Montessori First Grade for ages 6-7
The first-grade Montessori curriculum is extraordinarily comprehensive and perfectly suited to the needs of 6-7-year-olds. Passionately interested in the world around them, students in the First Grade classroom are excited and ready to learn. Children this age are very curious and very social. A “there’s always more” atmosphere exists as children delve deeply into their work searching constantly to find out all they can. Children research answers to their questions from lessons using classroom materials and community resources. And when they cannot find more from what is in the classroom we tell them how they can go out into the community to find, interview and report their information to their classmates. While the Montessori Toddler and Primary classrooms are known for a ‘quiet hum’ as children work individually or in pairs, the First Grade classroom is known for the sounds of high-spirited students working and learning together in groups.
The First Grade teacher uses “The Great Stories” as a springboard for interdisciplinary learning. Each of these lessons is a jumping-off point to key academic areas. These stories spark the imagination of students and give them a context for further study. Instead of approaching schoolwork as discrete subjects, Montessori students discover the interrelationship between topics and understand how biology, math, language, geography, geometry, and history are important. We call this cosmic education. This reflects the way the world really operates and how adults solve problems.
As students move up in the First Grade program, the Montessori studies become increasingly complex and abstract as the students’ minds and capabilities develop. The Meadow’s program is a great place to ‘learn how to learn’ and lay a strong academic foundation for their future. We continuously give the children challenges and opportunities to expand upon what they already know. As we say here at Meadow’s the learning is endless because there is always more!
Socially the students develop strong bonds. Because these students are together for so long, they also hone their social skills, develop empathy and build long lasting friendships. It is our hope that the First Grade students will leave Meadows remarkably confident and poised and ready for the next step to continue to learn.