New Discoveries Montessori Academy

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Elementary II

E2 301 Willow: Ms. Barrett/Ms. La Plante
[email protected]
[email protected]

WELCOME TO ROOM 301 WILLOW

E2 201 Spruce: Ms. Rossing/Ms. Nadeau
[email protected]
[email protected]

WELCOME TO ROOM 201 SPRUCE

E2 203 Walnut: Mr. Grand/Ms. Rettke
[email protected]
[email protected]

WELCOME TO ROOM 203 WALNUT

WHAT IS ELEMENTARY II?

The Elementary II (E2) curriculum is a continuation of the Montessori educational experience. Students attending the upper elementary program acquire a strong foundation in academic skills and a genuine love of learning. Students are placed in a multi-age grouping consisting of ages 9-12 (4th-6th grade equivalent). The goal of the Elementary II (E2) curriculum is to lead the students to abstract work. Montessori materials at this level are used to promote the classification and organization of information. Students continue to learn through experience and discovery. They explore the wider community through visits, field trips, and community service. They are responsible for planning activities within and outside the school. They do their own research, analyze their information and reach their own conclusions. By the end of the Elementary II (E2) Montessori program, students are expected to be independent learners who have learned how to learn.

The core curriculum for the Elementary II (E2) students consists of the following areas of learning:

  • Language
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Cultural Studies
  • History
  • Geography
  • Social Skills

Lessons will align to the Minnesota State Standards.  https://education.mn.gov/mde/dse/stds/

In addition to the above outlined Montessori curriculum, field trips, called “Going Out”, will be conducted on a regular basis and will be linked to the curriculum; supporting our understanding that student learning is not confined to the classroom. Outside experiences and time spent studying the communities in which they live are invaluable opportunities. Art, Environmental Education, Foreign Language, Music, Physical Education, and Technology are also included as natural extensions of the child’s day.

Throughout the day, Montessori teachers will inspire and guide the children through multiple lessons either individually or in small groups. Studies are guided by the child’s own questions. Through hands-on activities that explore various concepts, children are motivated to discover the “How?” and “Why?” leading to true understanding. This method is for all types of students, challenging the most capable students while offering the adaptability to support a variety of needs and learning styles. The classroom will be full of activities with children working at their own pace on the tasks and activities they have chosen. Some children will be working collaboratively with other children, while others work independently. The teacher may be seen presenting to a small group, holding a conference with a child, or observing and recording the flow of work in progress. Teachers will keep meticulous notes on children’s progress, prepare lengthy written evaluations of each child, and communicate with families on a regular basis. Parents are an integral part of their children’s academic success and will be encouraged to be a part of their child’s educational experience.

The Montessori elementary curriculum encompasses the full mastery of basic skills and goes well beyond promoting independent thinking and creativity. In addition, Montessori imparts other valuable life lessons such as how to work with others; peaceful resolution of conflicts; teaching and leading others; service to the community; ethical and social responsibility; and stewardship of the earth.

Art
Art – Children will be taught to use art materials to create their own masterpieces in the Art Area in their classroom environment. Local artists will be contacted to share their expertise with children.  An after-school enrichment program is offered on occasion for those students interested in further art study. (arts and craft activities such as watercolor, pottery, etc.)

Environmental Education
Environmental Education –  At New Discoveries, environmental education is an essential component in all that we do.  The overall NDMA environmental education goal is:  Staff, students, and parents at New Discoveries Montessori Academy will increase their environmental literacy, and develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to support a sustainable, healthy environment.  Students will learn about their environment through hands-on and exploratory activities using their school surroundings as well as the community in which they live. Children will accomplish this through environmental projects, field trips, recycling efforts, assisting in maintaining the school classrooms and grounds, and caring for classroom plants and animals. Students will go on annual overnight class trips which offers a rich educational experience and an opportunity for personal growth. For the younger children, the trips will begin with a one-night stay and expand to a week-long experience as they grow older. It is our goal that through Environmental Education children will gain a deeper appreciation of the natural world.

Music
Music – Music will be a part of the daily classroom experience. In addition, students will have a weekly music class where children can sing, play instruments and learn the fundamentals of music. We would like to offer an after-school enrichment program for those students interested in further music study.  Both music lessons and  choir opportunities would like to be offered each year.

Cyndi Ryan-Lauer at [email protected]
Music Notes from Mrs. Lauer

NDMA MUSIC 2021 – 2022

Mrs. Lauer ~ Music Specialist

Welcome to the Music Room!  I am so excited for the upcoming year!  Music is offered to all PRe-K, CH, E1, E2 and E3 Students.  Choral Discoveries will return this year.  It will be offered one day a week to students in grades 5-8.

Music class will consist of covering the 9 National Music Standards and following Montessori Music Notebook.  It will e a lot of hands on learning with instruments, games, singing and dancing.  We will have a theme for the month which is one of the National Standards,.  There will be a composer of the month and an instrument of the month and a music term of the month.  We will do various activities around the composer, instrument and term of the month.

The CH and E! programs will be about Dinosaurs.  It will be fun to learn new songs and lots of facts about Dinosaurs!

SEPTEMBER 2021:  Singing a varied repertoire of music  //  Composer of the month ~ Copland / Instrument of the month: Trumpet / Term of the month ~ Allegro

OCTOBER 2021:  Performing on Instruments alone and with others // Composer of the month ~ Mozart / Instrument of the month: Flute / Term of the month ~ Forte

NOVEMBER 2021:  Improvising ~ making up melodies and songs // Composer of the month ~ Brahms / Instrument of the month: Violin / Term of the month ~ Mezzo Piano

DECEMBER 2021:  Composing and composers // Composer of the month ~ Tchaikovsky / Instrument of the month: Snare drum / Term of the month ~ Andante

JANUARY 2022:  Reading notes and rhythms // Composer of the month ~ Beethoven / Instrument of the month: French horn / Term of the month ~ Conductor

FEBRUARY 2022:  Learning about instruments // Composer of the month ~ Debussy / Instrument of the month: Clarinet / Term of the month ~ Accelerando

MARCH 2022:  Watching and evaluating performances // Composer of the month ~ Bach / Instrument of the month: Guitar / Term of the month ~ Rhythm

APRIL 2022:  How Music relates to other subjects // Composer of the month ~ Vivaldi / Instrument of the month: Xylophone / Term of the month ~ Tempo

MAY 2022: Understanding music in relation to history and culture // Composer of the month ~ Sousa / Instrument of the month: Tuba / Term of the month ~ Timbre

E2 and E3

There music class will also cover the 9 National Music Standards and follow the Montessori Music Notebook.  They will have the same Composer of the month, Instrument of the month and the same term of the month.

In addition, E2 and E3 classes will also learn: Ukuleles, Recorders and Bucket drumming.  Those in Grades 5 – 8 will be given the opportunity to be apart of the “Discoveries Choir”.  For information on the “Discoveries Choir” please contact Cyndi Ryan-Lauer at [email protected].

Physical Education
Physical Education – [email protected]

 

WELCOME TO LEARNING IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Statement of Philosophy
Physical Education is a unique and important aspect of the school curriculum as it prepares the whole person by learning through movement. The goal of the NDMA physical education program is to provide equal and quality opportunities that address the physical, social, and intellectual needs of an individual in order to develop physically literate people whom have the knowledge and skills to be lifelong movers. The program will follow the SHAPE America National Standards below.

SHAPE America’s National Standards & Grade-Level Outcomes for K-12 Physical Education define what a student should know and be able to do as result of a highly effective physical education program. States and local school districts across the country use the National Standards to develop or revise existing standards, frameworks and curricula.
Standard 1 – The physically literate individual demonstrates competency in a variety of motor skills and movement patterns.
Standard 2 – The physically literate individual applies knowledge of concepts, principles, strategies and tactics related to movement and performance.
Standard 3 – The physically literate individual demonstrates the knowledge and skills to achieve and maintain a health-enhancing level of physical activity and fitness.
Standard 4 – The physically literate individual exhibits responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others.
Standard 5 – The physically literate individual recognizes the value of physical activity for health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression and/or social interaction.

Citation: National Standards for K-12 Physical Education Copyright 2013, SHAPE America –Society of Health and Physical Educators, 1900 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191, www.shapeamerica.org. All rights reserved.

Contact Spencer at [email protected] or 320.234.6362 ext. 2005

Technology Education
Technology Education – Efficient use of technology is essential in the 21st century. All students will have access to quality computers that will be available in their classrooms. Appropriate software will be used as a learning tool and the vast array of information available on the internet will serve as a research tool. The children will begin developing keyboarding skills using an appropriate software program. Technology will not replace any part of the Montessori approach, but rather be integrated so that it complements the curriculum.

New Discoveries Montessori Academy:

  • Offers a quality Montessori education that supports individual development.
  • Uses Independent Learning Plans (ILP) to document personal learning styles and time lines.
  • Allows students to reach their academic potential without grade level limits.
  • Employs multi-age 2-3-year age group settings in a peaceful and caring community.
  • Develops self-discipline and self-teaching abilities that will last a lifetime.
  • Offers a staffing model that maximizes student/teacher interaction.
  • Cultivates an appreciation for the beauty of the world they live in.
  • Uses parents and community members as role models, mentors and resources.

 

Get In Touch with us

New Discoveries Montessori Academy
1000 5th Ave. SE
Hutchinson, MN 55350

320.234.6362
320.234.6300 Fax
[email protected]

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