THE physical education program at North Star Montessori is "totally awesome" according to the students.
Like all things Montessori, the program varies depending on the stage of development the children are in and builds on previously learned physical, organizational and leadership skills.
The kindergarten program focuses on the development of gross motor skills and how to play and interact with peers. Children are introduced to a variety of games and activities that promote gross motor skill development, sportsmanship, communication, and listening skills. Some of the enriched programming for kindergarten students includes ice skating, marital arts and Bollywood dancing. The lower elementary program (grades 1-3) exposes the students to a variety of activities both within the school facility and in the community at large. In addition to building onto the skills acquired in kindergarten, lower elementary students also participate in rock climbing, hiking, and mountain biking to name a few. At this level, an interdisciplinary approach is taken. For example, when hiking, children also observe nature, making connections to their botany and geography lessons while building fitness.
The upper elementary program (grades 4-6) is where the physical education program is really unique. Having had a previous experience across many activities in lower elementary, the students now have an idea of what activities they enjoy and would like to repeat gaining a more refined skill set. They are also given the opportunity to research and suggest new activities they would like to try. The class votes on activities that will be part of the program the following year.
The upper elementary students are empowered to build their program, identifying the benefits of different activities, as well as deciding on what time of year the activities will take place. Do they want to go hiking in November when it is likely to rain every day? Or do they want to go hiking in May when the chance for nicer weather is possible?
The icing on the cake for this program, as well as our fieldtrip programs, is when the students set up the program for the group, independent of an adult. Planning the route and organizing transportation (hired bus or public transit) can also be part of their responsibilities reinforcing practical life skills.
