‘Cosmic Education’ is the Montessori programme for ‘Primary’ aged children.
Generally children move to Cosmic Education the September following their fifth birthday (i.e. at the start of year one). Our first dedicated Cosmic Education class began in September 2009 with a mixed intake of 5 and 6 year olds (school yrs 1 and 2). It is anticipated that our Cosmic Education programme will eventually consist of two classes, one for 5-8 yr olds (years 1-3) and one for 8-11 year olds (years 4-6).
children are doing on names, faces, edges and vertices.
Montessori Category: Sensorial/ Geometry
In the Children's House the geometric solids are used sensorially to help the children understand the concept of three-dimensional shapes. The correct names of the shapes are learnt at the same time, e.g. the name 'sphere' is given not 'ball'. Once they are familiar with the shapes, the children are encouraged to relate this knowledge to objects in their indoor and outdoor environments.
In the Cosmic Education Class, the children extend the knowledge gained in the Children's House and apply this to increasingly more abstract geometric concepts. The familiar solids from the Children's House are used as a transition material that links what they have already learnt to new concepts, and greater mathematical knowledge and understanding.
The purpose of this activity is to:
* provide a hands on experience of geometric concepts
* encourage sensorial exploration of similarities and differences of various geometric shapes
* learn the correct nomenclature for the names and properties of the solids
* learn to classify three dimensional shapes by different properties
* act as a sensorial introduction to later geometry study
Approximate age: from 3 - 6 years gradually building on the existing knowledge of the child.
From her studies,
Dr Montessori saw that at this age, children are developing their sense of identity,
their sense of belonging and their sense of what is right.
Through interconnected studies the children in the ‘Cosmic Education’
Class are able to gain a perspective of their sense of self in relation to the
past, present and future. They begin to understand how everything in the universe
is connected, interdependent and forms a harmonious whole. On their journey the
children learn about their rights and responsibilities to themselves and to
others and begin to understand how their choices and actions both impact on,
and are affected by, the wider universe.
The subject areas that your child will encounter are outlined below:
Peace Education:
The ability to live peacefully and respectfully with your self and with others is a key principle of Cosmic Education. ‘Peace’ activities are incorporated daily into children’s studies.
The Five Great Lessons:
These stories, introduced annually, give your child an overall impression of the topics of the universe, the earth, and life on earth. The stories are told from memory, accompanied by visual aids and experiments to add excitement and atmosphere. They act as a springboard to future topics and projects.
Language Arts:
There are many layers to the language curriculum in Cosmic Education as language is,
and quite rightly should be, a part of your child’s everyday life. What is of key
importance is that whatever your child learns it is put into context.
both formal and informal reading.
After being introduced to the mechanics of writing, word study and grammar
through hands on activities, your child will put what she or he has learnt
into practice. Reading is thoroughly supported within the class with fluent readers
beginning to comment on and analyse what they have read and less confident readers being
supported to consolidate and extend their abilities. Story telling naturally leads into
story writing and other creative writing genres. Such activities cross many curriculum
areas and demonstrate the beauty and diversity of the language arts. Speaking skills
are also developed within our class. Your child will be encouraged to write short
reports as part of topic work and learn how to deliver these. Learning how to speak
in front of others and to answer questions will help your child develop confidence as
well as a clear speaking voice.
the commutative property of multiplication.
Montessori Category: Maths
The children use the Multiplication Bead Board to practise times tables. A slip is inserted into a slot that shows a multiplicand between one and ten. A counter is placed by the multiplier, starting at 1,and groups of beads are gradually added to the board and counted. The board reinforces visually the commutative nature of multiplication, i.e. that 4 x 3 is equal to 3 x 4, as well as helping the childrento memorise their times tables.
The purpose of this activity is to:
* increase knowledge and memorisation of times tables
* increase accuracy of counting
* visual reinforcement of commutative property of multiplication
* indirect preparation for division
Approximate age: 5˝ to 8.
Mathematics:
The emphasis in the mathematics curriculum is on an overarching understanding that mathematics is part of our everyday lives as well as a necessity for inventing, creating, discovering and constructing. Your child will learn about the history of mathematics as well as fractions, geometry, and the basic operations. The Montessori maths materials are beautifully designed and help your child to really understand the principles behind the maths that we use everyday. All the activities begin with attractive hands on materials to support a concrete understanding of mathematical processes and ideas. These materials add meaning to what is being done and help your child to really connect with this subject. Montessori students generally engage in a very positive way with mathematics and many develop a lasting love of the subject.
History:
Students are encouraged to piece together the story of human life through an exploration of drawings, writings, narratives and artefacts. The children’s imaginations are utilised as much as possible so that, although they cannot, smell, taste, hear or touch life as it was experienced by people long ago, history may come alive to them through their curiosity, exploration and imagination.
with the puzzle maps of each continent.
Montessori Category: Culture/ Cultural Geography
The Puzzle Maps allow the children to explore the relationships between the various countries on each continent sensorially. Initially the children use the Maps as puzzles, but gradually their knowledge is developed by the names of the continents, countries and capital cities being learnt. In parallel to this the children learn about aspects of cultural and physical geography. The exploration begins in the Children's House with the Puzzle Map of the continents, and expands and develops as the children move through the class and on to the Cosmic Education class.
The purpose of this activity is to:
* provide a sensorial exploration of the continents and countries that form our world and an awareness of how the parts are connected.
* encourage the memorisation of names of the continents, countries and capital cities of the world.
* provide a sensorial introduction to further studies in cultural and physical geography
Approximate age: From 3 years for the simplest maps, to 9 for the more complex maps and names.
Geography (Physical and Cultural):
Through the study of geography your child can gain an appreciation of the world’s beauty, its fragile ecosystems and the interdependence of its diverse people.
Botany:
The goal of the Botany curriculum is to instil in the students a fascination of what plants do, as well as an understanding of why plants are so important to the earth and to humans.
Zoology:
Young children are fascinated by the natural world about them. There seems to be a particular fascination with animals, perhaps because they share characteristics with us, or maybe because many feature in the myths and folklore of our cultures. Your child will look at the areas of Classification and Anatomy, Adaptation and the Relationship of Humans with Animals.
Matter:
In this part of the curriculum the students study aspects of chemistry [the study of how matter changes from one form to another] and physics [the study of how motion force and energy interact with matter].
Astronomy:
The aim of this section is to give each student a broader understanding of the universe and of their place in it, physically, emotionally and intellectually. Our studies will include The Life Cycles of Stars, The Solar System, Earth and the Sun as well as Explanations for Creation.
Health Sciences:
Montessori believed that a healthy mind, body and spirit were essential elements of human development. The Health Sciences curriculum therefore encourages all our students to have a healthy self-image, to make healthy food choices and to incorporate physical exercise into their everyday life. The curriculum includes the study of Inside the Human Body.
Advanced Practical Life:
Throughout our lives we continue to need to acquire practical skills and to take responsibility for the environment in which we live or work. The students in the Cosmic Education class take on much of the responsibility for the care of their classroom, they also learn practical skills such as cooking, sewing and caring for living things. Social graces and etiquette are covered by this area, so that your child will know the expected and/or safe way to act in a variety of different situation.
Art:
The creation and appreciation of art is unique to humans. Art connects us to the past and to our culture as well as being a means of expressing our own creativity. In the Art curriculum your child will be introduced to aspects of drawing and painting such as use of line, colour, shape and proportion. Additionally your child will explore art from different cultures around the world and significant art movements and artists.
Music:
Creativity continues to be expressed though the music curriculum, which is divided between ‘feeling music’ and ‘making music’. The ‘feeling music’ section encompasses a wide range of activities through which the children can learn to express themselves creatively with the aid of music. This section also includes an introduction to various composers and different genres of music. In the making music section your child will use the Montessori bells, recorders and a range of percussion instruments for free expression and as an introduction to both making and reading music.
Key skills: Every child matters in this school and every child is seen as a unique and diverse individual. The Montessori Method forms the framework which is at the heart of our School Curriculum Policy and which guides ethos, philosophy and practice within our school.
In the process of delivering a curriculum which is broad, balanced, relevant and purposeful, the students in our school not only acquire academic knowledge but also a range of important key skills:
- High levels of self-esteem, self-belief and self-motivation.
- Confidence in working both independently and in collaboration with others.
- Curiosity, creative problem solving and reasoning skills.
- Essential literacy and numeracy skills.
- The ability to acquire, build on and apply a broad range of knowledge and skills
- A lifelong love of learning.
Future Plans: The class is currently in temporary accommodation until all the checks and permissions have been completed for the new classroom. It is anticipated that the class will move to their permanent classroom at the New Annex within this academic year. In the long term the New Annex has the potential to provide a further two classrooms to cater for a total of 56 students.
