Mission Statement

 

Birch Lane Elementary Montessori Program

Birch Lane Montessori Parent Advisory Group Website

NOTE: The Montessori Master Plan has been updated. A link to the 11 page PDF is here.

MPAC Volunteer Form
Montessori T-shirt Order Form

Program Highlights | The Montessori Method | Curriculum | Life After Montessori | Parent and Community Resources | Registration Information | Download PDF | Contact

Introduction

The Birch Lane Montessori Program was developed in 2001 through a collaborative effort among parents, teachers, and administrators of the Davis Joint Unified School District and members of the Davis Montessori community. The philosophical tenets of this model have become a wonderful complement to existing DJUSD programs.

During its first year, the program served 80 students in 4 classrooms, grades K-3. Currently we have an enrollment of 160 students in grades K-6, with 7 Montessori classrooms.

Birch Lane School and the Davis Joint Unified School District are dedicated to providing a high quality Montessori program in a public school setting.

Program Highlights

• Comprehensive Montessori Curriculum

• Program aligned to CA State Standards

• Teachers with both Montessori and  California teaching credentials

• Whole child approach; focus on both cognitive and social development

• Hands-on educational experiences

• Student and teacher-initiated activities

• Freedom within a structured setting

• Focus on global education and the environment

• Well-equipped classrooms with new materials

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THE MONTESSORI METHOD

The Montessori Method is one that allows children to learn at their own pace, according to their individual needs.  It is a whole child approach, focusing on the child's cognitive, social, emotional, and physical needs. With an environment that is nurturing and calm, and prepared with a wealth of appealing learning activities, the Montessori classroom provides and educational experience designed to bring out the child’s natural sense of wonder.

Montessori students are able to increase their knowledge through both student and teacher-initiated activities. Students may make choices about the work they will complete in a given day or week.  The Montessori teacher serves as a guide in this process and ensures that the child is making appropriate choices and progressing in their learning.  Students are given opportunities to make discoveries and to engage in extended explorations.  As caretakers of their own learning, students feel empowered.

Integrated throughout the Montessori curriculum is an emphasis on the development of mutually respectful relationships, compassion, and other humanistic qualities.  Children are encouraged to become independent critical thinkers, ask provocative questions, develop multicultural awareness, and adapt to new situations.  In following these ideals, we are dedicated to fostering the growth of confident, responsible, and adaptive citizens who are lifelong learners and problem-solvers.

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“The child learns everything without knowing he is learning,

treading always in the path of joy.”

 ~ Maria Montessori

CURRICULUM

The Montessori curriculum includes the following areas of study:

• Language Arts, Reading, and Literature

• Math and Geometry

• Cultural Subjects — Botany, Zoology, History, Geography, Astronomy

• Practical Life (including Grace and Courtesy)

• Sensorial Education - Sensorial work in the Montessori classroom focuses on isolating and refining the five senses giving the child a sense of self identity and security within the learning environment.  Every child has at least one sense they can rely on, even handicapped children.

• Art and Music

• Physical Education

• Technology

CALIFORNIA STATE STANDARDS

Teachers in all public school programs are accountable for covering the California State Standards.  In the Montessori classroom, the standards are covered through the use of the Montessori curriculum.  Ongoing evaluation will be conducted in consultation with AMS/AMI affiliated organizations to ensure that the program maintains the integrity of Montessori education, while meeting state and district standards.

Standardized Tests and Evaluation

Montessori students participate in the same standardized tests that other students throughout the district participate, including the STAR.  The district-adopted, standards-based reporting system is used for evaluating students.

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Life After Montessori…

Because Montessori students must meet the same learning standards as all students in California, Montessori students generally transition to a regular classroom with little-to-no difficulty.  When a student transitions from a Montessori classroom to a regular classroom, documents and other information will be shared with the receiving teacher.  The transition to junior high will include the same procedures and support that exist in the districts traditional education programs.

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PARENT AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES

The Birch Lane library has an on-site selection of Montessori books, periodicals, and videos.  Parents are also invited to attend educational workshops when scheduled.

Montessori Advisory Committee

The Montessori Advisory Committee is made up of parents, teachers, and administrators.  This committee helps plan and coordinate Montessori activities in collaboration with the school district, the school site, and the community.

OUR CARING STAFF

All DJUSD Montessori teachers hold California Teaching Credentials and have attended training through American Montessori Society (AMS) or Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) teacher education programs for the levels at which they teach.  DJUSD uses the same high standards when hiring Montessori teachers as it uses for teachers throughout the district.

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REGISTRATION

Registration takes place at Birch Lane School during DJUSD’s open registration period in March.  Although you may register after this period and during the summer months, March registration is recommended as space in the program may fill up.  Students are enrolled in the Montessori Program annually on the basis of the following criteria:

• All students eligible to attend Davis schools may apply.

• Students may enter the program at Kindergarten or the first semester of first grade, unless they are transferring from another Montessori program, or have the mutual agreement of the sending and receiving principals and teachers.

   

Birch Lane Montessori Program

~ Providing quality Montessori education

in a public school setting ~

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© February 24, 2009 DJUSD

Registration and Parent Notices

 

Montessori