Art
General Art classes are scheduled each week for Primary 3 and Elementary children and begin with discussions, demonstrations, and visual resources. Children are encouraged to work toward original imagery, to respect the work of others, and to use materials appropriately while experimenting with various mediums. Primary 1 and 2 children have Art weaved into their day by their classroom teachers.
Spanish World Language
Montessori Children’s House offers Spanish language classes throughout the week for both Primary and Elementary students.
Creative Movement
Creative Movement is an active program designed to help the children get moving while expressing their ideas. This program begins in the 3rd year of Primary. It encourages children to use all their senses with games, dance and dramatic play. We work to foster self-confidence and creativity within a safe, caring and non-competitive environment.
Class usually begins with a drum dance, where children are asked to match their movements to a variety of drum rhythms such as skipping, walking, marching, galloping, and running. Children then listen to stories and participate in activities that encourage memory, coordination, body awareness, balance and cooperation. Moreover, the children gain self-confidence and a deeper recognition of their uniqueness and the uniqueness of others.
Music
Successful music education utilizes and synthesizes many interdisciplinary skills. Primary 3 children sing and use instruments to develop an understanding of pitch and tone. The skills children are practicing in music also reinforce math skills through counting, patterning, producing a steady beat, and social skills such as audience etiquette. Music history from the Renaissance through our modern era is part of the curriculum. Students additionally learn pre-reading skills of musical notation for eventual recorder instruction at the elementary level. Primary 1 and 2 children have Music weaved into their day by their classroom teachers.
The Elementary students learn tone discrimination, tempo, and creative vocal responses. In music theory, they learn to recognize and name symbols of musical notation.
Physical Education
Physical Education is offered to our Primary 3 and Elementary students. Using the BOKS curriculum (Building Our Kids’ Strengths), students begin class with warm up activities such as running to music and stretching. In PE, they learn a variety of skills such as running, skipping, throwing, catching, game strategies and sportsmanship. These skills are put into practice with both cooperative and competitive games as students gain confidence at working in teams.