rules and guidelines for behavior in the classroom and on the playground. They have the responsibility for the care of the classroom and pets and for making the environment safe and pleasant for all who share it. This responsibility helps the children understand and discriminate right from wrong. Children first learn to respect and advocate for themselves, their environment, and each other. Children are free to learn and explore, as well as develop a social framework.

Social Development

As the students are busy exploring the world and developing a moral conscience, they are also practicing their social development in groups by creating small societies. In the MDS Elementary Program, 1st through 6th graders are present together in one classroom. This allows the children to work in pairs or groups on large projects or to have older children mentor younger children. As part of our commitment to peace in education, the children also learn how to settle conflicts in a non-confrontational manner. They also enjoy cooperative games as part of the physical education program. Children of this age have an enthusiasm for learning that is best fostered in a peaceful, creative, and open environment. The Elementary Program at MDS has been created with the child’s developmental aspects in mind to become joyful learners who confidently engage their world!

Contact us for more information.

We offer school tours or Zoom conversations so you can find out how Montessori works.