The Montessori Classroom
5 areas:
We are situated in a church hall, in the beautiful village of Burwell. As such, our classroom is completely open plan, all situated in one large space.
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The children are able to access all aspects of the classroom, which is divided into the 5 Montessori areas of learning.
We also provide an Art and Craft Area, Role-play Corner, Book Corner, Snack Area, Loose Parts Play Area (creative and imaginative invitations to play using beautiful recycled materials)
As well as a large Garden Area (which includes, climbing equipment, slides, mud kitchen, loose parts play, bikes and cars, sand and water play, fairy garden, writing area, reading den, vegetable/herb garden and other interchangeable resources).
1 Everyday Living Area
This area includes activities to develop life skills, independence, coordination, self-awareness and confidence, these include:
- Care of Self (e.g. food prep, dressing, washing)
- Care of Environment (e.g. cleaning, gardening, environmentalism)
- Grace and Courtesy (e.g. greetings, manners, social interactions)
- Control of Movement (e.g. refining fine motor skills, balance)
2 Sensorial
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The activities in this area allow the children to refine each of their 5 senses. Developing fine and gross motor skills, visual and auditory senses, developing coordination and the ability to classify objects. Materials include, Pink Tower, Broad Stair, Knobbed Cylinders and Colour Tablets.
3 Language
Based on phonetic awareness. Children work through specific hands-on and tactile language materials such as the sandpaper letters and moveable alphabet. Language is not an isolated topic but runs through the curriculum. The spoken language is the foundation for writing and then reading.
4 Mathematics
The Sensorial area is the preparation for Mathematics. Hands-on materials are used such as, number rods, sandpaper numbers, number boards, spindle box, number tiles, beads, and games. Each exercise builds upon another and the child gradually moves from concrete to abstract areas such as place value, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and fractions.
5 Cultural
Allows the child to explore the natural world around them and includes:
- Geography (continents, landforms, earth layers, solar system),
- Zoology (classification, physiology of animals),
- Botany (ecology, classification, physiology of plants),
- History (time lines, using a calendar),
- Science
Art and music could be considered cultural activities, however, creativity is encouraged across all curriculum areas. The cultural area is clearly identifiable by globes, puzzle maps, flags and perhaps images or materials from other cultures.