Private Elementary School

The small size of our elementary campus allows teachers to develop a special rapport with each child.   Students receive individual lessons, allowing teachers to challenge specific academic abilities and interests.

Our program is an exceptional Montessori elementary program specializing in the education of the children 6 – 12 year old.   A student in the Excellent Montessori elementary program advances through the curriculum at her own pace. Our teachers know each student in a special way that allows them to support their students socially, emotionally and academically through these exciting elementary years.

A community of children learning together over a six-year period presents many opportunities for children to develop social skills and long-term friendships; for self-esteem to blossom; and for children to experience the dynamics of teamwork and leadership.

Each day, children have opportunities to exercise self-discipline, decision-making, judgment, analytical skills, time management and social expression. Working together, parents and teachers provide the best possible education to allow students to develop their potentials.
Parent involvement is not required, but parents are encouraged to share their special interests and abilities in the arts, sciences, and cultural traditions.

ELEMENTARY CURRICULUM

Our academically rich curriculum includes integrated studies of math, geometry, and algebra; speaking and writing skills; reading and grammar; the biological, zoological and physical sciences; geography and geology. Computers are used as a learning tool. Lessons in word processing are given and research using software and the Internet. Foreign Language, Physical Education, Art, and Drama lessons enhance student learning.

The elementary environment supports the unique learning abilities of the elementary student. While the 3 – 6 year old child learns through his absorbent mind, the secret to success with the 6 – 9 years old is the use of the imagination to stimulate interest. Already grounded in an early reality-based Montessori program, the student can now use his imagination to ponder secrets he cannot readily see – from the atom to the solar system. As the student develops powers of imagination and abstraction, he still benefits from concrete, didactic Montessori materials.

Our teachers sow many seeds of interest through daily lessons. The child continues to learn by her own activity guided by a daily work plan. She also receives small group as well as individual lessons because she enjoys autonomy as well as group association. Specialists in science, foreign language, and performing arts provide additional depth to the curriculum.

LANGUAGE ARTS

Reading: Students increase decoding and comprehension skills through various reading activities: silent and aloud to peers and teachers; cards, booklets and labels related to academic studies; and home reading.

Writing: Creative writing allows the student to express his thoughts before spelling and grammar are mastered. As the student’s skills progress, sentence structure becomes more complex, spelling improves, and story-writing skills develop. Students write book reports, poetry and journals and then learn to analyze sentences, build complex sentences and refine research skills.

Grammar: Students study all the parts of speech and their functions using classical Montessori materials such as Grammar Boxes and the Farm. Definitions and symbols are correlated with each part of speech. Grammar studies are integrated to reinforce work the child has already done. For example, to play the Detective Adjective game, the child must be able to identify the scalene, isosceles and equilateral triangles; and the obtuse, acute and right angle.

Spelling: Students study word families, create spelling lists, study word origins and meanings, and test their spelling skills. Nomenclature and sight words are practiced.

Handwriting: Print and cursive skills are reinforced through practice.

Foreign Language: Students study foreign language twice weekly.

MATHEMATICS

The student entering an elementary Montessori program usually has a good math foundation. Elementary Montessori materials allow students to develop an in-depth understanding of math concepts followed by memorization of math facts. Students receive individual and small group lessons and work at their own pace. The math curriculum is organized so that students can, under the teacher’s guidance, independently follow the math sequence.

  • Addition
  • Subtraction
  • Multiplication
  • Division
  • Skip Counting
  • Memorization of  Math Facts
  • Fractions
  • Squaring
  • Determining common  multiples and divisors
  • Finding the greatest common divisor
  • Prime Factorization
  • Ratio/Proportion
  • Decimals
  • Percentages
  • Base Systems
  • Integers
  • Square Roots
  • Cube Roots
  • Estimation
  • Word Problems
  • Math History

GEOMETRY

Comprehensive geometry studies begin with experiences with the line and its parts and continue through a study of:

  • Angles
  • Polygons Triangles
  • Quadrilaterals Circles
  • Area and Volume
  • The concepts of similarity, congruency, and equivalency are also studied.

PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Physical Science is a strong focus at Excellent Montessori School. Taught by experienced and highly qualified scientists, our science program excites students about the world’s natural wonders.

Studies include the use of lectures, discussion, and experiments. Projects and research help students to understand abstract concepts. Some favorite activities include constructing electromagnets and models of planets, atoms, and molecules.

The Universe: Formation, Nebulae, Galaxies, Gravity, Laws of Motion, Milky Way

Solar System:

  • The Sun: Composition, Emissions, Electromagnetic Spectrum, Importance to Humans, Hazards.
  • Planet Earth: Origin and composition, Plate Tectonics and Effects, Continental Drift, Pangea to Present, Volcanism, Earthquakes.
  • Other Planets: Individual Characteristics, Orbits.

Matter: The Atom, Periodic Tables of Elements, Radioactivity, Nuclear Power.

Molecules: Composition.

Electricity: Concept, Power sources, Circuit models, Conducting and non-conducting, Static electricity, Safety, Van De Graf Generator

Magnetism: Construction of Electromagnet

ZOOLOGY

Children have a natural curiosity about the earth’s creatures. Zoology studies allow children to understand the system of organization of the animal kingdom, research the five classes of vertebrates and study each in depth. Students begin their studies by observing and caring for real creatures, then use cards, booklets, control charts, and book research to continue their studies.

  • Cells
  • Vertebrate/Invertebrate sorting
  • Animals and skeleton matching
  • Five classes of vertebrates
  • Nomenclature of the external and internal parts of the vertebrate and invertebrate
  • Study of the human body

BOTANY

Many hands-on activities and experiments pique the students’ curiosity and engage them in the study of Botany.

  • Classification of living things
  • Botany nomenclature
  • Definitions
  • Needs of plants
  • Plant classification
  • Gardening Types and Parts of:
  • The Plant
  • Roots
  • Stem/Trunk Leaves
  • The Flower
  • The Fruit
  • The Seed

GEOGRAPHY

Students continue studies from Pre-elementary. Favorite activities include drawing maps and identifying countries, oceans, physical features, and flora and fauna native to each continent. 

  • Timeline of Life
  • The Earth
  • Geology Physical, cultural, economic and political geography
  • Flag studies

HISTORY

The study of history is integrated with studies of biology, math, and geography. The student learns about the inter-relatedness of all things within the universe.
Geologic time:

  • Formation of the Earth
  • Paleozoic Era
  • Mesozoic Era
  • Cenozoic Era The Concept of time:
    • Units of measure
    • Calendars
    • Personal timelines
  • Grammar
  • Time telling
  • Humans through History:
    • Fundamental needs of humans
    • Ancient Civilizations
  • Georgia State History
  • United States History

FINE ARTS

Art: Art lessons are taught using various techniques and media.

Music: In addition to singing songs, music instruction includes learning notes, patterns, rhythms, and games.

Drama: Drama production and performance encourages public speaking, poise, self-control and cooperative efforts.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Conditioning, strengthening, rules, cooperation, and sportsmanship are taught along with basic skills in a variety of activities.

YEARLY TRADITIONS

Many traditions enrich elementary students’ experiences. Each year they visit the Hudgens Children’s Center for the Arts, visit the Fernbank Science Center, and participate in various community service projects. Other field experiences are planned in conjunction with the curriculum. The older students participate in an Environmental Education excursion each year.