Sally Young currently has two children at ISMS.
“I have one child in Nautilus (Stage 2) and another who has just begun the Parent Toddler Program (PTP). My kids are so happy, and that makes me happy too!.”
Stage 3 Classrooms (9-12 years)
- Sirius: the dog star in the constellation of Orion, visible from the Southern Hemisphere
- Mithra: The Persian god of light and truth
Children in Stage 3 build on and extend their knowledge based on the concepts that they have learnt in Stage 2. Children increasingly move towards the abstract, however there is still an emphasis on concrete materials to aid understanding at a deep level. The final year in Stage 3 brings an increasing emphasis on preparation for high school.
Accountability
The children in Stage 3 are expected to account for their time by keeping a detailed diary, recording starting and finishing times of work. There is a 'first work' task to be completed on arrival each morning and daily presentations with small groups or individuals. The children have half an hour quiet reading time directly after lunch and the weekly program includes learning spelling lists and a spelling quiz.
Stage 3 children also seek and enjoy more social responsibility. ISMS provides them with opportunities to further develop leadership skills and initiative. There are four main activities which work to this end, namely the Street Stall run by all Stage 3 children, the Peer Support Program, a three day outward-bound School Camp and the End of Year Concert. The school year culminates in the Concert and Graduation Ceremony for those children moving on to high school.
ISMS Primary - Stages 2 and 3 - Intellectual Explorers of the Universe
Montessori primary education builds on the pre-primary experience and changes with the needs of this child entering the second stage of development.
Mental independence
Whereas the pre-primary child strives for physical independence, the primary child strives for mental independence and is no longer satisfied with the immediate environment; she or he wants to know ‘why’. Typically children of this age show an innate sensitivity towards compassion, justice and idealism.
The primary child’s questioning mind, and developing ability to reason and abstract, excites and enthuses the child to want to discover more. In Montessori primary, a child’s own questions provide the basis for learning. Education and knowledge is not imposed but comes from the child’s own intellectual exploration.
The Montessori primary curriculum stimulates the child’s imagination and demonstrates the interconnectedness of different areas of study. Areas of study include noting the similarities and differences of the fundamental needs of man identified by Dr Montessori as being divided into the physical (food, clothing, shelter, transportation and defence) and the spiritual (art, cultural, beauty and social acceptance).
Department of Education requirements
The ISMS primary program satisfies the NSW Department of Education requirements, including English language, mathematics, geometry, history, geography, zoology, botany, science, health and personal development. Spanish, art, craft and music are also integrated into the classroom program, together with information technology (computing), which the children use for research and presentations.
Excursions
‘Going out’ is integral to the Montessori primary program, and many small group excursions into the wider world are organised to complement classroom study.
NSW curriculum expanded upon
Naturally, as ISMS is a school registered by the New South Wales Board of Studies, the NSW school curriculum is fully covered in the ISMS primary classrooms. The unique Montessori curriculum enhances and expands on the government-required curriculum.
Boundaries
Children in ISMS classrooms are free to follow their interests but within the boundaries and requirements set by the teacher following discussion with the child. Montessori teachers are not passive; they are directors skilled in observing, monitoring and assessing each child individually and in ensuring by direction that the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic and all necessary curriculum areas are (more than) adequately covered over each three year cycle.
Independent learning
Through the Montessori approach to primary education, the child develops a high degree of independence and discipline whilst their natural curiosity is reflected in their ability to select and complete appropriate work.
ISMS fully prepares our children for external testing including the Government’s National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy, and selective high school entrance examinations. Examination technique is embraced as an essential life skill that needs to be presented and mastered just as other life skills are taught in the Montessori classroom.