Main Content
History provides the framework for all fields of study in the Montessori classroom. The history of life both before and after the arrival of humankind is inextricably linked to other areas of study such as geology, geography and biology. Beginning with math and language, we tell children stories of the great discoveries and inventions by which our predecessors built up the powerful tools of language and number. Children love stories of the past and in the elementary class stories are what spark the imagination.
Natural history materials such as elaborate timelines of life show children the dramatic and colorful spectacle of all life forms and their development. The age of life on this planet with all the interesting divisions caused by biological or geological events mark the milestones in our history in vivid and realistic charts that can fuel your child's imagination for the oldest or the farthest or the biggest even the smallest.
Human history is presented from a perspective of the basic human needs and the variety of ways in which different peoples of the world have been able to meet them. This framework guides their work revealing all the while the unique attributes of different cultures and the universality of all. The study of history reveals many interesting connections and interdependencies, not only among the various cultures of the world but also between people and the changing physical environment.
GEOGRAPHY
A basic principle throughout Montessori is the way the lessons are organized to first give the big picture for answers to the fundamental questions of how and why and only then work toward the more particular. Imaginations are ignited with stories of the universe and basic principles of physical science reveal the forces that have shaped the world we live in. The work of water, wind and air gives rise to activities and experiments that the children learn to perform on their own. The relationship of the earth, sun, seasons and climate zones are studied for their basic fact content and also for the opportunity of independent exploration through the first research projects. Side by side with physical geography, political geography progresses from identification or naming basic land forms, bodies of water, continents, countries and capitals. Map skills combine the two fields of geography and the Montessori puzzle maps continue to play an important role in the elementary child’s exploration.
GEOGRAPHY
A basic principle throughout Montessori is the way the lessons are organized to first give the big picture for answers to the fundamental questions of how and why and only then work toward the more particular. Imaginations are ignited with stories of the universe and basic principles of physical science reveal the forces that have shaped the world we live in. The work of water, wind and air gives rise to activities and experiments that the children learn to perform on their own. The relationship of the earth, sun, seasons and climate zones are studied for their basic fact content and also for the opportunity of independent exploration through the first research projects. Side by side with physical geography, political geography progresses from identification or naming basic land forms, bodies of water, continents, countries and capitals. Map skills combine the two fields of geography and the Montessori puzzle maps continue to play an important role in the elementary child’s exploration.
