Kindergarten at Maine Mountain Children's House
Maine Mountain Children’s House has always provided a Montessori Primary program for children age 3 to 6 since we opened our doors in 2006. Some years we’ve had one, two, or even three children stay at our school through their “Kindergarten Year” (must be in 3rd year or turn 5 years of age before October 15th), but this year we’ve retained eight children and it’s been amazing! We’ve rearranged our staffing and daily schedule so this group of eight can meet three afternoons a week in order to prepare for their next phase of development. We study geography, science, and the arts on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons. The format in which we teach is different from the typical Montessori setting because 5 and 6 year-olds have become more social, they’re ready for group instruction, and they are ready for a more in-depth look at topics they were introduced to in their Primary years and morning work periods. The lessons are project-based so students are able to practice writing, reading, measuring, and counting skills, but also executive functions like critical thinking and problem solving. And maybe most importantly, the children are learning to work with and rely on others in ways they have yet to experience in the past due to the nature of the Primary room and the needs of their younger selves.
The Kindergartners spend their mornings with their multi-aged classmates working in all areas of the classroom. We meet around 8:45 to sing a song and write down two lessons each child would like to practice that morning - the lessons have to be of “Kindergarten Level” and in either the math, language, or cultural areas of the classroom. The rest of the work period could be spent on other lessons they might be interested in each day, and wraps up by 10:30 when we begin circle time. Sometimes the lessons the Kindergartners write down are ones they’ve practiced before and want to practice again, sometimes it’s a lesson that was saved from the day before and they want to go back to it, and sometimes (more often), they want to have a new lesson from a teacher. The teacher helps one or two children to start with, and then either connect the rest with another teacher for a lesson or simply sends them on their way to find their materials in the classroom. Through out the morning, the teacher connects with each one of the K’s to check out their progress or present a lesson to them. This time allows each child to work at his/her own pace and practice the foundation lessons needed for the more project-based activities in the afternoons.
Our goals for our afternoon program, and for the Kindergartners themselves, are focused on the foundation for a thoughtful, curious, and motivated human-being. We want each child to have strong communication skills, to feel confident in his/her ability to care for themselves and their daily needs, and we want each child to continue to develop a sense of what “self” really means; as individuals, as a member of a Kindergarten class, as leaders for their younger peers, and as a citizen of a world much larger than themselves. That’s a lot to take on for a young child, though we find they are so eager for this next step in their lives!
We’re supporting this inner drive to develop through studying physical and political geography, spending lots of time in nature studying botany and zoology and the needs of plants and animals that surround them, and having lots fun learning practical skills and arts through cooking, sewing, painting, photography, sculpture, and so much more as we gather in the afternoons. As we work around tables or travel down trails, the Kindergartners will get to know each other and themselves in a different way than their previous experiences with each other.
We Montessorians believe that if children can have the time and space to develop the skills they need at this transitional point in their lives, then we are giving them the time and space to become a confident, peaceful adult. We have to say that it’s been a wonderful experience so far and it never ceases to amaze us how capable and adaptive these young children can be. These young children who are our adults and leaders of tomorrow…
With hope and gratitude,
The Primary Teachers of Maine Mountain Children’s House
Here’s a link to our Kindergarten Curriculum Outline. Sample lesson plans are available upon request!