Observation Sheets

Montessori lower elementary curriculum areas

The lower elementary level, for children of about six to nine, has five areas. Practical Life, Language, Mathematics, and Peace Education are in both curricula, with Cultural Studies in AMS and Cosmic Education in AMI. Below are the lessons in each area.

Updated

AMI curriculum

Practical Life

Advanced independence, organization, and community responsibility

  1. Time Management. Planning and organizing daily work independently
  2. Research Skills. Using books and resources to find information
  3. Group Collaboration. Working effectively in pairs and small groups
  4. Conflict Resolution. Resolving disagreements respectfully
  5. Community Service. Contributing to the classroom and school community
  6. Personal Organization. Maintaining workspace and tracking assignments

Language

Reading comprehension, writing, grammar, and oral expression

  1. Reading Comprehension. Understanding and analyzing increasingly complex texts
  2. Creative Writing. Composing stories, poems, and essays
  3. Grammar. Understanding parts of speech using grammar boxes and symbols
  4. Spelling. Applying spelling rules and patterns
  5. Research and Presentation. Gathering information and presenting findings
  6. Oral Expression. Speaking clearly and confidently to a group

Mathematics

Operations, geometry, and mathematical reasoning with materials

  1. Long Multiplication. Multiplying multi-digit numbers with bead frame and checkerboard
  2. Long Division. Dividing with racks and tubes (test tube division)
  3. Fractions. Understanding, comparing, and operating on fractions with fraction insets
  4. Geometry. Exploring area, perimeter, and geometric constructions
  5. Word Problems. Applying operations to real-world scenarios
  6. Stamp Game and Bead Frame. Abstract operations progressing from concrete materials

Cosmic Education

The interconnectedness of all things: Great Lessons leading to history, geography, biology, and the arts

  1. First Great Lesson: Coming of the Universe. The story of the creation of the universe and the earth
  2. Second Great Lesson: Coming of Life. The timeline of life on Earth
  3. Third Great Lesson: Coming of Human Beings. The story of early humans and civilization
  4. Fourth Great Lesson: Story of Writing. The development of written communication
  5. Fifth Great Lesson: Story of Numbers. The history of mathematics and numeration
  6. Physical Geography. Understanding landforms, climate, and natural resources
  7. Biology. Classifying living things and understanding life cycles

Peace Education

Social-emotional development and conflict resolution

  1. Conflict Resolution. Using peace table and I-statements
  2. Empathy. Understanding and respecting the feelings of others
  3. Community Building. Contributing to classroom meetings and group decisions

Source: AMI curriculum.

AMS curriculum

Practical Life

Advanced independence, organization, and community responsibility

  1. Time Management. Planning and organizing daily work independently
  2. Research Skills. Using books and resources to find information
  3. Group Collaboration. Working effectively in pairs and small groups
  4. Conflict Resolution. Resolving disagreements respectfully
  5. Community Service. Contributing to the classroom and school community
  6. Personal Organization. Maintaining workspace and tracking assignments

Language

Reading comprehension, writing, grammar, and oral expression

  1. Reading Comprehension. Understanding and analyzing increasingly complex texts
  2. Creative Writing. Composing stories, poems, and essays
  3. Grammar. Understanding parts of speech and sentence structure
  4. Spelling. Applying spelling rules and patterns
  5. Research and Presentation. Gathering information and presenting findings
  6. Oral Expression. Speaking clearly and confidently to a group

Mathematics

Operations, geometry, and mathematical reasoning with materials

  1. Long Multiplication. Multiplying multi-digit numbers with and without materials
  2. Long Division. Dividing multi-digit numbers with and without materials
  3. Fractions. Understanding, comparing, and operating on fractions
  4. Geometry. Exploring area, perimeter, angles, and geometric constructions
  5. Word Problems. Applying operations to real-world scenarios
  6. Golden Beads and Stamp Game. Understanding place value through concrete materials

Cultural Studies

History, geography, science, art, and music

  1. Timeline of Life. Studying the development of life on Earth
  2. Fundamental Needs of Humans. Understanding shelter, food, clothing, transportation across cultures
  3. Physical Geography. Understanding landforms, climate, and natural resources
  4. Biology. Classifying living things and understanding life cycles
  5. Physics and Chemistry. Exploring forces, energy, and states of matter
  6. Art and Music. Studying artistic techniques and music appreciation

Peace Education

Social-emotional development and conflict resolution

  1. Conflict Resolution. Using peace table and I-statements
  2. Empathy. Understanding and respecting the feelings of others
  3. Community Building. Contributing to classroom meetings and group decisions

Source: AMS curriculum.

Make an observation sheet

Curriculum
AMS curriculum · Lower elementary · Practical Life
P = PresentedPr = PracticingM = Mastered
Child's name
Time Management
Research Skills
Group Collaboration
Conflict Resolution
Community Service
Personal Organization
1
2
3
4
5
6