A Day in the Life of a Child

(at the Montessori Children’s School)

8:10 – 8:45: Entering the classroom

The child comes in, goes to the bathroom if needed and washes her hands.

She walks around the classroom to see if she has a work saved from the day before. (The work will have her name card on it)

If there is no work saved, she can pick out a work to do from the shelves.

(Note: Children are free to take out works from any shelf as long as they have had a lesson with the work.)

8:45 – 11:30 (ish): Work Period

During the work period, the child is free to choose works from practical life, sensorial, language, math, geography, science, or peace.

Once again, she can take a work out as long as she has had a lesson with it. She must return it to the exact spot on the shelf, ready for the next friend to use it, before she can take out another work.

Lessons: During this time, the teacher will work individually with children, giving them new lessons depending on what each child is ready for. Children are invited for lessons with the teacher and are free to politely refuse.

Snack: During this time, snack has been prepared for the children on plates. When a child is hungry, she may wash her hands and take a plate to the snack table. (Note: Reminders are given to children who may need them, younger children and at the beginning of the year)

Circle: At the same time every day, the teacher will ask the children to gather for circle. At circle, there are usually a few songs, a short lesson on our monthly theme, a word of the day and a story.

Bathroom Usage: Each child is encouraged to use the bathroom after they enter and right before lunch. At any other time, she is free to use the bathroom when her body tells her. Reminders are given to children who may need them, younger children and at the beginning of the year.

Water: Each child has access to water in the classroom. She is shown how to get a drink and is encouraged to do so when she feels thirsty.

Art: Each child is invited for a group lesson at the art table periodically. Once again, she can refuse or ask to return for a lesson later.

Music: Once a week, a music teacher comes to the school for a group music lesson for the entire class. Children learn about rhythms, notes, musical instruments and are introduced to folk and international music.

Multiple times during the day, the teacher will lead the group in songs, related to monthly themes, and/or lessons that they are working on in the classroom.

11:30 – 12:30

The child uses the bathroom and washes hands to prepare for lunch.

On nice days, the class will gather in an outdoor location to have lunch. Otherwise, they are encouraged to find a place at a table in the classroom to have lunch.

12:30 – 1:00

After lunch, the children head outside for recess. The half-day children are picked up at this time.

1:00 – 1:45

The full day children have free play during this time on one of the many outdoor areas on the grounds.

1:45 – 2:45

The children come back inside for a literacy curriculum, based on the needs of the group. The curriculum spans letter recognition, reading of 3-4 letter words, to independent reading.

Each teacher also uses some of this time to read a longer book, to practice reading comprehension. The children have the option of resting during this book reading.

2:45

The children work to clean the classroom and to pick out a work for the morning.

3:00 – 3:15

Pick up time for afternoon children.