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 Holliston Public Schools

Montessori Kindergarten Program

    Montessori education is both a philosophy and a method of education incorporating specially designed materials, educational techniques, and teacher observation that supports the natural development of children.  In Holliston, teachers have worked over the years to provide a public school program which uses the Montessori approach to teach the literacy-based Holliston Schools curriculum and the Massachusetts Department of Education State Standards.

    Over one hundred years ago, Dr. Maria Montessori observed children and developed a method of teaching in which children interact with a carefully prepared classroom environment.  Children are grouped according to their developmental level and are typically in a class with the same teacher for several years.  In the Holliston Public Schools Montessori program, children can enter the class for 3-6 year olds at age three, four or as kindergarteners.  They then move to the next level which includes children ages 6-8 and are in the first and second grades.  Third graders continue to work using a Montessori approach, however, due to the richness of the Montessori classroom, the literacy-based Holliston Schools curriculum and the Massachusetts Standards they are a single grade.  Currently, there is a 4^th Grade “Transitional Montessori Classroom” that is located at Miller School , the Grades 3-5  elementary school.

    Each Montessori class meets the social, emotional and academic needs of the child. The Holliston Schools curriculum, guided by the Montessori philosophy, is taught within each class.  Manipulative Montessori materials are used throughout the day to help the child learn certain skills or concepts.  Each teacher is trained to present these materials to the children individually or in small or large groups as appropriate.  Materials are organized in the class according to subject or area and the child is able to choose work that has already been presented.  Following a presentation, children have the opportunity to manipulate and practice these lessons on their own.  This fosters independence, responsibility for both learning and care of the classroom materials, and individual choice making.  It is through this work that the child will develop a love of learning.  The materials draw the child to repeat and concentrate on what is to be learned.  Children gain confidence as they become independent learners.

    In the 3-6 class, all activities are linked to the Placentino School curriculum and the Massachusetts Standards for Instruction.  Children choose activities of daily living such as dusting, pouring, and sorting.  Children are also involved in activities in the sensorial area which contains materials that lead to the understanding of size, shape, and other concepts leading to a basic understanding of geometric concepts.  Children learn to grade and sort materials by using their senses.  Through these activities, children begin to develop an ability to control their large and small muscles and to develop the ability to concentrate for extended periods of time.  These experiences are indirectly preparing the child for later work in reading, writing and math.  Then, as the child becomes ready, he or she is introduced to the materials that lead to reading, writing and math activities such as counting.  There is also a rich geography and science component that is a part of the Montessori 3-6 classroom.  Overall, the presentations and opportunities for practice in the 3-6 program help to build the basis for entrance to the 6-8 level of the Montessori continuum.

    In the 6-8 class, the children build on the skills learned in the 3-6 class. Again, activities are directly linked to the literacy based Placentino School curriculum and the Massachusetts Standards for Instruction.  All students receive the same baseline assessments as their “traditional” peers.  These assessments are given at the beginning of the year both informally as well as formally to help guide and differentiate instruction, and prepare lessons for individuals, small groups and large groups depending upon the topic. Many of these lessons require use of the Montessori materials that engage the children in a hands-on approach and are an integral part of the classroom learning environment.  Through the use of these manipulative materials that are sequentially organized in areas around the room, the student selects work, develops the ability to revisit the material as the concept is learned, and progressively come to a deeper level of understanding as he or she makes discoveries of the underlying concepts.  Children move to independence and a deeper sense of responsibility for their learning through immersion in this classroom environment.

    As young children grow, they develop an increasing awareness of the world and its wonders.  Within the Montessori learning environment, lessons in geography, history and science help present this “big picture” and strike the imagination of the child.  While using the same texts and curriculum as our traditional programs, academic subjects are interwoven using a holistic approach to learning that is motivated by an interest that a student may have in gaining more knowledge about what he or she has learned concerning the world that we live in. 

    The Montessori Third Year program is aligned with both the Montessori philosophy and the curriculum standards and guidelines of our Miller School Third Grade students.  Children use Montessori materials to enhance their learning while integrating their independent work with more traditional instruction in spelling, writing, literacy, math and the social sciences. As in the 3-6 and 6-8 programs, individual learning styles are recognized and easily incorporated into both independent work times and the more traditional instructional opportunities provided for our Third Year Montessori students.