Goals of a Montessori Classroom
In the Montessori classroom, children are encouraged to work on their own in various areas of interest. The developmental goals include independence, order, concentration, and coordination. While children work independently, the adults are observing. The work of the adults is to observe, encourage and initiate new work, to help the children expand their horizons an
d take the next step. In the Montessori classroom, the word "work" is used a great deal. The children are not just playing with a set of pink cubes. They are toiling intellectually with the concepts of size, order, shape, volume and balance. To them, it is "work". Montessori Curriculum
Children learn using different hands on works. Some examples are
Practical Life,The physical goals of the area include eye-hand coordination, large and small motor skills. Sensorial Area, In this area, children refine their visual discrimination and the creation of order and clarity of senses. Math Area, The children work on quantity, from zero through nine; and then into tens and infinity. The math area reaches into all areas of the classroom and touches on geometry, algebra, time, weights and measure. Language Arts, This area combines visual discrimination, eye-hand coordination, and oral skills in preparing the children for writing and reading. Science, This focus is on the relationship of all living things to one another and their role in the universe. There is usually a live animal or fish in the classrooms which the children help care for. Geography, Children work with globes and maps, going from land and water to land forms, to continents and to countries. We study world cultures in a variety of ways. We teach peace. Art, Children are always incorporating are in their work and have various art materials available at all times. Music, Music is an important part of the curriculum. We always start the day with finger plays, rhymes and songs, listening to music during work time and enjoying musical games and instruments. Library, Children are able to choose books as a part of work. There is a book area in the classroom and story time is part of our day. Foreign Language, We learn counting and greetings in different languages.
