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Montessori Elementary Program (Ages 6–12)

Montessori Elementary Program (Ages 6–12)

At DCA Islamic Montessori School, our Elementary program nurtures confident, compassionate learners through an individually paced curriculum that promotes academic excellence while supporting each child’s emotional and spiritual well-being. Rooted in Montessori philosophy, children are empowered to take ownership of their learning in a peaceful, respectful community where they feel valued and understood.

Students develop the skills to ask thoughtful questions, think critically, and engage deeply with their world. Learning is hands-on and purposeful, supporting the child’s cognitive, social, emotional, and spiritual growth during these transformative years.

The Second Plane of Development (Ages 6–9)

Children in this stage are curious, imaginative, and eager to explore beyond their immediate environment. At this age, they:

  • Constantly ask “why?” and exhibit deep reasoning abilities.
  • Seek increasing independence and personal responsibility.
  • Begin to look outward, engaging with broader society and global ideas.
  • Value friendships and often build strong peer relationships.
  • Develop unique forms of communication, including secret languages.
  • Embrace adventure and sometimes show daring behavior.
  • May become less tidy with personal belongings as their interests expand.
  • Show heightened sensitivity to morality, justice, and fairness.
  • Admire role models and often look for heroes to emulate.
  • Possess tremendous intellectual potential and creative imagination.
Our Elementary Learning Environment

Our Montessori Elementary classroom is a peaceful, organized space designed to inspire focus, independence, and collaboration. Children work individually or in small groups—at tables or on floor mats—surrounded by materials that spark curiosity and purpose.

  • Soft colors, natural lighting, and clean design cultivate calm.
  • Materials are accessible and thoughtfully arranged to promote autonomy.
  • The environment models harmony, order, and intention.
Practical Life

At the Elementary level, Practical Life expands beyond self-care. Students learn to:

  • Manage their time effectively.
  • Take responsibility for tasks that benefit the community.
  • Engage with the wider world through purposeful activity.
Math

Children explore mathematical concepts at their own pace using concrete materials:

  • Build foundational skills in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
  • Discover abstract concepts through tactile exploration and practice.
  • Advance confidently into higher-level math as their understanding deepens.
Language

Language is woven throughout all subjects:

  • Children read, write, and present to express their ideas and engage with topics.
  • Grammar, spelling, and writing mechanics are studied in depth.
  • Thoughtful penmanship and keyboarding support clear communication.
  • Literature analysis fosters critical thinking and personal reflection.
Cultural & Scientific Studies

Interdisciplinary cultural lessons introduce children to the interconnectedness of life:

  • Zoology, botany, geography, geology, anthropology, and physical sciences are explored through hands-on discovery.
  • History and global studies foster citizenship, peace, and justice.
  • Children reflect on humanity’s shared journey through the Great Lessons—dramatic, inspiring stories of the universe and civilization.

At DCA Islamic Montessori, we honor each child’s unique journey and nurture the gifts they carry into the world. Our Elementary program is designed to cultivate strong minds, kind hearts, and a love for lifelong learning.

SYLLABUS ACTIVITIES
Phonemic Awareness and Reading
  • Foster reading fluency through Montessori phonics materials, gradually transitioning students from simple decodable readers to increasingly complex texts.
  • Introduce foundational reading comprehension strategies, including summarizing, sequencing, and identifying main ideas, to deepen understanding and support independent thinking.
Writing
  • Begin with simple sentence structures and gradually transition to more complex paragraph development. 
  • Concentrate on grammar instruction—covering nouns, verbs, adjectives, and articles—supported by Montessori Grammar Symbols.”
Spelling and Vocabulary
  • Use Montessori spelling and word study lessons, focusing on phonograms, word families, and compound words. 
  • Utilize Montessori spelling and word study techniques to build foundational reading and writing proficiency. 
  • Emphasize the study of phonograms, word families, and compound words to foster pattern recognition and language fluency.
Cursive Writing
  • Begin cursive handwriting instruction.
  • Transition to the written word exercises to develop consistent flow, spacing, and legibility.q
SYLLABUS: Phonemic Awareness and Reading
  • Foster reading fluency through Montessori phonics materials, gradually transitioning students from simple decodable readers to increasingly complex texts.
  • Introduce foundational reading comprehension strategies, including summarizing, sequencing, and identifying main ideas, to deepen understanding and support independent thinking.
SYLLABUS: Writing
  • Begin with simple sentence structures and gradually transition to more complex paragraph development.
  • Concentrate on grammar instruction—covering nouns, verbs, adjectives, and articles—supported by Montessori Grammar Symbols.
SYLLABUS: Spelling and Vocabulary
  • Use Montessori spelling and word study lessons, focusing on phonograms, word families, and compound words.
  • Utilize Montessori spelling and word study techniques to build foundational reading and writing proficiency.
  • Emphasize the study of phonograms, word families, and compound words to foster pattern recognition and language fluency.
SYLLABUS: Cursive Writing
  • Begin cursive handwriting instruction.
  • Transition to the written word exercises to develop consistent flow, spacing, and legibility.
Number Sense and Place Value
  • Introduce the Montessori Golden Bead Material to develop an understanding of place value (units, tens, hundreds, thousands).
  • Use the Stamp Game and Bead Bars to reinforce basic operations: addition, subtraction, and early concepts of multiplication and division.
Introduction to Geometry
  • Learn about basic geometric shapes, congruence, similarity, and equivalence using Montessori geometry materials like Geometric Solids and Metal Insets.
Fractions and Decimals
  • Introduce fractions using fraction circles, explore simple equivalence, and practice basic operations with fractions.
Multiplication and Division
  • Practice long multiplication and division using the Checkerboard and Division Board materials. 
  • Introduce abstract operations as students gain more independence.
SYLLABUS: Number Sense and Place Value
  • Introduce the Montessori Golden Bead Material to develop an understanding of place value (units, tens, hundreds, thousands).
  • Use the Stamp Game and Bead Bars to reinforce basic operations: addition, subtraction, and early concepts of multiplication and division.
SYLLABUS: Introduction to Geometry
  • Learn about basic geometric shapes, congruence, similarity, and equivalence using Montessori geometry materials like Geometric Solids and Metal Insets.
SYLLABUS: Fractions and Decimals
  • Introduce fractions using fraction circles, explore simple equivalence, and practice basic operations with fractions.
SYLLABUS: Multiplication and Division
  • Practice long multiplication and division using the Checkerboard and Division Board materials.
  • Introduce abstract operations as students gain more independence.
Physical Science
  • Explore simple machines (lever, pulley, inclined plane) and how they are used. 
  • Learn about the three states of matter, magnetism, and basic electricity.
Biology
  • Start by exploring the basic needs of living organisms (food, shelter, reproduction) with classification cards. 
  • Study the plant and animal kingdoms, learn about vertebrates and invertebrates, life cycles, and habitats.
Earth Science
  • Learn about weather, seasons, landforms, and basic astronomy, including the solar system.
Physics and Chemistry
  • Explore more advanced physical science topics like energy, force, motion, and introductory chemistry.
Biology
  • Learn about human anatomy and systems (digestive, circulatory, respiratory). 
  • Explore ecosystems, biodiversity, and environmental science, focusing on classification (kingdoms, phyla, species).
SYLLABUS: Physical Science
  • Explore simple machines (lever, pulley, inclined plane) and how they are used.
  • Learn about the three states of matter, magnetism, and basic electricity.
SYLLABUS: Biology
  • Start by exploring the basic needs of living organisms (food, shelter, reproduction) with classification cards.
  • Study the plant and animal kingdoms, learn about vertebrates and invertebrates, life cycles, and habitats.
SYLLABUS: Earth Science
  • Learn about weather, seasons, landforms, and basic astronomy, including the solar system.
SYLLABUS: Physics and Chemistry
  • Explore more advanced physical science topics like energy, force, motion, and introductory chemistry.
SYLLABUS: Biology (Advanced)
  • Learn about human anatomy and systems (digestive, circulatory, respiratory).
  • Explore ecosystems, biodiversity, and environmental science, focusing on classification (kingdoms, phyla, species).
Cultural Geography
  • Start with the Montessori ‘Great Lessons’ that tell the story of the universe, the arrival of life, and human needs. 
  • Discover continents, countries, and cultures through Montessori puzzle maps and continent studies.
History
  • Through Montessori historical timelines, discover ancient civilizations, the timeline of life on Earth, and the development of early human societies.
SYLLABUS: Cultural Geography
  • Start with the Montessori ‘Great Lessons’ that tell the story of the universe, the arrival of life, and human needs.
  • Discover continents, countries, and cultures through Montessori puzzle maps and continent studies.
SYLLABUS: History
  • Through Montessori historical timelines, discover ancient civilizations, the timeline of life on Earth, and the development of early human societies.
Everyday Life
  • Focus on caring for yourself, others, and the environment. Learn basic cooking, gardening, and household skills. Practice grace and courtesy to build social skills, empathy, and conflict resolution.
Independence and Leadership
  • Participate in community service, classroom management, and real-life problem-solving projects. 
  • Organize and lead activities while developing time management and self-directed learning skills.
SYLLABUS: Everyday Life
  • Focus on caring for yourself, others, and the environment. Learn basic cooking, gardening, and household skills. Practice grace and courtesy to build social skills, empathy, and conflict resolution.
SYLLABUS: Independence and Leadership
  • Participate in community service, classroom management, and real-life problem-solving projects.
  • Organize and lead activities while developing time management and self-directed learning skills.
Movement and Coordination
  • Develop motor skills, coordination, and teamwork through activities such as yoga, dance, running, and cooperative games.
Health Education
  • Introduce basic concepts of nutrition, body systems, and the importance of physical exercise.
SYLLABUS: Movement and Coordination
  • Develop motor skills, coordination, and teamwork through activities such as yoga, dance, running, and cooperative games.
SYLLABUS: Health Education
  • Introduce basic concepts of nutrition, body systems, and the importance of physical exercise.
                         Art                     
  • Explore basic art techniques like drawing, painting, and sculpting. Learn about colors, shapes, and art from different cultures.
SYLLABUS: Art
  • Explore basic art techniques like drawing, painting, and sculpting. Learn about colors, shapes, and art from different cultures.