Science

Toddler and Primary level sensorial exploration and experimentation are key tools as children learn about the natural world. For example, sand and water tables allow for open-ended work while other activities isolate individual concepts such as sink and float, magnetism, botany, etc. Care for plants and animals overlap with practical life activities and teach science as well as responsibility.

At the Primary level basic skills of science, such as measuring, comparing, classifying, and keen observing, are carefully prepared and practiced. This work is accompanied by extensive classified nomenclature. For example, Primary age children learn the scientific nomenclature of the parts of a flower, such as the calyx and corolla. Classification systems such as living/non-living, and vertebrate/invertebrate are also taught. Children study the basic characteristics and nomenclature of plants and animals. They learn to name common domestic and wild plants and animals, and they work with materials to learn fundamental classifications such as mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Children are also introduced to some basic concepts of physical science, such as floating/sinking, magnetic/non-magnetic. Non-fiction books related to science are read aloud to the children, and they have classroom responsibilities for the care of indoor plants, as well as feeding the birds outside. The children also plant, tend to, and harvest their own classroom gardens.

During the Elementary years, every aspect of science is introduced through stories of discovery and with reference to the etymology of the scientific words (i.e., Gk. bios – life; logos – speech – literally “to talk about life”). Various scientific disciplines emerge from and relate back to the Great Lessons of the origin of the universe and the earth, the story of life on earth, and the ingenuity of humans throughout history. The adventure of scientific discoveries is seen as part of a Great Story reaching back to the beginning of time and the student is empowered through activity and research to see himself as an actor in this story.

Students learn how the galaxies are formed and about types of galaxies, as well as how our solar system and planet were formed. They study the relationship of the sun and earth and moon, using various Montessori charts and materials. They learn about the movements of the earth, the seasons, solstices, and equinoxes.

Students learn about the layers of the earth and the formation of land masses, and conduct experiments in order to understand the processes of weathering, erosion, and mountain formation. They are introduced to the science of geology, the classification of rocks, and the formation of fossils. All of their Earth Science work is interrelated to their studies in history, geography, and biology. Students make basic weather observations and learn to identify cloud types.

The primary focus of this area of science during the Lower Elementary years is the study of the three states of matter and the properties of each. Experiments creating mixtures and solutions introduce some fundamental concepts and nomenclature in chemistry. Energetic forces such as magnetism, gravity are introduced. All of these concepts are explored through simple and safe experiments in order that students can gain an impression of various principles of matter and energy. They also study simple technology as part of their history studies. As part of their study of primitive technology, students will often construct models of historic devices such as a catapult, a bow, or a Roman arch.

Students enter the Montessori Lower Elementary classes from our Primary program with knowledge of significant Life Science classified nomenclature, particularly in the areas of botany and zoology. We build on the great developing interest in living things by opening the students’ minds to the whole span of the Time Line of Life on the Earth. From this historical perspective, we introduce them right away to the Five Kingdoms of Life. This grand scheme of biological classification is explored in a systematic and rigorous fashion over the six years of our Elementary program, culminating with understanding of the classification of the major life forms on earth.

Students learn about the five main classes of vertebrates and various orders within these five classes. They learn how to do research about these creatures – their anatomies, characteristics, and how they live. They also learn the major phyla of invertebrates and work with prepared materials and many books about these creatures and their importance in the earth’s ecology. Students learn about the basic needs of animals and about the habitats and biomes in which they live. They compare by looking at the similarities and differences across the groups and noting various aspects of external and internal anatomy, including body covering, circulation, and respiration. Experiences with the care of live animals is part of the zoology curriculum.

This is an important age for the study of the life functions of plants. We use impressionistic charts and plant experiments in order to help students gain an understanding of how plants meet their needs for water, nutrition, and sunlight. Care of indoor and outdoor plants, with attention to specific needs, is a daily responsibility. Students study the uses of plants for food and shelter by different cultures throughout history and throughout the world today. Looking at the Time Line of Life, students learn when the evergreens, grasses, and flowering plants appeared on the Earth. They begin to learn to use field guides to identify local flora, and continue to build their vocabulary by learning more details of botanical nomenclature.

Students study the anatomy of the human skeletal, circulatory, and digestive systems. They also study particular details of human anatomy, such as types of teeth, the parts of the eye, and the parts of the ear. Basic practices for good health, such as hand washing, how to safely sneeze or cough, and the importance of daily exercise, are both taught and encouraged on a regular basis. Students are introduced to the fundamentals of good nutrition and the food pyramid. We help them to understand the nutritional reasoning behind our school’s guidelines for healthy snacks and lunches.

Over the course of six elementary years of Montessori education, students learn how to observe from nature and from experiment, gather data, and record their observations. They learn how to use various measuring tools, such as scales and thermometers. They are taught how to use a hand lens and microscope. Older students are introduces to the basics of writing a lab report and such skills as recording data on a table and using scientific notation. Books are always available in both the classroom and school libraries, as well as ready internet access in the classroom and library.