Curriculum overview
The Montessori curriculum of Happy Palace Grammar School concentrates on five areas of critical learning and development language, math, cultural, practical life skills and sensorial. Children’s knowledge of the core areas builds each year and by the time they reach the end of kindergarten they reach have a firm understanding of the material.

Language

Language lessons are incorporated into all curriculum areas to assist with vocabulary development, progression into reading, development of writing skills and composition. Language in Montessori starts with individual letter sounds. Sand paper letters provide children with a multi-sensory experience that helps them imprint the letter shapes into their memory.

Math

Math continues the cognitive math development that begin in the practical life skills and sensorial curriculum, taking an acute focus and more abstract thinking process with concrete materials. With the Colored Bead System and number rods children learn such skills as basic addition.

Cultural
Cultural activities are a specific extension of the language curriculum where children begin to acquire a sense of historical fact, nomenclature of physical geography. Science includes physical science, botany and zoology.

Practical life skills
Practical life is the study of self-help skills and focuses on the four major areas, Care of Self, Care of Environment, Grace and Courtesy, and Movement. Through practical life materials, children build self-confidence and develop large and fine motor skills, which lead to handwriting. Practical life allows children the time to practice activities like pouring, pegging, sponging, spooning etc.

Sensorial
Sensorial Uses a multi-sensory approach to education. Children are encouraged to learn by processing information gathered through the senses. Specially designed materials engage multiple senses to reinforce basic concepts. For example, the geometric cabinet uses the senses of touch and sight to learn the differences in shapes. Children build their vocabulary skills by naming the shapes and gain a basic understanding of geometry concepts.

Music
The music curriculum combines individuals and group work with lessons designed to appeal to a variety of learning styles. This directly relates to our mission of enhancing the Montessori philosophy with other innovative methods. The music curriculum also offers significant opportunities to build community through our numerous performances and assemblies.

Field Trip
We strive to explore the world outside the classroom through field trips. All trips are selected on the basis of combining fun activities with learning experiences.