A primary classroom is a cooperative and fun place to work.
The Montessori Classroom
The Benefits of a Prepared Environment.
Montessori classrooms are carefully and beautifully prepared environments where children can use all of their senses to discover a wide variety of learning opportunities. They are calm, orderly spaces where children work on activities of their choice in 45 min uninterrupted work periods. Each activity, or "work" is arranged on its own child size tray and contains the materials needed to complete the activity in a very specific way, designed to teach a very specific skill. Teachers artfully arrange materials so that they are within reach of the children and move from the simplest to the most complex. All works are set up to be done from left to right, mimicking the way that we write. The environment, which teachers constantly change to meet the growing needs of their students, is designed to facilitate maximum independence and exploration by each child while cultivating a sense of self-discipline.
Each classroom at The Village School provides:
- Individual learning plans for every student
- Two teachers (at least one who is Montessori certified)
- Maximum of 22 students per class
- Multi-age classrooms
- Hands-on materials
- Flexible seating
- Choice of work
- Integrated Spanish instruction
- Public speaking opportunities
- Small group lessons
- Personalized instruction
- Peer mentoring
- Leadership development
- Time management skills
- Daily community service
- Freedom of Movement
- Daily time outside