Curriculm (PK-K)

“And such is our duty toward the child:  to give a ray of light and to go on our way.

-Dr. Maria Montessori

It is during this critical stage of development that children lay the foundations for the adults they will become. The classroom environment for children ages three to six is an inviting, mistake-friendly, nurturing place for them to discover concretely the elements of their world. Grace, courtesy, and independence are built into the curriculum by virtue of the Montessori philosophy in much the same way that practical life skills, mathematics, language arts, history, geography, science and the arts are materialized on the shelves. Aristotle knew that everything learned comes to humans through the senses, however, Dr. Montessori turned these thoughts into self-correcting concrete materials.

Teachers move about the classroom giving developmentally appropriate individual lessons to each child. The materials are available to the children after the basic lesson for the purpose of discovering the “keys” to the universe. The sequential curriculum culminates in the third (Kindergarten) year. The third year parallels (in different sequence) and goes beyond the Illinois State and local school district’s mandated curriculum. Dr. Montessori contended that all subject matter should be presented in a format which enables children to understand fundamental concepts, rather than one which encourages memorization of isolated details.

Weekly Spanish instruction is included in our Cultural Subjects curriculum to further enrich the children’s experiences and to bring the world into the classroom. We also have a professional music specialist who offers piano and general music instruction to children on a sign up (extra charge) basis. Community Service is of great importance at CMEC. Two projects, our Assisted Living Center Intergenerational program and an annual community Garden Angels planting program assist development of altruistic, global citizens of the future We have received letters of recognition and Blue Ribbon Awards for both projects.

Extended Day children, who have given up their naps but are not yet in their third year, have afternoon class in a small group environment. These children have lessons and additional practice time as well as opportunities to join the Kindergarteners for certain activities and presentations. Afternoon class for the Extended Day third year (K) child allows extra time for group activities, literature, writing, oral presentations, fine arts, experiments, community service projects, and continued (from AM class) use of advanced math, language, and cultural subjects materials. Here the children joyfully endeavor to satiate their unlimited hunger for information about the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual world.

CMEC Before and/or After School

Before and/or After School Hours: 7:00-8:15 3:30-5:45

Breakfast is served from 7-8. We understand that early morning can be difficult for children and parents. After the rush out of the house our students who did not have time to eat at home can eat a leisurely breakfast with friends in a familiar relaxing place. This is a time for socializing, coloring, or perhaps beginning the day’’s work.

Snack is served at the end of the school day. Some children are encouraged to bring extra snacks to refuel and in many cases begin a series of errands, lessons, dropping off and picking up siblings. With their stores replenished, the children then participate in a variety of activities prepared for them by our dedicated teachers. Adhering to the Montessori philosophy, we understand that children need purposeful activity that carries over from the school day.