Curriculum

The environment has been designed following Montessori principles as well as the British. It create a calm and inspiring atmosphere both in the classroom and school environment. In this safe and motivating environment our little pupils can fully develop their potentials and can make the school, as Montessori said, their home (Casa dei Bambini).

“The adult works to improve the environment, while the child works to improve “self.”

Milieu Haven Montessori School is equipped with a full range of excellent Montessori learning materials that attract children and engage their natural desire to learn. Montessori materials are scientifically designed to present learning activities that match each child’s level of development.

These materials provide for a careful progression from concrete learning to abstract thought. The materials are specifically designed to encourage inspired learning in five major areas :

Practical Life – to instil a desire to care for oneself, for others and for the environment, leading to a strong sense of social awareness and responsibility.
Sensorial – to develop and refine the senses enabling each child to increase understanding and awareness of his or her environment.
Language – to assist in the effective development of the four main skills of listening and speaking, reading and writing.
Mathematics – to develop a concrete understanding of numbers, patterns, quantities, etc. building a strong foundation and confidence in computational and problem solving activities.
Cultural – to provide an opportunity to experience and discover ideas and concepts in Geography, History, and Sciences including Zoology and Botany, as well as a general understanding of the world as a unique and cyclical phenomena
The children also have weekly lessons in French, Music and Musical Theory/ Practicals, Theatre, Dance, Ballet, Taekwondo, Gardening.

Montessori Philosophy

Montessori education was formulated in 1907 by Dr. Maria Montessori, the first woman in Italy to become a physician. She based her educational methods on scientific observation of children’s learning processes. Guided by her discovery that children teach themselves, Dr. Montessori designed a “prepared environment” in which children could freely choose from a number of developmentally appropriate activities.

The well-known Montessori classroom materials are simply an implementation of one aspect of her total philosophy.

The Montessori Method is designed to support each child to become an exceptionally well-rounded, responsible and self-reliant individual who will demonstrate a love of learning, self confidence and sense of fair play throughout life.

At Milieu Haven Montessori School we nurture each child’s desire to learn and each pupil enjoys developing high levels of concentration, motivation and self-discipline.

Every child is presented with ongoing opportunities to make individual choices that inspire new learning and each child is encouraged to take pleasure in satisfying his or her natural curiosity.

PRESCHOOL TEACHERS

‘We have a great team at Milieu Haven Montessori School. They are well trained in Montessori and do a good knowledge of the British curriculum. Everyone works together to create a friendly atmosphere of trust and mutual respect and we really enjoy our time here as No-one is left out in our team. Everyone contributes to the success of this section and everyone has a voice. Their achievements are a testament to the success of our school as a family.

The teacher’s role is that of a facilitator, or as Maria Montessori termed a ‘director’. Montessori teachers and support staff direct children in their own learning pathways by preparing the environment and showing the children how to use the learning materials. However, Montessori was adamant that teachers are not to impose the pace or dictate learning to child. Instead we support and respond to each child’s sub-conscious rhythm of learning.

The Montessori method captures children’s imagination, ensures their attention and inspires their ambition. We use a variety of materials and teaching approaches specially designed to engage children’s curiosity and instinct for exploration.

The Montessori method integrated with the English Curriculum are central to our routines and activities, Our teachers and support staff have considerable experience and expertise. We use Montessori Materials in our sessions, as well as conventional materials like toys, games and story books outdoor game and activities..

Our curriculum at this level is an integration of the British and Nigerian basic education curriculum. This includes core subjects like Mathematics, English Language, Science and the Humanities.

Religion, Art and Crafts, Sports and PE, ICT, Music, French.

The children also have weekly lessons in French, Music and Musical Theory/ Practicals, Theatre, Dance, Ballet, Taekwondo, Gardening, Touch Typing, ICT and optional Recorder, Piano, Violin lessons.

However, all our teaching is linked to a theme every term. The focus of each theme determines class activities and trips which could either be local or international for all sections of the preschool or primary.

In line with the British Curriculum we the Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2

Key stage 1 is for children within the age bracket 5years to 8years. They should have successfully graduated from the preschool into the primary section. We work hard on developing and bringing out the children’s skills in the following areas.

Spellings : we expose the children to loads of new words and their definitions . The children are expected to study and spell these words independently and also apply the words in sentences and communications daily.

Hand writing :We help the child to develop a very neat and readable handwriting. To aid proper letter formation we begin early handwriting drill from the preschool and further encourage the child to have constant daily practice with the Nelson Thornes handwriting which is the acceptable standard of writing in our school.

Creative writing: The children are taught the importance of the VCOP (vocabulary, connectives, openers and punctuation) in creative writing. Hence, they get to use a wide variety of vocabularies, connectives, openers and punctuations to make their writing (stories and articles) beautiful and interesting.

Reading : We have a scheduled weekly reading programme in our school.Titlled “ I Love Reading” This has really been good and interesting as we get to see each child develop keen interest in books, there is an earnest desire to discover mysteries, unfold personal ideas and the willingness to share discoveries with teachers and friends.

Exposing the children to loads of books is a major strength of our school as it has further help to build the passion of the children towards books.

As the saying goes” Readers are leaders”.

They are also encouraged to write about books they have read.

Listening : We have a special weekly assembly day for this programme. where the children come together to listen to stories, watch visuals relating to the theme for the term and topics thought in the classroom. This is all aimed at developing a sound and calm child who is able to get detailed information without distractions.

Mental Reasoning: This is a major part of the learning programme that must reflect in all subject areas. Our teachers develop various games, teasers, indoor and outdoor activities with the children that involves listening, brainstorming, team work and play, hands-on activities to help improve mental reasoning skills to enable them tackle mental mathematical questions on money ( buying and selling), telling the time, multiplication facts and lots more.

We carry out child centered and hands on activities in our science, history and geography classes. The children are exposed to the science world by carrying out science projects, they watch visual of past and present historical events, happenings and geographical facts.

Major Learning Areas

Numeracy (Mental Mathematics, Drills)

Literacy ( Spelling, Creative writing, Hand writing, Work Shop on Handwritings)

Science and Humanities We have gone beyond the board and chalk method of imparting knowledge to using a variety of methods in our classrooms which includes
Bringing in concrete materials to aid in teaching.
Expeditionary learning experiences. (road walks, nature walk, excursions etc.)
“ The most important discovery of our time is the realization that we can alter our lives by altering our attitude” Zig Ziglar.

“ When we think about the kind of character we want for our children, it is clear that we want them to be able to judge what is right, care deeply about what is right, then do is what believe to be right even in the face of pressure from without and within” Dr. Thomas Lickona.

Home and School Collaboration

We earnestly need a strong collaboration between the home and school to enhance greater achievement in the children in our care. We need support in these areas

Project

Homework