The children in our 2 to 3 class are our youngest learners at Skokie Montessori School. We welcome our youngest students by incorporating Montessori methods into our safe, nurturing and specially designed small scale classroom to appeal to children’s unlimited curiosity. -Multi-age classrooms feature custom-sized tables and chairs, sinks and stools, bookshelves and mirrors, and indoor and outdoor play areas, all designed to appeal to the child’s natural curiosity. -Activities are positioned around the room for toddlers to choose independently. These activities allow toddlers to begin to experience concepts of sequence, form, shape, movement, and sound. The activities change and evolve as the child grows physically, emotionally, and intellectually. -Toddlers very much enjoy learning practical skills. Activities, which up until now have been going on around them, but which they can now do themselves: getting dressed, preparing lunch, setting the table, sweeping the floor, etc. Being able to do things for themselves creates an instantaneous surge of pride at this age.

-Children ages 3-6 are combined to form a community of learners. This three year cycle allows children to experience growing up with the same children and teacher for several years, provides learning and mentoring opportunities for the children, and teaches confidence, patience and mastery of skills. -The traditional Montessori curriculum which Skokie Montessori follows encompasses the learning of mathematics, language arts, practical life skills, science, and cultural studies through the use of hands-on, interactive activities and lessons using Montessori proven materials. -Montessori children learn by doing; they work with concrete self-correcting materials that aid in the grasping of abstract concepts. Materials are carefully organized from the simplest to the most complex, with each activity broken down into logical and sequential steps. -The children are given individual lessons by their teacher on each material and are encouraged to master one before moving on to the next. Everything in the classroom is child sized. It is the children’s environment, designed to support their feeling comfortable and confident in their own ‘work’ place. – Our Kindergarten students are looked up to by the younger students as the role models in the room, giving them the opportunity to develop amazing leadership skills and confidence at an early age. During their day in the 3 to 6 year old room, students receive individual lessons, designed to meet each child at their level, especially in math and language arts instruction.

Our teaching practice emphasizes individual and small group demonstrations, challenges with problem solving and hands on learning, factual observations and assessments of skills which we use to continually inform and shape a rigorous and individual curriculum for each student. -Our Elementary program is designed for children ages 6 to 12 and consists of Lower Elementary, grades one and two, and Upper Elementary, which includes grades three through six. By challenging students and following their passion, teachers create an environment that allows children to thrive academically as well as develop a sense of belonging in the classroom and school community. – More advanced student’s increased abilities move from concrete use of materials that support academic concepts to developing abstract thinking and solid problem solving skills. Character development shares equal importance. Students are supported in developing a sense of justice, moral development, and a strong desire to be individuals within a community of learners. -Assignments are clear and concise to meet the needs of the to maximize accountability for success. Goals are set for each individual student’s emotional, social, and intellectual growth.