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Curriculum.

          

The Quad City Montessori School curriculum is based on respect for the child who is two years through 6^th grade.  The secret of teaching respectfully is to pay attention to the hidden nature of the child at each stage of development, make appropriate choices, and to design a classroom with activities and materials that allow the children to fulfill their individual, innate potential. 

We foster the growth of the whole child by creating experiences that encourage healthy growth spiritually, emotionally, physically, socially and cognitively.  In the words of Maria Montessori, "To consider the school as a place where instruction is given is one point of view.  But to consider the school, as a preparation for life is another.  In the latter case, the school must satisfy all the needs of life." 

At Quad City Montessori, our goal is to nurture creative, eager learners as they discover their full potential and become responsible, global citizens.

The Eight Principles of Montessori:

• that movement and cognition are closely entwined, and movement can enhance thinking and learning;

• that learning and well-being are improved when people have a sense of control over their lives;

• that people learn better when they are interested in what they are learning;

• that tying extrinsic rewards to an activity, like money for reading or high grades for tests, negatively impacts motivation to engage in that activity when the reward is withdrawn;

• that collaborative arrangements can be very conducive to learning;

• that learning situated in meaningful contexts is often deeper and richer than learning in abstract contexts;

• that particular forms of adult interaction are associated with more optimal child outcomes;

• and that order in the environment is beneficial to children.

Class information.

Birth to Toddler

Exploration, balance & community without interference.
Currently we do not offer a birth to toddler program but we have included some resources for this age on our Helpful Resources link.
 

Toddler

Gross motor skills and practical life.
 

Pre-Primary

New work, more manipulative & a larger community.
 

Lower Elementary

The Great Lessons, field trips & projects.
 

Upper Elementary

Homework, social skills & long-term projects.
 

Middle School

Community Service, Class Periods and Practical Applications

Currently we do not offer a middle school program, however, it is in the long range plan and the intent of the Board of Directors to consider adding a middle school level to our curriculum in the future.
 

Liberal Arts   

Foreign language studies, annual fine art show, summer gardening program, theater program, and a music program with private instruction available are only a small sampling of what QCMS students of all ages experience in our rich and diverse Liberal Arts program.

A Montessori classroom must have these basic characteristics at all levels:

• Teachers educated in the Montessori philosophy and methodology appropriate to the age level they are teaching, who have the ability and dedication to put the key concepts into practice.

• A partnership with the family.  The family is considered an integral part of the individual's total development.

• A multi-aged, multi-graded, heterogeneous group of students.

• A diverse set of Montessori materials, activities, and experiences, which are designed to foster physical, intellectual, creative and social independence.

• A schedule that allows large blocks of uninterrupted time to problem solve, to see the interdisciplinary connections of knowledge, and to create new ideas.

• A classroom atmosphere that encourages social interaction for cooperative learning, peer teaching, and emotional development.