One of the unique components of Hudson Montessori’s curriculum is our year-long study based on an annual theme. Each year, the school focuses on facets of a global theme that students study across the curriculum. This year, the Power of Nature will be the underlying concept augmenting the students’ lessons on math, language, cultural studies, science, art, and more.
Each class at Hudson Montessori School is studying a unique facet about nature and its effect on our lives. Students will be learning about weather patterns, the water cycle, how our food grows, and so much more.
Thematic learning is vital to our school because we believe that learning becomes meaningful when it is connected to real life. We encourage our students to integrate their knowledge through various experiences. Each classroom provides specially designed activities to improve learning, increase interest, and encourage students to challenge themselves.
"Over centuries, humans have been inspired by nature to create, adapt, and evolve," said Michelle Velho, co-lead teacher for the school’s STEAM Program. "This year, all of our students will take the time to focus on the wonders of nature."
“Fostering the Love to Learn” for its students age 2 to up through Middle School is the goal that guides the thoughts and actions at Hudson Montessori School. It is the school’s mission to create independent thinkers who apply their knowledge to real-life settings and grow into responsible, compassionate citizens of the world.
Part of creating global thinkers is acknowledging the challenges this generation faces and providing them the framework to better understand them. Problem solving and implementing actionable change is nothing new for our elementary students. Particularly our upper elementary students (4th, 5th and 6th graders) who have stepped into the shoes of changemakers, taking on roles as delegates for the Montessori Model United Nations. Since we joined the MMUN initiative five years ago, they intensely dive into solving issues related to clean water and sanitation, world food supply, good health, affordable and clean energy, responsible production and consumption, climate action, life below water, and life on land.
Children as young as 2 learn about nature through caring for our school garden, studying weather patterns and seasons, and learning about the many types of animals the Earth’s vast habitats support. For example, the Primary classes recently got up close and personal with several exotic animals from the Eye of the Wild conservation group. The animal keepers brought the field trip to the classroom and introduced the children to a blue-tongued skink, a milk snake, a rose hair tarantula, and an African skunk. Through these animals, the children learned about one very important powerful aspect in nature: camouflage.
Starting from first grade, our elementary students take part in a multi-year study of the Hudson River. Several times a year, our elementary students visit the Liberty State Park Nature Center to get a better understanding of the Hudson River estuary where we live. And this year, our upper elementary students became participants in the Billion Oyster Project. Throughout the year, our teachers will be making connections for our students with real-life, such as introducing our students to presenters from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, scientists, and so much more.
We are thrilled to present our students with this year-long learning topic and cannot wait to see what about nature inspires them most. Each classroom will select an aspect of the theme. Our elementary students will focus on unique, individual projects inspired by their interests. The school's Annual Social Studies Fair and Year End Celebration will serve as the grand finale where each class and student will showcase their hard work.
An archive of our previous learning themes is available on our website. To learn more about Hudson Montessori School’s interdisciplinary, theme-based learning approach to education, the Montessori philosophy and methodology, or how the school fosters the love of learning for children age 2 to sixth grade, sign up for an open house tour.