Children’s House (Pre-k – Kinder)

Our Children’s House classrooms includes children 3-5 years old. Our classrooms are Prepared Environments that are organized in to five areas of work: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Math, and Cultural. We have two classrooms the Maple Classroom (Lead Guide: Cheyenne Meyers) and the Redbud Classroom (Lead Guide: Sheetal Jayswal).

You’ll often hear Montessorians talk about the work of the child rather than play. This is because, in Montessori, the play of a child is very much work for them. The concentration, curiosity, determination, and investigation that is all part of a child’s play are all cornerstones of a life long learner. Referring to the lessons and activities of the student as work is also a way to demonstrate our respect of the child and their learning process.

The materials and work available are designed to be enticing to the developmental levels present in the classroom. This increases the child’s focus, concentration and motivation while working.

The skills developed in each of the five areas of the classroom often overlap with each other. For example, the three finger grasp a student is taught to use while working with the cylinders will translate to pencil grasp and handwriting in language in math later in the students development.

Because each Montessori classroom has a three year continuum, guides are able to offer lessons at the pace of the child instead of providing lessons on a whole classroom schedule. Students progress at their own pace, which in turn keeps them engaged and motivated.

Peace Education

“Establishing lasting peace is the work of education” ~Maria Montessori.

A Montessori classroom is much more than an outstanding academic education. Teaching our students about social justice, human rights, and equity prepares them to become global citizens. Through the work of the classroom students began to form a strong sense of who they are and what they want to contribute in life. They come to understand that conflict is an opportunity for growth.

Children’s House Classroom Culture

A Montessori classroom is designed and organized with purpose and intention to be an optimal environment for a child to grow their curiosity and confidence. House plants that the students help to care for, pictures hung on the wall, an area to have snack and wash dishes, an open environment with options to work on tables or on the floor all create a home like feel inside our classrooms.

Students are able to move throughout the classroom and choose work that interests them. This freedom is not a lack of structure in the classroom. The freedom and independence that Montessori students are given is often referred to as “freedom within limits.” These limits include things like: the expectations of how to choose a material (after the child has had a lesson on it), how to use a material, how to take care of the materials and environment, how to be respectful of others space, how to behave in the classroom (walking feet and inside voice), and how to self-advocate.

The three year cycle and mixed age classroom is an important element of the Montessori classroom. It gives our students the opportunity to learn cooperation and leadership. We often think of our 3 year olds as our watchers: eager to learn by observing what their older peers are engaged with. Our four year olds are typically our “doers”, ready to start engaging with the full range of materials available in the classroom. And our kindergartners are seen as our leaders. This leadership year is a pivotal year that rounds out their three years of work and development.

A Typical Day in Children’s House

Arrival

Students arrive at school between 8:15 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. They can be dropped off in carline or can be walked up to our building for goodbyes in the foyer. After arrival they will be greeted by their classroom teacher or assistant and they will be begin to put away their bags, lunch, water bottle and coats away before changing their shoes to indoor shoes. After their things are put away and their shoes are changed they wash their hands before beginning their morning work cycle. This morning routine is important for readying their mind and body for a successful work cycle.

Work Cycle

During the morning work cycle students receive individual or small group lessons. They also have the chance to practice and work with materials they have had a lesson on previously. The uninterrupted work cycle allows for a child to build their concentration and focus by letting them be in charge of the time they use to engage with a material. Many of our students will revisit materials over and over, or work with a material for the entire morning. This is the freedom of the Montessori classroom that builds independence and a natural love of learning within the expectations of a classroom environment.

Snack

Snack is considered a practical life work of the classroom. It is available throughout the morning work cycle and students are encouraged to listen to their bodies to recognize when they are hungry and would like to have snack. When a student is ready for snack they will make their own plate by serving themselves using the example plate displayed each day as a guide to serving sizes. They will then eat their snack at a designated snack table for two. This promotes the building of social skills, table manners, and independence. If the table is occupied, students will also practice patience and time management as they wait their turn. After they eat their snack they will wash their dishes, clean the table and sweep the floor around their space.

Group

When the morning work is complete, students gather together for a group time. This is a time for the students to come together as a class to read books, sing songs, and share their work. They might also receive a large group lesson on classroom projects like painting or cooking during this time. Group time is a valuable part of the day that builds community and fosters social and emotional learning through grace and courtesy skills like empathy, respect for others, cooperation, listening, and taking turns.

Recess

Following group is a 30-45 minute recess. This time outdoors is an important element of their day. This is time when they build their gross motor skills, creativity, and social skills. Recess is an ideal time for our guides to help students resolve conflicts on their own, learn how to cooperate, and practice advocating for themselves and others. Spending time outdoors is important for the physical, emotional, and cognitive development of our students. Students will spend time outside in all weather (unless we are under a weather warning). We consider choosing weather appropriate clothes to be a practical life lesson of the classroom. Half day students will leave for the day at 11:45 a.m. before students come in for lunch at noon.

Lunch

When recess is over, students come inside and prepare for lunch. During lunch they get to join their friends in conversation and work on meal time grace and courtesy lessons. Students bring their own lunches and are encouraged to participate in the planning and packing of their lunches at home. We encourage meals to be provided in containers that can be independently opened and managed by the student. During the first month of school they will also get practice, in the practical life area of the classroom, opening and closing different types of lunch and snack containers.

Nap or Afternoon Work Cycle

Our 3 and 4 year olds who still nap in the afternoon will get ready for their nap after lunch. Nap lasts from 1:00 p.m. until the end of the day recess around 2:30 p.m. Nappers will leave the classroom with our napping staff and settle in to their nap mat in our nap room. Each week they will bring a blanket and stuffed animal which will be returned for washing at the end of the week.

Kindergartners and non-nappers will begin the afternoon work cycle following lunch. They will also receive Specials that are available in the afternoon several times a week. Specials include French, Music, and Mindfulness.

Recess

The end of the day recess is a very special time for our students. This recess is a combined recess with all the classrooms at CMS. Similar to the success we see in the mixed age classrooms, we love to watch our students of all ages interacting with each other. Our youngest students and oldest students frequently form friendships with each other. Our older students practice their leadership and care taking skills while our young students find excitement in new role models. This is a time of day everyone looks forward to.

Dismissal

Students are picked up between 3:15 p.m and 3:30 p.m. either in carline or walk up. Families can also sign up to participate in our After School program that runs from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Once afternoon pick up is complete After School students will receive more time to play on the playground, a snack, and enrichment activities.