The Montessori elementary course of study is an integrated view of interrelated disciplines offered in three-year cycles, which starts with the global and historical perspective, then moves forward to current and local events. This approach differs from the traditional model in which the curriculum is compartmentalized into separate subjects, with given topics limited by grade level.  In the Montessori approach, lessons are introduced simply and concretely, in the context of history in the early lessons and are reintroduced several times during the following years at increasing degrees of abstraction and complexity. The curriculum from the primary through the elementary program is engineered to meet and capitalize on the changing developmental stages of the child. This is a very key foundation of the Montessori Method. The major developmental change for a child of elementary age is gaining the ability to reason and to imagine, and these skills are used in the classroom.

This course of study is an integrated thematic approach where major concepts are introduced through the Great lessons, which challenge the imagination and provide a framework which ties separate disciplines of the curriculum together into studies of the physical universe, the world of nature, and the human experience.  Mathematics, science, literature, the arts, history, social issues, government, philosophy, economics, art, and the study of technology all complement one another in our curriculum.

The Montessori Mathematics program consists of sequential exercises that start with more concrete lessons, and move forward into the highly abstract.  The fundamental goal of Montessori education is to stimulate the child’s reasoning ability by the developing the mathematical mind.  The math presentations require the use of concrete materials conceived to be manipulated and explored until the child’s mine spontaneously reaches the “A-Hah!” – the point of consciousness where the concrete becomes the abstract and the child understands.  The introduction to numeration, the study of the decimal system the understanding of the function and mechanics of the four operations (addition, multiplication, subtraction and addition), fractions, powers, etc. are all areas of study presented with the brilliantly designed Montessori materials.

Mathematics	Mathematics, like all Montessori subjects, is taught in the context of history, so that the concepts explored can be understood in terms of their use in modern, as well as historical contexts.  The fifth and final Great Lesson introduces the use of symbols to communicate quantity and how these symbols have evolved over time, including the development of the concept of zero and its impact on mathematics.  The concept of economics is introduced. Development and reinforcement of the groundwork in Mathematics done in the Primary program continues into the Elementary Program at IMS.  Again, the concrete to abstract method is employed using manipulative materials suited to each task.  Due to the use of concrete materials, the student’s base is very strong, and more advanced concepts can be introduced at an earlier age.  In addition, there is no limit to the subject matter, and advanced students may continue with studies far beyond their traditional grade level.
·          Story of Numbers
·          Decimal System
·          Four Operations: o         Addition o         Subtraction o         Multiplication / Multipliers o         Division / Divisibility
·          Word Problems
·          Fractions
·          Squares & Cubes, Square/Cube Roots
·          Ratios & Proportions
·          Negative Numbers
·          Powers of Numbers
·          Algebra
·          Graphing
·          Non-decimal based number systems
·          Economics & money systems
·          Measurement
·          Clock work
Geometry	Geometry begins in the Casa dei Bambini (age 3-6) classroom, and continues in great depth in the elementary classroom.  The purpose of advanced geometry studies in the Elementary classroom is to develop the logical, analytical mind. The study of geometry includes historical development and application of geometric concepts.
·          Lines
·          Angles
·          Polygons
·          Circle
·          Congruency
·          Similarity & Equivalence
·          Pythagorean Theorem
·          Area, Volume & Surface Area