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Turtle River's Elementary
program has a vast curriculum covering all
the Sunshine State's Standards and goes far
beyond the minimum levels in exposure to advanced concepts in
all the subjects. Like Montessori
primary, Montessori elementary is organized in three-year age
groupings. At both levels, the multi-age grouping provides children
with opportunities for broad social development, allowing each child
to experience the younger, middle and older child phenomenon in
their growth over the three years.
The Hallmark of
Montessori Education is the use of the Hands-On materials, which
clearly define abstract topics like multiplication, algebra,
geometry and language skills in a fun, challenging manner
that allows children to progress at their own pace.
Our Teacher/Student Ratios are low: not more than 10 to 1.
Montessori Teachers are Observers, providing guidance to
self-directed students, rather than being lecturers or
teachers only who dictate learning and activity plans.
A Montessori room is furnished with many hands-on materials, and
abstract learning is introduced at the elementary level. With
the strong foundations that the students
have based on their concrete experiences,
the abstract concepts begin to fall in place
by this age. Montessori provides the elementary age
child diverse and creative passages to understanding
abstraction. Mathematics, for instance is presented through
three-dimensional, manipulative materials that reveal
simultaneously arithmetic, geometric, and algebraic
correlations - each providing a concrete way to experience
an abstract concept.
Likewise, the grammar materials use
symbols and visual patterns to help the child discover parts
of speech and analyze the structure, style, and logic of
sentences. These exercises refine reading and writing skills
and lay the foundation for foreign language study. Students
continue to expand their Spanish vocabulary and begin
conversational skills. The materials for disciplines such as
geometry present basic terminology as the groundwork for
future in-depth study. In addition art, music, and physical
education are an integral part of Montessori elementary.
Children also participate in their own "going out"
excursions according to their individual or small group
interest in correlation to the material being studied.
A
TYPICAL DAY
Students start their day in Circle Time, where they
verbalize Commitments as to what they are going to do that day.
We then have over 3 hours of uninterrupted Work Time, during which
the children independently manage their time, utilizing their Work
Plans to complete lessons in Math, Language, Geography or History,
Botany or Zoology or Science, and Cultural Lessons and Reading
Groups. After lunch and a brief period for quiet reading and a
playtime, we then have 1 1/2 hours for Writer's Workshop, Reading
Aloud, Extracurricular Activities (Art, Phys Ed, Spanish, Music and Science) and
Checkout with the Teachers. Checkout allows us to discuss the
student's progress that day and help in developing the child's time
management skills while providing our Teachers with One on One time
with each student daily. After Cleanup Jobs and the End of the
Day Circle, the students' school day is done. Homework is sent
home on Mondays, and must be completed by Fridays. Spelling
and Math Fact tests are given on Fridays.
EVALUATION OF PROGRESS We maintain
Progress Reports on each student, and meet with parents throughout
the school year to discuss performance. Our evaluation system
rates students as to their mastery of material: New Presentation,
Having Difficulty, Steady Progress or Proficient. Rather than
an overall rating in subject areas (A or B in Math, Language, etc),
we break down the evaluation areas into more detailed categories
such as:
Language: Reading: Basic Sounds, Short Vowels, Phonetic Reading,
Sight Words, Book Reports, Reading Comprehension, etc
Language: Research Skills: Alphabetizing, Use of Dictionary, Use of
Thesaurus, etc
Language: Writing: Punctuation, Spelling, Penmanship etc.
Each category receives a rating so you get a detailed report of your
child's progress. Our students are now being
tested annually from Kindergarten on with a Nationally Standardized
test similar to the SAT's provided in public school. However,
as testing is not an integral part of the Montessori curriculum, we
do not overemphasize the test's importance, nor do we teach to the
test. We do provide instruction and practice sessions to
ensure that students are comfortable with the test structure and can
concentrate on the academic material on the exam. Our students test off the charts when it comes
time to enter middle school, but the most important qualities
instilled in a Montessori Elementary environment are these:
Self Esteem
Student Empowerment and Individual Responsibility
Self Motivation and Self Organization
Love of Learning
Global Viewpoint
Strong Basis in Abstract Concepts
Critical Thinking Skills
ENHANCEMENTS
The Elementary Curriculum is enhanced by several additional
programs. Turtle River engages additional teachers in the
areas of Art, Phys Ed, Library Science, Music, Sign Language and Spanish. All
programs are geared to the Elementary age group, and are provided to
supplement the existing curriculum. We also take field trips
to the Jupiter Public Library to learn about research methods using
the computerized search system and the Dewey Decimal System.
Our Field Trip Calendar has a lot of exciting programs - including
trips to the Kravis Center, the Maltz Theatre, the S. Florida
Science Museum, the Palm Beach Zoo, Wannado City and even a trip to
St. Augustine for the Upper Elementary! Field trips build
independence, provide meaningful learning experiences in a memorable
setting, and most of all, stimulate students through fun and new
interactions.
PIONEER KIDS
One of the most unique components of the Lower and Upper Elementary
program is Turtle River's PIONEER KIDS, a student run business which
teaches practical business skills. Pioneer Kids is a limited
liability corporation started by the elementary students to gain an
understanding of marketing, sales, accounts payable and receivable
and other areas of commerce. The children manage different
fund-generating endeavors throughout the school year, and decide
what to do with proceeds. A portion of the funds raised are
donated to local causes. In past years, the children have made
donations to Safe Harbor Animal Shelter, the Busch Wildlife
Sanctuary in Jupiter and to Turtle River itself.
Business ventures include annual sales of plants, gently used
uniforms, fabric grocery bags and a Valentines' Day sale of roses
and chocolates. Students choose the profit centers and
evaluate each sale's effectiveness afterward to determine
profitability and viability. Each student has a job during the
year which could be marketing, maintenance, purchasing, supplies,
etc. Guided by our staff and volunteers, the older elementary
friends also guide the younger friends.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Another important aspect
of the Pioneer Kids business is community service. The
Elementary teachers wanted to adopt a local charity
to teach the children about community service
for its own sake, not just as credit for mandatory "volunteer
hours" as seen to beef up college
applications. The Elementary chose the Safe Harbor Animal
Clinic, and yearly the Safe Harbor staff visit to talk about what they do there, how animals become homeless, how to
walk animals properly, how to approach animals, etc. One
of our Elementary Moms who is a vet
also comes to class to teach about animal care. Weekly the class
goes to Safe Harbor in small groups
and walks any puppies or quiet dogs, stops and plays, and pet the dogs.
The cat room also gets a visit so the students can pet, brush and play with the cats.
The Pioneer Kids business donated $1,500.00 from
yearly sales, in addition to $300.00 they collected in individual
cans at home. Later in the year, Safe Harbor's vet, Dr. Wells,
returned to explain to the children what the money had
enabled them to do. This fun program helps the students learn
animal care, community service, compassion, empathy and the
importance of fund-raising to non-profit entities.
Impossible to envision your 6-9 year old
organizing her own day to meet her self-proclaimed goals?
Finding it hard to imagine your 7 year old son participating in a
flawless school production? Chuckling at the thought of your
young daughter doing long division? We invite you to join us
in the Elementary Classrooms to observe the Montessori system at work.
Call Turtle River's office to schedule an appointment.
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