Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary
1st through 6th grade
The Elementary Program at Hockessin Montessori School combines students into an environment reminiscent of the "one room" schoolhouse. Our teachers endeavor to truly educate, by drawing out the discovery of concepts and information. The emphasis is placed on the process of learning. We encourage independent thinking and each child's unique curiosity about learning. We strive for our children to be good problem solvers; to learn how to learn.
The curriculum is an integrated, multi-faceted approach to education. Students work at their individual levels in mathematics and in various aspects of the language curriculum. Students are assessed throughout the school year in order for the teacher to continue presenting material that is appropriate for the individual child's level.
Students in the Elementary Program are expected to become increasingly responsible for their own education. Continued joy in learning, self-discipline in one's work, organization of one's time, respect for classmates and participation in the community of the classroom, the wider school, and the larger community are all hallmarks of success in the Montessori Elementary aged child.
The LOWER ELEMENTARY (1st, 2nd, & 3rd grade) Montessori student explores concepts appropriate for their developmental stage in the following areas of the curriculum:
Practical Life
Students refine their Grace and Courtesy skills in this area by learning about and practicing respect for each other, the school environment, and the world community. Children at this level continue to develop self-awareness and independence for the care of themselves, their classroom and school environment by maintaining cleanliness and order of their personal belongings and the learning environment.
Sensorial
The student at this level continues the Sensorial activities through the use of concrete, hands-on materials in every area of the curriculum.
Writing
The Elementary aged child employs the writing process through daily journal writing and by utilizing the 6 Traits of Writing Program. The Conventions of writing are developed and reinforced at this level through appropriate lessons in grammar and spelling.
Reading
The student at this level continues to build their reading skills through word analysis and decoding strategies to further develop phonemic awareness, group and independent reading, exposure to all genres of literature, grammar studies, and comprehension activities reinforced by the Accelerated Reader program.
Research
Research Skills are introduced and reinforced through lessons and activities of alphabetical order, exposure and practice with resource materials and internet connections.
Mathematics
The Story of the History of Mathematics sets the stage for the child's development in the area of mathematics. The child at this stage is moving from concrete to abstract thought using less manipulatives. The main areas of Mathematical focus are the standard mathmatical operations more advanced operatives.
Science
Students learn through the use of scientific tools, observation, experimentation, research, and assessment. The main areas of focus will include Life, Physical, and Earth Sciences.
History and the Humanities
History curriculum explain the concept of time, creation stories and the Timeline of Humans. The Humanities Curriculum includes the study of cultures around the world by focusing on the Fundamental Needs of Humans.
The UPPER ELEMENTARY (4th, 5th, 6th grade) Montessori student explores concepts appropriate for their developmental stage in the following areas of the curriculum:
Practical Life
The Practical Life Curriculum in the Elementary Program focuses on care of the developing self awareness, responsibility in a classroom environment, money management, participation in classroom governance through class meeting and decision making, involvement in the school community through service to younger students and involvement in the larger community through field trips.
Sensorial
The student at this level continues the Sensorial activities through the use of concrete, hands-on materials. The child in this stage makes the transition from concrete to abstract reasoning.
Writing
The Elementary student approaches the writing curriculum by using The 6 Traits of Writing in an array of activities including story writing, poetry, letter writing, essays, plays, and research. In addition, the conventions of writing are studied through lessons in grammar, word study, and instruction in the mechanics of writing. The Writer's Workshop process is the culmination to this by focusing on sharing, editing, and publishing.
Reading
Reading at the Elementary age is characterized by continued development of reading skills with Specific Skills Programs. In addition, reading practice continues utilizing the children's literature program, independent reading, teacher read books, and discussion groups. Reading practice in gathering factual information for research. Progress of a student's reading level is assessed through the use of the Accelerated Reader Program.
Research
Development of Research Skills such as finding and accessing information, note taking, organizing information, separating facts and opinions, outlining, documenting sources, editing and publishing, and both oral and written presentation are integral parts of the Elementary Curriculum.
Mathematics
The Elementary Mathematics Curriculum proceeds from concrete to abstract reasoning and addresses abstract mastery of the dynamic processes, operations and applications including fractions, decimals, measurement, graphing, Pre-Algebra, and Geometry.
Science
Students learn through the use of scientific tools, observation, experimentation, research, and assessment. The main areas of focus will include Life, Physical, and Earth Sciences.
History and the Humanities
History Curriculum focuses on the study of The Seven Continents, State History, US History, and the Study of Civilizations. Humanities Curriculum include research based on the Fundamental Needs of Humans, Physical, Political, and Economic Geography.