We help our young students become:

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Self-Directed Learners

Children have a natural love for learning. At WSMS, we focus on helping children learn how to learn, so they become intrinsically motivated to do so, and retain their zest for knowledge throughout their lives.

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Flexible Thinkers

Developing the ability to think in a flexible way, and to adapt to one’s surroundings, was something Maria Montessori valued greatly: “The person who is developing freely and naturally arrives at a spiritual equilibrium, in which he is master of his actions, just as one who has acquired physical poise can move freely. When he is master of himself he is also flexible in his attitude towards others, and capable of adaptation to the wishes and requirements of others, and of ‘give and take.’ ”

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Creative Problem Solvers

Montessori children are natural and confident problem solvers. They are resourceful, and can come up with imaginative solutions that adults might not think of. Rather than try and mold the child to our adult way of thinking, we believe that he can arrive at informed decisions by using his own innate reasoning skills. As Maria Montessori said, “Leave the child free to make use of his powers and he will show himself capable of success.”

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Empathic Citizens

At WSMS, it is important to us that children grow to be confident, successful, and self-assured individuals, but equally important that they possess empathy and respect for others. Children who develop a social conscience, compassion for others, and a sense of responsibility towards others will change the world for the better, and we work every day to ensure that happens.

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Resilient Individuals

Every child experiences disappointment and failure as he learns and grows, but the way he is helped to respond to these difficult times is key. A resilient child looks at mistakes and disappointments as opportunities to learn, rather than setbacks, and as a result, he approaches life with enthusiasm and confidence. Building resilience is an important part of our work at WSMS.

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Course Outlines

ACADEMIC PHASE

Summer Session

  • Philosophy Examination of the educational theory and key elements of the Montessori approach to education.
  • Practical Life Designing child-centered classrooms and meaningful, hands-on materials/activities.  Emphasis on understanding the relationship between children’s development, home, and school contexts; the curriculum and what is learned.
  • Sensory-motor Rational behind sensory-motor education with a focus on understanding the concepts embedded in Montessori materials.
  • Child Development and Observation Examination of development from a variety of perspectives. Focus is on the early years and on working collaboration with parents and caregivers.  Strategies for ongoing observations, analyzing observations, and reporting tools.  Note: This course continues through the Academic Year.



Academic Year

  • Language Arts Emergent literacy development. A variety of activities, materials, and strategies – across the curriculum – which facilitate children’s emergent literacy (listening, talking, writing, reading, and thinking) development are examined.
  • Cultural Subjects Developing understandings in social studies, science, and the arts.  Strategies for integrating thematic units in arts, science, geography, social studies, history, evaluating materials and adaptations for diverse learners.
  • Math Experiences and activities that support the development of children’s mathematical thinking. Children’s ability to problem-solve, reason, and make mathematical connections is explored.



STUDENT TEACHING PHASE

Student Teacher Seminars (STS) Topics directly support student teachers’ classroom work – classroom management, curriculum, and professional behavior.  Students take an active part in determining content of these seminars.

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West Side Montessori School | 309 West 92nd Street | New York, New York 10025 | Phone: 212-662-8000 | Fax: 212-662-8323