Did you know...

1. that the Montessori Method is named after its founder Dr. Maria Montessori, who developed the materials and theory used in the classroom today.

2. that the American Montessori Society (AMS) is the largest Montessori organization in the United States, and is the organization with which South Land Park Montessori School has been affiliated, since 1980.

3. that the Montessori curriculum is a three year cycle. This reinforces topics which go into greater depths every three years.

4. that your child will change, for better or worse, with each stage of development (3-6, 6-9, 9-12, 12-15) and we adjust our program to fit each of these needs.

5. that the adolescents are part of GLOBE, a worldwide program which does scientific studies. Our students are currently taking readings on the hydrology and atmosphere of Sacramento.

6. that the Adolescent class has entered a project for the GLOBE Convention to be held in Finland this summer. They have received alternate status for the project, which will compare the quality of the Sacramento River water here with that of Sacramento River water throughout the state.

7. that the adolescents learn to trust and rely on each other through programs such as the ROPES course and Heroic Journey.

8. that the students are helped through conflict resolutions so that they may become more responsible for their own actions.

9. that the adolescents do survival camping as the final transition to the camping experiences of the school.

10. that the adolescents participate in community service projects by giving a week of their time to such organizations as the Sacramento Food Bank.

11. that the adolescents learn about business by working in "the real world" for a week each spring semester. They have worked at such places as KWOD, Leukemia Society, Pocket Security, Leatherby's, Land Park Pets, Capital Nursery, and the Sacramento Zoo.

12. that we take the students on fun and educational field trips monthly.

13. that we teach not only using the Montessori Methods, but also integrating the Frames of Mind of Howard Gardiner.

14. that the adolescents study great literature in an expanded format of Great Books. Some of the books studied in the past few years have been: Of Mice and Men, Mists of Avalon, Twelfth Night, Flowers for Algernon, The Hobbit, and The ABC Murders.

15. that a spring trip to see places of educational value as well as fun is offered to the students each year. Some of the past destinations have been: Washington, DC, Boston, Hawaii, Grand Canyon, Southern Utah, and British Columbia.

16. that adolescents have mentors who can be talked to and confided in. The adolescents feel they are worthwhile and useful participants in our community and the world.

17. that our Christmas Craft Faire not only teaches children crafting skills, but also helps the students be creative, teaches them the value of labor and market economics, and the concept of handling money. As an added benefit, it provides them with holiday spending cash and handmade gifts for family and friends. It also provides an opportunity for the young children to spend some quality time doing these crafts with their parents.

18. that our students as young as first grade know their way around a kitchen and can cook as a group, thanks to luncheons and Continent Party preparations. In addition, even our pre-schoolers have basic kitchen skills, including cutting and cleaning up.

19. that cooking and other practical life activities are an integral part of the curriculum at all levels.

20. that students in first through fifth grade are being introduced to concepts of Fractions and Geometry - and liking it! This is a continuation of the basic introduction in pre-school.

21. that the adolescents intern in other classrooms, giving them an opportunity to peer teach, while showing the younger students that it can be "cool" to know things.

22. that each student from third grade and up has a personal planner in which to write down assignments and practice time management skills.

23. that we sing songs or read stories at the end of each day.

24. that we participate in the Sacramento Bee's "Newspapers In Education" program to promote literacy and understanding of contemporary issues through using the newspaper.

25. that while our program helps the children develop the skills they need for reading, math operations, spelling, and so on, it also provides a homely atmosphere to be themselves.

26. that the Historical and International Children's Day, which is our version of Halloween, familiarizes the children with other nationalities. The Historical Day for the Elementary classes help the children study about famous people from history. This is both a fun and educational event.

27. that all the classes from K-8th grade participate in Continent parties. The children study a continent and each class picks a country to study in more detail. From these events, the children learn to appreciate other cultures and their foods.

28. that preparation of food for Continent parties, Thanksgiving luncheons, and weekly elementary lunches, in Pre-school and upper Elementary classes, are done by the students. This is really a continuation of the exercises of practical life the children do in the Pre-school.

29. that in Montessori language, a Montessori school is called "House of Children." When a child enters Pre-school, it becomes his/her second home. Practical Life exercises are the familiar activities the child has seen his parents do in his home environment. These activities help the child bond with school at first. At the early stages the child does these exercises to satisfy his inner urge to do things rather than to accomplish a task. Cutting vegetables, cooking, setting tables, and many other activities the child does in the Elementary school are done to accomplish a task and enjoy their work.

30. that we use Mortensen as a supplemental material to teach math. Even the kindergartners are being exposed to calculus, measurement, problem solving, and algebra. The workbooks that are used with the materials are very popular among the students. This material makes learning all the concepts of math operations fun and easy.

31. that your child has learned his first language by the age of two. He learned it himself using his sense of hearing. In a Montessori environment, children generally learn to read and write this first language by the end of their first sensitive period, which is from birth to 6 years.

32. that each child has a monthly job in the classroom. Their responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following tasks: zoologist, botanist, meteorologist, historian, meeting facilitator, clean-up crew, librarian, helper, and so on. We rotate these roles, so everyone in the class gets the opportunity to perform all of these duties, which teach them responsibility. The students in all classrooms are in charge of caring for their environment. Most students take this very seriously.

33. that our morning meetings help our Elementary students speak in front of the class, by giving news stories, reports on the weather, the condition of the classroom and its pets, etc.. We start this type of morning meeting with the K-1 class. Through tasks performed at each morning meeting, the students learn the basics of public speaking. Later in life, the children do not fear public speaking.

34. that the Star Party we have every year gives an opportunity for the children to learn about our Solar System and it also helps the new students and their parents get acquainted with the staff members.

35. that each child is given the chance to advance at his own pace.

36. that the school provides a multi-cultural environment through students of various ethnic backgrounds. The classes are well blended with many ethnic groups. Everyone feels welcome whether in Pre-school or 8th grade.

37. that children are taught sharing, caring, and social interaction.

38. that parents get immediate feed back from the teacher.

39. that children receive positive reinforcement.

40. that children are taught that every action has a consequence, whether good or bad.

41. that each child is given a chance at the school.

42. that mixed aged classrooms promote peer teaching and peer learning.

43. that each week during Sport Term the K/6-9 students receive two hours of Physical Education, and the 9-12/Adolescent students receive three hours. The students' activities rotate each season, offering them a variety of strength and agility building skills as well as balance and perceptual motor development. The activities also include dance for the 9-12/Adolescent students.

44. that the students are involved in a spring faire each May. The faires rotate on a three year cycle: Art/Drama, International, and Science.

45. that the materials in a Montessori classroom build upon one another to further introduce the child to a concept, and to reinforce concepts that have already been learned and mastered.

46. that the addolescents participate in a hand bell choir which puts on at least two performances each year.

47. that our upper elementary and adolescent students take part in ATS, an advanced learning program at Sac State, each summer.

48. that every student that has completed our elementary program has been accepted to the High School of their choice.

49. that all of our graduates have gone on to achieve tremendous academic success at their own particular level of capability.

50. that there is a purpose and philosophy behind everything we do at each of our events. The underlying reason is for the benefit of the child.

51. that there are sensitive periods for just about everything presented. These periods dictate sequence and many times do not agree with other educational methods. However, we have 1,947 school days to accomplish all of this. Please give your child the time, space, discipline, and encouragement to make it work.

52. that we have a home page on the internet: http://www.slpms.room.net