Independent Elementary School Students Trained For Complex Thinking
The Californer/10163506

SAN DIEGO - Californer -- At Lifetime Montessori Elementary School (LMS), an independent elementary school, each Fall Term begins with the annual presentation of The Five Great Lessons. These lessons encompass complex thinking as elementary students learn about the universe and earth; the coming of life; the beginning of the human race; the start of communication; and, the introduction of numbers.

These five topics cover mankind's understanding from the vastness of the cosmos to the significance of each atom within it. And they're retaught each year so students can gain deeper insights—evoking ever more complex levels of curiosity, creativity and complexity.

"The Five Great Lessons do not change but a child's conceptual understanding does. These Five Great Lessons taught to a First Grader are seen through the senses and mind of a six or seven year old," Kristin Edwards, M.Ed., Director of Lifetime Montessori School in Santaluz, a San Diego suburb, says.

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"But, by the time that child graduates from our independent elementary school at age 12 or 13, he or she has addressed each topic six times—and understands the material in a far more integrated way."

The Five Great Lessons: Providing Deeper Thinking Via Each New Question

Montessori teachers at LMS address topics when students ask about them.

At LMS, teachers ask questions to students' questions rather than just giving them answers. This strategy helps kids learn how to think through a problem by studying it from different angles. Thus, kids learn by doing it themselves and via a journey to learn 'how and why' rather than just a factual 'what.'

This multi-angular view is perhaps the strongest benefit of a Montessori elementary school education: your child gives—and takes—the time to learn and master the subject matter at his or her own pace through a journey of gleaning concepts and knowledge via answering questions and more questions.

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Thus, the Five Great Lessons have more meaning each new year because your child develops deeper insights every time it is re-told.

Empowerment Creates Expectations Creates Self-Motivation

From Day One as a Toddler, your child will be respected and treated as an adult.

Allowing empowerment will create a sea change in YOUR behavior," Edwards continues. "Once you empower your child, you ignite a feeling granting him or her the freedom to build a personal vision of self and success. As a counterbalance, teachers build performance expectations into our students' mindsets," Edwards says. "Once a child knows it is okay to make mistakes and try again, they will never be afraid to learn something new and challenging."

To watch a virtual tour or schedule a live online tour, visit: https://lifetimemontessorischool.com/tour-lifetime-montessori-school-today.