School Philosophy

At Green River Montessori School, the child and family are treated with love and respect. The staff are sensitive to the unique needs of the family and work hard at providing a learning environment that reflects the values of the families served. Through the Montessori approach to education, children are allowed to explore and experiment in a well-equipped and well-prepared environment that connects the classroom with the home. The child is able to learn through play experiences that is modeled after real “work.”

To learn more about the Montessori Method, please go to the American Montessori Society  (AMS) https://amshq.org/About-Montessori?gclid=Cj0KCQiA4sjyBRC5ARIsAEHsELFVddZyBTqjzAhCMv-MV6GuTuDy3MnFJ_4Er-xZo05AcacukUR5624aAu8PEALw_wcB

The Montessori Method

The footage presented in this collection of subject-specific videos was filmed in 2013 at Montessori Magnet School at Annie Fisher, one of three comprehensive Montessori magnet schools in Hartford, Connecticut. The video clip provided will familiarize you with the main tenets of the Montessori Method which include:

  • Full three-year cycles, beginning at age 3
  • Three-hour, uninterrupted work periods at all levels, with minimal interruptions for co-curricular classes
  • Minimal use of supplementary material at the Primary (ages 3-6) level
  • Trained Montessori teachers in every classroom
  • A full compliment of Montessori materials in all classrooms
  • Montessori trained/experienced leadership

Classroom Life

PRACTICAL LIFE EXERCISES

Children focus on care of self, care of the environment, and grace and courtesy. Daily living situations promote children’s self-sufficiency.

MUSCULAR EDUCATION

Concern with development of physiological movements such as walking, breathing, and speech. Aim is to encourage movements that are useful in ordinary life through the development of coordinated movement.

NATURE IN EDUCATION

This part of Montessori’s method was designed for spirtitual purposes, observation of phenomena of life, foresight, patience and confident expectation, as well as trust and confidence in living creatures. In the course of gardening and caring for animals, the children feel a purpose when they see that living things depend on them.

EDUCATION OF THE SENSES

Children are provided with didactic materials to promote cognitive development and to refine their sense of sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch. Materials are designed to permit the child to recognize and correct errors without teacher correction.
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LANGUAGE, WRITING, AND READING

The traditional method of phonetic reading is combined with a whole language approach. Materials include phonetic reading boxes and boards along with a moveable alphabet to construct words based on initial sounds. Children learn the sound of each letter, rather than the names of the letters. The environment is language-rich with words and books. Reading and writing are approached as a spontaneous acquisition of knowledge and ability, acquired as it proves relevant to the child.

MATHEMATICS

Materials available to the child are cubes, prisms, rods, beads, and number games. Montessori’s method of teaching mathematics clearly aims at genuine understanding of number and calculation, and not just rote memory of arithmetic facts.

CREATIVE EXPRESSION

Ample materials and opportunities exist for the child to work through the creative process. Children use clay, paints, scissors, glue, and raw materials in order to express themselves, problem solve, and create. Development of motor skills and eye-hand coordination are added benefits. Music is a regular part of the child’s day, providing the child with experiences in singing, dance, movement, relaxation, cultural expression, and cognitive advances.

CULTURAL SUBJECTS

Young children are exposed to history and geography as it applies to their everyday life, learning about their families and community. appreciation and respect for cultural diversity is an integal part of the entire curriculum.

Green River Montessori School

The classrooms are beautifully designed with aesthetic values in mind. Learning materials are arranged on open shelves in multicultural baskets and trays. Plants, rugs, and imported Montessori materials provide a richness to the environment, much different than the traditional classroom.

We Rethought Everything