Elementary

Content Highlights:

• Word study, parts of speech, sentence analysis.
• History of written & spoken language, literature, style, composition.

Skill Highlights:

• Spelling, vocabulary, parts of speech and parts of sentences, handwriting, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization rules.
• Ability to write, edit, and draft in a variety of genres.
• Use a variety of literacy tools to decode and find meaning in increasingly complex texts.
• Appreciation for written and spoken language.

Outcomes:

• Eloquence in written and spoken language.
• Can write effectively & fluently in a variety of genres.
• Can read & analyze texts accurately and critically.
• Self-realization (explore and express own thoughts, values, and accumulated knowledge with confidence and joy).
• Ability to navigate interpersonal relationships with authenticity and kindness.

Content Highlights:

• Decimal system, whole numbers, fractions, decimal fractions, percents, word problems, negative numbers, measurement, ratios/proportions, graphing, geometry, algebra.
• Multiples and factors, divisibility, nondecimal bases, squares and cubes of numbers, powers of numbers, the history of mathematics.

Skill Highlights:

• Familiarity with numbers, including the decimal system, the relationships between numbers, and how humans use them to represent and understand our surroundings.
• Knowledge of mathematical terminology and algorithms associated with all content areas listed above.
• Ability to use the four operations to solve problems with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percents.
• Knowledge of vocabulary associated with lines, angles, plane figures, solids, and their relationships. Ability to measure and calculate length, angles, area, and volume.

Outcomes:

• Confidence and creativity in mathematical problem solving through number sense and flexibility with numbers.
• Ability to solve complex problems in multiple mathematical disciplines with facility.
• Application of math and geometry principles to solve real-world problems.
• A student inspired and excited by math and eager to explore its possibilities.

Content Highlights:

• The formation of the earth and its natural features; physical, political, and economic geography; the evolution of life on earth
• Human evolution before the invention of writing (what we know from the archaeological record)
• Human history (what we know from books and other written sources) with a focus on the fundamental needs that all humans share, the progression from nomadic to agricultural to urban life, the development of civilization, migrations, and the history of the United States.

Skills Highlights:

• Understanding of geological time and the processes that affect changes to non-living features of the earth
• Understanding the evolution of life on earth
• Understanding human evolution and what makes humans unique
• Ability to explore human history via a focus on the fundamental material and spiritual needs that all humans share including nourishment, clothing, housing, transportation, defense, and contemplation
• Knowledge of the progression of human history from nomadic to agricultural to urban life, and knowledge that all three of these lifestyles continue to exist in different parts of the world
• Understanding the different motivations for and effects of human migrations throughout history
• Understanding the development of human civilizations
• Foundation in the history of the United States

Outcomes:

• Rich foundation of understanding around the geological and biological processes that have resulted in the state of the earth and its inhabitants today
• Rich foundation of understanding about the events that have led to the state of humanity today.
• Internalized framework for studying human cultures, both historical and contemporary, that emphasizes and re-emphasizes the fact that all humans are born with the same needs.

Content Highlights:

• The solar system, the states of matter, climate, geology, chemistry, physics, botany, zoology, ecology, and the interdependence of human beings and the earth.

Skill Highlights:

• Understanding of the physical and chemical properties of particles and the laws that govern their interactions.
• Understanding of the ways in which these laws govern weather patterns and climate around the globe.
• Understanding the functions of all of the parts of plants.
• Ability to name the parts of plants, the parts of the parts, and the varieties that lead to classification.
• Understanding the structure, body system functions, and varieties that lead to classification of vertebrates.
• Ability to classify animals.
• Experience with classification systems that can be translated to phyla beyond plants and animals.
• Knowledge of the human body.
• Understanding the concept of ecology and the interdependency of all elements of the earth.

Outcomes:

• Rich foundation of understanding around the living and nonliving features of the earth, how they are classified, and how they interact with each other.
• Appreciation for plants and animals based on knowledge of and experience with many specimens throughout their lives.
• Appreciation for the unique position of humanity in the web of life; unlike other lifeforms who contribute to the harmonious workings of the environment, we get to decide how we want to contribute.
• Internalized foundation for moral and ethical inquiry.

Content Highlights:

• Integration with daily classroom activities, introducing vocabulary and phrases naturally during routines.
• Studies on Spanish-speaking countries, covering geography, history, customs, and traditions.
• Cultural projects and celebrations to enhance understanding and appreciation of the Spanish-speaking world.
• Development of reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills through various activities.
• Interactive methods such as role-playing, dialogues, and language games.
• Visits from a Spanish-speaking instructor for direct instruction and cultural insights.

Skill Highlights:

• Reading skills through exposure to Spanish texts, stories, and poems.
• Writing skills by creating simple sentences, stories, and journals.
• Listening and speaking skills through singing, chanting, and role-playing.
• Vocabulary expansion and grammar understanding.
• Conversational practice and interactive activities.
• Cultural understanding through projects and studies.

Outcomes:

• Familiarity with a broad set of Spanish vocabulary and grammar.
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand Spanish in various contexts.
• Deep understanding of and respect for Spanish-speaking cultures.
• Appreciation for the diversity and richness of the Spanish-speaking world.
• Enhanced communication skills and practical application of Spanish in daily activities.

Content Highlights:

• Self-regulation strategies, work habits, collaboration, concentration, conflict resolution, care of self, care of others, care of the classroom environment.
• Recording individual work each day; daily check-ins with teacher for executive function coaching; regular individual meetings with teacher to discuss progress, areas of interest or challenge, social experiences, and strategies for success; freedom to discover interests, learn at ideal individual pace.

Skill Highlights:

• Complimenting and appreciating others, sharing a perspective without alienating peers, and collaborative work.
• Collaboration tools including solving problems in a group, helping peers succeed, choosing and organizing group work, and maintaining focus while working with friends.
• Conflict resolution including how to navigate difficult conversations, express what you need, and envision what you would like to do better.
• Care of the classroom environment to become a good community member, independent and responsible for themselves and the group.
• Operating independently in society including planning and executing trips into the surrounding community, identifying resources, and navigating conversations with experts (for example contacting UC Berkeley to interview a professor about astronomy).
• Executive function skills including time management, choosing inspired work that ensures enduring learning, organizing and completing work (meeting deadlines), going beyond the lesson to satisfy curiosity and develop deep understanding, learning at potential, and identifying personal strategies for concentration.

Outcomes:

• Kind and responsible humans who know who they are and engage with peers and adults graciously.
• Deep understanding of self, learning style, and unique learning needs.
• Confidence and clarity that allows them to make choices that honor themselves and those around them.
• Toolbox of strategies to achieve concentration and persevere with both preferred and non-preferred activities.
• Strong time-management skills.
• Ability to plan and execute individual and collaborative projects to achieve their desired goals.

Content Highlights:

• Art: history, elements, media, and techniques including color, line, texture, perspective, drawing, painting, portraits, collage, textiles, printmaking, and clay.
• Music: history and appreciation, developing the ear, and musical notation.
• Theater: presenting work, skits and plays, reader’s theater, class plays.

Skill Highlights:

• Art history, techniques and strategies for accuracy and composition, care of materials, and color theory.
• Familiarity and proficiency with a variety of art media.
• Composition, notation on the musical staff, rhythm and rhythm notation, transposition of songs, singing, and playing instruments.
• Public speaking; writing dialogue, scripts, and songs; reading with emotion; dancing and choreography; set design and creation.

Outcomes:

• Ability to produce images that accurately represent subject matter and ideas utilizing a variety of art media.
• Music appreciation and skill.
• Confidence and skill with public speaking and performance.
• Experience of arts as valued subject areas on their own and as sources of inspiration for expanding and beautifying all of their work.

Content Highlights:

• Integration of movement with daily classroom activities, reinforcing academic concepts through physical exercises and games.
• Development of fine and gross motor skills through activities such as balancing, climbing, running, and coordinated games.
• Inclusion of varied physical activities like yoga, dance, traditional sports, and nature exploration to promote physical fitness and flexibility.
• Cooperative games and team sports, such as soccer, basketball, and volleyball, to foster social interaction, teamwork, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Activities that promote self-reflection and goal setting, encouraging children to challenge themselves and celebrate their physical accomplishments.
• Positive coaching practices that emphasize effort, resilience, and sportsmanship, creating a supportive and motivating environment.

Skill Highlights:

• Development of coordination and motor skills through structured physical activities and exercises.
• Enhancement of physical fitness, including strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular health, through diverse physical activities.
• Cultivation of social skills and teamwork by participating in group games, team sports, and cooperative exercises.
• Encouragement of independence and self-confidence through goal-setting activities and personal challenges.
• Fostering of environmental stewardship and appreciation through outdoor physical activities and nature exploration.

Outcomes:

• Improved coordination, motor skills, and overall physical fitness, supporting children's health and well-being.
• Enhanced social skills and teamwork abilities, fostering positive peer interactions and collaborative problem-solving.
• Increased independence and self-confidence, empowering children to set and achieve personal physical goals.
• Greater environmental awareness and stewardship, instilling a sense of responsibility and connection to the natural world.
• Development of lifelong healthy habits and a positive attitude towards physical activity, promoting overall well-being and happiness.

Elementary classrooms at MMS feel like flourishing companies. As adults, we work with people of various ages. At MMS, instead of isolating children by single grades based on biological age, students learn in rich, multi-age classrooms. Lower Elementary is composed of 6-9-year-olds and Upper Elementary of 9-12-year-olds.

Younger children take inspiration and role modeling from their older peers, and older peers learn and enjoy valuable leadership skills. The classrooms themselves are beautifully designed and filled with tactile learning materials that are scientifically designed and self-correcting. These materials provide concrete expressions of complex academic concepts that help students move into abstract thinking.

Elementary children have reasoning minds. They are fascinated by why and want to understand everything about how the universe works. To further fuel and inspire their students’ passion to know, Elementary teachers are master storytellers.

With dramatic flair and captivating materials, the teachers present the whole of the universe and human history: Historical stories include the evolution of life on earth, the coming of human beings, the story of the creation of language, and the story of numbers. Historical presentations are followed by lessons, research, and project opportunities that empower students to study further details of each subject. This method of presenting the whole, then studying the parts provides deep thematic understanding and specific skill development and content knowledge.

As they begin to grasp life, history, and current events beyond their immediate experiences, elementary children seek role models and heroes. The world is so complex: Who has risen to meet the challenges and create positive changes?

Elementary teachers meet this yearning with a curriculum that showcases the lives and accomplishments of diverse and remarkable historical and modern-day figures. Not only does this ignite and excite the students’ intellectual and ethical curiosity, but they also feel awe and admiration for the lives of those who came before them. They ask and actively pursue this question: In my life, how will I positively contribute?

In life, when we learn and innovate, we connect facts, ideas, and themes to reach new levels of understanding. MMS Elementary students explore connections between curricula all the time, leading to richer and more engaging learning.

For example, after reading the biography of Ruby Bridges, a group of Elementary students studied playwriting and dialogue and wrote a play with their interpretation of Ruby Bridges’ life.

After studying the zoology of whales, students organized a visit to an exhibition of the skeletons of blue whales. They captured this opportunity to practice calculating mathematical measurements of the skeletons while they also studied the biology and life cycles of the whales.

When all of life is seen as an opportunity to learn, joy and curiosity burn brightly.

Our students learn to understand who they are as learners. Our Elementary program is designed to build meaningful content knowledge and metacognition – thinking about thinking.

A key ingredient is self-regulation: Each day students record detailed accounting of their day and what they accomplish. They have regular one-on-one meetings with their teachers to review their work journals. They reflect on their learning progress, level of focus, and use of time. They also set goals for the next week.

Not only does this process allow Elementary students to strongly internalize skills for learning, but research also indicates that this type of self-awareness and self-regulation are essential qualities for developing resilience in life.

Fostering Growth and Leadership in Two Distinct Phases

Our Elementary program is divided into Lower Elementary (grades 1-3) and Upper Elementary (grades 4-6) to align with the natural developmental stages of children. This structure provides tailored support and challenges, fostering both academic excellence and personal growth. 

Lower Elementary (Grades 1-3):

Engaging Learning Experiences:

• Foundational skills in reading, writing, and mathematics through hands-on activities.
• Introduction to broader concepts in science, humanities, and the arts, sparking curiosity.
• Development of social-emotional skills through collaborative projects and classroom responsibilities.

Building Blocks for Future Success:

• Strong academic foundations and enthusiasm for learning.
• Encouragement of independence and responsibility.
• Cultivation of social skills, including cooperation, empathy, and conflict resolution.

Upper Elementary (Grades 4-6):

Accelerated Academic Challenges:

• Advanced academic concepts and interdisciplinary projects.
• Focus on critical thinking, analysis, and abstract reasoning.
• Leadership roles, with students mentoring younger peers and taking on class responsibilities.

Leadership and Personal Development:

• Mastery of complex academic skills through real-world experiences.
• Development of leadership and mentoring abilities.
• Opportunities for significant projects and community engagement.

Inspiring Confidence and Independence:

• Students emerge as confident, independent learners, ready to take on new challenges.
• Enhanced social-emotional maturity, fostering a strong sense of community.
• Preparation for future academic transitions with a robust toolkit of skills and experiences.

Integrated Learning Through Big Work:

Big Work projects, driven by the students' interests and curiosity, are at the heart of our Elementary curriculum. These projects integrate multiple subject areas, fostering a holistic understanding and deep engagement. They develop academic and social skills while igniting a passion for learning through meaningful, student-driven work.

• Projects that blend multiple subject areas, fostering collaboration and deep learning.
• Opportunities to practice academic and social skills in a meaningful context.
• Examples include a 47-page giant division problem; a Big Cat Study integrating research and art; and a Fraction Equivalence Hat Fashion Show.
• Skills developed include problem-solving, collaboration, and creativity.
• Outcomes include intellectual ambition, confidence, and a desire to contribute to the community.

"Goings Out" and Real-World Learning

"Goings Out" are student-initiated outings that extend learning beyond the classroom. Students plan every aspect of these trips, from the route to securing transportation, fostering independence and responsibility. 

• Encourages independence and responsibility through planning and executing short outings.
• Activities include visiting local art stores for project supplies or the Strybing Arboretum to study plants.
• Skills developed include organization, navigation, and interpersonal interactions.
• Outcomes include confident, independent individuals who can navigate the world effectively.

Want an example? Click here to read how two Upper Elementary students planned and executed a trip to observe elephant seals.

Capstone Trips: Expanding Horizons Beyond the Classroom

Headlands Trip (Lower Elementary: Grades 1-3)

The year-end trip to the Marin Headlands is an exciting tradition for our Lower Elementary students. Hosted by NatureBridge, this adventure offers a safe and supportive environment for young students to experience their first significant time away from home.

• Building Independence: Students develop resilience and self-confidence through guided hikes and team-building activities.
• Community Bonding: Mixed groups from both Lower Elementary classes foster new friendships and a strong sense of community.
• Environmental Exploration: Hands-on science activities ignite curiosity and a love for nature, teaching students to observe and understand the natural world.
• Evening Comfort: Cabin arrangements ensure each child has a close friend nearby, providing comfort and security during their stay.

This trip not only enhances academic learning but also strengthens social skills and emotional growth, making it a memorable and valuable experience for our young explorers.

Yosemite/Mosaic Trip (Upper Elementary -- 4th and 5th Year)

Our Upper Elementary students embark on an enriching year-end trip to either the Santa Cruz Mountains or Yosemite National Park. The trip is designed to deepen their connection with nature, build meaningful relationships, and enhance their academic learning. This immersive experience offers students the opportunity to engage in hands-on environmental science activities in some of the world's most beautiful spots. 

This trip not only reinforces classroom learning but also inspires confidence and enthusiasm for future academic and personal challenges.

Costa Rica Trip (6th Years)

The sixth-year students culminate their elementary journey with an unforgettable trip to Costa Rica, offering a unique blend of cultural, environmental, and academic exploration.

• Cultural Immersion: Students engage with local communities, practicing Spanish and participating in community projects, fostering global awareness and empathy.
• Environmental Science: Exploring Costa Rica's diverse ecosystems, students learn about biodiversity, conservation, and sustainability.
• Leadership and Independence: Handling various aspects of the trip, from planning to participation, students develop leadership and independence.
• Applied Learning: While in the field, students apply all the experience they've gained and the knowledge they've learned.

This transformative experience in Costa Rica prepares students for future academic and personal challenges, making it a highly anticipated milestone in their Montessori journey.