"The power of the child is the most important discovery humanity has ever made and uncovers the very roots of our life."

- Maria Montessori

The Curriculum

In all classes the work process involves attaining and refining motor skills, tastes, developing sensitivity, strengthening concentration, solving problems, and achieving new insights. Upon completion of the toddler class with toilet training, RHM offers Pre-Primary education in three classrooms and one Transition class.   All three levels may be entered individually.

Toddler  18 months – 2 ½ years

At this exciting age, toddlers and two’s need to be offered an environment that is rich in language and movement, as well as foster fundamental skills and concrete foundations that are carried through to the Pre-Primary and Transition programs.  The Montessori classroom provides a vast array of materials and opportunities for the toddler to grow at their own pace and absorb the unique ambiance which surrounds them.

 

Pre-Primary  2 ½ – 5 years

The curriculum for Pre-Primary covers five categories:- 

In Practical Life, the children learn to become more  independent and maintain a respect for themselves and the environment around them.  In Sensorial, all the five senses are employed in learning to differentiate between colors, forms, textures, sounds, odors and tastes.  The academic program in Language includes phonetically based materials for reading, writing, and oral articulation.  In Math, tangible symbolic materials with built-in error control lead the child to abstractions. The Cultural studies incorporate art, history, zoology, botany and geography.  The children use puzzle maps to learn the seven continents and study cultural items from various countries. There are unit studies on the solar system, weather, seasons, the human body, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, time lines, and many other subjects. Spacious classrooms are arranged with children of multi-ages.  In this setting, the children learn from one another. The younger children are introduced to what they will be learning and instinctively 'look up' to the older children who love the responsibility of sharing their acquired knowledge.

Transition   5 – 6 years old

Children at this absorbent age possess a thirst for additional knowledge.  The Montessori philosophy of teaching concepts, rather than teaching to test, provides a solid foundation from which our students continue to grow beyond the Montessori curriculum.  Math, Language, Social Studies, Science, Geography, Zoology, Botany, Literature and History are taught throughout each week and provide every student with the tools to be strong learners.  State standards are also incorporated within the program, and so offer the students continued success when they graduate.

 

For the Pre-Primary and Transition programs, field trips are planned throughout the year and mirror the cultural activities introduced in the classrooms.  We also have the children present their ancestry, traditions, and encourage parents to participate! Our annual International Festival is a unit study involving each classroom (including the toddler class) learning about a particular country chosen by the teacher.  This turns into a memorable presentation of the country’s native dance, songs, and the children sharing their classrooms which they have transformed into ‘national exhibitions’.  Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, PE and Music are within the curriculum itself. Toddlers are offered the music class, and the Transition Class also has an art class.  Extra curricular classes are also available and include: drama, gymnastics, science, violin, art, Lego club, dance, tennis and dance.  All of these classes are offered to students 3 years and up.

 

A professionally trained and credentialed Montessori Head Teacher is accompanied by a full time Teacher’s Assistant.  The Toddler and Pre-Primary offer a five full day program (9:00 – 3:00), and five half day program (9:00 – 12:00). Transition is only a full day program.  Extended childcare is also available from 7:30 – 6:00 at an additional cost. Lunch time is 11:30 – 12:00.  Nap time is optional for Toddler and Pre-Primary classes. A snack is provided during the day and each classroom has a microwave.

 

Gardening and cooking form part of our practical life along with the joy of caring for reptiles, fish, and other animals.