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Primary Program
(preschool and kindergarten)
A View of the Primary Classroom…
Peek into our youngest classroom and you may see some children pouring rice and some using math beads. Others are building words or writing in their journals. Our Primary classroom is a hub of activity and an opportunity for children to delve into their first structured learning experience. Here children bond with caring and experienced teachers. They find their own niche in a home-like atmosphere away from home.
The Primary classroom serves a maximum of 21 children, ages 3-6, with two Head Teachers and one Assistant Teacher. At the Primary level, children are immersed in an environment of choice between hundreds of hands-on materials, designed to encourage specific skills when a child shows readiness in his/her daily work. Because the Montessori materials used at this level are self-correcting, each child can work individually or with a partner at his/her own level while teachers present lessons to individuals or small groups.
Daily Program
The half-day Primary Program runs from 8:30am to 11:30am and includes journal time, snack time, morning Montessori work time, circle time, and recess. Half-day students are picked up by 11:30am. Kindergarten children staying full-day continue their day until 3:00pm with lunch, book time, literacy block, and specials (art, Spanish, etc.). Preschool children (ages 3 and 4) staying full-day continue their day with lunch followed by less structured afternoon time which may include free play, art exploration, stories and literacy activities, creative movement, Spanish, etc.
Primary Curriculum Overview
Our core Montessori curriculum uses the North American Progressive Montessori approach. This curriculum employs hands-on, high quality Montessori or time-honored materials to introduce new concepts to the children in all subject areas. Activities are presented either non-verbally, letting the child gain his/her own impressions, or with the traditional Montessori “Three Period Lesson.”
The five areas of development in the Montessori Primary classroom are as follows:
Practical Life: These activities are meant to mimic daily adult activities. Children learn how to take care of and appreciate their environment. Activities that involve pouring, scooping, sifting, and pinching help develop fine motor control. Children also learn social graces and manners, and practice care-of-self and care-of-environment activities.
Sensorial: Children are taught how to effectively use their senses. The materials give opportunities for the children to compare, contrast, and differentiate. The sensorial activities also develop fine motor control, concentration skills, and muscular dexterity.
Mathematics: Students work with number quantities using a variety of materials and activities including Golden Bead, our place value materials. They begin working with geometric shapes, learning names and physical properties. They are given opportunities to explore the volume and dimensions of objects. The children experiment with addition, subtraction, and problem solving.
Cultural Studies/Science: Geography explorations include studying the earth, continents, countries, and different cultures, as well as physical characteristics of land and water through sensorial activities. Botany and zoology materials offer children correct terminology for what they are studying through the use of nomenclature cards. Many opportunities are provided for children to observe and experience things from nature.
Language Arts: Children practice listening for individual sounds in words and they learn the phonetic sound each letter makes. A mixture of phonics and whole language activities are used when children become ready for reading. The metal inset materials, movable alphabet, and sand tray emphasize correct letter formation. Daily journal time and other activities provide lots of writing practice.
Special Programs for Primary Students
Full-day primary students enjoy Spanish lessons and Art lessons once weekly.
Musical opportunities include songs and creative movement activities incorporated regularly into classroom activities and special preparation for “Holidays Around the World” Celebration and Musical Program in December and Graduation/Musical Program in June. Also, Suzuki violin lessons are available on-site, as are private lessons in piano, guitar, and voice, for an additional charge.
Primary class Field Trip destinations in the past have included the Waterville Opera House for special theater productions, the Pine Tree State Arboretum, and Longfellows Greenhouses.
Primary Faculty (click here for staff biographies)
Jennifer Cousins, Head Teacher
Karen Jones, Head Teacher
Nasreen Sher, Assistant Teacher
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