The Elementary Program
“We must look to the children as a vehicle for bringing change to humanity.”
– Maria Montessori
In the vibrant TMS Elementary program, Lower and Upper Elementary students learn together in our warm, inviting cottage. TMS places great emphasis on each student having an active, solution-focused, positive impact on our community. Elementary students are given the opportunity to serve as guides, practicing self-advocacy and performing acts of service. Research indicates children in multi-age group settings like the TMS Elementary program make equal or further academic progress than those in a single-age grouping.
The TMS Elementary curriculum strikes the balance of meeting students’ increasing social needs while continuing to sustain periods of focus during the work cycle. This balance is a cornerstone of the Montessori philosophy.
Assisted by their imaginations and reason, TMS Elementary students become explorers of the world, learning how to coexist in a respectful, harmonious, and joyful way.
“I love how the teachers genuinely care about my child and work with me to help him succeed with a plan specific to his needs.”
Heather V., Elementary Parent
Curricular Areas
Practical Life
Building upon their Primary foundation, the TMS Elementary Practical Life curriculum shifts focus from self-care to community-care. Students learn to organize their time and meet the needs of their classroom and community members. They make independent choices for service opportunities, with lessons that teach responsibility and empathy prioritized. Together, teachers and students compose “Rights and Responsibilities.” This document provides the framework for our shared classroom space and focuses on inclusion, concentration, and collaboration.
Math
Specifically designed math materials use real objects and actions to translate abstract ideas into concrete form. The principles of place value, numerals, fractions, among other operations, are reinforced and expanded upon within the Elementary program. As students become increasingly capable of abstract thought, they require fewer hands-on materials. Our Elementary students work to master math operations entirely abstractly and to apply those operations to real-world scenarios.
Language
The TMS Elementary curriculum is built with the belief that language, both written and oral, is the key to unlocking the universe. On their path to becoming confident and independent readers, Elementary students master conventions with studies of grammar, spelling, and storytelling. We combine phonological awareness, science of reading, writing workshop, word study, and literacy endeavors driven by students to cultivate a rich and fulfilling literary life.
Cultural Studies
Cultural studies are interdisciplinary and integrate world language, arts, economics, botany, geography, life sciences, and so much more. Through these lessons, students explore the interconnectedness of all living things. In-depth studies of fundamental needs create opportunities for reflection on their place in the world.
Cosmic Studies
The "Great Lessons,” a series of dramatic stories which explore the beginnings of the universe, our planet, and the continuous development of human advancement, serve as the foundation for the TMS Elementary cosmic curriculum. The Cosmic Curriculum integrates geology, geography, physical and life sciences, anthropology, and history studies. All living things are dependent on one another, as shown by the principles of physics and chemistry. Students examine history's achievements, discover what it means to become responsible citizens, and continue self-directed learning inspired by the world around them.
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The Lower Elementary Program
(1st – 3rd Grade)
Building upon their Primary foundation, Lower Elementary students are introduced to advanced classroom materials. These materials involve manipulatives, timelines, charts, and other visual aids. The TMS Lower Elementary students yearn to discover more about the world with growing independence. They begin each day by creating a plan and organizing their work logically and carefully. This plan is a collaboration of the child’s interests and a framework guided by our teachers’ standards for choosing challenging, diverse works.
Lower Elementary students are given new responsibilities, such as managing their learning journals and documenting more work independently. As they build interpersonal relationships with their peers, we create flexible partnerships and small groups to strengthen collaboration and cooperation.
The Upper Elementary Program
(4th – 6th Grade)
Upper Elementary students shift from planning each day to mapping out each week. These students strengthen their core academic subjects and time-management skills. As they become increasingly capable of abstract thought, they require fewer hands-on materials.
Each year, Upper Elementary students choose a self-selected long-term research project. Here, they use primary and secondary sources, such as libraries and museums, for their research, in lieu of summarized textbooks.
Each fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-year student takes on a significant mentorship role at TMS. They set the example for inclusion, how to solve disagreements fairly, and show the TMS student body how to best uphold our “Rights and Responsibilities.” These students graduate as confident, self-motivated achievers, ready to take on life in middle school and beyond.
Elementary Enrichment
TMS provides a variety of enrichment opportunities for Elementary students to ensure a well-rounded education. Each enrichment instructor crafts a Montessori-based curriculum unique to TMS, designed to meet each student where they are and expand their knowledge of the special. Throughout the week, Elementary students will be exposed to enhancements through targeted small groups in Performing Arts, Art, Physical Education, and Spanish instruction.
Enrichment Options
Each week, the Elementary students at TMS are delighted by an art class featuring a wide variety of art; watercolor paintings, mod podging, sculpting, etc. Art at TMS shifts focus between art history, the lives of individual artists, and the exciting process of creating art.
For students to concentrate and learn, their core must be strong. Our Elementary students participate in physical education each week. Here, students learn the rules of games, have opportunities to work in teams, and develop the coordination and the motor skills they need to succeed in and outside the classroom.
TMS is committed to early exposure to world languages and cultures. Currently, TMS offers Spanish language studies for Elementary students. This class is taught with a hands-on approach, integrating movement, songs, and visual references. The teacher instructs students predominantly in Spanish and only uses English when necessary.
Elementary students build their social and emotional intelligence through giant creative play in Performing Arts. This important play exploration is done with music, performance, and improvisation. A few skills students hone in this special include confidence, oral communication, self-reflection, listening, team building, and collaboration.
A Note About Our Schedule
We educate our Elementary students on a full–day schedule.
Full Day
8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
A typical day in the Elementary Program includes morning recess, followed by morning work cycle and a rotating specials schedule. After a mid-day lunch, students have D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything And Read) followed by afternoon recess and afternoon work cycle.
After School Extras
After school, we currently offer two programs for our Elementary students: Group music lessons with the Greater Richmond School of Music and Lego League.
Activities marked with the $ indicate that they are available for an additional fee outside of our normal tuition.
After School Extras Options
Alongside parent volunteers, coaches, and students, TMS partakes in the FIRST LEGO League program. FLL will guide your child through an exploration of STEM concepts. Students are handed a series of projects and one large multi-week challenge. At the culmination of FLL, the team is able to participate in Expos with other teams around the state to share the multitude of ways they solved the challenge.
The Greater Richmond School of Music brings degreed musicians and instructors to provide the wonderful opportunity to explore new instruments. The program begins in the fall with an introduction to three instruments over thirteen weeks. After the students return from Winter Break, each small group selects one instrument they would like to continue lessons with. The session concludes with a small group performance for parents.
This instructor is also available onsite during the day and after class to provide private piano, guitar (acoustic, electric, bass), and ukulele lessons.
Your child can elect to sign up for FIRST LEGO League in the Fall semester with a final event in the Spring semester. Music is available Fall, Winter or Spring.