Elementary/ Six to twelve years

Having mastered movements, acute perception, and expressive verbal language with simple writing and reading, the child now builds himself by establishing his reasoning mind, utilizing informed imagination, building ethical and moral awareness. The period of 6-12 years is one of great curiosity and learning. To satisfy the curiosity we introduce the child to scientific and cultural subjects: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, History, Literature, and Music.

Observing the unity of the child’s interests, Dr. Montessori understood that the subjects must not be taught separately but through the interrelationships between subjects. In this way, the subjects are organized around the child’s vital interests, desire to understand the nature of the physical and biological environments (Geology, Geography, Physics, Chemistry, etc.)

The arrangement of mathematical activities assists the child’s mind in forming precise thought processes. Study of grammar, structure, and styles of language usage assists logical thinking, understanding, and expression.

The history of man and geologic history satisfy the child’s desire to know what happened “long ago.” The study of peoples and places today also engages informed imagination. These activities begin the recognizable disciplines of physical, political, economic geography, anthropology, sociology.

Experiments and demonstrations introduce the child to scientific knowledge and methodology. The child continues a school life with music, physical exercise, handcrafts, and utilization of community resources. It is not just that the child covers traditional levels of school work which he does, but that lessons are given in ways to engage the imagination, exercise reasoning strategies, and take opportunities to discuss and arrive at moral judgments.

The daily organization is that of boys and girls working in small groups or individually with specially designed advanced materials and projects of their choosing with the directress steadily giving planned and spontaneous lessons, evaluating, and helping. The whole class assembles collectively for events such as exercise, planning class activities, and certain lessons.

At every level, the children and the environment are carefully supervised even though children are given freedom to choose work, talk, move about the room, work with others, etc.