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Primary (3-6)

Primary Program (Ages 3–6)

At DCA Islamic Montessori, our Primary program offers a peaceful, mixed-age environment where children ages 3 to 6 learn side by side. Rooted in Montessori philosophy, this foundational stage fosters independence, collaboration, and joyful discovery—laying the groundwork for future academic and spiritual growth.

Younger children learn by observing their older peers, while older children develop leadership skills and empathy through purposeful mentoring. With hands-on experiences and personalized learning, every child builds confidence, curiosity, and a deep love of learning.

A Gentle Transition from Toddler to Primary

When children near the age of three, DCA guides their transition with care. Readiness is thoughtfully assessed in partnership between Toddler and Primary teachers, alongside school leadership. This intentional process ensures that each child enters the Primary classroom feeling secure, engaged, and ready to thrive.

Why Ages 3–6 Matter in Montessori

The Primary years are a time of extraordinary development. At DCA, we recognize that children shift from simply absorbing information to actively creating understanding.

  • Independence, movement, and purposeful work become core to learning.
  • The environment is designed for freedom with responsibility.
  • Children choose activities that align with their interests, all guided by experienced Montessori educators.
Mixed-Age Learning:

Year by Year

Year One  (Age 3):

Building Independence

Children begin with Practical Life activities—pouring, sweeping, baking, and caring for living things. These tasks:

  • Develop fine motor skills and concentration.
  • Foster emotional regulation and confidence.
  • Build language through natural conversation and social collaboration.
  • Teach responsibility and care for the community.

Sensorial materials introduce children to sorting, comparing, and early math and language exploration—all through play and discovery.

Year Two (Age 4):

Refining the Senses & Expanding Knowledge

This year emphasizes sensorial development and foundational academics:

  • Children explore qualities like shape, texture, and sound—building observation, vocabulary, and abstract thinking.
  • Phonetic games and storytelling connect sound to symbols, preparing for reading and writing.
  • Math materials like number rods and golden beads make abstract ideas tangible and exciting.
  • Geography, music, art, and nature studies spark curiosity and creativity.
Year Three (Kindergarten):

Mastery and Leadership

This is the year of blooming confidence and academic fluency:

  • Fluent reading and expressive writing emerge naturally.
  • Children grasp early operations and number systems with clarity and enthusiasm.
  • They become classroom leaders, modeling grace, respect, and collaboration.
  • Passion for learning is unmistakable—they are engaged because they choose to be.

This final Primary year sets the stage for lifelong learning, spiritual growth, and personal excellence.

—

Year Four :

A Gift of Time

Some children benefit from a fourth year in the Montessori Children’s House:

  • Ideal for children who joined later or need more time to thrive.
  • Offers deeper mastery, stronger friendships, and richer emotional resilience.
  • Children move to Elementary ready—not only with academic readiness, but with belief in themselves.

At DCA Islamic Montessori, we honor the pace of every child’s journey, ensuring each one grows with dignity, delight, and purpose.

Montessori Primary Curriculum

Primary Practical Life
In the Practical Life area of the classroom, children build the foundation for independence, confidence, and purposeful living. This essential component of the Montessori curriculum nurtures both fine and gross motor skills through meaningful, hands-on activities. Children learn self-care, care for their environment, food preparation, and the principles of grace and courtesy—all within an environment that encourages focus, responsibility, and inner discipline. Activities begin simply, with just a few steps, and grow in complexity as the child gains coordination, patience, and mastery. Practical Life isn’t just preparation for school—it’s preparation for life.
1st Year (3 Year Olds) 2nd Year (4 Year Olds) 3rd Year (5 Year Olds)
Fine & Gross Motor Coordination
  • Scooping, tonging, pouring, and tweezing with precision
  • Squeezing sponges and folding cloths to refine grip and coordination
  • Practicing handwashing to instill independence and self-care
Care of the Environment
  • Scrubbing tables and floors with focus and pride
  • Washing dishes and using a funnel and baster
  • Sweeping, dusting, and mopping with care
  • Watering and cleaning indoor plants to nurture responsibility
Developing Independence & Practical Skills
  • Beginning sewing activities to build patience and dexterity
  • Snapping, buttoning, zipping, and buckling clothing
  • Opening and closing various containers
  • Setting a table with care and attention
Graceful Presentation & Personal Responsibility
  • Polishing mirrors, wood, and shoes to encourage attention to detail
  • Preparing simple foods: slicing bananas, chopping celery, juicing oranges
  • Using tools like a mortar and pestle to explore textures and process
Food Prep & Daily Care
  • Confidently using a funnel and baster to transfer liquids
  • Washing, peeling, and chopping carrots
  • Peeling and slicing apples safely and skillfully
Daily Care
  • Washing linens with care and precision
  • Sewing buttons to develop fine motor control and patience
Fine Motor & Handwork
  • Completing advanced sewing projects with care and creativity
  • Tying shoelaces and braiding threads to build coordination
  • Lacing materials with precision and patience

Montessori Primary Curriculum

Primary Practical Life
In the Practical Life area of the classroom, children build the foundation for independence, confidence, and purposeful living. This essential component of the Montessori curriculum nurtures both fine and gross motor skills through meaningful, hands-on activities.

Children learn self-care, care for their environment, food preparation, and the principles of grace and courtesy—all within an environment that encourages focus, responsibility, and inner discipline. Activities begin simply, with just a few steps, and grow in complexity as the child gains coordination, patience, and mastery.

Practical Life isn’t just preparation for school—it’s preparation for life.
1st Year (3 Year Olds)
Fine & Gross Motor Coordination
  • Scooping, tonging, pouring, and tweezing with precision
  • Squeezing sponges and folding cloths to refine grip and coordination
  • Practicing handwashing to instill independence and self-care
Care of the Environment
  • Scrubbing tables and floors with focus and pride
  • Washing dishes and using a funnel and baster
  • Sweeping, dusting, and mopping with care
  • Watering and cleaning indoor plants to nurture responsibility
Developing Independence & Practical Skills
  • Beginning sewing activities to build patience and dexterity
  • Snapping, buttoning, zipping, and buckling clothing
  • Opening and closing various containers
  • Setting a table with care and attention
Graceful Presentation & Personal Responsibility
  • Polishing mirrors, wood, and shoes to encourage attention to detail
  • Preparing simple foods: slicing bananas, chopping celery, juicing oranges
  • Using tools like a mortar and pestle to explore textures and process
2nd Year (4 Year Olds)
Food Prep & Daily Care
  • Confidently using a funnel and baster to transfer liquids
  • Washing, peeling, and chopping carrots
  • Peeling and slicing apples safely and skillfully
Daily Care
  • Washing linens with care and precision
  • Sewing buttons to develop fine motor control and patience
3rd Year (5 Year Olds)
Fine Motor & Handwork
  • Completing advanced sewing projects with care and creativity
  • Tying shoelaces and braiding threads to build coordination
  • Lacing materials with precision and patience

Primary Sensorial

The sensorial materials help the child acquire the ability to make judgments, to compare and to discriminate on the basis of size, shape, color, weight, texture, temperature, smell, taste and sound. The sensorial apparatus also focuses on enrichment of the child’s vocabulary. In addition, these materials are designed to prepare the child indirectly for future learning, especially in the areas of art, language, and math.
1st Year (3 Year Olds) 2nd Year (4 Year Olds) 3rd Year (5 Year Olds)
Visual Discrimination & Sorting
  • Identifies and sorts objects by size, color, and form
  • Visually discriminates subtle differences in shapes and dimensions
  • Grades objects along a continuum (e.g., smallest to largest)
  • Recognizes and names primary and secondary colors
Pre-Writing & Fine Motor Development
  • Uses a pincher grasp to hold classroom materials with control
  • Traces shapes with fingers to build pre-writing readiness
  • Begins constructing complex shapes using basic geometric elements
Geometry & Spatial Awareness
  • Identifies and names basic geometric shapes (circle, square, triangle, etc.)
  • Names and explores geometric solids (cube, sphere, cone, etc.)
Sensorial Exploration
  • Matches and pairs objects by texture (rough/smooth, soft/hard)
  • Matches and pairs items by sound using Montessori sound cylinders
  • Plays a single tone on a bell by manipulating a bell striker with care
Visual & Geometric Exploration
  • Identifying tertiary colors and exploring subtle color shading
  • Recognizing and naming irregular geometric shapes
  • Naming complex geometric solids (e.g., ellipsoid, ovoid, triangular prism)
  • Matching geometric solids to their corresponding planes
Tactile & Sensory Refinement
  • Grading textures from roughest to smoothest
  • Matching and identifying basic tastes: sweet, salty, sour, and bitter
  • Matching and grading sound levels from loudest to softest
  • Pairing bell tones within the C–G musical range
  • Discriminating and pairing smells using natural scents
Stereognostic Development
  • Using only the sense of touch to explore unseen objects
  • Describing objects in detail using sensorial language—developing vocabulary, memory, and critical thinking
Musical Expression & Sound Discrimination
  • Accurately grades bell tones from C to G, developing refined auditory sensitivity
  • Begins music notation, reading rhythmic patterns, and composing simple melodies using Montessori bells

Primary Sensorial

The sensorial materials help the child acquire the ability to make judgments, to compare and to discriminate on the basis of size, shape, color, weight, texture, temperature, smell, taste and sound. The sensorial apparatus also focuses on enrichment of the child’s vocabulary. In addition, these materials are designed to prepare the child indirectly for future learning, especially in the areas of art, language, and math.
1st Year (3 Year Olds)
Visual Discrimination & Sorting
  • Identifies and sorts objects by size, color, and form
  • Visually discriminates subtle differences in shapes and dimensions
  • Grades objects along a continuum (e.g., smallest to largest)
  • Recognizes and names primary and secondary colors
Pre-Writing & Fine Motor Development
  • Uses a pincher grasp to hold classroom materials with control
  • Traces shapes with fingers to build pre-writing readiness
  • Begins constructing complex shapes using basic geometric elements
Geometry & Spatial Awareness
  • Identifies and names basic geometric shapes (circle, square, triangle, etc.)
  • Names and explores geometric solids (cube, sphere, cone, etc.)
Sensorial Exploration
  • Matches and pairs objects by texture (rough/smooth, soft/hard)
  • Matches and pairs items by sound using Montessori sound cylinders
  • Plays a single tone on a bell by manipulating a bell striker with care
2nd Year (4 Year Olds)
Visual & Geometric Exploration
  • Identifying tertiary colors and exploring subtle color shading
  • Recognizing and naming irregular geometric shapes
  • Naming complex geometric solids (e.g., ellipsoid, ovoid, triangular prism)
  • Matching geometric solids to their corresponding planes
Tactile & Sensory Refinement
  • Grading textures from roughest to smoothest
  • Matching and identifying basic tastes: sweet, salty, sour, and bitter
  • Matching and grading sound levels from loudest to softest
  • Pairing bell tones within the C–G musical range
  • Discriminating and pairing smells using natural scents
Stereognostic Development
  • Using only the sense of touch to explore unseen objects
  • Describing objects in detail using sensorial language—developing vocabulary, memory, and critical thinking
3rd Year (5 Year Olds)
Musical Expression & Sound Discrimination
  • Accurately grades bell tones from C to G, developing refined auditory sensitivity
  • Begins music notation, reading rhythmic patterns, and composing simple melodies using Montessori bells

Primary Math

The goal of the Montessori math curriculum is the acquisition of numerical concepts and the understanding of the processes involved in mathematical literacy. The math materials help establish a concept of numbers, logical thought processes, and problem solving skills. The child experiences, practices and perfects math skills through the use of organized, systematic, sequential exercises with concrete manipulative materials.
1st Year (3 Year Olds) 2nd Year (4 Year Olds) 3rd Year (5 Year Olds)
Early Quantitative Exploration
  • Sorts and arranges concrete materials in incremental lengths from 1 to 10
  • Begins hands-on counting using physical objects to practice 1–10
  • Introduced to the concept and symbols of numerals 1–10
Numeral Recognition & Tracing
  • Traces sandpaper numerals 1–10 to strengthen fine motor control and memory
  • Orders numerals 1–10 sequentially, reinforcing numerical patterns
  • Matches quantities to numerals with one-to-one correspondence
Introduction to the Decimal System
  • Explores place value using golden bead materials representing 1, 10, 100, and 1,000
  • Begins to understand the structure of the base-10 system in a concrete, visual way
Early Operations & Conceptual Thinking
  • Performs addition and subtraction with numerals 1–10 using concrete, sensorial materials
  • Records operations independently, strengthening numeracy and focus
  • Explores foundational math concepts such as sets, zero, odd and even numbers, equivalencies, greater than/less than, and combinations of 10
Expanding Numeracy
  • Counts, identifies, associates, and constructs numbers 11–19 using bead bars and other manipulatives
  • Practices writing numerals 1–19 with confidence and increasing precision
Decimal System Foundations
  • Recognizes and orders Montessori golden bead materials representing 1s, 10s, 100s, and 1,000s
  • Builds and composes numbers using the decimal system to grasp place value and base-10 structure
Operational Mastery
  • Performs addition and subtraction with numerals 11 and up using tactile materials
  • Accurately records equations and develops mathematical reasoning
  • Begins multiplication and division sensorially, laying the groundwork for abstract understanding
Number Sense & Written Numeracy
  • Writes numerals confidently from 1 to 100
  • Practices linear counting and labeling through engaging skip-counting activities
  • Explores square and cube numbers (1–10) using visual and physical materials
Decimal System & Place Value
  • Constructs and deconstructs numbers using decimal system materials (units, tens, hundreds, thousands)
  • Performs static and dynamic operations—including borrowing and carrying—with Montessori golden beads
Everyday Math Awareness
  • Recognizes and names coins such as the penny, nickel, and dime
  • Becomes familiar with reading time to the hour and half hour

Primary Math

The goal of the Montessori math curriculum is the acquisition of numerical concepts and the understanding of the processes involved in mathematical literacy. The math materials help establish a concept of numbers, logical thought processes, and problem solving skills. The child experiences, practices and perfects math skills through the use of organized, systematic, sequential exercises with concrete manipulative materials.
1st Year (3 Year Olds)
Early Quantitative Exploration
  • Sorts and arranges concrete materials in incremental lengths from 1 to 10
  • Begins hands-on counting using physical objects to practice 1–10
  • Introduced to the concept and symbols of numerals 1–10
Numeral Recognition & Tracing
  • Traces sandpaper numerals 1–10 to strengthen fine motor control and memory
  • Orders numerals 1–10 sequentially, reinforcing numerical patterns
  • Matches quantities to numerals with one-to-one correspondence
Introduction to the Decimal System
  • Explores place value using golden bead materials representing 1, 10, 100, and 1,000
  • Begins to understand the structure of the base-10 system in a concrete, visual way
2nd Year (4 Year Olds)
Early Operations & Conceptual Thinking
  • Performs addition and subtraction with numerals 1–10 using concrete, sensorial materials
  • Records operations independently, strengthening numeracy and focus
  • Explores foundational math concepts such as sets, zero, odd and even numbers, equivalencies, greater than/less than, and combinations of 10
Expanding Numeracy
  • Counts, identifies, associates, and constructs numbers 11–19 using bead bars and other manipulatives
  • Practices writing numerals 1–19 with confidence and increasing precision
Decimal System Foundations
  • Recognizes and orders Montessori golden bead materials representing 1s, 10s, 100s, and 1,000s
  • Builds and composes numbers using the decimal system to grasp place value and base-10 structure
3rd Year (5 Year Olds)
Operational Mastery
  • Performs addition and subtraction with numerals 11 and up using tactile materials
  • Accurately records equations and develops mathematical reasoning
  • Begins multiplication and division sensorially, laying the groundwork for abstract understanding
Number Sense & Written Numeracy
  • Writes numerals confidently from 1 to 100
  • Practices linear counting and labeling through engaging skip-counting activities
  • Explores square and cube numbers (1–10) using visual and physical materials
Decimal System & Place Value
  • Constructs and deconstructs numbers using decimal system materials (units, tens, hundreds, thousands)
  • Performs static and dynamic operations—including borrowing and carrying—with Montessori golden beads
Everyday Math Awareness
  • Recognizes and names coins such as the penny, nickel, and dime
  • Becomes familiar with reading time to the hour and half hour

Primary Language

The language materials enable children to build oral and written language skills. The children learn phonics with visual/tactile/auditory experiences. With their knowledge of sounds, they move on to learning sight words, phonograms and grammar. The materials are designed to stimulate their interest and reinforce their sense of accomplishment.
1st Year (3 Year Olds) 2nd Year (4 Year Olds) 3rd Year (5 Year Olds)
Pre-Language & Cognitive Readiness
  • Exploring patterning, spatial relationships, and manipulative materials
  • Matching and sequencing images to build comprehension
Oral Language Development
  • Expanding vocabulary through guided nomenclature lessons
  • Encouraged to speak in complete sentences with correct enunciation
  • Gaining confidence through early oral presentations in small group settings
Symbol Recognition & Phonemic Awareness
  • Tracing sandpaper letters to introduce sounds and symbols
  • Recognizing and identifying their own names
  • Isolating initial sounds in words
Fine Motor Skill Integration
  • Using purposeful tools and activities for writing readiness
🗨️ Oral & Vocabulary Enrichment
  • Expanded vocabulary through intentional language use
  • Oral presentations in small-group settings
  • Picture labeling and word-object association
  • Sequencing images and storytelling
✍️ Writing & Symbol Mastery
  • Fine motor development through materials
  • Work with sounds and letter symbols
  • Writing letters, names, and words with fluency
  • Isolating beginning, middle, and ending sounds
📚 Foundational Reading Skills
  • Building short vowel and phonetic words
  • Reading phonetic words and high-frequency sight words
  • Engaging with early readers using visual/contextual clues
  • Reading Montessori phonetic readers for fluency
Reading & Vocabulary Expansion
  • Advanced Montessori nomenclature across subjects
  • Reading aloud and participating in group discussions
  • Reading phonetic words with plurals, long vowels, phonograms
  • Reading phonetic/long vowel books with blends and sight words
Writing Fluency & Sentence Composition
  • Perfecting handwriting for clarity
  • Writing sentences with correct structure and spacing
  • Constructing words with plurals, phonograms, long vowels
  • Writing from dictation and creative expression
Language Structure & Alphabet Mastery
  • Learning functions of words (noun, verb, adjective)
  • Naming letters and alphabetizing familiar words

Primary Language

The language materials enable children to build oral and written language skills. The children learn phonics with visual/tactile/auditory experiences. With their knowledge of sounds, they move on to learning sight words, phonograms and grammar. The materials are designed to stimulate their interest and reinforce their sense of accomplishment.
1st Year (3 Year Olds)
Pre-Language & Cognitive Readiness
  • Exploring patterning, spatial relationships, and manipulative materials to support early logic and language connections
  • Matching and sequencing images to build comprehension and order recognition
Oral Language Development
  • Expanding vocabulary through guided nomenclature lessons
  • Encouraged to speak in complete sentences with correct enunciation
  • Gaining confidence through early oral presentations in small group settings
Symbol Recognition & Phonemic Awareness
  • Tracing sandpaper letters to introduce sounds and alphabet symbols
  • Recognizing and identifying their own names
  • Isolating initial sounds in words to support early reading skills
Fine Motor Skill Integration
  • Using purposeful tools and activities that support coordination for writing readiness
2nd Year (4 Year Olds)
🗨️ Oral & Vocabulary Enrichment
  • Expanded vocabulary development through rich, intentional language use
  • Confident oral presentations in small-group settings
  • Picture labeling and matching activities to reinforce word-object association
  • Sequencing images and storytelling to foster narrative thinking
✍️ Writing & Symbol Mastery
  • Continued development of fine motor control through purposeful materials
  • Ongoing work with sounds and letter symbols
  • Writing letters, names, and emerging words with growing fluency
  • Isolating beginning, middle, and ending sounds in spoken words
📚 Foundational Reading Skills
  • Constructing short vowel and phonetic words using hands-on manipulatives
  • Reading phonetic words, rhyming word families, and high-frequency sight words
  • Engaging with early readers using visual and contextual clues
  • Reading Montessori phonetic readers to build fluency and confidence
3rd Year (5 Year Olds)
Reading & Vocabulary Expansion
  • Learning advanced Montessori nomenclature across multiple content areas
  • Reading aloud to peers and participating in group discussions to build fluency and confidence
  • Reading increasingly complex phonetic words—featuring plurals, long vowels, and phonograms
  • Engaging with both phonetic readers and books containing long vowel sounds, blends, and sight words
Writing Fluency & Sentence Composition
  • Perfecting handwriting skills for clarity and control
  • Writing full sentences with correct structure and spacing
  • Constructing words with mixed short vowels, plurals, phonograms, and long vowels
  • Writing words from dictation and expressing ideas through creative writing
Language Structure & Alphabet Mastery
  • Learning the functions of words (e.g., noun, verb, adjective) to support grammar awareness
  • Naming letters accurately and alphabetizing familiar words

Primary Cultural Studies

The Cultural area in the Montessori classroom helps put the child in touch with the world around him. The child is exposed to nature, geography, properties of the earth, geology, botany, zoology, anatomy, and various cultures. Through exploration of these materials the child begins to understand his special place in the universe.
Geography
1st Year (3 Year Olds) 2nd Year (4 Year Olds) 3rd Year (5 Year Olds)
Foundations of Earth & Space
  • Distinguishes between land, air, and water using sensorial materials
  • Recognizes differences between continents and oceans
Global Identification & Symbols
  • Names the seven continents
  • Identifies basic land and water forms (e.g., island, lake, peninsula, gulf)
  • Matches national flags to their corresponding countries
Expanding Understanding of People & Places
  • Distinguishes between countries, states, and territories
  • Names selected countries, U.S. states, and geographical territories
  • Defines and identifies land and water forms with accuracy and detail
  • Names and matches flags of various countries
  • Explores cultures and the universal needs of humanity (e.g., food, shelter, clothing, transportation, community)
Botany and Zoology
1st Year (3 Year Olds) 2nd Year (4 Year Olds) 3rd Year (5 Year Olds)
Introduction to Living Things
  • Recognizes the difference between living and non-living elements
  • Identifies similarities and differences between plants and animals
  • Begins distinguishing between vertebrates and invertebrates
  • Introduced to the five classes of vertebrate animals
  • Matches external body parts of vertebrates using puzzle materials
  • Matches parts of the tree, leaf, and flower
  • Matches and names a variety of leaf shapes
Naming & Classification
  • Identifies and names parts of vertebrate animals
  • Names the parts of a tree, leaf, and flower with greater detail
  • Names basic external parts of the human body
Scientific Definition & Comparison
  • Defines and compares anatomical parts of the five vertebrate groups
  • Accurately defines the parts of a tree, leaf, and flower
  • Expands vocabulary of leaf shapes through classification
Primary Art
The Art area in the Montessori classroom is set up to help encourage observation, creativity and experimentation using different art media.
1st Year (3 Year Olds) 2nd Year (4 Year Olds) 3rd Year (5 Year Olds)
Creative Expression & Fine Motor Skills
  • Snip with scissors to develop hand strength and control
  • Use large paint brushes to explore a variety of artistic media
  • Shape and mold clay to enhance tactile awareness
  • Use chalk, crayons, markers, and pencils to refine grip
  • Use perforators to build precision and dexterity
  • Confidently cut with scissors to build hand strength
  • Use small paint brushes to explore texture and control
  • Sculpt and build with clay, developing imagination
  • Work within boundaries using multiple art tools
  • Cut along complex patterns with precision
  • Create realistic forms from observation and imagination
  • Work confidently with media: paint, clay, fabric, pastels, etc.

Primary Cultural Studies

The Cultural area in the Montessori classroom helps put the child in touch with the world around him. The child is exposed to nature, geography, properties of the earth, geology, botany, zoology, anatomy, and various cultures. Through exploration of these materials the child begins to understand his special place in the universe.
Geography
1st Year (3 Year Olds)
Foundations of Earth & Space
  • Distinguishes between land, air, and water using sensorial materials
  • Recognizes differences between continents and oceans
2nd Year (4 Year Olds)
Global Identification & Symbols
  • Names the seven continents
  • Identifies basic land and water forms (e.g., island, lake, peninsula, gulf)
  • Matches national flags to their corresponding countries
3rd Year (5 Year Olds)
Expanding Understanding of People & Places
  • Distinguishes between countries, states, and territories
  • Names selected countries, U.S. states, and geographical territories
  • Defines and identifies land and water forms with accuracy and detail
  • Names and matches flags of various countries
  • Explores cultures around the world and learns about the universal needs of humanity (e.g., food, shelter, clothing, transportation, and community)
Botany and Zoology
1st Year (3 Year Olds)
Introduction to Living Things
  • Recognizes the difference between living and non-living elements
  • Identifies similarities and differences between plants and animals
  • Begins distinguishing between vertebrates and invertebrates
  • Introduced to the five classes of vertebrate animals (fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals)
  • Matches external body parts of vertebrates using puzzle materials
  • Matches parts of the tree, leaf, and flower
  • Matches and names a variety of leaf shapes
2nd Year (4 Year Olds)
Naming & Classification
  • Identifies and names parts of vertebrate animals: fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals
  • Names the parts of a tree, leaf, and flower with greater detail
  • Names basic external parts of the human body
3rd Year (5 Year Olds)
Scientific Definition & Comparison
  • Defines and compares the anatomical parts and differences among the five vertebrate groups
  • Accurately defines the parts of a tree, leaf, and flower
  • Expands vocabulary of leaf shapes through classification activities
Primary Art
The Art area in the Montessori classroom is set up to help encourage observation, creativity and experimentation using different art media.
1st Year (3 Year Olds)
Creative Expression & Fine Motor Skills
  • Snip with scissors to develop hand strength and control
  • Use large paint brushes to explore a variety of artistic media
  • Shape and mold clay, enhancing tactile awareness and imagination
  • Work with chalk, crayons, markers, and pencils to refine grip and artistic detail
  • Use perforators to build precision, concentration, and manual dexterity
2nd Year (4 Year Olds)
  • Confidently cut with scissors to build precision and hand strength
  • Use small paint brushes to explore texture, control, and composition
  • Sculpt and build with clay, developing spatial awareness and imagination
  • Work within boundaries using chalk, crayons, markers, and pencils—strengthening grip and artistic intent
3rd Year (5 Year Olds)
  • Cut with precision along lines, extending their skills to more complex patterns and projects
  • Create realistic forms in art—drawing from observation and imagination
  • Work confidently across a wide variety of media, including paint, clay, fabric, pastels, and more