Biology
TBA

Foreign Language
Skinner Elementary Montessori has developed its own phonetic French program modeled on the phonetic approach of the Montessori method. After a year or two of French phonetics, the students are ready for beginning conversational French and more advanced grammar. Skinner has received national recognition through the National French contest. More about the French program.

Geography (Physical & Political)
The Montessori method breaks geography into two areas: physical and political. In physical geography, children learn about land and water formations, as well as the workings of the earth's elements upon these. Experiments in erosion, the three states of matter and changes in the earth's crust reinforce the students' learning by giving them sensorial as well as intellectual stimuli.

Global maps are introduced first, then hemispheres, continents and countries. Students learn about world trade, imports, exports and natural resources. The needs of men — food, shelter, clothing, defenses and transportation — dash are represented in such a way that the child understands how these basic needs are culturalized and why different cultures meet these needs differently.

Geometry
TBA

Health/Physical Education
Lifestyles and behaviors in regards to health and activity are formed in the earlier years of a person's life. Skinner Elementary Montessori acknowledges the importance of educating its students in promoting a healthy lifestyle and as such will be exposed to contemporary issues surrounding health, nutrition, as well as physical activities to boost confidence and motor development in such areas as Dance, Tai Chi, Basketball, and Track and Field. This program is offered for elementary students weekly as part of the regular curriculum.

History
At the Skinner Elementary School, the subject of history includes both natural and political history. In natural history, students begin with the evolution of plant and animal life. They learn that life is in harmony with nature and that it progresses by means of heredity, variation and mutation.

The study of political history is the history of man on the earth. It begins with the Stone Age and concludes with American History. The study of political history introduces the concept of cultural revolution, the process of man-made changes to the world. Students examine artifacts, man's migration and the establishment of nationalism. Children locate old and new civilizations on maps. They discuss the problems man faced in each civilization and how these problems differ in each historical era. Discussions of how religion and art developed help emphasize the development of civilization.

Italic
Teaching children italic handwriting is logical because the printed and cursive forms have the same letter shapes. Once a child masters the printed italic, he or she can quickly master cursive italic by connecting the ending strokes (serifs) of the individual letters. This strong similarity between formal and cursive letters makes it possible for students to master cursive writing earlier than if other methods were used. Skinner has received international recognition for its italic program.

Mathematics
Most of us were introduced to arithmetic as an abstract, intellectual concept. The Montessori method calls for a sensorial approach, initially. These materials are used to introduce the concept of the decimal system. Children progress through the basic rudiments of mathematics — from addition, multiplication, subtraction, division, fractions and weights and measures — at their own speed. This same approach helps the child move on quickly to the more advanced concepts of squaring, cubing, square roots, non-decimal bases, algebra and geometry.

Music
The three steps to understanding music are absorption, exploration and composition. Absorption is best accomplished through watching and listening. Exploration is accomplished through imitation, singing and directed lessons. Composition occurs when the child puts the elements of music (rhythm, pitch, intensity and tonal quality) together. A combination of the intellectual and sensorial approach helps the child move to this final state. The understanding of the basic elements of music leads naturally to the discussion of the same elements in poetry and language.

Music Performance
Expanding upon the Music curriculum students in the elementary program will have the opportunity to put their skills into application as they experience the world of music through singing, learning about different composers, and performing to an audience. Students are separated into age-level groups meeting before school. Participation in this program is optional.