Castro Valley, CA
Montessori School Of Castro Valley Inc

"The Montessori educational philosophy believes that the educational method, to be effective, must support and address the nature of the child. The nature of the child is not a theoretical construct, but based upon Montessori's detailed observation of the child.
Based upon her observations Montessori came to understand the inner nature of the child:
The child is a dynamic, curious person that has an inner need to know the the world. The Montessori classroom has a multitude of fascinating materials from which to select.
The child comes to know the world through the senses. Consequently, experiences that develop and refine the sense are fundamental to knowing the world. Further, because knowing the world comes through the sense activities must concrete and have "manipulatives" (i.e. toy or game-like). The curriculum area of sensorial in the Montessori classroom aids the child in the development and refinement of the senses and the many manipulative materials in the classroom allows the child to explore and learn.
The child auto-educated. Essentially, the child constructs knowledge through physically manipulating the environment. The physical manipulation, or handling of the environment, allows the child to construct mental images. Mental images lay the foundation for later abstractions. The Montessori teacher does not teach, but rather provides experiences for the child to construct mental images.
The child learns that which is of personal interest. It is important, therefore, for the child to have freedom to select activities that are highly interesting. The Montessori classroom contains hundreds of colorful, exciting materials that are of interest to children.
The child repeats activities until they are fully mastered. The Montessori class schedule has long, uninterrupted times in the morning and in the afternoon for the child to concentrate on activities.
The child is orderly and focused. The Montessori classroom is calm, respectful and peaceful. This atmosphere meets the child's inner need for an atmosphere that supports concentration. The Montessori classroom is orderly and encourages the child to maintain an orderly environment.
Based upon the inner nature of the child the role of the teacher is defined:
The teacher observes the child to determine what is of interest to the child.
The teacher prepares the environment to meet the observed needs of the child.
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Excerpted from the preschool's website

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"Front Room Schedule 2004 - 2005
7:00 - 8:20 Inside Time with Day Care Materials

8:20 - 8:45 Outside Time in the Play Yard (Weather Permitting)

8:45 - 9:00 Greeting at the Classroom Door

9:00 - 9:15 Circle Time with Greeting, Calendar, Weather Report

9:15 - 11:00 Montessori Class Time with Choice of Materials

11:00 - 11:30 Outside Time in the Play Yard

11:30 - 11:45 Circle Time with Music and Songs and washing hands

11:45 - 12:20 Lunch

12:20 - 12:50 Outside Time in the Play Yard

12:50 - 2:45 For Children that Require a Nap this is Nap-Time

For Children not Requiring a Nap:
Handwriting
Study of Plants
Study of Animals
Study of Land Forms and Continents

2:45 - 3:00 Dismissal for Extended Day Students

3:00 - 3:15 Circle Time with Music and Songs

3:15 - 3:30 Hand washing and Snack

3:30 - 4:00 Outside Time in the Play Yard

4:00 - 5:00 Art/Creative Movement/Music

4:30 - 5:00 Tea Time with Light Snack

5:00 - 5:15 Tea Time with Light Snack

5:15 - 5:45 Inside Time with Day Care Materials and Art

5:45 - 6:00 Story Time
Sun Room Daily Schedule 2004- 2005

7:00 - 8:20 Inside Time with Day Care Materials

8:20 - 9:00 Outside Time in the Play Yard (Weather Permitting)

9:00 - 9:15 Greeting at the Classroom Door
Circle Time with Greeting, Calendar, Weather Report

9:15 - 10:30 Montessori Class Time with Choice of Materials

10:30 - 11:00 Outside Time in the Play Yard

11:00 - 11:30 Circle Time with Music and Songs and
Presentation of Cultural theme of the day

11:30 - 11:45 Hand washing/Changing

11:45 - 12:20 Lunch

12:20 - 12:40 Outside Time in the Play Yard

12:40 - 2:45 Nap-Time

2:45 - 3:00 Dismissal for Extended Day Students

3:00 - 3:15 Circle Time with Music and Songs

3:15 - 3:30 Hand washing and Snack

3:30 - 4:00 Outside Time in the Play Yard

4:00 - 5:00 Art/Creative Movement/Music

4:30 - 5:00 Tea Time with Light Snack

5:00 - 5:15 Tea Time with Light Snack

5:15 - 5:45 Inside Time with Day Care Materials and Art

5:45 - 6:00 Story Time
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Excerpted from the preschool's website

source: