Our schools offer programs for Pre-Primary, Kindergarten, and Elementary children. Please click on each program link for curriculum information:
- Young Children's Program and Pre-Primary Program Curriculum
- Kindergarten Program Curriculum
- Elementary Program Curriculum
- Summer VPK Program Curriculum
The Young Children's Program and Pre- Primary Montessori Curriculum
Each Montessori Pre-Primary classroom is designed with the Montessori Philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori in mind. The Montessori Method encourages what Maria saw as the children's innate ability to 'absorb' culture -- the natural means that the child’s absorbent mind takes in his environment effortlessly and unconsciously.
The Montessori Prepared Environment is purposeful. Maria Montessori believed that the teacher should prepare the environment and herself with a definite purpose to allow for the spontaneous progression of the child’s development. Thus, the Montessori classroom is not just a place of learning abstract ideas but rather, a place to acquire an education for life. The Montessori Prepared Environment with all of the elements comes together to educate the whole child, not just the academics of the child. The materials teach the child and the teacher is the guide. The teacher is the link between this uniquely prepared environment and the child. There are three main elements that come together to create the Montessori prepared environment: the child, the materials in the prepared environment, and the teacher. We believe that these are the distinct characteristics that stand out when compared to other educational systems.
In a Montessori school, the child is the reason that the prepared environment exists. It is within the environment that the child develops on so many levels. Physically, the child’s development is enhanced and stimulated by the simple freedom of movement. There are no desks assigned for the child to sit at for long periods. Rather, the child moves around from one area to another growing and realizing his own place within the environment. Each of our pre-primary classrooms is geared for the 3 to 6 year old age group. It is by ability not by age that a child challenges himself and becomes self-reliant, focused and independent. Intellectually, the child’s freedom of choice in his materials leads to a development in his concentration and thereby knowledge in so many areas of life. The environment addresses the children’s needs as they challenge themselves from very basic to very advanced materials.
Practical Life
Practical life exercises are designed to help the child gain a sense of order, to develop coordination and concentration and to foster independence. Practical life exercises essentially provide the blueprint of life and emphasize building fine motor skills and increasing attention spans associated with daily living activities.
Sensorial
Sensorial experiences appeal to the five senses of sight, touch, smell, taste and sound. Sensorial lessons define shape, color, size, weight, sound, smell and texture. The use of concrete sensorial materials establishes the necessary foundation for the child to later recognize abstract ideas with greater understanding and a more organized mind.
Language
Language development spans all areas of the classroom and is alive with movement. In the Montessori classroom, children learn through phonics as well as sight–reading through labels in the classroom. Individual lessons are based on phonetics, linguistics and sight–reading skills. It is not uncommon for most four year olds, enrolled in our schools, to be reading before their fifth birthday. The children’s interest in reading is never stifled by monotony; rather it is cultivated as their most important key to future learning.
Mathematics
Maria Montessori demonstrated that if children have access to a hands on approach to mathematics in their early years, it serves as a basis for logical thinking and future acquisition of math skills. The Montessori approach to mathematics is logical, clear and effective. Children work with concrete materials representing abstract concepts. The whole math experience is very kinesthetic and visual. Children learn concepts though natural progression. The classrooms are full of materials for learning the concepts of numeration, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and problem solving.
Cultural Studies/ Arts & Crafts/ Computer Applications
Geography, History, Biology, Botany, Zoology, Social Sciences, Horticulture and World Cultures are presented to the children in enriching and exciting ways. Children study about the world through maps and globes. The objective is to increase their awareness of our planet. The Montessori Method offers the children a concrete presentation of history by letting them work with timelines.
Art in the pre-primary curriculum enhances the creativity of a child. Talented professional art instructors design meaningful and inspirational lessons for the children to gain awareness and an appreciation for the arts. Art is an important form of self-expression. It develops hand-eye coordination, imagination, individuality and aesthetic appreciation.
All children have access to computers and age appropriate software. Technology related skills are essential for this generation to succeed in the future.
Foreign Language
The Spanish curriculum is designed to give the children a working knowledge of the language. The program is designed to be colloquial, interesting and useful. Students learn shapes, colors and the fundamentals of the language.
Music and Movement
Physical growth and muscle development are precursors to intellectual development. The Montessori philosophy brings together music, dance and song. An early appreciation of music and movement will contribute to the overall development of the child.
The school campuses have wonderful playgrounds. Supervised outdoor play takes place during recess, lunch and after-school hours. The campuses also house an outdoor patio area with a butterfly, vegetable and herb garden.
The Montessori Kindergarten Curriculum
The Brandon Montessori and The Riverview Montessori Schools' Kindergarten Programs are highly regarded among local education professionals. The children benefit from not only the proven Montessori environment, but also the enriched hands-on academic curriculum presented by talented teachers. The nature of our classrooms (collaborative and joyful learning with high but attainable goals) results in developmentally accelerated children. Our Montessori children gain academic preparation, intrinsic motivation, social responsibility, autonomy, confidence, competence, originality of thought, and sensitivity. Our children earn an education for life.
Practical Life
Practical life exercises are designed to help the child gain a sense of order, to develop coordination and concentration and to foster independence. Practical life exercises essentially provide the blueprint of life and emphasize building fine motor skills and increasing attention spans associated with daily living activities.
Sensorial
Sensorial experiences appeal to the five senses of sight, touch, smell, taste and sound. Sensorial lessons define shape, color, size, weight, sound, smell and texture. The use of concrete sensorial materials establishes the necessary foundation for the child to later recognize abstract ideas with greater understanding and a more organized mind.
Language
Language development spans all areas of the classroom and is alive with movement. In the Montessori classroom, children learn through phonics as well as sight–reading through labels in the classroom. Individual lessons are based on phonetics, linguistics and sight–reading skills. It is not uncommon for most four year olds, enrolled in our schools, to be reading before their fifth birthday. The children’s interest in reading is never stifled by monotony; rather it is cultivated as their most important key to future learning.
Mathematics
Maria Montessori demonstrated that if children have access to a hands on approach to mathematics in their early years, it serves as a basis for logical thinking and future acquisition of math skills. The Montessori approach to mathematics is logical, clear and effective. Children work with concrete materials representing abstract concepts. The whole math experience is very kinesthetic and visual. Children learn concepts though natural progression. The classrooms are full of materials for learning the concepts of numeration, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and problem solving.
Cultural Studies/ Arts & Crafts/ Computer Applications
Geography, History, Biology, Botany, Zoology, Social Sciences, Horticulture and World Cultures are presented to the children in enriching and exciting ways. Children study about the world through maps and globes. The objective is to increase their awareness of our planet. The Montessori Method offers the children a concrete presentation of history by letting them work with timelines.
Art in the pre-primary curriculum enhances the creativity of a child. Talented professional art instructors design meaningful and inspirational lessons for the children to gain awareness and an appreciation for the arts. Art is an important form of self-expression. It develops hand-eye coordination, imagination, individuality and aesthetic appreciation.
All children have access to computers and age appropriate software. Technology related skills are essential for this generation to succeed in the future.
Foreign Language
The Spanish curriculum is designed to give the children a working knowledge of the language. The program is designed to be colloquial, interesting and useful. Students learn shapes, colors and the fundamentals of the language.
Music and Movement
Physical growth and muscle development are precursors to intellectual development. The Montessori philosophy brings together music, dance and song. An early appreciation of music and movement will contribute to the overall development of the child.
The school campuses have wonderful playgrounds. Supervised outdoor play takes place during recess, lunch and after-school hours. The campuses also house an outdoor patio area with a butterfly, vegetable and herb garden.
The Riverview Montessori Elementary Curriculum
The Riverview Montessori School at Rivercrest now offers an Elementary program for First Grade. The program follows the Montessori Philosophy of recognizing children as they really are by creating environments that encourage growth, social interaction, and learning; all tailored to each child's individual potential. Additionally, the program reflects the growing child's changing needs by providing individual opportunities to make choices, utilizing their imagination while exploring classroom materials, seeking out detailed information to develop conclusions, and asking questions to stimulate critical thinking.
Language and Literature
The language curriculum emphasizes
creative/expository writing, interpretive reading of
literature/poetry, and increased comprehension
skills through various reading activities and book
reports. Creative writing allows the student to
express thoughts, build sentence structure, and gain
story writing skills. Grammar and vocabulary studies
are designed to reinforce word families, parts of
speech, and their functions.
Mathematics
The curriculum is presented with concrete
materials, which reveal arithmetic, geometric and
algebraic connections. We extend the knowledge of
the decimal system, negative numbers, squaring,
cubing and geometry. Students explore geometry on a
sensorial level. We begin with a study of
congruency, similarity and equivalence, preparing
them for later area and theorem work. We introduce
the study of lines, measurement of angles and
construction of geometric figures.
Cultural and Social Studies
History begins with the concept of the passage of
time, geologic time and the study of the Solar
System and early life on Earth, and all its
inhabitants. Students learn how the contributions of
humankind throughout history have brought us to
where we are today.
Geography studies integrate both political and
physical composition of the earth. Maps, globes,
charts and models supplement the study of
geographical features and landforms. The students
explore various cultures, their people and customs.
Life Sciences
Botany, chemistry, physics, astronomy, earth
sciences and zoology are presented to the children
in enriching and exciting ways. Projects and
research help students to understand abstract
concepts and draw their own conclusions. Hands on
activities and experiments are essential for this
study.
Computers
The classroom is equipped with state of the art
technology. The children have access to computers
and age appropriate software that reinforce their
academic studies. Technology related skills are
essential for this generation to succeed in the
future.
Foreign Language
The study of foreign language and culture is
introduced through conversational methods. The
program is designed to be colloquial, interesting
and useful. Students learn phrases, vocabulary and
the fundamentals of the language.
Art, Music and Physical Education
Arts and culture are not separate entities, but
are interwoven essentials in each of the subject
levels. Focus is on the achievements of humanity, a
profound respect and appreciation for what was
created by man. Children are encouraged to explore
art, drama, and creative writing during their
explorations of the prepared environment and its
contents. Talented professional instructors design
meaningful and inspirational lessons using various
techniques and media.
Physical conditioning, strengthening, rules,
cooperation and sportsmanship are taught, along with
basic skills in a variety of activities. Students
learn to trust their own abilities and gain respect
for themselves, others and the environment.
Summer VPK Program Curriculum
Offered during the summer months, The Brandon and The Riverview Montessori Schools provide the area’s finest Montessori-blended Voluntary Prekindergarten Programs. In keeping with Montessori tradition, the curriculum combines geography, cultural studies, and history in an atmosphere conducive to the children’s sense of exploration and independence. Hand-selected Florida-Certified Teachers present lessons incorporating the eight VPK learning domains. In the renowned Montessori approach, children not only “visit” various regions but they also experience worldly songs, indigenous crafts and wonderful new tastes of exotic lands.
Our Summer VPK Programs ensure each child develops an enviable foundation in Reading, Math, Language and Social Skills – skills required for success in Kindergarten and beyond. The Brandon and Riverview Montessori’s VPK Programs provide the benefit of school readiness with the Montessori advantage -- an education for life.
Copyright © 2007-11 RMR Montessori, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy