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“I suggest what we are seeking is wholeness in our learning experiences. Things need to have meaning – to make sense – to be connected to a bigger whole, rather than being separated and compartmentalised. What matter are relationships, dynamic inter-connectivity and creative flow. These qualities were recognised by many early educational pioneers such as Montessori and Steiner and are now clearly emphasised by cutting-edge educators around the world.”
-Wendy Ellyatt, “Finding health and wholeness” in Montessori International Iss.71 P.9
The Casa curriculum moves from one area of the classroom to the next, maintaining what Ellyatt referred to above as creative flow. The child begins lessons in Practical Life, carrying those developing skills into all other studies, including Sensorial, Language, Math, and Culture.
The routine of the class is usually the same, and the theme stays the same for approximately a month. This offers the children the necessary security and repetition to develop their confidence.
Practical Life
Learning the Skills of Everyday Life in an Atmosphere of Kindness, Community and Respect.
Success in school is directly tied to the degree to which children believe that they are capable and independent human beings. If they knew the words, even very young children would ask: “Help me learn to do it for myself!”
As we allow students to develop a meaningful degree of independence and self-discipline, we also set a pattern for a lifetime of good work habits and a sense of responsibility. In Montessori, students are taught to take pride in their work.
Independence does not come automatically as we grow older; it must be learned. In Montessori, even very small children can learn how to tie their own shoes and pour their own milk. At first, shoes laces turn into knots and milk ends up on the floor. However, with practice, skills are mastered and the young child beams with pride. To experience this kind of success at such an early age is to build up a self-image as a successful person and leads the child to approach the next task with confidence.
The ability to control one’s body and move more carefully and gracefully around the room, often carrying things that must not be dropped, is an important aspect of the Practical Life lessons. The children walk along a line on the floor, heel to toe, carefully balancing while carrying small flags, cups, or Montessori materials. These lessons in practical life skills do much more than help children learn to carry objects. The process helps them develop an inner sense of order, a greater sense of independence, and a higher ability to concentrate and follow a complex sequence of steps.
Sensorial
The prepared environment enables the child to develop his sensory perception, isolating and refining visual, auditory, tactile, and olfactory senses. The child manipulates exercises to discriminate between different roughness and texture of fabrics; the corners of a cube and the smooth sphere; and the sweet scent of honey in comparison to the acrid vinegar.
Language
Language is found throughout the curriculum. The children progress from using sandpaper letters to learn the shapes and sounds of the letters to making words with a moveable alphabet to writing words and sentences, and progressing to readers and to classified cards. We begin with phonetic sounds and words (cat, hat), gradually increasing to puzzle words (was, said), phonograms (sled, fish), and spelling and grammar rules (gate: silent ‘e’ rule).
Math
Mathematics proceeds through exploration with concrete materials to understanding and internalization of the abstract conception. The materials introduce the symbol and quantity for numbers 1-10. Using a variety of Montessori material, the child becomes familiar with the decimal system. Presentations include golden bead material, bead frames, stamp game, coloured bead bars and lead to experiences with addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, problem solving, measurement, and fractions.
Culture
Montessori builds many opportunities into the curriculum for students to gain hands-on experience. Culture includes hands-on experience with music, learning appreciation, rhythm, and composers. Children are given an understanding of the world and their own places in it. We practice French each week through interactive songs, games and materials. Lessons celebrate holidays from around the world, sampling music, festivals, costumes and cuisines.
Lessons in Grace, Courtesy & Community Service
The child becomes an eager pupil and citizen. The classroom establishes a respectful atmosphere, which welcomes each child’s gifts, unique contributions, and learning style. They discover many opportunities for leadership and learning through collaborations and small group projects both within the classroom and community. Children practice proper introductions and interruptions with each other and directors. They present cards and performances for The Pines Retirement Residence.
