IMS Curriculum
We offer your child a comprehensive curriculum and our vision of childhood is guided by the pedagogy developed by Dr Maria Montessori on human development. Our program is designed for children aged 5 months to twelve years and is divided into the following learning cycles. Nido (5m-18m), Infant Community (18m-3years), Children’s House (3-6 years), Elementary 1 (6-9 years) and opening in Sept 2022 our new class Elementary 11 (9-12 years).
Multi-age groups and the three-year Montessori cycle are an essential part of the program. We offer an individually paced curriculum that challenges children academically, develops their independence and allows them to engage as contributing members of a respectful community, where they learn to question, think critically, and take responsibility for their own learning.
We use a combination of Montessori materials and project-based learning to achieve our curriculum.
Our school follows a unique combination of the following curriculums.
Montessori methodology, Junta de Andalucia, American Core Standards
Dual Language
Our school is unique in our area, in that we offer a dual-language Spanish and English immersion programme. What does this mean for the child? Through project-based learning, and with Spanish and English speaking teachers in the classroom, they will develop the ability to read, write and speak in both languages. Neuroscience research has shown that studying a second language, apart from the obvious advantages of speaking two languages, increases brain density and cognitive skills. These cognitive benefits lead to improved working memory and increased attention, as well as a boost to problem-solving abilities for students.
Mathematics
Mathematical concepts are introduced one step at a time, using manipulative materials to promote a solid grasp of number relationships and operations before introducing written notation. At the elementary level, arithmetical operations are conducted with large numbers – up to one million – using materials that are increasingly abstract. The curriculum includes memorization of basic number facts, fractions, decimals, multiples, factors and divisibility, squares and square roots, binomials, trinomials, decanomials, prime numbers and negative numbers. Additional topics introduce ratios and percentages, algebraic equations, measurement, probability and estimation, statistics and graphs.
Geometry
Montessori places great emphasis on the study of geometry and all the math materials have a geometric aspect. Beginning with visual recognition of plane figures and solids, the curriculum explores the concepts of point, line and plane, the properties of triangles and quadrilaterals, congruent, equivalent and similar figures, perimeter, area, volume, and the theorem of Pythagoras.
Biology
Plants and animals are an essential part of the Montessori environment. This creates an environment where children can acquire the experiential basis for their future understanding and love of biology. They further extend their knowledge by going out to wildlife sanctuaries, arboretums, and nature parks to view animals and plants in their natural habitats. We learn about the history of the earth, its organisms, their contribution and evolution. Children also see the interaction of living and non-living things in relationships. The interdependence of all things in the universe is stressed, with people being the most powerful living thing, but also the most dependent. An appreciation and sense of wonder unfold as the harmony of creation is revealed.
History
The children’s personal sense of time is the starting point for the history curriculum. By noting the passage of days, months, and birthdays, the children develop this awareness of time. Children create personal and family timelines as a precursor to their work with timelines of human history. We also develop a historical sense of time through the Time Lines of Life and Early People, and then the B.C.E/C.E. TimeLine. These visual aids, presented with stories, specimens, and artefacts, help the children understand the evolution of life and the development of civilizations.
Geography
Geography, the study of Physical Science, Earth Science, Physical Geography opens the door to the curriculum as the children learn about the Earth and its place in the universe, they form an intellectual framework for all their studies. It sets the stage for an unfolding drama, in many acts, of Earth’s story from its inception to its present state. The initial geography lessons are given to the six-year-olds as exciting stories. Accompanied by scientific demonstrations and charts. They instil in his emergent reasoning mind a desire to embark on an exploration of our world. We begin with the story of “The Creation of the Universe” to give a vision of the whole.
Art & Creativity
Art is one of our favourite activities! There are dedicated art areas in every classroom, with easels and paints always available. We want children to experiment with colour and texture and have the freedom to paint what they want. They are introduced to different concepts and skills, and sometimes to the work of a particular artist, and then encouraged to create their own work. Important lessons in how to get started, and how to clean up afterwards, are instilled from the very beginning.
Music
It is very rare to find a child who does not respond positively to music in some way. Most children love rhythm, melody, and so many aspects of music, especially when combined with movement. Music is a language that all can understand and it speaks to our hearts and minds in ways that other types of communication can not. Our musical sessions are utterly dynamic, with students singing and picking up and playing instruments from the very beginning. These foundations of musical education evolve as the child matures and begins to develop a sense of rhythm, and starts to compose music for himself.
Yoga & Mindfulness
We know that children are exposed to a lot of stress these days and with that in mind have introduced yoga classes for them. The value of yoga is that it not only increases their coordination and balance, and improves strength and flexibility, but helps them live in the moment, builds their concentration and above all, makes them happy. Yoga can help to enhance their self-awareness by teaching them about meditation and breathing exercises. Our younger students are introduced to basic yoga poses through exciting and adventurous games.
Environmental Education
Exploration of the world beyond home and school is essential.
Valuable real-world experiences foster independence, self-reliance and cooperation, encompassing activities and observations in natural environments such as nature hikes, orienteering and camping, and activities in the community, such as volunteering, visiting museums and factories, and interacting with adults in their workplaces. These experiences are directly linked to curriculum content, and whenever possible, the children take a role in organizing the outside visits.
Physical Education
Our Physical Education program is designed to a be fun and engaging way to develop a positive attitude towards physical activity and its contribution to lifelong health. The curriculum promotes the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of the child through a wide range of activities, team sports, fun games, circuits, aerobic exercises and dance. Here children develop motor skills such as balance, coordination, strength, speed, endurance and flexibility. As well as integrating knowledge and skills, such as fair play, respect for the rules, and developing an understanding of team spirit through participation and competition.
Emotional Intelligence Training
Emotional intelligence is one of the basic skills for successfully facing life. Emotional Intelligence is a capacity that can be developed and we help our students learn to understand the importance of their actions and their impact on others. We show them models of positive behaviour that they are able to understand and make their own. Any child who has an average IQ, but high emotional intelligence, will perform better academically and have a better chance of success in life in both the workplace and in personal relationships.
Technology
Seeing the growing importance of technology, our children should be introduced to the use of information and communication technologies to search for information and to process and present it, as well as to carry out interactive simulations and represent phenomena that are difficult to carry out experimentally. Technology will be worked on projects and also in the Montessori class through experiments. Our students use an application called Guidepost, which provides a home school and guidance to use new technologies to work in the classroom.
Dramatic Arts
We have a passion for teaching our children about good food, how to grow it, how to prepare it, and how to enjoy it. We believe in a healthy, balanced, nutritious diet, low in sugar and want to encourage our children to eat as healthily as possible at all times.
Linked to the food we provide, we have designed educational activities to expand our students’ knowledge of the food they eat, where it comes from and their health in general. We help them to develop personal values and attitudes that promote well-being in order for them to make responsible decisions. All our menus are developed by a nutrition expert and consist of three courses for lunch and healthy fruit snacks during the day.
