What ages are served in the Lower Elementary classroom?

Ages 6–9 (approximately grades 1–3) learn together in a mixed-age Montessori classroom.

How does the Montessori approach support academic growth at ages 6–9?

Students explore interdisciplinary lessons that build reasoning, research, and communication skills through hands-on materials, small-group lessons, and individualized work plans.

What social-emotional skills are developed?

Collaboration, empathy, leadership, conflict resolution, and responsibility are practiced daily through peer mentoring, group work, and class community routines.

Is homework assigned in Lower Elementary?

Homework is light and purposeful, reinforcing skills and fostering independence. Reading at home is strongly encouraged.

How is progress assessed without traditional grades?

Teachers use observation, student work, conferences, and periodic benchmarks to monitor growth and guide individualized lessons.

Are field trips or community projects included?

Yes. Real-world connections—such as field trips, guest speakers, and service projects—extend learning beyond the classroom.

What Makes Our Learning Community Dynamic?

What happens when a child’s “But why?” is just the beginning?

At Country Day Montessori, our Lower Elementary Montessori program serves children in 1st through 3rd grade. Through individualized learning, hands-on discovery, and meaningful academic challenges, children build strong foundations while learning to think independently and take ownership of their education.

Our Montessori-trained educators guide each child’s progress in a loving Montessori environment, where accelerated learning and growing independence go hand in hand. By recognizing each child’s strengths, interests, and areas for growth, educators help children build confidence, deepen their understanding, and take on new challenges at their own pace.

Big Questions. Growing Independence. A World to Explore.

1st – 3rd grade

Welcome to the years of “But why?” followed by about seventeen more questions. We love that around here.

At Country Day Montessori, our Lower Elementary program combines individualized Montessori education with hands-on discovery, meaningful challenges, and plenty of room to grow. Children build strong academic foundations while learning to think for themselves, work with others, and take an active role in their education.

Individualized Learning

No two children learn exactly alike, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Small class sizes, individualized instruction, and one-on-one reading and language arts help each student build on their strengths and tackle their next challenge. Around here, learning isn’t one-size-fits-all.

Purposeful Independence

Our students take charge of their learning, one thoughtful choice at a time. Weekly plans give children structure while allowing them to choose the order of their daily work. Along the way, they practice time management, organization, problem-solving, and following through. Little by little, they’re learning to manage more than just their pencil boxes.

Freedom Within Limits

Independence doesn’t mean anything goes. Children have meaningful choices within clear expectations, learning to care for their environment, respect others, and take responsibility for their decisions. We give students room to grow while helping them understand that freedom and responsibility go hand in hand.

Strong Writers Become Strong Thinkers

Writing helps children organize ideas, make connections, and communicate what they know. Through frequent writing, individualized language arts instruction, and classroom presentations, students build the skills to express themselves clearly and think more deeply. Strong writers become strong thinkers – and we’re here for both.

Learning Together

A classroom is a community, not just a collection of desks. Students collaborate, explore geography and world cultures, build friendships, and learn how their contributions matter. From hosting school performances to helping create dances, children discover that leadership can look like sharing an idea, helping a friend, or stepping up when the gtroup needs them.

Curriculum

Strong foundations, meaningful challenges, and individualized learning that grows with each child.

Great Lesson : The Story of Numbers
Concepts and process in operations of + , -, x and ÷
Skip Counting; sequence of numbers
Graphing and Venn Diagrams
Word problems
Measurements
Fact mesmorization
Place values of thousands, millions, and billions
Time
Pre-algebra
Concepts and processes of making change and money work
Geometric figures
Basic concept of lines and angles
Measurement

The Great Lesson : Formation of the Universe
Clock of Eras
Timeline of Life
Timeline of the Universe
Fundamental needs of Humans
Geography
- Physical ( i.e., land and water forms)
- Functinal (i.e., sun, moon, planets, atmosphere, geology, plate tectonics, earth layers)
Political
- Flags, Countries, States, Capitals, Continents, Customs)

Physical sciences
- Scientific Experiments/methods
- States of matter
- Temperature
- Chemical Reactions
- Propertiesof liquids and solids
- Magnetism
Zoology
- vertebrates and invertebrates
- classification and characteristics of animals
- life cycle
- animal kingdom
Botany
- Plant anatomy
- Plant kingdom
- Botany charts
- Gardening
Anatomy
- Human body (i.e., parts, systems, senses)

The Great Lesson: The Story of Language
Reading
- Word sequencing
- Comprehension
- Vocabulary
- Main ideas
Writing
- Learning script and cursive
Grammar
- Parts of speech
Word skills
- Synonyms/antonyms
- Prefixes/suffixes
- Homonyms
- Contractions
- Plurals