Main Line Montessori School

Our goal is to present means for study that will lead to a spontaneous and purposeful exploration of nature and to a number of discoveries made by the children themselves.

Week 1- Stream Ecology

Our own Ithan Creek, which runs in front of our school, is the perfect spot to begin exploring nature. This week we will identify the animals and plants that live there and how they depend on one another.

Week 2- Hooray for the USA!

Independence Day offers us a chance to learn about the birth of the USA, our history, and traditions associated with the holiday.

Week 3- Geology

The children will learn to discern the difference between the three main kinds of rock: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.  Activities will include scrubbing and painting river rocks.  The week will culminate in an archaeological dig for “polished gems”.

Week 4- Tree Ecology

The children will spend time identifying and studying characteristics of the trees in our environment.  They will learn about trees as habitats for animals and plants.  They will discern types of trees by doing bark rubbings and leaf prints.  Our little foresters will make a collage of their findings during the week.

Week 5- Ornithology

The children will learn to identify backyard birds, their nesting and feeding habits, and be able to name the parts of a bird.  The week will also include identifying common household tools and basic carpentry techniques.  Using this knowledge, each child will build his/her own birdhouse to take home.

Week 6- Entomology

The children will begin the week by making a bug hotel.  Armed with a magnifying glass and his/her bug hotel, your budding entomologist will search under rocks, old logs, and leaves for specimens to study.  After identifying their finds and learning the parts of an

insect, the children will return their guests to their original habitats.

Week 7 & 8- Botany

During these two weeks, the children will explore the entire plant life cycle through observing germination, growth and development, flowering, pollination and seed formation.  In addition to tending the school’s outdoor plants, each child will make an environmentally friendly pot out of newspaper and begin a seedling to take home.