Guidepost Montessori at Central West End

For content, the elementary-aged student is hungry for structured, abstract thinkingfor the whole edifice of human knowledge. Guidepost's elementary program satisfies that appetite and then some, challenging students to grow their knowledge and their knowhow across every discipline. Read more about our approach to each area of academics: Mathematics: a program of hands-on materials and a precise, rigorous sequence of mathematical content; Literature: learning about human nat...ure, through a curriculum of great works and a pedagogy of deep, personal comprehension; Language Arts: a course of reading and writing skills that fosters reading comprehension, eloquent expression, and objective thinking; Art Appreciation: an approach to reading and connecting with the fine arts; Science: mastering evidential, causal reasoning via a foundation of scientific knowledge; History: the chronology of history as a tool to understand the present human world. The Guidepost elementary student graduates with an unmatched inner discipline and an internalized system of foundational knowledge. She is well on the trajectory towards becoming a modern citizen of the worldindependent, versatile, knowledgeable, and self-possessed.

Elementary students have mastered basic physical independence, and are ready for the dramatic step of practicing living independently thoughtful lives. We take full advantage of the Montessori three-hour work cycle, where students choose and organize their own work. Our students come to create, understand, structure, and interrelate their learning goalsto work both independently and collaborativelyand to persist in difficult thinking and abstract creative work. You can read more about our culture of autonomy and work, and the character that it fosters, here https://guidepostmontessori.com/programs/elementary/work

The Scientific Method at Guidepost Our approach to the scientific method emphasizes rigorous discovery learning. Too often the scientific method is taught as a checklist: hypothesis, experiment, analysis, conclusion. Not only is this oversimplified, it is also disconnected from the elementary child’s experience. In our classrooms, students master the early stages of scientific inquiry. Noticing things, observing, being confused and curious, asking questionsthese are things t...hat come naturally to elementary children, and are at the core of an elementary science education. Nurturing curiosity, being observant, knowing how to take one’s observations as evidence, are all general scientific skills that are relevant to all of life, and that many people never master. They are mastered by taking the time to break apart a seed and explore its inner workings, to stare at the night sky and to notice a thousand details, to be confused about magnets and to ask a thousand questions. See more

The Purpose of History Education in Elementary The human world into which our children are born is bewilderingly complex. It boasts countless and often conflicting institutions, ever-evolving technologies, and contradictory norms and practices. This is a world that most adults struggle to understandpartially in virtue of the approach to history and civics in most schools, which doesn’t typically provide a helpful framework for thinking about the dynamic human world. But ev...en elementary-aged children want and need to start to make sense this cacophony, to understand the world they live in, to learn to appreciate it, and, ultimately, to be empowered with the knowledge needed to participate in it, affect it, change it. The critical key for understanding for a student to understand, appreciate, and change the culture of their worldin all of aspectsis history. Conversely, the key learning outcome of history is the ability to understand, appreciate, and ultimately change their world. History, in our elementary programs, is not a list of dates, nor is it a collection of topics and themes. It is a unified story of the development of the modern worldthe explanation of the world of the student. It is a synoptic, rich timeline of its arts and inventions, its people and institutions, its arc of events, conflicts, and, most of all, ideas.

A moment of joyful focus in our Elementary program! Writing is omnipresent in our elementary classrooms. Our approach to writing instruction is based on the following principles (to name a few!): -The guide is a positive role model of writing for students. ... Through their passion and enthusiasm for writing, as well as their own writing practice, teachers can show students that writing is valuable and important. -We connect writing activities to students' knowledge and interests. Students enjoy writing about what they know. They also enjoy writing with real purpose for a real audience as a means of social engagement. Therefore, it is key to create authentic writing tasks for students, drawing from both academic and personal context. -We create a writing climate in which all writers feel safe to make choices and take risks. Teachers model respect when talking about writing and about student work. Students are taught how to respond effectively and respectfully to their peers work. -Guides find time for students to write every day. Improvement in writing does not happen overnight, nor does it generally happen very easily. Volume is important. Writing should never be an occasional activity. It needs to be something that is effected every day.

The Purpose of an Education in the Fine Arts In our Elementary literature program, students are inspired and enabled to learn skills like moral reasoning, empathy, and even virtue. They do so via the concrete learning material of a work of great literature, which they learn to read closely and treat as evidence for thinking about the deepest aspects of human nature. Art appreciation teaches a related skill: that of learning to apply these concepts to the world of perceptual experience. Students don't just learn how to reflect on moral meaning and spiritually significant aspects of lifethey learn to see it, to read it into the world around them as they experience it with their very eyes.

Come join us this Saturday any time between 10 a.m and 1 p.m to meet our teachers and school leaders! You will have the opportunity to virtually visit classrooms and ask questions. PLUS- Those who attend will have their waitlist fee waived! See you there

Maria Montessori was a visionary leader also regarding space design for young children. At the beginning of the last century, she already wrote about soft colors and clean, sophisticated room designs which enhance concentration. Now, science proves that Dr. Montessori was (once again) right!

It can always be challenging to explain serious, real world events to inquisitive children. Miss Katie does so in a easy to understand and reassuring way

Joyful Montessori learning for elementary students We offer flexible, rolling admissions throughout the school year and all summer for both half- and full-day classes. Don't miss out on this amazing program! Give us a ring at (314)-328-4972 for more info and to schedule a tour

Challenging academic work inspires Guidepost elementary students to rise to the occasion, master difficult skills, and develop a broad base of foundational knowledge. Do you want to learn more about our 1st-6th grade Elementary program? Give us a call at (314) 328-4972

Virtual Open House!