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Primary Program

Program Information

Pebblecreek Montessori's primary program is designed for children ages 3 to 6 years old.  Our goal is to nurture their natural urge to explore and discover the world around them.  At the primary level of Montessori education, children develop independence, self-discipline and the basics of academics.  Montessori-certified guides (teachers) encourage the formation of a close-knit community which emphasizes kindness, personal responsibility, and cooperation.

The classroom is arranged according to subject area and children move freely around the room.  Subjects include: practical life, sensorial, language, mathematics, science, art and cultural studies.  Children are exposed to an amazing amount of knowledge in the Montessori classroom, and often excel academically beyond what is usually thought possible for children their age. 

Pebblecreek students remain in the same primary class for the three-year cycle, moving from youngest to oldest - from observer to leader.  During this time, they form strong relationships with peers of all ages and with their guide.  Upon completion of the primary cycle, children are promoted to first grade.

Schedule Options 

Pebblecreek primary students may attend Half day, School day, or Full day.  An exception is children who turn 5 before September 1 of the school year; they are considered Kindergarteners in their primary class and must enroll School day (or Full day).

Cultural Subjects

The Montessori approach to the cultural subjects is based the interrelationships of the earth, the animals and plants, and the people who inhabit the earth.  Therefore, the subjects of history, geography and science are not taught as individual subjects but as connected parts of a whole.  Cultural curriculum includes experiments, maps, timelines, models and other learning materials.  The goal is for the child to begin to answer what Dr. Montessori deemed the important questions:  Who am I?  Where do I come from?  Why am I here?  

Fine Arts

Pebblecreek offers an exceptional program based on the teachings of Carl Orff, Zoltan Kodaly, and the philosophy of Maria Montessori.  is the Coordinator of Music and Fine Arts.   Children are exposed to music from around the world.  They sing, move, and play musical instruments.  Music can be heard throughout the day, as the children sing, work, play, and grow in their school environment.  Children learn about singing and body rhythms first, as Kodaly encouraged, so they know they can be musical and independent.   When ready, the children explore and play Orff instruments, which Carl Orff designed to meet the needs of young instrumentalists.  The music program's goal is to awaken musical creativity and guide well-balanced children toward artistic development.

Physical Education

Students ages 5 years and older participate in weekly P.E.  Students are taught the importance of physical fitness and encouraged to achieve their individual potential.  Team games are introduced with the focus on teamwork and the development of healthy attitudes to both winning and losing. 

Foreign Language

Students learn Spanish using the Touch Spanish program created by Pebblecreek co-founder and primary guide Mrs. Gabriela Wilcox.  Touch Spanish engages children in conversationally-based language instruction.  After oral skills are mastered, students progress to reading skills.  In addition to their structured Spanish lessons, children in every class have access to 84 hands-on Touch Spanish exercises (Level One of the program) which may be used during students' independent work time. 

More information about Pebblecreek's Spanish language programs, including an innovative Spanish-immersion primary class in 2007-2008.

Library

Students ages 5 and older visit the school library once a week.

Extracurricular Activities

A complete list of on-campus extracurricular activities.

Photos

Please visit the Gallery for more photos from Pebblecreek Montessori, including students at work in the classroom, special events, and extracurricular activities.



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