Beyond The Classroom - Ridgefield Montessori School

In addition to offering a peaceful, kind, and quiet classroom with a low student-teacher ratio, and a structured, nurturing curriculum that encourages children to thrive, at RMS we go beyond the classroom to educate and empower our students. There are programs we offer on a continual basis and some experiences that are seasonal. The seasonal calendar allows the children to feel in tune with nature and the seasons.

Nature

Outdoor playtime is a critical part of the children’s routine in order to get fresh air, play, and learn about the changing seasons. The children go outside all year round. In the spring and fall, we tend to our garden, where we teach children how to plant, water and nurture plants. In spring, we hatch butterflies in the classroom and release them outside. We also organize numerous cultural and nature-based in house and external field trips. Highlights include:

In house visit from the Norwalk Maritime Aquarium to learn about local marine life
In house visit from Animal Encounters to learn about many different animals, including snakes, chinchillas, lizards, and baby alligators
Fall field trip to go apple and pumpkin picking at Blue Jay Orchards
Visit Snow Hill Farm to learn about farm life, see animals, plant cover crops, and learn about water conservation
Visit New Canaan Nature Center to learn how maple syrup is made

Foreign Language

Foreign language and culture is a large part of the RMS curriculum. We currently offer weekly French immersion classes. The children learn songs and expressions in French with native French speaker Ms. Catherine. Early foreign language exposure has proven to be immensely beneficial to brain development.

Community Service

Every year our students take part in several community service projects. From decorating lunch bags for Meals on Wheels recipients, to singing Holiday songs at Founder’s Hall, to adorning Main St. windows with artwork, we ensure that our school gives back.

Food and Cooking in the Classroom

We have numerous cooking, baking, food prep and food tasting experiences and events throughout the school year. Food tasting allows children to learn about different foods, textures, and tastes. We involve children in preparing food on a daily basis. Parents are always surprised by how much even the littlest ones are able to do with the right tools. We use Montessori materials that allow them to chop, peel, and clean vegetables and fruits. Highlights include:

Decorating pumpkins and making crafts for our delicious Harvest Festival Celebration
Seasonal food tasting and food prep: baking apple pies and mini pumpkin pies, grating latkes and decorating holiday cookies, baking Irish soda bread
Making vegetable soup for our Annual Family Thanksgiving Celebration

Culture, Art and Music

We offer a global and cultural curriculum to promote peace and understanding through art, music, and books in addition to our global Geography curriculum. The children have ample opportunity to create arts and crafts projects, decorate, and learn about art from around the world. Music is an integral part of RMS life. From singing to dancing, to learning about different instruments and cultures, children are exposed to music on a daily basis. We also encourage families to come in and share different traditions and celebrations from their culture.

Celebrating International Day of Peace: An amazing program where RMS students join in song with Montessori students from around the world on International Day of Peace
Aldrich Museum Program for older students: a monthly visit to the Aldrich Museum to view the installations and create art in the Art Education Room
Learning about Diwali and Indian culture, music and dance
Celebrating Chinese New Year with art, food, and music
Ms. Lisa provides a more traditional music curriculum including live music performances and music and movement class for all students
Mr. K’s unique West African drumming classes for all students
Holiday decorating and ornament making
Interactive in-house program: Music of the Earth, A Celebration of World Cultures
A visit from the Ashurst School of Irish Dance in celebration of St Patrick’s Day