Each Montessori classroom starts the school year in a different way. Some schools begin with the majority of the Montessori equipment on the shelves, while other schools introduce the lessons slowly.

At WMS, we begin our school year with educational puzzles, simple pegboards, basic math and language activities and lots of books in each area. We present a group lesson to the whole class each morning; our “gift” to the children and then work with small groups of children and one-on-one with children as well. During the first few weeks as we present the preliminary lessons of pouring, grasping, tracing and matching, we remove the “toys” that children used at first. This system allows them to practice “the work cycle” of choosing, working, and returning the lessons to the appropriate shelf.

Our classroom rules are also introduced, such as pushing in a chair, and rolling a rug. The children learn to be kind, be peaceful, and be quiet. All these aspects of classroom culture need to be in place so that the children can learn independence in a calm environment.

It’s going to be a great experience for all.