Collaborate. Communicate. Connect with One Another. World Language. Humanities. Literature. Mathematics.

The Adolescent Program centers on rigorous academic studies and purposeful, land-based work that emphasizes the interconnectedness among all academic subjects.

Upcoming Event: Adolescent Open House

Sunday,
May 5
1-3p.m.

Join us for a presentation about the Adolescent Program!

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Articles

 

The Student Newsletter

-Student written articles-
 
Read Here

!Ole Montessori Mexico

-A teacher deepens her training-
 
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Adolescent's Maple Syrup

-The process on Millstream-
 
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In the News

FOX61 Feature

With respect to the Hartford Yard Goats, these students are celebrating the New Hartford Goats

Students at Montessori School of Greater Hartford have been taking care of goats at their farm.
Author: Jim Altman
Published: 5:10 PM EDT April 27, 2022
Updated: 5:31 PM EDT April 27, 2022

READ FEATURE HERE


 

Adolescent Program

The Adolescent Program at the Montessori School of Greater Hartford demonstrates consideration for the appropriate intellectual, social, physical, aesthetic, emotional and ethical development of students in all aspects of school and student life. The campus is located on a 30-acre farm with goats, sheep, chickens, honey bees, gardens, fields, woodlands, ponds, streams and a river. The environment, the curriculum and the guides (teachers) at the Adolescent Program provide opportunities for students to reach their maximum potential.

The Adolescent Child

 

Social

Similarly, students’ social needs are met in our Adolescent Program, as the adolescents collaborate, communicate and connect with one another in order to run competently their small business and the small farm. Adolescence is a social age, and the students have opportunities throughout the day to socialize as they do purposeful work in the garden, in the kitchen and in the animal barn. Their academic work is often done in small groups that require conversation and interaction. Also, older students regularly give lessons to younger students, in an exchange that is both educational and social. Montessori termed young adolescents “social newborns” and by that she meant that they were entering the world as adults for the first time, and they needed to build a sense of valor, usefulness and identity by working with their hands, heads and hearts in a community. Our school environment is that productive, social community.

Emotional

Students develop emotionally and ethically in this environment that gives them the very real responsibility of caring for animals, dairying, and growing, cooking and preserving food from the garden. They learn the importance of individual contribution as well as a just system of the division of labor. They learn the relationship between the human-built and natural worlds, and assume adult-like work roles that have implications for themselves and their community. They gain a sense that all work is noble, for each person’s role on the farm and in the classroom is a cog in the wheel that propels the entire community forward. Students grapple with social and moral problems, such as the right use of the natural environment and the ethics of science, and they participate in council meetings that give everyone an equal voice in the classroom. Further, they abide by a student-written Code of Ethics that preserves the dignity and integrity of every student and teacher in the program and guarantees good stewardship of the land, animals and buildings.


 

Read More About the Adolescent Program From the Students

Student Publications

 


 

The Adolescent Education

The Adolescent Program centers on rigorous academic studies and purposeful, land-based work that emphasizes the interconnectedness among all academic subjects. Through both traditional schoolwork and varied hands-on activity, the adolescents gain insight into their own capabilities and how they might apply them some day to life and to livelihood. The basic premise of the curriculum, which aims to link practical experiences with theoretical knowledge, is that all living and nonliving things on earth are connected and interdependent, and that the world is an interdisciplinary place; therefore, in a Montessori program, life and learning are viewed not as separate disciplines, but as one and the same. Learning becomes an essential and meaningful part of life, rather than a remote “schooling.”

Humanities 

This area of study strikes a balance between detail and generality. At times, the class examines history through a wide-angle lens, with timelines and broad overviews; and, at other times, the class studies history through a telephoto lens, investigating in detail a particular event, person, civilization or trend and how it relates to the whole. Topics include scientific discoveries, geographical explorations, migrations, religion, patriotism, and wars and conquests of empires in relation to their ideals and moral standards. When possible, humanities projects are tied to the historical and cultural resources of the local community, for pedagogy of place is the hallmark of Montessori education at the adolescent level.

Mathematics

In mathematics, we aim for fluency with mathematical concepts, competence with the basic skills needed for the fluency to develop. We also practice mathematical thinking and the logic needed to convince others, to be convinced by them, to change one’s mind when necessary, and to hold one’s ground when needed. We also aim to ensure that the students have the base they need for tenth grade high school math work. That means basic algebra – evaluating & simplifying expressions, and solving equations - as well as an introduction to many topics, among them: analytic geometry (1st degree functions in depth; other common functions in an elementary way); hands-on practice with probability, fundamental ideas in statistics, and using the power of algebra (starting with the answer) in word problems.   The farm/business provides opportunities for students to see the efficiency of math and its notation, and to solve problems meaningful to their lives. It also develops skills in organization and presentation of information and thought – the same niche as word problems in textbooks, but in a more palatable way.

Basic student work is very much self-paced. Students work through a series of units, receiving formal lessons as needed. Each new unit, after the first one, introduces two or three new skills, while reinforcing already learned skills with examples slightly harder than the previous unit, but fewer in number. The idea is to make the skills part of a readily available repertoire so the students will have a solid platform for future studies. Additionally, we have “seminar problems” with one to two weeks to complete. These are problems that need original mathematical thinking, without algorithms to fall back on, often with multiple possible routes to a solution. Students work one night on their own with these problems; after that they can collaborate. Half the work is solving, the other half is then organizing their work in order to present it clearly and convincingly in written and oral presentations. Projects can also be incorporated into the schedule on an ad-hoc basis, following the interests of the students, or desire of the guide. We start geometry that way with a study of straight-edge and compass constructions, and propositions in book 1 of Euclid (which starts with some proofs of constructions), before doing a formal course in geometry for those who will do both algebra and geometry with us. Students who need shoring up in arithmetic skills gain some backfill because we place extra emphasis on showing the unity of many algebraic and arithmetic techniques. We aim to equip students well for future math studies while helping them see the beauty of math and its exciting role in cultural history.

Art

In art, students explore a rigorous art curriculum. There is a heavy focus on collaborative work and support of the academic curriculum. Students are led through guided exercises designed to foster cooperative work as well as independent art exploration. Team building exercises foster an attitude of cooperation. Lessons enhance academic studies and themes while maintaining a focus on technical skill. Other projects center on enhancing sketching and modeling of still life objects as well as imaginative imagery. Mediums include, but are not limited to, marker, graphite, charcoal, pastel, watercolor, paris-craft, clay and acrylic paint, as well as film making. Other aspects of the art curriculum involve research on various historical and contemporary artists that exemplify different art media techniques as well as discussions about art aesthetics and art criticisms.

Physical Education

Students are offered weekly, structured physical education classes that encourage the development of good fitness habits. By introducing fun-filled and meaningful activities the students learn a variety of skills, as well as the confidence to explore new physical and/or movement challenges. Sports based games, yoga and martial arts are among the rotations offered. Our goal is to promote regular participation in physical or recreational activities that encourages a healthy active lifestyle.

 


 

Parent Observations, Student Visits

Parents of prospective students are encouraged to experience an Adolescent Program for themselves by planning a visit. Visiting parents receive a full tour of the Millstream Farm and are welcome to observe the classroom. Prospective students join the classroom for a minimum of one full day as part of the admissions process. Open House are held in the fall and spring.  Check the MSGH calendar for specific dates.

Program Details

Teachers: Our Adolescent Program teachers have Masters-level educations and most have completed the NAMTA/AMI Orientation to Adolescent Studies recognized by the North American Teachers Association (NAMTA) and Association Montessori Internationale (AMI).  

Afterschool Program: The school day begins at 8:20 and ends at 3:00. An afterschool program is available at the West Hartford campus until 5:30, during which students may complete homework, read, engage in developmentally-appropriate games and crafts, and enjoy time outdoors. 

Transportation is provided daily from MSGH’s West Hartford Campus. The bus departs at 7:40 and makes an additional scheduled stop on Route 44 to pick up students.   

Transition: One of the most frequently asked questions of any Montessori school is: How will children adapt when they transition to a new school? What we have seen is that students successfully transition to the next level and consciously build on their Montessori experience, finding it has given them a solid academic base, along with a diverse set of skills, such as: time management skills, collaborative work skills, leadership skills and problem solving skills. Other observations are that Montessori students have faith in adults, display an understanding of community, and a willingness to do community service. For more information, check out life after MSGH. If you have more questions about this or other aspects of MSGH, please feel free to contact us.