Parent Education: Chemistry, Biology & Physics (6 - 12)
During the Elementary years, ages 6 to 12, the child has an intense need to understand their place in the universe. In order to help them satisfy this curiosity and provoke further questions for the children to investigate, we tell them the greatest story of all – the story of the origins of the universe and the formation of the stars, planets, the sun, and the Earth.
Learning in Context
This story sets the broadest possible context for learning for the children, setting the universe in time, and entices them into further exploration in all subject areas, including the arts as well as the sciences. Having provoked the Elementary children’s imagination and wonder about the intricacies of this infinitely complex universe, the children are encouraged to investigate and discover the answers to these interesting and puzzling questions.
They are free to hypothesise, discuss and debate all the questions about Science raised by First Great Lesson. The child’s interest is sparked, not only by the teachers’ retelling of the Great Stories and the many fascinating follow-up on lessons, but also by the interests and the investigations of their peers and the explorations of the older children in this multi-age environment.
The inspiration to do more, to learn more, to satisfy one’s own interests is at the core of Montessori.
View more on YouTube - Great Lessons clip chinese
Dual-Language Learning In The Classroom
As the children receive many follow-up lessons in Earth Science, Chemistry, Physics, and Astronomy, the Lower Elementary Chinese Teachers provide Chinese language extension in order to support and encourage the child’s ability to communicate about such fascinating principles in fluent Putonghua.
The Upper Elementary student investigates how human begins are profoundly connected to the world around them, which leads to investigation of economic and cultural geography. Learning becomes deeper and more integrated, and concepts more complex. Chinese Teachers support these increasingly complex concepts by providing more detailed vocabulary and additional Chinese language lessons on Earth Sciences.
Elements Of The Montessori Elementary Learning Experience
More On Geography
What is the impact of the Earth’s relationship to the Sun? How does it move through space? What causes gravity? How is gravity different on other planets? Why do we have seasons and climatic zones?
More on Science
There are many more opportunities to learn and explore the questions raised during the first Great Story in small groups. More science projects and materials encourage further exploration by the child. Some typical follow-up work after the Story of Formation of the Universe includes reading, investigating through science experiments, and Going Out to find examples in nature or in museums.
