2009 - 2010 School Year
Carmel Montessori Academy and Children's House plans, implements, and evaluates its programming utilizing the traditional Montessori three year cycle. School themes in the major content areas - science and social science including art, music, and world languages and cultures - facilitate "cosmic view" for the child and his/her family. That is, the themes offer a structure to ensure the presentation of a wholistic curriculum and the understanding of individual concepts within the whole and include all broader curriculum areas, e.g., Spiritual Development, Practical Life, Sensorial Education, Home Economics, Indoor and Outdoor Animal Curriculum, Community Education, etc. Skills areas - mathematics and languages - offer the "tools" through which the child internalizes and expresses his/her appreication, knowledge,and application of educational and life concepts.
Themes throughout the school year are assigned monthly and focus, but do not limit, the child, the teacher, and the family for purposes of individual and group concentration and the school-as-a-community activities. Summer themes, assigned weekly, bring together many facets of the curriculum and are determined by the faculty and students once the composition of the summer enrollment is set. The information below offers some general programming and activities for Fall 2009, Winter 2009 - 2010, Spring 2010 & Summer Sample Programming.
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Classroom & Campus Activities |
Community Education Activities |
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During the morning, in addition to brief "Classroom Lines" (Montessori whole group activity), the child receives individual (and small group, where appropriate) presentations from certified Montessori Directors/esses and works individually or in small groups with Montessori and Montessori-related materials in his/her uninterrupted, prepared environments. The major curriculum areas are: Practical Life (which includes Home Economics), Spiritual Development, Sensorial Education, Physical Education, Science, Social Science, World Languages and Cultures, Art, Music, Mathematics, and Language. Themes are incorporated in an interdisciplinary manner, as appropriate. Midday, all children of the Academy (ages 2 - 18 years) meet at Community Line for presentations by children, ammouncements, song, and often CMA community celebrations. Interclass lunch, usually prepared in the Home Economcis Program by 3 - 12 year olds, follows Community Line with older mentors joining younger children at community tables. All children then have an opportunity to interact on the outdoor campus and in the barn area after they have readied the kitchen and classroom environments for afternoon activities. In the afternoon, regular classes resume with indiviudal and small group activity, with additional time to engage in larger, more inclusive work which may require more social-academic interaction, e.g., world language conversational work, music ensembles, art murals and large group projects, drama, group science experimentation, etc. Monthly School Themes are presented below, accompanied by special events, meetings and activities for the month. To honor individual family beliefs and traditions and the thus our diverse student body as well as to broaden the cognitive and affective horizons of all of our children, CMA celebrates five religious holidays from each of five major religions of the world each year. Celebrations often occur within the classrooms, on Community Line, or on an impromptu field excursion.
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Community Education activities usually involve the entire student body and are usually on Fridays. A typical Community Education experience includes three distinct parts:
Some trips are limtied by duration; young chidlren rarely attend overnight excursions without parental attendance as well. Limited seating or ticket availability or destination requirements limit attendance for some students for some activities. The "least restrictive" policy of attendance and participation is followed. Parental (sometimes "grandparental") participation is encouraged throughout the Community Education Program. By virtue of their improvised nature, impromptu field trips (e.g. hardware store for unplanned "construction" needs on campus; temple or church as suggested by students' activities and interests; a trip to the prairie or woods to "experience" Thoreau) are not listed below. However, this type of field experience is common throughout the three levels of the Academy. |
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September |
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Family & Classroom Studies of
Social Science Theme: SPREAD OF CIVILIZATION (Emphasis: Ancient Cultures) Science Theme: ASTRONOMY Shakespearean Theme: Histories, Tragedies, Comedies Note: Throughout the School during the "European year" of the three-year curriculum cycle, special emphsis is placed upon the times, life and works of William Shakespeare. Again this year "Lunch with Shakespeare" is celebrated once a month with foods and customs of the times, one play/work each month will be highlighted, and often classroom adaptations are prerformed by students.
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Classroom & Campus Activities |
Community Education Activities |
PEACE Rededication Program
(Jewish Holiday)
“Grace & Courtesy: Essential Montessori”
Theme: Lower Erdkinder – Courteous Teens”
(Islamic Holiday)
4:30 til dark
(Jewish Holiday)
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September Theme: PEACE!
Indiana Dunes (days/nights weather dependent)
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October |
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Family & Classroom Studies of
Social Science Theme: EUROPE Science Theme: ASTRONOMY Shakespearean Theme: Romeo and Juliet
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Classroom & Campus Activities |
Community Education Activities |
(Hindu Observance)
for both Lower & Upper Erdkinder Theme: “What Do Employers Look For?”
(Hindu Observance)
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with visits to local government and community safety offices
October Theme: Halloween
Early European settlements in America All-Day Trip: early departure / late return
Washington, D. C.
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November |
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Family & Classroom Studies of
Social Science Theme: EUROPE Science Theme: CHEMISTRY Shakespearean Theme: Henry V or Henry VIII
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Classroom & Campus Activities |
Community Education Activities |
FOR NEEDY CHILDREN during November & December
(Christian Holidays)
Theme: Ethics in Politics
(Islamic Holiday)
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November Theme: Thanksgiving
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Classroom & Campus Activities |
Community Education Activities |
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During the morning, in addition to brief "Classroom Lines" (Montessori whole group activity), the child receives individual (and small group, where appropriate) presentations from certified Montessori Directors/esses and works individually or in small groups with Montessori and Montessori-related materials in his/her uninterrupted, prepared environments. The major curriculum areas are: Practical Life (which includes Home Economics), Spiritual Development, Sensorial Education, Physical Education, Science, Social Science, World Languages and Cultures, Art, Music, Mathematics, and Language. Themes are incorporated in an interdisciplinary manner, as appropriate. Midday, all children of the Academy (ages 2 - 18 years) meet at Community Line for presentations by children, ammouncements, song, and often CMA community celebrations. Interclass lunch, usually prepared in the Home Economcis Program by 3 - 12 year olds, follows Community Line with older mentors joining younger children at community tables. All children then have an opportunity to interact on the outdoor campus and in the barn area after they have readied the kitchen and classroom environments for afternoon activities. In the afternoon, regular classes resume with indiviudal and small group activity, with additional time to engage in larger, more inclusive work which may require more social-academic interaction, e.g., world language conversational work, music ensembles, art murals and large group projects, drama, group science experimentation, etc. Monthly School Themes are presented below, accompanied by special events, meetings and activities for the month. To honor individual family beliefs and traditions and the thus our diverse student body as well as to broaden the cognitive and affective horizons of all of our children, CMA celebrates five religious holidays from each of five major religions of the world each year. Celebrations often occur within the classrooms, on Community Line, or on an impromptu field excursion.
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Community Education activities usually involve the entire student body and are usually on Fridays. A typical Community Education experience includes three distinct parts:
Some trips are limtied by duration; young chidlren rarely attend overnight excursions without parental attendance as well. Limited seating or ticket availability or destination requirements limit attendance for some students for some activities. The "least restrictive" policy of attendance and participation is followed. Parental (sometimes "grandparental") participation is encouraged throughout the Community Education Program. By virtue of their improvised nature, impromptu field trips (e.g. hardware store for unplanned "construction" needs on campus; temple or church as suggested by students' activities and interests; a trip to the prairie or woods to "experience" Thoreau) are not listed below. However, this type of field experience is common throughout the three levels of the Academy. |
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December |
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Family & Classroom Studies of
Social Science Theme: EUROPE Science Theme: CHEMISTRY Shakespearean Theme: Shakespeare’s Sonnets
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Classroom & Campus Activities |
Community Education Activities |
FOR NEEDY CHILDREN during November & December
(Buddhist Holiday)
“Why Global Light Celebrations Are Important – Historical and Contemporary Views AND what do they have to do with ETHICS?”
(Jewish Holiday)
(Islamic Holiday)
A campus/barn “living play”
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Christmas Trees & Chemistry
Last Day before Holiday Vacation
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January |
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Family & Classroom Studies of
Social Science Theme: EUROPE Science Theme: CHEMISTRY Shakespearean Theme: Twelfth Night
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Classroom & Campus Activities |
Community Education Activities |
Theme: Ethics of Exploration, Discovery, Colonization
(Christian Holiday)
Thursday through Friday
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January Theme: Snow
Emphasis: Chemistry in Everyday Life
A New Country with Old Roots
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February |
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Family & Classroom Studies of
Social Science Theme: ANTARCTICA Science Theme: EARTH SCIENCE Shakespearean Theme: Winter’s Tale
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Classroom & Campus Activities |
Community Education Activities |
(Confucian/Daoist/Buddhist Observance)
Theme: “Are There Ethics in Love Relationships?”
MARDI GRAS TALENT SHOW
(Christian Holiday)
(Islamic Holiday)
(Hindu Observance)
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Antarctica
February Theme: Abraham Lincoln
(one/two-day field trip – age dependent) |
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Classroom & Campus Activities |
Community Education Activities |
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During the morning, in addition to brief "Classroom Lines" (Montessori whole group activity), the child receives individual (and small group, where appropriate) presentations from certified Montessori Directors/esses and works individually or in small groups with Montessori and Montessori-related materials in his/her uninterrupted, prepared environments. The major curriculum areas are: Practical Life (which includes Home Economics), Spiritual Development, Sensorial Education, Physical Education, Science, Social Science, World Languages and Cultures, Art, Music, Mathematics, and Language. Themes are incorporated in an interdisciplinary manner, as appropriate. Midday, all children of the Academy (ages 2 - 18 years) meet at Community Line for presentations by children, ammouncements, song, and often CMA community celebrations. Interclass lunch, usually prepared in the Home Economcis Program by 3 - 12 year olds, follows Community Line with older mentors joining younger children at community tables. All children then have an opportunity to interact on the outdoor campus and in the barn area after they have readied the kitchen and classroom environments for afternoon activities. In the afternoon, regular classes resume with indiviudal and small group activity, with additional time to engage in larger, more inclusive work which may require more social-academic interaction, e.g., world language conversational work, music ensembles, art murals and large group projects, drama, group science experimentation, etc. Monthly School Themes are presented below, accompanied by special events, meetings and activities for the month. To honor individual family beliefs and traditions and the thus our diverse student body as well as to broaden the cognitive and affective horizons of all of our children, CMA celebrates five religious holidays from each of five major religions of the world each year. Celebrations often occur within the classrooms, on Community Line, or on an impromptu field excursion.
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Community Education activities usually involve the entire student body and are usually on Fridays. A typical Community Education experience includes three distinct parts:
Some trips are limtied by duration; young chidlren rarely attend overnight excursions without parental attendance as well. Limited seating or ticket availability or destination requirements limit attendance for some students for some activities. The "least restrictive" policy of attendance and participation is followed. Parental (sometimes "grandparental") participation is encouraged throughout the Community Education Program. By virtue of their improvised nature, impromptu field trips (e.g. hardware store for unplanned "construction" needs on campus; temple or church as suggested by students' activities and interests; a trip to the prairie or woods to "experience" Thoreau) are not listed below. However, this type of field experience is common throughout the three levels of the Academy. |
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March |
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Family & Classroom Studies of
Social Science Theme: ASIA Science Theme: EARTH SCIENCE All School Play to be chosen by students and faculty.
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Classroom & Campus Activities |
Community Education Activities |
Theme: Ethics in Non-Fiction and Fiction Writing
(Hindi Observance)
(Christian Holiday)
AMERICAN MONTESSORI SOCIETY ANNUAL CONFERENCE Boston, Massachusetts – No School
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March Theme: St. Patrick’s Day
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April |
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Family & Classroom Studies of
Social Science Theme: ASIA Science Theme: EARTH SCIENCE Shakespearean Theme: The Merchant of Venice
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Classroom & Campus Activities |
Community Education Activities |
(Christian Holidays)
Theme: Ethics & Ecology
(Hindu Holiday)
(Jewish Holiday)
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April Theme: Flowers
and (tentatively) a FOREST PRESERVE
(Middle United States)
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May |
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Family & Classroom Studies of
Social Science Theme: ASIA Science Theme: EARTH SCIENCE Shakespearean Theme: Much Ado About Nothing
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Classroom & Campus Activities |
Community Education Activities |
(Buddhist Holiday)
(Jewish Holiday)
(Christian Holiday)
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Theme – Memorial Day Celebrations
(Lower & Middle Schools)
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June |
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Family & Classroom Studies of
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Classroom & Campus Activities |
Community Education Activities |
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(including Summer Birthday Lunch)
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The listing below is representative of the CMA Summer Camp Program. CHILDREN help to plan and implement summer activities; changes are many and frequent. Montessori Directors/esses provide Montessori environments and materials to all children throughout the summer months
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Classroom & Campus Activities |
Community Education Activities |
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During the morning, in addition to brief "Classroom Lines" (Montessori whole group activity), the child receives individual (and small group, where appropriate) presentations from certified Montessori Directors/esses and works individually or in small groups with Montessori and Montessori-related materials in his/her uninterrupted, prepared environments. The major curriculum areas are: Practical Life (which includes Home Economics), Spiritual Development, Sensorial Education, Physical Education, Science, Social Science, World Languages and Cultures, Art, Music, Mathematics, and Language. Themes are incorporated in an interdisciplinary manner, as appropriate. Midday, all children of the Academy (ages 2 - 18 years) meet at Community Line for presentations by children, ammouncements, song, and often CMA community celebrations. Interclass lunch, usually prepared in the Home Economcis Program by 3 - 12 year olds, follows Community Line with older mentors joining younger children at community tables. All children then have an opportunity to interact on the outdoor campus and in the barn area after they have readied the kitchen and classroom environments for afternoon activities. In the afternoon, regular classes resume with indiviudal and small group activity, with additional time to engage in larger, more inclusive work which may require more social-academic interaction, e.g., world language conversational work, music ensembles, art murals and large group projects, drama, group science experimentation, etc. Monthly School Themes are presented below, accompanied by special events, meetings and activities for the month. To honor individual family beliefs and traditions and the thus our diverse student body as well as to broaden the cognitive and affective horizons of all of our children, CMA celebrates five religious holidays from each of five major religions of the world each year. Celebrations often occur within the classrooms, on Community Line, or on an impromptu field excursion. |
Community Education activities usually involve the entire student body and are usually on Fridays. A typical Community Education experience includes three distinct parts:
Some trips are limtied by duration; young chidlren rarely attend overnight excursions without parental attendance as well. Limited seating or ticket availability or destination requirements limit attendance for some students for some activities. The "least restrictive" policy of attendance and participation is followed. Parental (sometimes "grandparental") participation is encouraged throughout the Community Education Program. By virtue of their improvised nature, impromptu field trips (e.g. hardware store for unplanned "construction" needs on campus; temple or church as suggested by students' activities and interests; a trip to the prairie or woods to "experience" Thoreau) are not listed below. However, this type of field experience is common throughout the three levels of the Academy. |
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Classroom & Campus Activities |
Community Education Activities |
A Week in the Garden
The Farmer’s Market
Bird Watching
Crafts
Sports
Weird Science
Zoo Animals
The Beach
Camping
Dress Up
Theater Week
Sweet Summertime |
for a game of baseball
(tents in the backyard during the day)
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