The Montessori Language curriculum focuses on communication and building understanding through words.  Using a constructivist, concrete-to-abstract approach we focus on phonics as the foundation to build an understanding of the written and spoken language.  We emphasize the importance of grammar through symbols and storytelling that denote meaning and create a practical understanding of the function of words. The teacher serves as a guide to further the intrinsic flow of learning. 

The Montessori Math curriculum emphasizes the importance of logic, order, and reasoning. Using a beautiful set of materials in order to cultivate their critical thinking skills, children build their higher-level abstract understanding of numbers and patterns. The child will spend time learning how to apply their knowledge with a degree of precision to real world situations.

Religion classes at Norwood Fontbonne Academy focus on:

• Catholic Sacrament preparation for grade 2, including the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist
• Understanding the aspects of the mass and names for people and sacramentals in the church
• Bible stories
• Liturgical Seasons, meaning and traditions
• Chapel Experience
  • Prayer Etiquette 
  • Reflections
• Service-learning opportunities and special projects centered around the cohort theme of Unioning Love.

The Montessori Culture curriculum is designed to build an understanding of the interconnectivity of the world and global citizenship of each child. Children develop a grade level understanding of environmental relationships and their place in the universe.  Through self choice, open exploration and self correcting materials, the child will apply their knowledge of global oneness to solve problems, build resilience, and formulate a moral awareness. Culture in the Montessori room encompasses the study of botany, zoology, geology, history, and political and physical geography.

Grades 1st - 3rd STEM program introduces the LAUNCH cycle of design thinking. Students will start by learning how to work together to solve various problems, learning that there are different roles needed in every group. From there, students will learn how to use various engineering tools they will encounter in their STEM careers and eventually use them to build larger projects. Students will also spend some time learning the basics of coding. These early stages will help them with projects not only in the STEM classroom but through all their academia.

Grades 1st-3rd  music program strengthens students’ musical knowledge and provides opportunities for students to demonstrate learned skills. Students will develop knowledge and skills related to the elements of music  such as dynamics, tempo, rhythm, pitch, tone poems, musical stories, instruments of the orchestra, echo singing and vocals. These skills will be demonstrated in classroom activities.

In art class, students in the first, second and third grade primary and JLM levels get messy and engage in the art making process through hands-on projects.  The teacher introduces different mediums, artists and techniques  to expose students to the rich history of fine art.  Students have hands-on experiences with fibers, paper mache, plaster, wire, recyclable materials, natural materials, installation, pastels, painting, drawing and printmaking.  Through exposure to these mediums students build a foundation of abilities, which they will eventually use as a springboard for self-directed projects in middle school.

The elementary level Spanish program continues to build on the child’s foundation for foreign language learning. After we review and expand on all elements introduced at the preschool/kindergarten levels, we develop Spanish language skills in conversation, writing, song, prayer, movement, and global perspective.* Hispanic and Afro-latinx identities are explored by way of geography, music, and The Afro-Latino ABC Alphabet by José and Keaira Faña-Ruiz. At this level, students become quite enthusiastic as they discover their natural abilities in the target language.

Elementary level Spanish curriculum texts include:

• The Afro-Latino ABC Alphabet by José & Keaira Faña-Ruiz (All level)
• N is for Navidad by Merry Banks & Susan Middleton Elya (All level)

*Through age 5 we acquire the following skills and knowledge: yoga, breathing exercises, vowel sounds, the alphabet, animals, colors, days of the week, months, parts of the body, basic classroom instructions etc.

Physical Education at the lower elementary  level is an avenue for engaging in developmentally appropriate physical activities designed for children to develop their fitness, gross and fine motor skills to enable them to participate in games. They learn essential skills to become physically literate. Physical Education activities include Locomotor skills, non-locomotor skills, manipulative skills, balance and dance. They learn modified games and sports. The curriculum leads the students to participate in the Intermediate grades curriculum.

The Social-Emotional Learning curriculum at the Elementary Level is designed to support students in learning the developmentally appropriate skills and attitudes needed in order to develop healthy identities, self-awareness, and social awareness. It also teaches students the important skills needed for managing big emotions, feeling and showing empathy for others, developing the skills to create and identify positive and supportive relationships, and making responsible and caring decisions. Through this work, students begin to deepen their understanding of themselves and others, take pride in themselves and their uniqueness, foster inclusivity, and become a productive member of the community.