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The Lower Elementary Program, for students aged six to nine years, is based on key Montessori principles: multi-age grouping, concrete lessons, and individual pacing. The elementary classroom allows the child to continue the great strides in learning made at the pre-school level. This is a time for extending and perfecting the skills already begun. The mixed-age elementary classroom creates a community in which the child lives and learns. Children develop the social skills necessary to handle increasingly challenging interactions with their peers. They learn that following is equally as important as leading and develop confidence that forms the foundation of future leadership skills. Learning takes place individually, through the child’s work plan, and cooperatively in small groups. The Lower Elementary Program emphasizes the connection between different areas of study, not the mere presentation of isolated facts. Reading, math, geometry, and science all bring the student to a new understanding expressed through writing. The presentation of history, biology, and geography all give meaning to the great order of the universe. Specialists conduct classes in Spanish, music and art, computer science, and physical education during the last hour of the day. Westwood uses SRA reading labs for individual reading and vocabulary, Reading Theater for group  reading aloud, Great Books discussions, and silent reading with journaling. Montessori materials enhance the teaching of writing and grammar concepts. Creative writing is developed individually and in small groups. Westwood also recognizes the importance of handwriting to a student’s control of focus and attention. In addition to the Montessori math and geometry curriculum, Westwood works with students to acquire speed and accuracy in math fact retrieval through the use of math games and timed tests. The cultural areas of the Lower Elementary classroom have simple and classified nomenclatures for biology, earth science, fossils, Fundamental Needs of Man, the BC/AD timeline, and timeline of life. Many other science programs are also available for exploration. Weekly history classes focus on Texas history and government, early man, the explorers, study of the presidents, and early civilizations.  Homework begins at this level. Each week students memorize a poem and complete spelling homework. Additionally, periodic assignments in reading and three-dimensional history projects are required. Lower Elementary children love to work in the garden. They want to know the names of all the plants and take particular joy in weeding! Through their work outdoors and their interaction with the animals available in each classroom, these students come to respect the natural rhythms of nature. They take further steps down the road of environmental stewardship. This is the age at which students gain from field trips outside the school environment. “Going out” into the local community helps children place themselves in the large world. Students love to see real-life activities as well as participate in the fine arts. Visitors to the classroom bring further enrichment by highlighting thematic units of study. |
