CurriculumCedars offers one mixed-age classroom for students ages 6 to 9 years and one mixed-age classroom for students 9 to 12 years.
Drawing upon the independence of the student, our program encourages self-directed study and independent research through one-on-one instruction and small group lessons to foster developing skills and knowledge. Students learn how to make decisions, solve problems, and manage their time within the context of academics. Our core curriculum is comprised of mathematics, geometry, science, language arts, history, and geography. Our Montessori guides combine high expectations for children with hands-on, challenging, and engaging materials in an environment designed to foster academic success and social skills. Cosmic Education is the term given to the Montessori elementary curriculum; “cosmic” meaning order and harmony in the universe. The core idea is to present the world to the child in a holistic manner rather than the traditional way of doing so, subject by subject. The curriculum is drawn from the interconnectedness of all things. Before the age of six, the child is motivated by the what of her environment, or learning the names and physical characteristics of things. By contrast, the elementary age child is inherently inspired to learn the how and why of things. Trust in the child’s internal guide toward self-education is paramount in the Montessori classroom. The teacher capitalizes on the interests of the child and this directs the course of study. |
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Principles of Lower and Upper Elementary:
- The curriculum is designed to meet the needs and characteristics of the 6-9 and the 9-12 year old and challenges students to problem solve, research, analyze, arrange and present information in a continually refined process.
- The children at the elementary level are community-oriented and experience realistic lessons about living in accord with their peers and their everyday world.
- Emphasis is placed on the integration of subject matters rather than the independent study of history, geography, cultural studies, art, music, math, science and language including Latin and Spanish.
- A trip taken to a destination outside of the school, known as Going Out, is planned by the students. These trips are planned to heighten awareness and deepen understanding of thematic study. Elementary students partake in the responsibility of planning and making arrangements for such trips.