Blog - Hill Point Montessori

Character Development in Montessori Education

February 20, 2019 By Hill Point Montessori Leave a Comment

One of the many benefits of Montessori education is the character development that naturally occurs as a function of its unique approach to learning and education. Maria Montessori felt that children possess the inherent capacity for respect, independence, and a love of learning, and the practice of the Montessori Method lends itself to the cultivation of children’s innate positive characteristics.

Respect

One of the cornerstone principles of the Montessori Method is respect for the child. This is demonstrated in the classroom when children are met at their unique and individual developmental stage and are treated as experts in their learning process. Instead of being seen as incomplete and in need of governance, children are seen as whole and capable humans with an immense capacity for growth. Montessori teachers demonstrate the kindness they want to cultivate in their students by helping them do and learn for themselves. By giving ownership of their education to the students, the teachers empower them to make choices that are beneficial to themselves, their peers, and the classroom environment. Children observe and practice integrity, responsibility, and empathy – the fundamentals of respect.

Independence

The Montessori classroom is prepared in a way that encourages children to develop autonomy. The amenities of the classroom, such as sinks, bathrooms, cleaning supplies, and items for food preparation are all made accessible so children can meet their own needs. The room is kept uncluttered and organized so children gain confidence in their ability to explore and navigate it without assistance. The curriculum, from primary to upper elementary Montessori programs, allows children to direct their learning and dive deeper into their interests as they gain greater and greater competence in language, mathematics, practice life skills, and other subjects. Their growing abilities and eventual mastery fosters self-esteem and shows the benefits of self-discipline.

Love of Learning

Maria Montessori believed children can educate themselves if provided with supportive teachers and a prepared environment. She thought children have an innate curiosity and learned best through unimpeded, direct interaction with the world around them. Montessori education leverages these characteristics to empower children to learn what they love, and come to love learning. For anyone, it is a gratifying experience to wonder, ask a question, and seek out and find the answer. No child is too young to enjoy that experience and to start a lifelong practice of leaning into curiosity, a practice that can begin in the Montessori classroom.

Using Small Groups to Promote Learning during the Upper Elementary Years

January 30, 2019 By Hill Point Montessori

Small Group Upper Elementary Hill Point Montessori

The Upper Elementary Program typically has students who are aged 9 to 12 years and who are poised to advance the studies and skills they’ve acquired in the previous two programs. In these classrooms, they will go deeper into culture, grammar and sentence analysis, language mechanics, vocabulary, writing skills, biology, zoology, botany, geography, meteorology, astronomy, chemistry, mathematics, and fine arts. In order to cover such a wide range of subjects in a manner that cultivates independent learning, the lessons are organized around research projects and small group projects in which students can teach and learn from each other. Here are a few examples of small group lessons and projects that promote learning.

Foreign Language

Upper elementary students extend their command of foreign languages. This is done very effectively in small group learning as opposed to the traditional structure of a teacher presenting language concepts. Small group learning allows students to practice communicating in the foreign language as they learn new words and grammar. These group structures also allow students at different levels in language fluency to support others in the group. Overall, this promotes confidence in learning a language through conversation, which is often the greatest barrier to learning a new language.

Geography

Small groups can also provide students experience in how to divide work within a group to collectively reach a goal. Effective work segmentation in a group is a necessary skill that students will use throughout their careers and Upper Elementary small groups provide a strong foundation for this skill. One example is working on geography projects. A small group of students may work together to create a tour of a region or country that they can present to the class. The group can divide up this work by history, food, geography, or other elements and collaborate to integrate each student’s work into a cohesive tour of the area.

Math

Math lessons are particularly suited to small group work. Students begin to learn more complex mathematical concepts in Upper Elementary and mastering these concepts is fostered by small groups. As there are multiple ways to conceive of and solve mathematical problems, self-guided learning allows students to develop their own approach to math. In small groups, students can help each other work through new concepts by explaining their own approach to a problem and listening to how other students approach the same problem. Additionally, small groups can support students at different mastery levels by learning from others, which in turn provides the opportunity for students to explain concepts to others. This combination of roles within the group reinforces students understanding of the material and provides opportunity for students to be exposed to different approaches to learning mathematical concepts.

In West Hills, California, Hill Point Montessori is a preparatory school for children ages 2-12. Our Upper Elementary Program consists of students ages 9-12, who are independent thinkers that work together to further expand their knowledge. Students utilize small groups and learn to exchange ideas in a collaborative manner. Schedule a tour of our Upper Elementary Program today.

Lower Elementary Montessori: 5 Great Lessons

January 28, 2019 By Hill Point Montessori

The Lower Elementary Program in Montessori schools spans a significant developmental period for younger children. Unlike in the Primary Program where the emphasis is on children being immersed in subject matter and unconsciously absorbing content as they explore the learning environment, the Lower Elementary Program is meant to cultivate active, conscious engagement in the subjects and foster a love of learning. In the Montessori Method, this is accomplished by learning the 5 great lessons. Students are encouraged to study and research each lesson in a way that best fits them, and they are able to revisit the lessons each year and go deeper or in a different direction.

Lesson 1: The story of the universe

In this first lesson, the big bold idea of the universe’s origin and evolution is offered as a larger framework in which other lessons can be placed. This lesson explores astronomy, meteorology, chemistry, physics, geology, and geography. Some of the skills or observations students gained in their Primary Program will also find connections and context in this lesson.

Lesson 2: The timeline of life

The timeline of life explores the great diversity of life, both living and long gone, introduces more abstract concepts of time, and also emphasizes the position and contribution of all living things. Through this lesson, students delve into biology, botany, ancient life, animals, and monera, protista, and fungi kingdoms.

Lesson 3: The story of language

By this stage in their development, children (who are usually ages 6-9 in this program) have acquired a proficiency in their language and understand its power to communicate needs, ideas, and emotions. This lesson helps paint a bigger picture of language and encompasses the origin of languages and study of foreign languages; the structure of language like grammar, word study, and bookmaking; the study of reading such as poetry, literature, and reading analysis; and the practice of writing including research, voice, and style.

Lesson 4: The story of numbers

Math is much more than arithmetic, and this lesson helps to illustrate that and builds off the concrete skills of the Primary Program. It delves into the history, utility, and evolution of numbers and numerical systems, and in the process, covers a wide array of mathematical subject matter: algebra, types of numbers, scientific notation, multiples, angles, shapes, geometric theorems, word problems, estimations, graphs, and the mathematicians that developed the study.

Lesson 5: The timeline of civilization

Through the course of this lesson, students learn the three gifts that make humans special: a mind to imagine, a hand to work, and a heart that can love. In this context, students study history, culture, social studies, and discoveries and inventions.

Hill Point Montessori’s Lower Elementary Program is for children ages 6-9. Teachers focus on fostering a child’s love of learning during this critical period of development by incorporating the 5 great lessons. Schedule a tour and learn how Montessori Education can be a fit for your young child.

Benefits of Mixed-Age Groups

January 25, 2019 By Hill Point Montessori

Montessori schools are typically broken into three curriculums, or programs: Primary, Lower, and Upper Elementary. This nontraditional structure means children share classrooms with a range of ages, usually three to six year olds in one class, six to nine year olds in another class, and nine to twelve year olds in another, and so on. Creating mixed-age group classes has a number of unique benefits.

Developmental Benefits

Dr. Maria Montessori observed individual developmental stages that encompassed several years and believed that allowing children who occupy the same stage, or plane, to share the learning environment had immense benefits. Instead of isolating children to groups that are presumed to be in sync developmentally because they are the same age, such as a classroom full of 8 year olds that we assume have progressed through their developmental plane in alignment, in Montessori classrooms, children at the beginning, middle, and end of the plane learn and develop together. This looks like a class instead comprised of 6 to 9 year olds, a structure that acknowledges that age alone doesn’t designate where a child is developmentally, and further, that development isn’t always linear in all aspects.

Academic Benefits

One of the easiest academic benefits to see for children in mixed-age groups is the chance to learn at their own pace. When they share the same classroom for three years, children are empowered to let their own interests and motivations guide them deeper into the subjects as they build their skills. This also allows the teachers in the Montessori classrooms an opportunity to observe and get to know the child and how they learn over a longer duration. This has great benefits for teachers and students as they form a more productive partnership in learning. Additionally, as children acquire and master academic skills, they can then teach other children who are new to the subjects. Teaching or demonstrating a skill so that others are learning is one of the best indicators of mastery of a subject.

Social Benefits

Schools are not just places to acquire knowledge of math, language, and other academic subjects. Schools and their classrooms are also meant to be a practicum in social and emotional intelligence. When children are in mixed-age groups classes, they benefit from more diverse and advanced lessons in social skills. They are given the opportunity to interact with a wider variety of children, and gain confidence in their ability to do so. Beyond the foundational components of the practical life skills students learn which teach grace and courtesy, the mixed-age group also organically encourages children to practice mentoring and leading as they welcome new students into the classroom they’ve shared for the second or third year. And the benefits of this practice are profound, for leadership and mentorship abilities are some of the most valued in the world outside the classroom.

Hill Point Montessori in West Hills, California offers 3 programs – Primary for Ages 3-6; Lower Elementary for Ages 6-9; and Upper Elementary for Ages 9-12. Montessori education groups students according to their abilities, unlike traditional education where students are grouped by age. This allows students to work together and collaborate throughout their learning journey as they guide each other. Schedule a tour of our preparatory school to learn more about the Programs offered.

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