Our Curriculum

Our Curriculum

At Children’s Manor and Children’s Magnet, we focus on the development of the whole child, and over the last 30 years have built a curriculum that balances your child’s social & emotional, cognitive, physical and academic development. Our mission is to prepare your child to excel in a global society by providing an academically rigorous, engaging, and supportive learning environment.

Our Unique Curriculum

Our core curriculum consists of the five Montessori learning areas: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language Arts, Mathematics, and Cultural (History, Geography, Science & Arts) Studies. Our Proprietary Montessori Links curriculum differentiates us from other Montessori schools, preschools, and daycares by integrating these five core Montessori learning areas with an interdisciplinary learning experience in Character Development, STEM, Continent Connections, and Author Study & Arts. Going beyond content knowledge, our curriculum emphasizes higher order thinking, problem solving and association between different areas of study.

Practical life

Practical life includes life skills to help develop independence, coordination, concentration, self-control, self-awareness, confidence and include:

  • Care of Self (food preparation, dressing, washing),
  • Care of Environment (cleaning, gardening, care of pets, environmentalism),
  • Grace and Courtesy (greetings, manners, social interactions),
  • Control of Movement (refining movements, walking the line, moving quietly)

Sensorial

Sensorial activities allows the child to refine each of their senses: Sight, Touch, Smell, Taste, Sound and kinestistic (physical). Includes the manipulation of specifically designed materials that isolate qualities. Refines fine motor skills, visual and auditory senses and develops coordination and the ability to order and classify.

Cultural Studies

Cultural Studies allows the child to explore the natural world around them and includes studying Geography (continents, landforms, earth layers, solar system), Zoology (classification, physiology of animals), Botany (ecology, classification, physiology of plants), History (time lines, using a calendar) and Science.

Mathematics

Mathematics is developed with the use of concrete learning materials. The sensorial area is the preparation for mathematics. Hands-on materials are used such as number rods, sandpaper numbers, number boards, spindle box, number tiles, beads, and games. Each exercise builds upon another and the child gradually moves to from concrete to abstract areas such as place value, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and fractions.

Language

Language is based on phonetic awareness. Children work through specific hands-on and tactile language materials such as the sandpaper letters to the moveable alphabet. Language is not an isolated topic but runs through the curriculum. The spoken language is the foundation for writing and then reading.

Montessori Links Curriculum

Our Montessori Links curriculum integrates the five core Montessori learning areas with an interdisciplinary learning experience in Character Development, STEM, Continent Connections, and Author Study & Arts.

For each month in the academic year, the Montessori Links curriculum is developed around a Theme and a Continent Study that incorporates work across the five Montessori learning areas. These monthly themes integrate age-appropriate activities and materials into the daily routine, allowing children to interact with complex topics with appropriate interconnectivity and repetition. This prepares children with a more conceptual understanding critical for their future success.

 
A Glimpse Into Your Child’s Learning Journey With the Montessori Links Curriculum

February is a time we focus on the theme of New Beginnings and the Continent of Asia. All students have discussions about various character traits such as how to be caring, as well as studying influential Black Leaders. Within the language learning ara they study an author related to Asia and relevant works of poetry and folktales are chosen. The life and work of artists and musicians are also similarly experienced through videos and interactive demonstrations, while time is spent studying the culture and geography of countries in Asia.

Below is a sample of a week:

Monday

Happy Birthday, Rosa Parks!

Today, we emphasize that doing the right thing is not always easy, but that we should exemplify Rosa Parks’ strength and bravery, even when faced with adversity. Through storytelling and engaging discussions and activities, our students will be encouraged to explore the values of fairness and equality, and make their own commitment to positively contributing to the world around them!

Tuesday

East to West

We explore the interconnectedness of our world through the lens of food and other products from Asia that have found their way into our lives in the United States.  From the savory spices of Indian curries to the delicate balance of umami in Japanese dishes, countries have adopted various flavors from all across Asia.

Wednesday

Party, Party, Party Time!

Students will be embarking on an exploration of Asian holidays and festivals! From the playful traditions of Setsubun in Japan to the vibrant lantern festivals of Chiang Mai in Thailand, our students will be immersed in a sensory-rich journey. From festive songs to delicious treats and whimsical sayings, celebrating together is the focus of the day!

Thursday

Whispers of Freedom

Harriet Tubman’s remarkable journey offers invaluable lessons in determination, empathy, and social justice! We’ll learn about her guidance and how she played a crucial role on the Underground Railroad. Students will be encouraged to reflect on their own capacities for leadership and the ways in which they can contribute positively to their communities.

Friday

Roaring into a New Year

The celebration of Chinese New Year begins tomorrow. This festive celebration focuses on vibrant colors, unique traditions, and joyful energy. Students will create their own crafts that represent the holiday and learn about traditional Chinese customs, embracing the ideas of renewal, setting goals, and sharing joy with family and friends! 

Enrichment Programs

A unique aspect of our curriculum is the incorporation of Enrichment Programs into the schedule as part of your child’s education.
These include:
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Spanish

Vocabulary & phrases, conversation, comprehension, composition
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Technology

Basic computer skills including introduction of Office and introductory coding
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Library Media

Literature enrichment, author study, library research skills

Music

Singing and movement with music fundamentals theory

Yoga

Develop fine and gross motor skills through traditional and modified yoga techniques
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Reading Readiness

One-on-one coaching to increase reading skills for Kindergarten
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Art

Drawing, painting, sculpture and crafts
Field trips at a Montessori school in Maryland.

Extracurricular Programs,
Clubs & Field Trips

In addition to our integrated Enrichment programs, we also offer a variety of extracurricular enrichment programs throughout the year through partnerships with various organizations. Depending on location this includes Soccer, Tennis, Piano, Guitar, Science and Dance.
Learning experiences beyond the classroom are highly beneficial for children of all ages and are an integral part of our curriculum.
We take two to four trips per year to area Science centers, Aquariums, Museums, Farms, Zoos, Art Galleries etc., and frame these trips within the Montessori lens for the students. Parents are asked to accompany the students as chaperones on these trips.
Teacher showing child part of the Montessori curriculum.

Measuring Your Child's Progress

Since instruction is individualized at our schools, your child’s progress is also measured on an individualized basis. At the beginning of each school year, your child’s teacher will mark your child’s foundation in each of the five Montessori learning areas as well as in Social & Emotional Development. Your child’s progress in then monitored by your teacher throughout the year and evaluated in the Winter and Spring.
To share your child’s progress, we hold parent teacher conferences at least three times a year.
Pre-primary and Primary program students receive three progress cards per year and Kindergarten students receive four report cards per year. Parent engagement and involvement in their child’s social, emotional and academic development is critical to their child’s success.

STEM Education At CMMS

Montessori teachers have a jump-start to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) education as compared to their conventional counterparts because student engage in a hands-on learning environment that is inherent in a Montessori classroom.

At Children’s Manor and Children’s Magnet Montessori, we provide an academically rigorous, engaging, and supportive learning environment that allows for innovation, collaboration, and hands-on learning and problem solving. Students learn the fundamental rules of mathematics and science through the discovery of natural laws by working with didactic materials and problem solving with peers.

The work engages the senses and ensures the internalization of concepts, not just memorization.