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Owl's Acre Montessori
School "Where the seeds of learning take
root"
PRESCHOOL: Just
as our goals direct the learning process, the curriculum and learning
method directs how education takes place. The Montessori classroom is organized by work or activity areas designed
to focus on the different areas of the curriculum. Classroom
organization has been designed with the philosophy that children learn
best during individual "sensitive periods", allowing all
children to learn
and develop at their own rate. The curriculum is designed to allow
children to grow and develop in all the aspects of life. There are
five major areas of development, and
each of the focus areas require social skills development such as
cooperation, consideration of self and others, consideration of the
environment, and respect for the individual.
Our program is designed to develop:
A positive attitude toward life and learning
- Most of our learning activities are individualized. Every
child is involved in work that hold his or her interests, because it
is geared to his or her needs and level of readiness. This allows
children to work at their own rate, repeating a task as often as
desired. Children thus experience a series of
successful achievements. Parental involvement and discussion of
positive achievements and daily occurrences reinforce this process,
allowing a child to develop a positive attitude toward learning, and
life's experiences.
Self-confidence and independence
- Work is planned so that each new step is built on what the child
has already mastered. This eliminates the experience of frequent
failure, and builds the individual's inner confidence and
self-assurance that learning is not only possible, but also enjoyable.
A lifelong sense of curiosity
- Our society is one of constant change. Contributing members
of our society are committed to being students their entire lives.
The habit of being curious is an essential element in creative
learning. It is also important in nurturing the concept that
each experience is a learning experience that can be successfully
accomplished. Our program is designed to nurture and develop the
natural desire to learn. We provide children the opportunity to
discover qualities, dimensions, and relationships with a rich variety
of stimulating learning situations.
A sense of order and responsibility
- A child's need for order and security is met through a simple,
well-designed environment. This type of simple ordered
environment has a calming effect on children. Our classroom is
designed so that every material has a place. The basic rules call for
everything to be in its place. This satisfies children's inner
need for order and allows them to experience the need for each
individual to demonstrate responsible behavior. Over time, the
well ordered environment provides the child inner security that is
basic to sound emotional growth and develops within the child a "sense
of order."
Concentration
- Through the experience of repeated successes and totally absorbing
"work", the child forms habits of extended attention, allowing
for and developing each child's ability to concentrate.
Large and small muscle coordination
- The classroom work is designed to develop both large and small
muscles, enabling all children to increase their control over their
movements. The work often requires the same type of muscular
movement and basic control necessary to developing skills for
handwriting. Many activities are designed to sharpen sensory
acuity. Sorting and matching work challenges the child, requiring
discrimination of similarities and differences in size, shape, color,
texture, smell, sound, and so forth.
Comfort with independence
- All children are given the freedom to choose the activities or work
that meets their individual development needs. Each child is
encouraged to become self-directed in his or her approach to learning new
skills and concepts. They can then become comfortable with their
choice or make another choice that is more suited to their
development, allowing for reaped success and building on
self-confidence and independence.
Sensorial
- Specially developed materials are utilized to involve the senses
in learning. These materials require the use of the senses,
allowing the learning experience to be totally satisfying and
rewarding. Development of this attitude toward learning is one
that the child carries into adult life.
Language/Reading/Writing
- Beginning with sensorial and phonetic approaches, children
participate in language and
communication activities related to self-expression,
reading, and writing.
Mathematics
- Sensorial math activities lead the child from solid impressions of
quantities to symbols. These materials progress, requiring
various levels of skills, and ultimately lead to the mastery of the
abstract mathematical processes.
Science
- Beginning with sensorial materials, children are led, through
the examples illustrated in daily life, to an understanding of general
scientific principles, and to develop an understanding of and
appreciation for zoology, botany, and general science.
Cultural
- Sensorial materials lead to an understanding of the spatial
relationships necessary to comprehending and appreciating geography,
history, and social lifestyles.
Practical Life
- These activities help children become adept in practical
daily living. They learn to care for themselves, their
environment, and others.
Special Subjects
- Our program is enriched through exposing our children to
information and hands-on experience about the world and society around
us.. These subjects are taught by
specialists in their respective areas. The specialists also,
wherever possible, work with the classroom teachers to integrate
special subjects into the Montessori classroom. Specialists from
various fields such as the medical fields present programs on topics
such as the effects of smoking, proper dental hygiene, and nutrition.
We also encourage parents and family members to participate in the
educational process by sharing their special interests and areas of
expertise in the classroom.
1458 Tiki Lane, Lancaster, OH
43130 (740) 687-1635 |