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Sunstone Montessori School > Curriculum & Programs

 Children's House Curriculum

The Butterfly, Elephant, Sunflower, and Chameleon Cottages are home to our Children's Houses for children ages three to six. Each classroom (or Children's House) is led by an AMI-trained guide, complemented by a full-time assistant. Children usually begin in Montessori at age three and continue in the same class, with the same teacher and core group of friends, until after their sixth birthday. 

 

The interplay of different age groups is integral to the learning experience: the younger children benefit from seeing the work and activities modeled by their older classmates, while the older students gain confidence and develop responsibility by helping and mentoring the younger students. The sense of community and shared learning is reinforced by the multi-year relationships the children develop since they spend their entire primary career within the same social grouping.

 

The day is structured into two halves with a natural break at lunchtime; children of all ages mix freely in the morning (8:30 am to noon), and during the afternoon (noon to 2:45 pm) those children ready to extend their day work on more advanced activities in smaller groups.

 

Extended care is available from 7:30 to 8:30 am and from 3:00 to 6:00 pm.

Click here for details on the Children's House curriculum.

 Elementary Curriculum

The Montessori elementary program is based on developmental needs common to all 6- to 12-year-olds. Dr. Montessori’s call to "follow the child" results in a highly individualized learning experience that meets the needs of the whole child — physical, emotional, and spiritual — and creates a lifelong love of learning.

After a brief group gathering, the child’s day begins at 8:30 am with a three-hour, uninterrupted work period. This morning work period supports the child’s ability to sustain focus for prolonged time periods. During this morning session, the child can choose to work on one research project, or may instead tackle a huge math problem, or conversely, cover several smaller projects.

After a one-hour break for lunch and recess, the afternoon is then spent on extended work and lesson time as well as special topics such as a second language or PE with dismissal at 3:00 pm.

The children are allowed to move freely in and around the environment which is specially designed to meet their needs. They learn to set their own goals, budget their time, choose their workmates, and evaluate their own progress. Students may pursue topics which interest them through either small group or individual research. Meanwhile, the trained Montessori guide moves through the environment, assisting the students in their independent projects and giving small group lessons based on observation of each student’s needs and interests.

Extended care is available from 7:30 to 8:30 am and from 3:00 to 6:00 pm.

Click here for details on the Elementary curriculum.

 Before- and Aftercare Program

Before- and aftercare at Sunstone Montessori is a multi-age, mixed classroom community of children that comes together for a short time everyday. The seeks as much as possible to be an extension of the classrooms through freedom of choice in activities bounded by the responsibility to make positive, healthy, and safe choices individually and as a group. We place a high value on social cohesion. Respect for each other, our materials, our work, and our environment is the foundation upon which this rests. Peaceful conflict resolution is modeled and expected. We offer the children meaningful and engaging work, the opportunity for rest and quietude if desired, and the opportunity to explore and deepen friendships through positive social interactions.

 

Children in beforecare usually engage in quiet activities as they prepare for their day. After school, children spend time both outside (on the playground or in the garden) and inside, engaged in arts and crafts, games, practical life work, and special projects of their choosing.

 Summer Program
Our summer program is open to children ages 3 to 6 at the Children's House campus who are enrolled at Sunstone for the fall. Contact the Children's House office for details.
  		 

 Children's House Classroom