Our Curriculum
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Practical Life
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
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
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
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
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
November is a time we focus on the theme of Gratitude and the continent of North America. All students have discussions about Character, Accountability, Thanksgiving, and Appreciation for the world around them. Within the language learning area, an author related to North America, along with 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 North America.
Below is a sample of a week in the month of November for our Primary program:
- Monday – Puzzle map for North America and neighboring countries, discuss the Mayan civilization
- Tuesday – Listen to compositions of Jesus Gonzales Rubio (Professor of Music in Mexico) “Mexican Hat Dance”, design animal habitats using recyclable materials
- Wednesday – Explore the primary climate and clothing of Mexico, and the differences in climate from western to eastern Mexico
- Thursday – Introduce classification of animals (mammals, reptiles, birds, fish and amphibians), review the Thanksgiving story (including fingerplays, creating Thanksgiving bracelets, and discussing how Native Americans helped the pilgrims assimilate)
- Friday – What is accountability Art and music project featuring Frida Kahlo (Latin American painter) using art and music to evoke emotions
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:
Spanish/2nd Language
Vocabulary & phrases, conversation, comprehension, composition
Yoga
Develop fine and gross motor skills through traditional and modified yoga techniques
Computer Science
Basic computer skills including introduction of Office and introductory coding for primary children and up.
Reading Readiness
One-on-one coaching to increase reading skills for Kindergarten
Library Media
Literature enrichment, author study, library research skills
Art
Drawing, painting, sculpture and crafts
Music
Singing and movement with music fundamentals theory
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.
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.
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 rote memorization.
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.