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.
- Mathematics & Geometry
- Cultural Studies & Sciences
- Language Arts
- Motor Development
- Practical Life
- Art & Theater
- Writing
- Great Lesson : The Story of Numbers
- Concepts and process in operations of + , -, x and ÷
- Numerations and Place Value (thousands, millions, and billions)
- Addition
- Skip Counting; sequence of numbers
- Subtraction
- Multiplication
- Squaring and Cubing
- Division
- Fractions
- Multiples, Factors, and Number Theory
- Measurement
- Geometry
- Basic concepts of lines and angles
- Data, Graphing, and Mathematical Reasoning
- Graphing and Venn Diagrams
- Fact memorization
- Time
- Pre-algebra
- Word problems
- Concepts and processes of making change and money work
- The Great Lessons : 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)
- Functional (i.e., sun, moon, planets, atmosphere, geology, plate tectonics, earth layers)
- Political
- Flags, Countries, States, Capitals, Continents, Customs
The Great Lesson: The Story of Language
Through Montessori’s Great Lesson, The Story of Language, children explore how language connects people, preserves ideas, and helps us make sense of the world.
- Reading & Comprehension
- sequencing words and ideas
- building vocabulary and understanding word meaning
- identifying main ideas and developing reading comprehension
- Writing & Mechanics (please references “Writing” tab as well)
- developing print and cursive handwriting
- strengthening writing through capitalization and punctuation, including periods, question marks, exclamation marks, commas, apostrophes, quotation marks, hyphens, and colons
- Grammar & Sentence Analysis
- exploring the parts of speech: nouns, articles, adjectives, verbs, prepositions, adverbs, pronouns, conjunctions, and interjections
- analyzing sentence structure and how words work together to cmmunicate meaning
- Word Study
- exploring synonyms, antonyms, homophones, homonyms, and homographs
- investigating compound words, prefixes, suffixes, contractions, and plurals
- working with a dedicated Motor Development Coach three times a week
- learning with a coach who has been part of the CDM campus for over 30 years and works with children across all age groups
- building physical skills through running, basketball, football, baseball, and bike riding
- developing coordination, aim, and control through activities such as target games
- playing creative, team-oriented games designed around our outdoor spaces and campus features
- practicing sportsmanship, cooperation, self-reflection, and personal goal setting
Responsibility in Action
This area of our program helps children build purposeful independence, care for their community, and respect for the living world. Through meaningful daily responsibility, children practice collaboration, problem-solving, and the skills needed to contribute with confidence.
- Care for Nature
- watering plants and tending gardens
- maintaing our butterfly sanctuary and participating in annual habitat restoration
- Grace & Courtesy
- resolving disagreements, respectfully
- practicing kind words, active listening, and consideration for others
- Collaboration & Community
- working as a team and sharing responsibilities
- Giving in-house presentations and learning to communicate respectfull with people of different backgrounds, ages, and cultures
- Care for the Barnyard (animal engagement)
- children help care for our five goats and six chickens through rotating weekly responsibilities
- feeding and comforting animals
- brushing goats and cleaning stalls
- collecting eggs and observing animal behavior
- these responsibilities take place twice daily, giving children consistent opportunities to practice accountability, compassion, and care for living things
- learning Primary and Secondary colors
- exploring different styles and modes of art
- studying artists, art history, and visual literacy
- showcasing artwork at our spring art showcase
- directing and performing in Halloween and Fiesta productions
- rehearsing scenes and memorizing lines
- performing for a large audience of families and students
- individualized writing instruction with a dedicated Penmanship Teacher
- small-group and one-on-one sessions throughout the week
- practicing the writing process, from early ideas to finished work
- journaling and creative writing
- exploring poetry
- developing penmanship, spelling, grammar, and mechanics of writing
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