Early Elementary Program

Consisiting of grades 1-3 our Early Elementary program parallels the Dublin Public School curriculum, but far exceeds it in depth because of our uniquely effective learning materials and our highly individualized approach to education.

Our early elementary classroom students are beginning to see themselves as partners in their own education. Self reliance as well as self responsibility are an important part of the Montessori student’s education.

The start of the day begins with students entering the classroom and completing any remaining school work from the day before. Within this open time teachers will walk throughout the room and will assist and guide the children’s progress. Following this work period time the Lead Teacher will call a community circle so that students may gather together to discuss goals and projects related to their work. At this group gathering lessons on social etiquette are taught. The community circle is a wonderful opportunity for children to share their successes and mishaps having the teacher as a guide to this process.

Montessori new work time begins. During this block period of time up to lunch, the teacher acts a facilitator within the room, giving lessons individually and in groups. A second or third teacher will also work on assisting students in lessons and managing the flow of the day. Students not assigned to a lesson will continue on to their own work plan pulling materials from the shelf to help assist their goals. This is a very purposefully period of time with students very much involved in their own education. After this period a brief time for play inside or out is a much needed break from the first half of the NLMA student’s school life.

The second block of the day is spent with students working with “specials” subjects or projects in or outside of the classroom. Specials classes are typically: Foreign Language, Musical Instruments and Theory, Theatre, Voice and Dance, Science Lab, Technology, Art, Ceramics, Physical Education and Cultural Studies. The day ends with students cleaning their classroom spaces, organizing personal spaces and preparing for the following day.