Our Classes
CHRISTIAN MONTESSORI EDUCATION
CHRISTIAN MONTESSORI EDUCATION
We offer four main educational programs and before/after school care to meet your family’s needs.
Toddler I – Toddler II – Preparatory– Kindergarten
The Montessori Method is an approach to education that embraces each child’s natural desire to learn and honors the need for independence and self-sufficiency. It utilizes the way children individually learn best in a hands-on, concrete manner using all of their senses. The teacher, as a guide, constantly presents new areas of discovery in a sequential, orderly fashion.
The academic curriculum revolves around classic Montessori philosophy and materials with an emphasis on learning about the world around us. It prepares the students to make wise choices and adjustments to life’s challenges, helps them develop a broader knowledge base, and emphasizes reading through phonics, writing, and mathematics. Many opportunities for exploring other areas of study and for continuing the process of discovery learning are provided each day.
Dr. Montessori and other researchers have emphasized the importance of the periods of the child’s natural sensitivity to specific skill-building tasks. The Montessori environment allows the child the freedom to follow his or her own natural desire to learn in areas of his or her own interest and curiosity.
As the child is guided in the correct use of materials, the child becomes increasingly independent. Each student learns how to order themselves, which leads to self-discipline and respect within the class.
All of our Montessori classrooms contain the following categories of curriculum:
Practical Life
The aim of practical life lessons is to assist the child’s development in those areas that involve important life skills. Generally the activities of practical life revolve around four areas: Caring for the Self, Caring for the Environment, Grace & Courtesy and Movement of Objects.
As the children do activities, the focus is on the process rather the end result. Those activities involve manipulative skills such as cutting, fastening, pouring, opening containers or carrying trays. They also learn to care for the environment through sweeping, dusting, dish washing and gardening. All of these skills assist in the development of fine motor coordination, which directly affects writing. Practical life skills also build your child’s self-esteem and independence.
Language
Language is woven throughout the entire curriculum and is an aid to the growth and development of the whole child. Language is the main door to all other subjects.
We use language for two basic functions: to help us communicate with one another and to provide a system to aid our thinking process. We begin with the prerequisite skills required for reading and writing. We want children to love and enjoy books while being able to use language to share. Each child gains an understanding that printed word has meaning.
MES has an extensive phonics and creative writing curriculum that is individually taught to each child. We also work to help children develop control over their bodies, particularly the hands, which are used for writing.
Godly Play & Chapel
At Montessori Episcopal School, we are committed to helping children grow in body, mind and spirit. Children are naturally open to a joyful and moving connection to the presence of God. We model faith and prayer as support for each child’s growth and understanding.
Godly Play is an approach to religious exploration and contemplation for children. The invitation to come and play is based on what Jesus said about welcoming children and becoming like them. It is a way to know God and to enter God’s Kingdom. It is deeply rooted in the Bible, the liturgy of the Church and the educational principles of Maria Montessori.
Teachers present lessons by sharing concrete materials based on the Bible stories. The children are then given the opportunity to work with the materials and learn to tell the story themselves. Through these lessons and experiences, we hope to create the opportunity for the child to fall in love with God and experience His love as generously as possible.
Our 3s, 4s, and Kindergarten age children also attend weekly chapel at the Church of the Annunciation. Chapel service is simple and designed for the children. The service consists of singing, praying, listening to a Bible story and reciting the Lord’s Prayer together.
Music
Weekly Music classes teach the beginnings of music appreciation and a love of all things musical. Our music program includes singing, creative movement and the study of musical instruments. Our students also learn songs for Chapel and prepare for musical programs that happen throughout the year.
Library
Montessori Episcopal is proud of its lending library with over 8,000 books. Students visit the library once a week and are allowed to browse the various sections of the library. All materials have been carefully selected with children in mind. Students are permitted to check out two books on whatever topic interests them and family members are encouraged to read, discuss and look at the pictures with their child.
Students who have mastered their phonics lessons and are reading in the classroom are assisted with choosing books on their reading level. Through this library program, students are exposed to a variety of excellent children’s literature which aids in developing a lifelong love of books and reading.
Sensorial
The aim of sensorial is to give the child a precise, ordered environment through exploration and discovery. As soon as you enter a Montessori classroom, you’ll feel how it’s different from traditional classrooms. Most of these materials are colorful and entice the child to explore them.
They consist of a set of objects that, when experienced together, aids the child’s understand of a particular concept. Each of these works is self-correcting, helping the child feel a great sense of accomplishment when the activity is complete. The sensorial materials build the child’s skill in perception, classification, and organization. These works lay the foundation for mathematics.
Mathematics
If a child has early, hands-on access to specialized equipment, mathematics skills can be joyfully learned. The Montessori materials are designed to make abstract math concepts concrete. Each piece of equipment is visually stimulating, mentally appealing and most are self-correcting.
Children learn to use objects to discover and apply math concepts. Montessori Method teaches one concept at a time, successively building skills. Concepts such as sequentially ordering objects, understanding symmetry and logically organizing are part of our math curriculum. More complex skills of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division are also taught.
Art
Students take part in a weekly, 45-minute art lesson. This class offers a multi-arts approach to creativity, including painting, sculpture, collage, mosaics, sketching and more. Each week students discuss a different topic, focusing on developing skills, learning techniques and expanding their knowledge of art, including appreciation of famous artists. Throughout the year, students create self-expressive masterpieces which will be brought home for the entire family to enjoy!
Physical Education
To ensure a healthy future, children are given the knowledge of the importance of daily physical activity that will lead to good health through weekly Physical Education classes. Students participate in a wide variety of physical games and motor skills that enhance their overall health.
Through these activities, the children’s large and small motor skills are developed as well as hand and eye coordination. Students experience the fun and enjoyment that can come from leading a healthy and active lifestyle as they engage in cooperative play.
Weekly Library, Art, PE, Music, and Spanish
Montessori Episcopal School is the only Christian Montessori school in Denton county.
We have been serving Lewisville, Flower Mound and Highland Village toddlers through kindergartners for the past 50+ years.
Montessori Episcopal School turns preschoolers into independent creative thinkers. Our programs have: