Enrichment/electives

Integrated learning naturally occurs in a Montessori classroom and is enhanced at Elizabeth Academy and Garfield School with the assistance of Enrichment specialists. They facilitate what is a unique and vibrant component of our educational program. We have the resources to accommodate individual development, expression, and need. Montessori teachers integrate art into the curriculum and, as there is much emphasis on sensorial learning in the Montessori curriculum, this lends to artistic learning. The Montessori classroom ignites a fire for further development. Our Enrichment program includes: the Arts (Visual Art, Music, Dance), Media Center (Research and Reading) and Physical Education.  

We recognize the merit of understanding the core subjects and certain basic core principles within each art discipline. After understanding these, the children are encouraged to creatively apply artistic expression, integrating all areas of the curriculum. We also realize the need for special services. When the child’s exploration, research, or need requires more than is available inside the classroom, there are places, resources, and facilitators they can turn to where they can fulfill the need to reach their highest potential. These we call Enrichments.

Music and Dance

Our music and dance enrichments offer students an awareness of and an opportunity to participate in the joy, poignancy, depth of expression and community experience these arts can provide. Our Music and Dance curricula include: Montessori Bells and Tone Bars, Dance, Music, and Music Therapy.

Music lessons teach children to recognize various notes, become familiar with the structure of the music staff, find rhythm in both music and every day sounds, and learn about how music tells stories 

Through dance enrichment, students explore creative movement principles of space, time, energy, body and motion to discover the body as a tool for creation and expression. Students also build understanding of community by sensing and connecting with others through shared movement in space. Creative movement allows students to build self-confidence in their bodies by working with concepts that provide immediate access to dance through gross motor skills they already possess. Additionally, creative movement concepts help them enhance their proprioceptive skills and build neural pathways in the brain that organize the nervous system for optimal movement of the body. Students also utilize movement principles to gain access to curricular concepts and demonstrate understanding in visual and kinesthetic ways. Academic curriculum content is integrated with dance in a way that is mutually supportive, so that students are learning science, math and language arts concepts while also learning dance concepts. Additionally, students learn cultural dances from the continents they are studying. Upper Elementary students build knowledge in classical dance, social dance, and cultural dance forms, performance creation principles, as well as the integration of visual art and dance through elective courses.

Visual Art

Art theory and technique are introduced to the students through means of exploration and discovery, building a foundation for artistic expression and aesthetic awareness. Cultural studies on specific geographic regions throughout the year expand the children's knowledge of traditional art forms from around the world and the history of Art as a whole. Art provides children with a natural way to communicate thoughts, feelings and ideas as well as a way to develop an understanding and appreciation of the artistic process.

Physical Education

Our Elementary and Early Childhood full day students participate in Physical Education classes. Self-respect, respect for others, and good sportsmanship are included as goals of every aspect of the program. Students work together to be the best they can be as they refine skills and build strength, endurance, coordination, ability, speed, and flexibility.

Media Center

Our students have access to our school library, which is located in our Media Center. Younger students have the opportunity to listen to stories read aloud while older students can check out​ books, research a topic of interest or learn about a particular author.

Electives

In addition to weekly Enrichment classes our Upper Elementary and Secondary students participate in electives, such as ceramics, painting, skiing, snowshoeing, gardening, swimming, musical theater, performance art, robotics, yoga, foundry, cross country running, guitar, and choir. 

The Montessori Curriculum

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