Co-Curricular Curriculum

The co-curricular classes for art, music, physical education, and Spanish enhance and extend the Montessori curriculum through integration of educational experiences and skills. Our qualified and experienced elementary co-curricular instructors collaborate with the classroom teachers to provide a well-rounded and comprehensive program.

EARLY CHILDHOOD
Art and Music: Fine arts are an integral aspect of the daily class activities. Art media materials are available throughout the work day, beginning with simple activities such as using scissors, paints, and other art tools. Children have the freedom to use these open-ended materials to express their own imaginative ideas. Mixed-media is also used for projects that illustrate science and cultural lessons. Group singing is a regular class activity and the children explore musical expression with rhythm instruments and movement activities. Weekly music instruction with the music teacher explores such music concepts as beat, rhythm, vocalization, and simple notation, and the instructor introduces dancing as a musical expression.

Spanish: The Spanish-speaking instructor enthusiastically presents vocabulary lessons to create a foundation in auditory discrimination of Spanish phonetic sounds and accurate Spanish pronunciation. The lessons follow a whole-language approach; the children learn to speak by practicing language as it is used naturally to communicate.

Movement: Working with the Montessori materials supports the child's developing fine-motor coordination and large-motor skills. Dancing, field games, and free play for running, jumping, or climbing all expand the child's movement experiences.

ELEMENTARY AND ADOLESCENT
Art: Formal art instruction introduces a wide variety of art materials, builds skills, and explores artistic styles and artists. The students work toward increasing their visual literacy, gaining an appreciation of art history, and attaining confidence in their unique abilities. Their creative expression is also carried from the art room to the classroom and applied to independent class work.

Music: Music education benefits the developing intellect, provides an avenue for the study of cultures, and builds an appreciation of different music styles and creative self-expression. The instructor works with the students to develop rhythm skills, to train ear and voice, and to teach an understanding of the fundamentals of music including rhythm, melody, harmony, form, tone, and expressive qualities. The students are introduced to reading and writing of music and explore various accompaniments. The music program includes chorus singing and an elective for band.

Physical Education: Students enjoy a variety of physical experiences that also include open recess periods. Physical activity is an essential element for developing children and plays an important role in the Montessori Method. The students learn the basics of specific games and sports; develop concepts of fair play, team spirit, and good sportsmanship; and develop gross-motor skills, coordination, and movement patterns. Through team sports and games students have opportunities for cooperation and competition, good sportsmanship and leadership.

Spanish Language: The Spanish curriculum presents a comprehensive step-by-step instructional program to enable students to understand and use authentic Spanish in conversation. Spanish as a second language is built on the foundation of the Early Childhood oral language curriculum. Vocabulary, pronunciation, verb tenses, sentence structure, and fluid conversation are presented with the confidence that each student will be successful. As the students progress they are introduced to reading and writing in Spanish. A study of Spanish cultures is woven into the program throughout the Elementary and Adolescent levels.

Computer: Technology education is founded on the expectation that students will learn the skills to use computers as a tool for communication and research. They begin with basic keyboarding at the Lower Elementary level, developing proficiency with essential computer functions. At the upper levels, instruction covers use of the Microsoft Office Suite, methods for internet research, preparing PowerPoint presentations, and creating projects with Publisher.

AFTERSCHOOL ENRICHMENT CLASSES
These independently offered programs by qualified instructors are on-campus enrichment classes specifically organized to enhance areas of interest for our students. The different programs are typically six weeks long and planned for particular age groups. The types of programs that may be offered are Drama, Tae Kwon Do, Art Explorations, Experimental Science, and a variety of Music and Movement activities.

AFTERSCHOOL SPORTS
The Montessori Academy at Edison Lakes views athletics as an element in educating the whole child. Every individual is encouraged to participate in one sport. In each sport the participants not only learn the fundamentals of that sport, they also learn to cooperate with each other, as well as respect and appreciate the game. Coaches, opponents, officials and the playing arena are fully respected. This approach builds self-esteem, self-respect and a value system where team work and participation are at the core of the game. Athletics is a great avenue to apply Montessori principles in real life. The focus of sports at TMA is on the process, in learning as you play, rather than on the outcome or final score.

Sports offered to the Upper Elementary through the Adolescent level are boys' and girls' cross country, boys' and girls' soccer, girls' volleyball, boys' and girls' basketball, and boys' and girls' track. TMA alumni often return to assist with coaching or scoring.

The Montessori Academy at Edison Lakes
530 East Day Road • Mishawaka, Indiana 46545
Phone 574.256.5313 • Fax 574.256.5493 • www.tma-el.org
Webmaster contact: m.sheetz@mchsi.com