Lower Elementary

At Chesterton Montessori School our Lower Elementary Program (ages 6 to 9) allows children the flexibility to learn at a wide range of levels through sharing a space with combined ages. This mixed-age grouping also fosters natural mentoring of the younger children by the older children.

Our program encourages elementary children to delve into and organize a great amount of knowledge from among broad subject areas. The curriculum includes math, moving from the concrete to the abstract; language, with additional, separate, daily Spalding class for reading and spelling; and cultural study, such as zoology, biology, and botany, all at varying levels. Skills such as speaking or performing in front of a group, developed through researching and presenting a topic; reciting a memorized poem of the week and or a script for Mystery History; and the grand finale of a musical in cooperation with our Upper Elementary students are invaluable. Life skills of helping others, communicating effectively, and conflict resolution are nurtured each and every day. The critical organizational skill of time management, through use of weekly planners, and responsibility for care of the environment, through daily and weekly jobs, are a major focus for each child. “Our aim is not only to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his innermost core.”

Field excursions are part of the Chesterton Montessori Lower Elementary program. Periodically Lower Elementary students travel as a group to enhance their learning through spending time in particular environments and attending special events. A few of the favorite excursions include a visit to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Merrillville Planetarium, Indiana, and Camp Tecumseh in Brookston, Indiana.

“The primary goal of Montessori education is to prepare the whole child to reach his full potential in all areas of life.”

Lower Elementary Class – ages 6 to 9 years
Monday through Friday – 7:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.