Lower Elementary
Learning How to Think
6 - 9 years
At the elementary level, the children learn in mixed-aged classrooms as they did in the Preschool and Kindergarten classroom. The Elementary classroom is designed to meet the needs of the children from ages 6 to 9.
The work involves the transition from the largely sensorial to more abstract. To facilitate this transition, the 6-9 classroom is equipped with many of the more advanced materials from the 3-6 classroom and materials which challenge the elementary child’s expanded cosmic interests and abilities, such as those of the planets, U.S. History and animal phyla.
The Lower Elementary Program
The 6-9 curriculum addresses the child’s more advanced social and emotional development with education in such things as Grace and Courtesy, and Conflict Resolution.
The students do group research projects and continue to explore and gain a deeper understanding of the world around them. Timelines, concrete materials for Math, Grammar, Geography and Science all encourage continued academic growth.
We are committed to touching both heart and the mind of every student. We teach our students to have respect for all living things and non-living things and help them understand that they always have a choice. We show them that each person is responsible for his or her actions and the consequences that result-whether positive or negative.
We are committed to offering an academic program comprised of high expectation that is tempered with love and respect for the differences in each student’s learning ability. Positive reinforcement is used to modify impolite behavior. Responsibilities are assigned to students to help them realize the importance of their own role in the learning environment and to encourage confidence in their own capabilities.
Learning Without Limits
Your child will study both broadly and deeply, covering many subjects not attempted in conventional schools. Because there is not a rigid schedule or prescribed curriculum that the whole class must follow, your child can focus intensely on her self-chosen work, with minimal interruption. At the same time, she will collaborate with the teacher to ensure that her work is challenging and purposeful – and that basic standards are met. In that way, the teacher is in charge of the minimum scope of work – your child is in charge of the maximum.
The Teacher is an “Enlightened Generalist”
To quote Bruce Lee: “A teacher is never a giver of ‘truth;’ he is a guide, a pointer to the truth that the student must discover for himself.” We couldn’t agree more. Our AMS credentialed Montessori teachers don’t have a specific area of expertise. Our teachers have extensive knowledge of all subject areas – more than enough to help your child discover interests in any area imaginable and challenge her to deepen the field of study through research.
Engagement is Essential
Real learning occurs when children are engaged – not when the teacher makes a blanket assignment. Curiosity is championed in our Lower Elementary, and your child is encouraged to explore concepts to a level of detail only limited by his imagination.
Beyond the Classroom
We want the children to be comfortable navigating the world, not just our classroom. So, we have a few excellent books, but not everything there is to read about a topic. As a result, the children must ‘go out’ beyond the limits of the classroom.
“I would recommend this great school to parents. Ms.Tanya is a good director who communicates well with children and parents. The staff is very professional and the school is clean. Ms.Michelle was a great preschool / kindergarten teacher who helped my son to be prepared for lower elementary program. The lower elementary program is a relatively new program at CHM. Ms.Hema is a well experienced lower elementary program teacher”
- Parent / Guardian
The Format Mirrors Your Child’s Developmental Needs
Your lower elementary age child has a strong drive for social connection. She is starting to develop deeper friendships and a connection to the community around her. Why then, would we want her to learn in rows of desks, confined to a chair, while the teacher lectures the class as a group? Instead, we embrace your child’s natural need for social exploration by giving lessons in small groups and encouraging children to work with a variety of others on follow up projects and research into subjects of intense interest.
Learning in Context for Deeper Understanding
Unlike in a conventional program with a separate time of the day for each subject, your child will gain a much deeper understanding of concepts by learning in context. The starting point for all courses of study is the “Great Lessons;” these impressionistic and scientific stories give your child the “big picture” of astronomy, earth science, geography, physics, biology, history, anthropology, cultural and social studies, language, math, music and art. Meaningful learning happens when children understand the “why” as much as the “what” – and are inspired to learn even more on their own.
Developing Flexibility, Resilience and Grit
We believe children learn to be adaptable by supporting them to solve their own problems, rather than solving problems for them. With the help of a supportive adult, your child can, most often, find the solution that is best for him.
Learning as its Own Reward
We have high expectations for your child and your child is responsible for his actions. Given a sticker, he will do his best for a few minutes. Given experiences that help him to believe in himself and his abilities, he will do his very best for a lifetime.
Prepared and Confident
The ultimate goal of the lower elementary program is to develop the students’ abilities and self confidence so that they are able to take charge of their own learning. Students who have gained an appreciation for the enormous scale and resources of the world through the lower elementary curriculum are ready to explore their place within that world.