Lower Elementary Program
The Lower Elementary program at Montessori Academy of Virginia offers a rich, expansive curriculum that fosters growth in imagination, social skills, and creativity.
It builds upon the early Montessori foundation, integrating subjects like Math, Sciences, History, and Language Arts. With a focus on holistic development, the program encourages open-ended research, moral learning, and intellectual curiosity to prepare students for future challenges.
Learning Without Limits
The Lower Elementary program offers your children an unparalleled opportunity for growth in the next stage of their Montessori journey. Your imaginative, social and creative child needs an environment with appropriate freedom with limitations, guided by an expansive curriculum to support their curiosity and prepare them for the challenges of the future.
Parents who choose Montessori for their Preschoolers and Kindergartners, complete the full cycle of early learning at the Elementary grade levels. To achieve this, The Montessori Academy has a complete Elementary program, first grade through fifth grade. Our Elementary program changes and builds upon itself with the transforming developmental needs of each student. It offers a continuum, built on their Kindergarten experiences to continue their academic growth.
Learning in Context for Deeper Understanding
The students learn within a philosophical system by asking questions, conducting open-ended research, and completing in-depth studies; with the use of timelines and other visual aids that provide a linguistic and visual overview of each subject area. Studies are integrated not only in terms of subject matter but in terms of moral learning as well. This results in appreciation and respect for all life, social and emotional growth, moral empathy and respect for each individual including developing positive peer relationships.
Our Elementary teachers are trained to integrate all subjects, not as isolated disciplines but as part of a complete intellectual education. As in the PreK and Kindergarten classrooms, the Montessori materials are a means to an end. The Elementary program consists of connective lessons integrating Math, Geometry, Sciences, Geography, History, Language Arts, and STEM subjects.
A Very Brief Outline of the Curriculum
Please note that this is not the exact sequence or range.
Language
1st Grade
- Introduction to Cursive Writing
- Spelling short/ long vowels
- Simple Punctuation
- Creative Writing, Grammatically correct & Descriptive sentences
- Rhyming, Antonyms, Compounds Singular, Plural, Masculine, Feminine
- Sequencing stories logically
- Reading Comprehension
- Poetry
- ABC order
2nd Grade
- Cursive Writing
- Spelling
- Punctuation
- Creative writing using Writing Process/Journals
- Study of Phonograms, Sight Words, Blends, Syllabication
- ABC Order
- Grammar , Parts of speech
- Reading Comprehension
- Poetry with Rhyming
- Simple Book Reports
- Understanding Synonyms, Homonyms, Compounds, Singular, Plural Prefix Suffix, Contractions
3rd Grade
- Accurate Cursive Writing
- Advanced Spelling
- Advanced Punctuation
- Creative Writing; Essays, Book Reports, Poetry
- Word study, Grammar, Parts of Speech, Sentence Analysis
- Alpha Order
- Summarizing, Editing
- Reading Comprehension
- Poetry and Phrasing
- Analogies, Idioms, Similes
- Dictionary, Thesaurus
- Public Speaking
- Drama and Skits
Math and Geometry Studies
1st Grade
- Place values, Estimating, Sequencing, Rounding numerals and quantities 1-9000
- Math facts from memory =, -
- +,- using 4 digit numerals
- Word Problems/ Critical thinking
- Introduction to x, :
- Clock, Elapsed time
- Money Values
- Measurements, Simple Graphs, Tables
- Simple Fractions
- Study of Geometry Shapes, Solids
- Relationship of 2 D and 3 D shapes
2nd Grade
- Place values, Estimating, Sequencing, Rounding numerals and quantities 1-1,000,000
- Memorization of math facts
- 4 digit operations +, -, x, :
- Word problems/Critical thinking
- Clock and Elapsed time
- Fractions
- Money concepts and operations of value +, -
- Measurements /Estimations
- Graphs/Tables/Venn Diagrams
- Recognition, understanding, recreating polygons/quadrilaterals/ triangles/angles of Geometry Shapes
3rd Grade
- Place values, Estimating, Sequencing, Rounding numerals and quantities beyond million
- Math fact tests
- +, -, x, : from memory
- Word Problems/ Critical Thinking
- Skip counting, Squaring, Rooting
- Fractions using four operations
- Money concepts and operations of value +, -, x , :
- Measurements, Tables, Graphs, Temperatures
- Decimals
- Study of all Geometry Figures
- Construction of Geometry Figures, Congruence, Equivalence
- Pre-Algebra
- Areas, Perimeters
- Decade, Century , Millennium
Social Studies and Science
1st Grade
- Study of Plants
- Study of Life Cycles
- Gardening
- Land Forms, Maps, Countries, Capitals
- Cultures and Traditions
- Seasons, Weather
- Solar Systems
- Study of Earth
- Functions of Human Body
- Magnetism, Force , Motion, Energy
- Study of Animal Life
- Concept of Time Lines
- Courtesy and Peace
- STEM activities
- Gym, health, nutrition
- Culinary activities
- Creative Art, Crafts, Music
2nd Grade
- Gardening/Botany Experiments
- Study of Plant Life
- Study Life Cycles
- Study of Earth Science, Physical Science
- Composition of Earth, Layers, Movements
- Countries, Capitals, Flags, Cultures, Traditions
- 50 States, Abbreviations
- Study of Land Forms
- Earth ,Erosion, Biomes, Habitats
- Functions of Human Body, Organs, Senses
- Matter, Mass, Volume, Evaporation, Weather
- Force, Motion, Energy, Magnetism, Atmosphere, Hydrosphere
- Solar System and Big Bang Theory
- Animal Needs, Behavior, Vertebrates, Invertebrates
- Study of Animal Classes
- BC/AD Time Lines
- Study of Civilizations
- STEM Activities
- Culinary Activities
- Gym, Nutrition, Health
- Creative Art, Music
- Courtesy and Peace
3rd Grade
- Study and Research of various Plants/Trees
- Plant kingdom and growth
- Study of Habitats, Eco Systems
- Detailed Study of Continents and its countries
- Big Bang theory / Creation stories
- Time line of Life
- Time Line of Humans
- Clock of the Eras
- Mapping, latitudes, longitudes
- Detailed Study of the Solar Systems
- Early Explorers
- Civilizations
- Human and Capital Resources
- Study of Rocks/Minerals
- Simple Physics, Chemistry
- Book Reports and Research of all Social Studies topics
- Courtesy and Peace
- STEM activities
- Culinary activities
- Gym, health, nutrition
- Creative Art, Music
Reviews
"We are beyond grateful for the amazing staff at MAV. Our daughter has attended for one year and we look forward to many more! The school offers opportunities for parents and families to get involved as well."
Allie Neal