Montessori Lower Elementary Curriculum

Hilltop's Lower Elementary (first through third grade) curriculum focuses on Language Arts, Math, Science, History, and Geography. Extra-curricular studies including P.E., Spanish, art, computer technology, and music are also incorporated for all students.

Lower Elementary science studies include zoology, botany, earth science, chemistry, physics, and scientific process and principles.

Specific Objectives for Lower Elementary Science

Zoology

1.00 Description by size, appearance, characteristics of 5 kingdoms of living
       things:Prokaroyote, Protoctista, Fungi, Plant, Animal
2.00 Comparison and differentiation of vertebrates and invertebrates,
       past/ present
3.00 Classification, description, and parts of invertebrates, with specimens
     3.10 Protozoa
     3.20 Porifera
     3.30 Coelenterate
     3.40 Platzyheiminthes
     3.50 Annelid
     3.60 Arthropod
     3.70 Mollusk
     3.80 Echinidermata
4.00 Classification, description, external and internal parts of vertebrates
     4.10 Fish
     4.20 Amphibian
     4.30 Reptile
     4.40 Bird
     4.60 Mammal
5.00 Timelines, Biomes, Habitats of vertebrates
     5.10 Fish
     5.20 Amphibian
     5.30 Reptile
     5.40 Bird
     5.50 Mammal

Botany

1.00 Comparison of Living and Non-living
2.00 Characteristics of Plants and Animals
3.00 Comparison of Plants and Animals
4.00 Identification, type, shapes, component parts, location, and preservation          4.10 Trees
     4.20 Shrubs
     4.30 Flowers
     4.40 Plants
     4.50 Leaves
     4.60 Seeds
5.00 Identification within Plant Kingdom
     5.10 First Knowledge
     5.20 Plant Stories
     5.30 Question and Answer Game
6.00 Life cycle of plants with gardening
     6.10 Soil preparation
     6.20 Annuals vs Perennials
     6.30 Planting/ Care
7.00 Introduction to concepts and practical experiments for
       environmental concerns
     7.10 Water conservation
     7.20 Energy conservation
     7.20.1 Solar energy
     7.30 Waste conservation7.30.1 Recycling
     7.30.2 Composting

Earth Science

1.00 Astronomy
     1.10 Review of Universe, whole to part
     1.20 Review of solar system: planet order, characteristics
     1.30 Introduction to stars
          1.30.1 Constellations
          1.30.2 Big and Little Dipper; North Star
2.00 Planet Earth
     2.10 Timeline of life
          2.10.1 Creation and types of fossils
          2.10.2 Classification of rocks and minerals:
                    sedimentary, ignateous, metamorphic
     2.20 Origin of earth
          2.20.1 Existence of theories
          2.20.2 Plate tectonics
          2.20.3 Pangea
     2.30 Definition, identification, formation of landforms
          2.30.1 Stresses to landforms: erosion, water, wind, earthquakes, man
          2.30.2 Comparison of continents2.30.2a Biomes
               2.30.2b Other comparisons (see Geography)
     2.40 Definition, identification, formation of water forms
          2.40.1 Stresses to water forms: erosion, pollution, land development
          2.40.2 Identification of oceans and major seas
               2.40.2a Comparisons of salt vs fresh water
               2.40.2b Ocean life
     2.50 Vocabulary recognition of atmospheric layers
     2.60 Orientation, direction, beginning mapping skills
          2.60.1 Review compass, N,S,E,W
          2.60.2 Longitude and latitude
          2.60.3 Global positioning
3.00 Seasons
     3.10 Cause of day/night
     3.20 Cause and comparison of Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
     3.30 Phases of the moon
4.00 Weather
     4.10 Measurements and instruments
          4.10.1 Temperature
          4.10.2 Barometer, aerometer, thermometer, hydrometer
     4.20 Elements and how each affect weather
          4.20.1 Air, wind, heat, precipitation
     4.30 Classification and identification of major cloud formations
     4.40 Types, causes, and safety measures for storms
          4.40.1 Thunderstorms
          4.40.2 Hurricanes
          4.40.3 Tornadoes
     4.50 Description of water cycle
          4.50.1 Water conservation

Chemistry

1.00 Three States of Matter
     1.10 Definition and identification of solid ,liquid, gas
          1.10.1 Experiments
          1.10.2 Physical properties of matter: soft, hard, rigid., etc.
     1.20 Forces and how they act on matter
     1.30 Vocabulary of and experiments for chemical and physical changes
             in matter
     1.40 Creation of solutions
     1.50 Effect of heat on matter
2.00 Definition and experiments for acid and base
     2.10 Testing of liquids
     2.20 Testing of soil
3.00 Periodic Table of Elements
     3.10 Presentation of chart
     3.20 Location and identification of simple elements:
             e.g. hydrogen, oxygen, gold
4.00 Atomic Structure
     4.10 Vocabulary and identification of molecules and atoms
          4.10.1 Protons, electrons, neutrons
          4.10.2 Atomic diagram

Physics

1.00 Electricity
     1.10 Where electricity is used
     1.20 Observation of whole to part: lamp to bulb to filament
     1.30Existence of circuit for electricity to flow
2.00 Observation of and experiments for magnets:
       positive and negative components
3.00 Theory and purpose of gravity
4.00 Definition and experiments for buoyancy
5.00 Balance
     5.10 Scientific scale, gram scale
     5.20 Making predictions and estimations
6.00 Definition of and manipulation of seven simple machines
     6.10 Concepts of mass, work, friction
7.00 Motion
     7.10 Force, speed, direction
     7.20 Principles and forces acting upon flight
          7.20.1Air foil, lift, wind
     7.30 Inertia, friction
8.00 Types and identification of light: spectrum, ultraviolet, transparent,
        and opaque
9.00 Sound
     9.10 Propagation of wave
     9.20 Experiments with sound through different states of matter
     9.30 Human hearing

Scientific Process and Principles

1.00 Observation
     1.10 The child’s ability to recognize whole/part relationships is reinforced
             and heightened
     1.20 Skills occur through prepared classroom environment
     1.30 Skills occur in natural environment: nature walks, field trips
2.00 Experimentation
     2.10 Self-directed trials through prepared classroom environment
     2.20 Group trials on random environmental topics
     2.30 Annual participation in science fair project
3.00 Research
     3.10 Research process presented conceptually
     3.20 Reviews are completed on self and teacher-selected topics
             throughout the year
     3.30 Review completed for annual science fair project
4.00 Presentation
     4.10 Individual interests observed, experimented, or researched are
            encouraged for oral presentation during weekly share time
     4.20 Oral and written presentation for projects and experiments
     4.30 Group discussions regarding experimental process: cause/effect,     
            predictions, hypotheses, conclusions, etc.