We follow the Montessori Method for educating young children, within the context of a developmentally appropriate preschool.  Our curriculum can be broken down into 9 main categories:

• Language
• Math
• Culture
• Practical Life / Everyday Living
• Sensory and Small Motor
• Science
• Outdoor Play
• Music and Movement
• Art

*Please note that viewing the Example Lessons below will take you to ExpertVillage.com, which is separate from the Northstar Montessori website.  Our director Ms. Tami is teaching the lessons in these videos.  If you are unable to view the videos, click here to install Adobe Flash Player 9.

Language: Language is an all day, everywhere subject, so we use a variety of methods to teach basic skills.  Children will learn to recognize the phonetic sounds of the alphabet through sight, sound and touch, before moving on to reading a writing.  Children also learn the alphabet by sight, with time to read independently each day as well as be read to by an adult or older child. Example Language Lesson 1                                                                    Example Language Lesson 2                                                                    Example Language Lesson 3
Math: At Northstar, we have an entire room dedicated to the subject of math.  We do simple counting exercises of everyday items and as the children master these, we expand into addition, subtraction, decimals, and currency.  We may begin the school year by using sandpaper numerals, numerical rods and spindle boxes, then expand into the hundred board and the 45 layout.  This opens many pathways for later learning of higher math skills.  Example Math Lesson 1                                                                    Example Math Lesson 2                                                                    Example Math Lesson 3
Culture: We want children to be aware of and interested in the world around them and how others live.  Geography begins with awareness of other places by talking about maps, singing songs, working on puzzle maps and reading stories about far away places.  We incorporate celebrations from all over the world to further educate the children about other cultures.  We use dramatic play to encourage socialization and awareness of occupations as well as imagination.
Practical Life: This takes place everywhere all day long, starting when the children arrive and hang things in the cubbies. This encourages self-control, both mentally and physically. The   children hang their things, put lunches away, learn to zip, snap, tie, scoop, spoon ladle, pour liquids, care for a garden, and learn care of themselves, the environment, and each other.  Everyday living appeals to a child’s natural desire for independence.                                                                                         Example Practical Life Lesson 1                                                                    Example Practical Life Lesson 2                                                                    Example Practical Life Lesson 3
Sensory and Small Motor: Through manipulation of materials, children learn about color, sound, taste, smell, touch and the relationship these items have with one another.  Materials such as the geometric solids, knobbed cylinders, cylinders, trinomial cube, binomial cube, rough and smooth basket, sensory tables, and rectangular prisms are just some of the items that help to enhance a child’s understanding of his/her physical environment.  Sensorial activities are a great lead-in for math.                                                                    Example Sensorial Lesson 1                                                                    Example Sensorial Lesson 2                                                                    Example Sensorial Lesson 3
Science: The children will be introduced to insects, plants and many  other items.  They will be able to learn names and specifics about things in nature.  We will talk about life cycles and growth patterns.  The children may plant a garden, nurture the plants, then harvest the vegetables to eat.  This activity will increase awareness of where their foods come from. Example Science Lesson 1
Outdoor Play: Our children are able to exercise their large motor skills outside and in the lower level of the school inside.  This is also a great place to socialize.  The staff and children go out as often as weather permits.
Music and Movement: Our daily music and movement program teaches children the basics of rhythm recognition, “keeping the beat,” and simple dance, as well as nursery rhymes and songs.  The children also get the chance to be “conductor of the day,” as each child takes turns conducting classical music.
Art: The creative process is very important in young children, so most of our art projects are "open," which means that the child will only be restricted by his/her own imagination.  Because of this, each child’s project will be different from others.  To honor your child and build self-esteem, we encourage you to display your child’s  artwork in your home, as we do at school.