Upper El Montessori Principles

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We are concerned with development of independence, concentration and order.

• Independence requires development of the healthy will.
• Developing a healthy will requires a student be allowed choices in education.
• Concentration develops naturally from interest.
• Order develops naturally from concentration.

There are sensitive periods for the acquisition of understanding.

• We watch for the awakening of interest in an area, then introduce the student to work for developing that interest.

The curriculum must be presented through a prepared environment.

• Educational materials are brightly colored and naturally attractive to the children.
• We avoid directly teaching concepts, but using materials which clearly illustrate a concept, the child himself verbalizes the idea.

The Theory in Practice

The upper elementary child:

• Is in transition toward abstract learning. The student needs concrete materials to assist learning abstract ideas, but the student will more quickly move toward working without them.
• Is more concerned now with the interior, having largely attained control over the physical body.
• Is in a sensitive period for the refinement of moral sense, particularly a sense of justice.
• Is in a stage with Dr. Montessori called, “The Age of Rudeness.”

We provide:

• Concrete, physical means to learn all the important concepts
• Gentle, non-judgmental moral guidance to assist the emergence of conscience.
• Follow-up discussion on any difficult social interactions that may occur. This may happen individually, in small groups or in a whole class setting, as circumstances dictate.

Return to Upper Elementary Tour