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Lower Elementary Program

Grades 1 - 3

Building a Foundation

Integrated Learning and Independence

  • For families who have witnessed the growth and independence fostered in our PreK-K program, the Lower Elementary Program provides a seamless and enriching continuation of your child’s Montessori journey.
  • Dr. Maria Montessori emphasized that education must evolve to meet the changing developmental needs of the child. In this spirit, our Lower Elementary program builds directly upon the exploration and independence cultivated in the preschool years—offering a dynamic, intellectually engaging environment for students in Grades 1 through 3.
  • Students continue to develop independence, responsibility, and respect for others. Through lessons in etiquette, community care, and daily routines, they cultivate confidence, empathy, and self-discipline. Rooted in Montessori’s Peace Education principles, students learn to express their feelings constructively, resolve conflicts respectfully, and make positive contributions to their community.
  • Our classrooms are vibrant learning communities where academic rigor is balanced with deep personal growth—preparing students not just for school, but for life.

An Interconnected Academic Experience

  • We move beyond teaching subjects in isolation. Our curriculum intentionally weaves together Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, and Language Arts, allowing students to see the “big picture” and make meaningful, lasting connections.
  • Led by Montessori-trained educators, our curriculum encourages students to explore subjects as part of a cohesive, interconnected experience. Through timelines, concrete materials, hands-on experiments, and compelling visual aids, students gain conceptual clarity and deepen their understanding.
  • Students are encouraged to ask meaningful questions, pursue open-ended research, and engage in in-depth studies, fostering both intellectual growth and personal development. This approach sparks curiosity, inspires lifelong learning, and strengthens the foundation for academic and personal success.

Developing Essential Life Skills

Academic excellence is paired with the cultivation of critical life skills. The program nurtures critical thinking, effective collaboration, personal responsibility, and self-directed learning; skills your child will carry far beyond the classroom. This core area of study nurtures the development of:

  • Logical reasoning and critical thinking
  • Collaboration and conflict resolution
  • Time management and responsibility
  • Confidence in self-directed learning
  • Language Arts
  • Mathematics
  • Cultural Studies (Science, History, and Geography)
  • Sensorial Exploration
  • Art & Music
  • Social Interaction and Community

Tailored Learning for Every Stage of Growth

At MAV, we believe in fostering independence, confidence, and a lifelong love for learning from the very beginning. Our carefully designed programs cater to each stage of your child’s development, building essential skills and a deep connection to their world.

A Glimpse into the Rich Curriculum for 1st-3rd Graders

Mathematics

  • Arithmetic Computation
  • In Depth study of Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division
  • Geometry
  • Algebra
  • Decimals
  • Comprehensive study of Problem Solving in Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division

Language

  • Sentence Structure
  • Grammar/ Parts of Speech
  • Phonograms
  • Blends
  • Spelling
  • Reading Comprehension

History

  • Timelines
  • Origins of Life (Plants, Animals, People)
  • Human Communities Cultures
  • World History
  • Modern History
  • Famous People/Places
  • Open-ended Research

Geography

  • The Universe, Solar System and Earth
  • Origins of Earth, Solar Energy, Atmosphere
  • Map Reading/ Globe
  • Cultures in Relation to Geographic Locations
  • Global Education
  • Countries within Continents, Capitals and Flags
  • Open-ended Research

Sciences

  • Study of Plants
  • Study of Animals
  • Physical Science
  • Basic Chemistry
  • Science Experiments
  • Health and Nutrition
  • Open-ended Research

The Fine Arts

  • Music Appreciation
  • Singing and Rhythm
  • Study of Composers
  • Poetry Appreciation
  • Arts and Crafts
  • Study of Artists and Art Mediums
  • Open-ended Research

Knowledge is best given where there is eagerness to learn, so this is the period when the seed of all things can be sown, the child’s mind being like a fertile field, ready to receive what will germinate into a culture.

Dr. Maria Montessori