About Montessori

Montessori

Shasta Union Elementary School offers a student-centered education based on the philosophy and methods of Maria Montessori. Students are supported and challenged to discover their strengths, to be critical thinkers, life-long learners, and contributing members of the community. Because we are a public school we are able to offer Montessori education tuition free. Students have access to Montessori materials and instruction from trained Montessori teachers and instructional aides. This hands-on learning style promotes independence and prepares students for the real world. Multi graded classrooms offer children the opportunity to work with students with different experience levels and to become leaders. At Shasta we focus on collaboration, independence, communication, community, discovery, initiative, and inclusion amidst diversity.

By respecting the individuality of the child and allowing freedom of choice, we foster the natural creativity and curiosity of the child. When invited to take the initiative in their learning, children develop self-motivation, a love of learning, and the ability to learn with independence. The goal of our school is to facilitate each child's natural inclination to learn. Our teachers guide rather than instruct, linking each student with activities that meet his interests, needs, and developmental level. Our classrooms are designed to allow movement and collaboration, while also promoting concentration and a sense of order. Working in multi-age groupings, using specially designed learning tools, our students learn to think critically, work collaboratively, and act boldly – a skill set for the 21st century.

Coltrane, 1st Grade

"What Montessori means to me is learning lots of different things!"

Coltrane
1st Grade

Students watching a pigeonA Teacher reading to studentsStudents eating lunch
Logan, 7th Grade Student

"Why I Like Montessori

One of the reasons that I like Montessori is that in Montessori program you don't have to sit in a desk all day. Another reason is that the teachers explain concepts and not just tell you the order of which to do things to complete your task. In addition, I love the materials they use and the elaborate way they teach them. Last but not least, I really like the way we get to choose the order we have to do things and the more responsibilities that come with it. These are the reasons I like Montessori!"

Logan
7th Grade

Students Measuring and BuildingStudents working together on a projectStudent looking a a fish tank
Aria, Kindergarten Student

"My favorite thing about Montessori is working with the materials!"

Aria
Kindergarten

Elementary classroom abacusElementary classroom workstationStudent collecting papers at a workstation
Maria Montessori, Founder - Montessori Philosophy

Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed.

Maria Montessori - Founder - Montessori Philosophy

Maria Montessori, Founder - Montessori Philosophy, sitting at her desk

We discovered that education is not something which the teacher does, but that it is a natural process which develops spontaneously in the human being.

Maria Montessori - Founder - Montessori Philosophy

Maria Montessori, Founder - Montessori Philosophy, sitting for a portrait

The greatest sign of success for a teacher.. is to be able to say, the children are now working as if I did not exist.

Maria Montessori - Founder - Montessori Philosophy

Informational Videos

These videos are not produced by Shasta Elementary, they are merely informational.


"Montessori Madness!" by Trevor Eissler – Original Video on YouTube

Examples of Montessori Method – "Clean Up" Video from Montessori Guide – www.montessoriguide.org

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