Junior Elementary

Junior Elementary (Grades 1 – 3)

At Stirling, the Junior Elementary program and curriculum build upon the foundational principles introduced in the Casa program.

Key areas of focus include Mathematics, Language, History, Botany, Zoology, Geography, and Science. In this developmental stage, children are captivated by the “how” and “why” of their surroundings. Junior Elementary students are now delving into the mysteries of the Universe, seeking to comprehend their role within it. This phase marks the onset of imaginative thinking, reasoning, socialization, and moral understanding.

Montessori education cultivates thinking skills rather than mere memorization of facts. Utilizing hands-on materials, students are encouraged to explore and actively participate in the learning journey. Stirling’s learning environment supports both individual and group work, empowering students to pursue their unique interests and passions under the guidance of the teacher.

CURRICULUM

Language

The Montessori Language curriculum enhances students’ skills in reading, spelling, comprehension, writing, creative writing, grammar, sentence analysis, literature, poetry, and verbal communication. Students engage with a variety of literature and poetry, studying word families, word origins, and their meanings. Handwriting skills are reinforced through practice, journaling and class work.

Mathematics

Through a “hands-on” approach, children actively discover new concepts, followed by memorization of facts. Concrete learning materials facilitate children in moving towards the process of abstraction with greater ease. The Mathematics curriculum integrates facts, arithmetic, graphs, fractions, proportions, word problems, rounding, averaging, statistics, algebra, and geometry.

History

In History, students actively explore the concept of time and culture. The curriculum encompasses the creation of the Universe and the formation of the Solar System, the timeline of the Earth, evolution of humans, and the timeline from prehistory to current history.

Geography (including Earth studies and Science)

Children explore physical geography and Earth systems (such as water cycles, formation of mountains, tectonic plates, movements of continents, etc.). We delve into political, cultural, and economic geography, and children discover how the physical changes of our Earth (droughts, climate changes, weather patterns) affect each. Additionally, children learn about atoms and molecules, scientific concepts, and many fascinating facts.

Biology (including Botany and Zoology)

The Biology curriculum provides children with a means of classification. Students explore life systems, such as the human body, respiratory, circulatory, nervous, and digestive systems, as well as cell structure and function. They examine the classification of plants, including their structures and roles, and delve into the classification system of the animal kingdom, studying animal physiology and the functions of internal organs. Students also investigate how animals adapt to their surroundings.

STEM & Experiments

With a focus on hands-on, self-directed learning and discovery we increase our exploration of the natural world through STEM activities and science experiments.

Physical Education

Children actively engage in physical activities, games, and sports designed to promote physical fitness, develop motor skills, and encourage teamwork in a non-competitive atmosphere.