About Us
Contents
Our School Mission
We are a community of children, teachers, and parents who have come together to provide "Education for Life".
Our goal is to ensure that every child at Lake Murray Montessori School is nurtured emotionally, academically, socially and physically. We believe that all children are gifted. Our job is to nourish and channel their natural love of learning and facilitate their development as whole, unique individuals who respect and value themselves and others.
We at Lake Murray view education not merely as the passing on of knowledge; rather as an aid to life.
Our goal is to ensure that every child at Lake Murray Montessori School is nurtured emotionally, academically, socially and physically. We believe that all children are gifted. Our job is to nourish and channel their natural love of learning and facilitate their development as whole, unique individuals who respect and value themselves and others.
We at Lake Murray view education not merely as the passing on of knowledge; rather as an aid to life.
The Montessori Approach to Learning
Lake Murray offers a comprehensive internationally recognized Montessori education for children ages 2 to 6. The Montessori program allows children to progress at their own rates and choose their own activities under the observant guidance of a trained teacher. The classroom environment is scientifically designed so that children will have opportunities to explore, first, their immediate world and, later, the entire universe.
Dr. Maria Montessori designed educational materials that are beautiful, inviting, and self-correcting. Children are naturally drawn to these materials, and they are encouraged to work independently and without interruption until they feel satisfied and move onto another activity. Montessori materials not only teach vital skills and develop an understanding of basic concepts; they also build concentration, independence and self-esteem. As the children experience the joy that comes from successful completion of constructive activity, they are learning that "I can do it by myself."
The Montessori educational approach is concerned with the total development of the child. Social and emotional growth is gently nurtured by teachers who model kind and courteous behavior. Children are treated with unfailing respect, and they are taught to extend the same respect to both peers and adults. As they work within a mixed-age group, children in a Montessori classroom develop cooperation, patience, and sensitivity to others' needs and feelings.
Dr. Maria Montessori designed educational materials that are beautiful, inviting, and self-correcting. Children are naturally drawn to these materials, and they are encouraged to work independently and without interruption until they feel satisfied and move onto another activity. Montessori materials not only teach vital skills and develop an understanding of basic concepts; they also build concentration, independence and self-esteem. As the children experience the joy that comes from successful completion of constructive activity, they are learning that "I can do it by myself."
The Montessori educational approach is concerned with the total development of the child. Social and emotional growth is gently nurtured by teachers who model kind and courteous behavior. Children are treated with unfailing respect, and they are taught to extend the same respect to both peers and adults. As they work within a mixed-age group, children in a Montessori classroom develop cooperation, patience, and sensitivity to others' needs and feelings.
Montessori Philosophy
Maria Montessori, a legendary innovator, was the first female physician in Italy. Through observations in her medical practice, she analyzed how children learn - particularly from their environment.
She found that:
Montessori teachers are
Montessori classrooms are
In a Montessori classroom, we encourage children to
She found that:
- We are all motivated by a natural curiosity and love of learning
- Teachers should cultivate a student's natural desire to learn
Montessori teachers are
- Child advocates who respect each child's individuality
- Facilitators who strive to educate the whole child
Montessori classrooms are
- Purposefully prepared environments
- Learner-centered
- Developmentally appropriate
- Equipped with self-correcting materials meant to engage young learners
In a Montessori classroom, we encourage children to
- Explore and discover
- Work independently at their own pace
- Develop a sense of mastery and accomplishment
Top 5 Reason to Choose Lake Murray Montessori School
1. Child Centered Learning : Our Programs focus on the children not the teacher. Our classrooms are specially prepared to encourage each child to actively participate in his/her learning experience.
2. High-Quality Staff : Certified teachers complete extensive training to meet the individual needs of each child.
3. Secure Learning Environment : Our primary consideration in the design of our programs, policies and facilities is, of course, our children's safety. Your child will feel secure and comfortable in every class.
4. Spacious Classrooms and Quality Class Materials : Our classrooms have enough space for children and the class materials are selected carefully for the best quality.
5. Family Flexibility : Lake Murray Montessori School offers before and after educational program 7:30 AM to 5:45PM
2. High-Quality Staff : Certified teachers complete extensive training to meet the individual needs of each child.
3. Secure Learning Environment : Our primary consideration in the design of our programs, policies and facilities is, of course, our children's safety. Your child will feel secure and comfortable in every class.
4. Spacious Classrooms and Quality Class Materials : Our classrooms have enough space for children and the class materials are selected carefully for the best quality.
5. Family Flexibility : Lake Murray Montessori School offers before and after educational program 7:30 AM to 5:45PM
What Sets Montessori Apart?
Montessori
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Traditional
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Observation
We welcome and encourage visitors to our classrooms. Parents of new children are asked to wait six weeks before observing the class to allow children time to adapt. Please inform your child that you will be visiting the class and that you have come to see the children work. We appreciate observers who attempt to MINIMIZE their impact on the classroom. Please be sure to schedule your visit with the office. Observation is difficult. It is important that you observe as a naturalist observes-without interaction that would disrupt and change the phenomenon.
Guidelines
Guidelines
- Please sit quietly.
- Do not interact with the teacher unless you are approached.
- If children approach you, be pleasant but brief. You may say something like "I came to see you work."
- Observe the entire class.
- Observe one child within the classroom, of different ages.
- Look for qualities of independence, self-discipline, self-direction, attention, concentration and joy.
Useful Information & Links
American Montessori Society (AMS)
Since its formation in 1960, the American Montessori Society (AMS) has been the mainstay of the Montessori movement in the United States. AMS is a non-profit, non-discriminatory service organization dedicated to stimulating the use of the Montessori teaching approach in private and public schools.
Montessori Centre International
Montessori Centre International is a joint venture between Montessori St Nicholas Centre and London Montessori Centre. By working together the new company draws on the strengths from both organizations, combining the educational expertise of the Montessori St Nicholas Charitable Trust and business expertise of Asquith Court Schools.
The North American Montessori Teachers' Association (NAMTA)
The North American Montessori Teachers' Association is a membership organization open to parents, teachers, and anyone else interested in Montessori education. NAMTA provides a medium of study, interpretation, and improvement of Montessori education through its publications, audio-visual collection, electronic communications, conferences, and research and service projects throughout North America and the world.
Books By Maria Montessori
* Recommended first readings.
Books by Other Authors
Since its formation in 1960, the American Montessori Society (AMS) has been the mainstay of the Montessori movement in the United States. AMS is a non-profit, non-discriminatory service organization dedicated to stimulating the use of the Montessori teaching approach in private and public schools.
Montessori Centre International
Montessori Centre International is a joint venture between Montessori St Nicholas Centre and London Montessori Centre. By working together the new company draws on the strengths from both organizations, combining the educational expertise of the Montessori St Nicholas Charitable Trust and business expertise of Asquith Court Schools.
The North American Montessori Teachers' Association (NAMTA)
The North American Montessori Teachers' Association is a membership organization open to parents, teachers, and anyone else interested in Montessori education. NAMTA provides a medium of study, interpretation, and improvement of Montessori education through its publications, audio-visual collection, electronic communications, conferences, and research and service projects throughout North America and the world.
Books By Maria Montessori
- * The Child In The Family - Avon Books, NY, 1970
- * The Secret Of Childhood - Ballantine Books, NY, 1972
- The Discovery Of The Child - Ballantine Books, NY, 1967
- The Absorbent Mind - Dell, NY, 1967
- Dr. Montessori's Own Handbook - Schocken Books, NY, 1965
- From Child To Adolescence - Schocken Books, NY, 1973
- Childhood Education - New American Library, NY, 1949
- The Montessori Method - Schocken Book, NY, 1964
- Spontaneous Activity In Education - Bentley Books, Cambridge, MA., 1971
* Recommended first readings.
Books by Other Authors
- Montessori For Parents by Canfield Fisher - Robert Bentley, Cambridge, MA, 1965
- The Montessori Manual For Teachers by Dorothy Canfield Fisher - Robert Bentley, Cambridge, MA, 1965
- Ready Your Child For School The Montessori Way by Lena Gitter - St. Meinard Archabbey, 1969.
- The Montessori Way by Lena Gitter - St. Meinrad Archabbey, 1969
- Teaching Montessori In The Home by Elizabeth G. Hainstock - Random House, NY, 1968
- Maria Montessori: A Biography by Rita Kramer - Putnam, NY, 1977
- Montessori: A Modern Approach by Paula Polk Lillard - Schocken Books, NY, 1972
- Montessori Today by R.C. Orem - Putnam, NY, 1977
- Montessori: Her Method And the Movement by R. C. Orem - Putnam, NY, 1977
- Montessori And The Speciaal Child by R.C. Orem - Capricorn Books, Putnam, NY, 1969
- Montessori For The Disadvantaged by R. C. Orem - Putnam, NY, 1968
- Maria Montessori: Her Life And Work by E. M. Standing - New American Library, NY, 1962
- Education for Human Development by Mario Montessori Jr. - Schocken Books, NY, 1976
- Learning How To Learn by Nancy Rambusch - Helicon Press, Baltimore, MD, 1963