Our Programs
Children's House (Primary)
The primary curriculum is designed with the understanding that children learn best through real-life activities that support independence, concrete experiences that engage the senses, and open-ended exploration. This leads to the refinement of their movements, sensory perceptions, language and intellect development. Children thrive through opportunities to follow their own interests and freely choose their own scaffolded activities. Through guided exploration they develop independence,concentration and curiosity.
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Montessori materials for the primary age are designed to support self-directed discovery and learning. They are organized around Practical Life activities that develop both independence and concentration; Sensorial activities that refine and develop the child’s senses; the development of Spoken Language, Writing and Reading skills; and Mathematical activities that develop fundamental mathematical concepts; and Cultural activities that include geography, history, biology, science, music, and the arts.
Elementary
Elementary curriculum uses "The Great Stories" as a springboard for interdisciplinary learning.There are five Great Lessons that are introduced: The Coming of the Universe, The Timeline of Life, The Timeline of Humans, The Story of Math, and The Story of Language. In this way, children learn about their place in the universe.
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Each of these lessons initiates curiosity or interests connected to other academic areas. These stories spark the imagination of Elementary students and give them a context for deeper engagement and learning.
Instead of approaching schoolwork as discrete subjects, Montessori Elementary students discover the interrelationship between subject areas and understand how math, language, science and history are connected and important for understanding and learning.
Hours
Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 3:30pm.
We do not offer a half-day or part-time enrollment.
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Morning & After School Care
Cosmos Montessori provides a fee-based morning care program from 7:30am to 8:30am, and an after school care program from 3:30pm to 5:30pm. For more information, please contact the school.
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Transportation
As a micro-school the cost of providing school bus transportation is prohibitive. For this reason, we request families arrange transportation for their children.
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Lunch & Snacks
Healthy and nutritious food is important at Cosmos Montessori. Such is catered by Cafe Racer Kitchen, a Minnesota based restaurant and catering company that serves delicious, healthy, Latin American cuisine. As a public charter school, the MN free school meals program is a state funded program that provides reimbursement for meals served to all students. This means all Cosmos students receive school lunch at no cost.
Daily Routine
Our day begins with a morning welcome.
We transition to work time and presentations where a teacher leader introduces Montessori materials to individual children or in small groups.
Children are immersed in bilingual environment as we speak both Spanish and English with all children throughout the day.
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Lunch, outside time, and an optional nap time follow. Kindergarten students and any preschoolers who do not nap have more time for stories, activities, and Montessori work choices in the afternoon.
Examples of group activities include:
Music, Drawing, Coloring, Dance, Gardening, Games, Yoga, Coordination & Agility, Mask Making, Watercolors, Finger Knitting, Textile Work, Science Projects.
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Our day always ends with reflection and warm goodbyes.
The child who has felt a strong love for his surroundings and for all living creatures, who has discovered joy and enthusiasm in work, gives us reason to hope that humanity can develop in a new direction.
- Dr. Maria Montessori
