Written by Judy Yormick, Elementary Guide
“No matter what we touch, an atom, or a cell, we cannot explain it without knowledge of the wide universe. What better answer can be given to those seekers for knowledge? It becomes doubtful whether even the universe will suffice. How did it come into being? How will it end? A greater curiosity arises, which can never be satiated; so will last through a lifetime.”
– Dr. Maria Montessori, To Educate The Human Potential
There are three main branches of the Montessori Elementary curriculum. Two of these are the Language curriculum and Math curriculum, which provide the building blocks of communication and calculation. They are necessary for the educational process as the means for exploration, interpretation, and development of understanding. The third branch, the Cultural curriculum, provides the inspiration and keys to understanding the Universe.
The Montessori Elementary Cultural curriculum evolves from a unique perspective compared to other systems of education. In a traditional educational experience, the journey begins with the child as the focus and radiates outward to include the family, neighborhood, country, continent, and on out to the Universe – thus placing the individual at the center of the Universe. The Montessori Cultural scheme, by contrast, responds to the Elementary child’s burgeoning questions and interest in the bigger concepts. “How big is the Universe?” “What is the biggest number?” “How does the world work?” etc. The journey of the Elementary curriculum begins with the creation of the Universe. It is from here that the beginnings of physical sciences, earth sciences, biological sciences, and history emanate. These curricular pieces begin with the big picture and through the elementary years lead chronologically to the individual, culminating during the sixth year. By this point the curriculum looks at the United States and local history, the human anatomy in biology, and more detailed earth and physical sciences.
The curriculum, whenever possible, begins with concrete representations by means of pictures, charts, physical demonstrations, timelines, and other experiential activities. These gradually lead to more abstract representations. The concepts are part of a spiraling curriculum where concepts are initially introduced in an age-appropriate manner and revisited through the elementary years with added complexity and abstraction. There is also an integration of concepts so that the child focusing on a topic such as an ancient civilization, as an example, is also looking at the historical, environmental, geographical, political, scientific, and biological factors involved. Children that experience this view of the Universe discover their place in the bigger picture and the integrated nature of the various disciplines. They also have a different understanding of the gifts that were given by those who came before and the inherent responsibility that they hold for the future.
Learn more about the Greenspring Montessori School Elementary Program.
