Curriculum
Discover how the Montessori curriculum at Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) supports independent, hands-on learning from early childhood through high school.
Classroom Structure
The Montessori method is known for its three-year cycle of learning: K3–K5, grades 1–3, grades 4–6, grades 7–9, grades 10–12. The teacher encourages children’s growth through all areas of the curriculum to ensure that they are exposed to the full sequence of lessons.
Multi-age groupings enable younger children to learn from older children and experience new challenges through observation. Older children serve as role models, develop leadership skills, and reinforce their learning by teaching concepts they have already mastered. Uninterrupted blocks of work time (typically three hours) allow children to work at their own pace and fully immerse themselves in an activity without interruption. Within the prepared environment of the Montessori classroom, children learn to complete a work cycle that includes choosing an activity, completing the activity (perhaps repeating the full sequence of the activity multiple times), and cleaning up and returning the materials to the proper place.
Because each child’s work is individual, children progress at their own pace.
Lessons and Materials
Classroom design, materials, and daily routines support the students' ability to educate themselves and think about what they are learning.
Lessons are often designed so that children have multiple opportunities to hear other people’s ideas, perspectives, and thought processes. This provides children with the mindset that there are multiple ways to think through an idea, and it encourages creative thinking and problem solving. Montessori classrooms are thoughtfully arranged to encourage children to move about and choose their own work within limits of appropriate behavior.
Primary Learning: K3–K5
At the primary level, three- to six-year-old children use manipulative materials to train their hands and minds.
Certified Montessori teachers provide individual lessons that enable each child to advance at his or her own pace. Lessons and activities are grouped into five general categories: practical life, sensorial, language, cultural subjects (history and geography), and mathematics. The lessons foster independence, confidence, self-esteem, and self-control, laying out a foundation for academic success.
A Montessori primary classroom feels like a home. You will see children working in small groups or happily working individually, at tables, or on the floor on small mats. Classrooms include child-sized furniture, spaces for quiet reading, low shelves with work available, and child-sized utensils so the students can prepare, eat, and clean up their snacks on their own.
Elementary Learning: Grades 1–3 and 4–6
Children in elementary classes continue their work with educational materials as they develop skills for abstract academic work. These learners demonstrate reading across the curriculum, realizing that literacy is a vital element of every subject. Written and oral communication skills are strengthened, including vocabulary development and usage, correct capitalization, and accurate punctuation.
Students exhibit an understanding of math concepts and use scientific reasoning. In the area of mathematics, children develop problem-solving strategies, grasp the value of decimals and fractions, interpret data through graphing, learn algebraic relationships, and begin to understand estimation, statistics, and probability concepts. Science lessons focus on developing an appreciation of nature, understanding the life cycles of living things, and discussing technology’s impact on the world.
Students begin to understand their role in society. They study different cultural traditions as well as states and regions as they advance their knowledge of social studies.
Secondary Learning: Grades 7 –9 and 10–12
The Montessori secondary classroom provides a prepared learning environment for adolescents that integrates challenging student-centered academic studies with service projects, travel, and physical activity, preparing students to become contributing adult citizens who are self-confident and possess skills needed to thrive in society.
Adolescent curriculum promotes the acquisition of intellectual, practical, and leadership skills. Coursework enables students to manage time, exercise choice, organize themselves, and practice self-regulation within a group context.
During their adolescent years, students read with fluency, accuracy, and expression while connecting literary themes to personal experiences. They also evaluate materials from different sources for accuracy and value. Language arts lessons equip students with the ability to judge effective writing and presenting, create multimedia research projects, and exhibit strong writing skills.
As they approach graduation, adolescents explore all strands of mathematics while justifying their strategies and using appropriate mathematical terms as they prepare for higher level mathematics. Science instruction focuses on important scientific events throughout history. To fully grasp new concepts, students are encouraged to pose questions and predict results.
Students are introduced to a market economy and discuss various social issues. In addition, they compare the modern world to ancient and medieval civilizations.
Learning is not simply an understanding of facts and figures—it’s a dedication to understanding the whys. The Montessori format allows us to go deeper with students, which in turn provides students with rigorous academic experiences.
More Information
If you have any questions, please contact mpsmontessori@milwaukee.k12.wi.us.