Enrichment

Enrichment Classes

Enrichment programs at CTMS are included in the cost of tuition. Enrichment begins at the toddler level with yoga, music, sign language and art activities held in the classroom. Enrichment continues and becomes more challenging as the students grow. In primary classrooms students participate in sign language, martial arts, circus arts/yoga, music and art classes.

Elementary students also participate in enrichment for sign language, martial arts, circus arts/yoga, music and art classes, as well as “Going Out” into the community once per week for educational field trips, library and snack shopping. “Going Out” is essential to elementary students learning independence. Many of our outings are free of charge, the students also fundraise to earn money for their outings, while some are paid for directly by the elementary student’s families, generally not exceeding $20 per month per student.

Language

Sign Language

In language class children have fun learning sign language through songs and games! The children learn basic phrases such as greetings, as well as words for topics like colors, animals, food, and more.

Sign language is shared with our students by J Carlson. J loves children and has been teaching sign language at schools and daycares for many years. J has three grown children and lives in Guilford with her husband.




Sign Language

In language class children have fun learning sign language through songs and games! The children learn basic phrases such as greetings, as well as words for topics like colors, animals, food, and more.

Sign language is shared with our students by J Carlson. J loves children and has been teaching sign language at schools and daycares for many years. J has three grown children and lives in Guilford with her husband.



Physical Education

Yoga

Since 1998 CTMS has incorporated Yoga techniques into the school programs. Teaching calmness and inner peace, while how to move and control your body. Our students take circus arts and yoga once per week as part of the physical education program. Why yoga for children? Ten years ago, that question was most likely asked about martial arts. Now there are classes for children at martial arts studios around every corner. And, like martial arts, yoga develops many wonderful qualities in children.

Circus Arts

In addition to the obvious benefits of exercising the physical body, yoga sharpens the child’s ability to focus and give self-confidence and self-discipline. And yoga, practiced regularly, helps children become aware of themselves from the inside out. From this awareness, children can change and grow in new and positive directions.

The weekly yoga and circus classes are led by Jen Taylor from OmFly Circus School. She has been teaching and directing circus arts and yoga for over a decade. Ms. Jen studied aerials with LAVA, and circus with Circus Minimus & Circus Yoga. She has a degree in Philosophy and studied engaged Buddhism with peace activist Thich Nhat Hahn.


Arts

Fine Arts

Not only does our weekly art class compliment the curriculum, and what the children are currently studying, but art history is also touched upon. Each project is thoughtfully planned to work within the children’s skill set, while increasing dexterity.

The art class is led by an active artist within the community, who introduces and works with the elements of art using different mediums.

Music

In addition to the weekly fine arts class, the toddler and primary children attend Music Together® In-School classes, rehearse and perform songs at the winter celebration before the holidays, and for the graduation celebration at the end of the school year. Throughout the year songs that correlate with the curriculum are often sung during circle times in the classrooms.
Elementary students attend music class with Frank Nater from Face Arts Music in Deep River. They learn music theory, how to read music and how to play the ukulele.

Fine Arts

Not only does our weekly art class compliment the curriculum, and what the children are currently studying, but art history is also touched upon. Each project is thoughtfully planned to work within the children’s skill set, while increasing dexterity.

The art class is led by an active artist within the community, who introduces and works with the elements of art using different mediums.

Music

In addition to the weekly fine arts class, the toddler and primary children attend Music Together® In-School classes, rehearse and perform songs at the winter celebration before the holidays, and for the graduation celebration at the end of the school year. Throughout the year songs that correlate with the curriculum are often sung during circle times in the classrooms.
Elementary students attend music class weekly. They learn music theory, how to read music and how to play the ukulele.

Music Together

The Music Together Curriculum

The Children’s Tree Montessori School is proud to be a Music Together® In School provider. As one of only a handful of schools in the area offering this unique program, it is held in the mornings at CTMS and is included in the cost of tuition. It is also offered during the infant and toddler/parent classes on Friday mornings.
The Music Together curriculum provides children with the opportunity to learn music in developmentally appropriate ways.

Benefits of Music

Music supports language, cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development; enhances the classroom experience; supports family engagement by giving parents enjoyable and significant ways to nurture their children’s development; and enhances happiness and well-being in the school community.

The Music Together Curriculum

The Children’s Tree Montessori School is proud to be a Music Together® In School provider. As one of only a handful of schools in the area offering this unique program, it is held in the mornings at CTMS and is included in the cost of tuition. It is also offered during the infant and toddler/parent classes on Friday mornings.
The Music Together curriculum provides children with the opportunity to learn music in developmentally appropriate ways.

Benefits of Music

Music supports their language, cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development; enhances the classroom experience; supports family engagement by giving parents enjoyable and significant ways to nurture their children’s development; and enhances happiness and well-being in the school community.

Students bring home music and song books each semester to link our programming from school to home, supporting family engagement. All this while developing music competence, which opens the doors to a lifetime of music participation.

Going Out

Going Out

“Going Out” is essential to elementary students learning independence, and offering real-life experiences. On average, the elementary students at CTMS go out once per week. The materials within the classroom can provide the keys to spark interest; but in order to completely explore a point of interest, a child often needs to go outside of the classroom environment. Unlike the traditional school “field trip”, “Going Out” involves a trip designed by the child, or children, to visit the library, a museum, or some expert in the field of study to collect more information on a subject of interest.

Montessori Model United Nations

The upper elementary students participate in the Montessori Model United Nations. MMUN is an extracurricular activity in which students role play delegates of the United Nations and imitate UN Committees. Montessori Model United Nations has partnered with the United Nations to create a program specifically for Montessori students, giving them hands on experience to learn about reason, justice and morality. The goal is to teach children about the importance of sustaining world peace and how countries do this through the United Nations organization.


Going Out

“Going Out” is essential to elementary students learning independence, and offering real-life experiences. On average, the elementary students at CTMS go out once per week. The materials within the classroom can provide the keys to spark interest; but in order to completely explore a point of interest, a child often needs to go outside of the classroom environment. Unlike the traditional school “field trip”, “Going Out” involves a trip designed by the child, or children, to visit the library, a museum, or some expert in the field of study to collect more information on a subject of interest.

Field Trips

The Kindergartners are invited to participate on some of the field trips that pertain to their studies as well.Some trips in the past have included: community service projects like trash cleanup at local parks/beaches and reading to/visiting local seniors, historical societies/monuments, museums, public library, snack shopping, hiking trails, and even out of state trips to Roger Williams’s Park Zoo in Rhode Island, Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts, Heifer Farm’s Global Village overnight program in Massachusetts, and more.

Montessori Model United Nations

The upper elementary students participate in the Montessori Model United Nations. MMUN is an extracurricular activity in which students role play delegates of the United Nations and imitate UN Committees. Montessori Model United Nations has partnered with the United Nations to create a program specifically for Montessori students, giving them hands on experience to learn about reason, justice and morality. The goal is to teach children about the importance of sustaining world peace and how countries do this through the United Nations organization.

Field Trips

The Kindergartners are invited to participate on some of the field trips that pertain to their studies as well.Some trips in the past have included: community service projects like trash cleanup at local parks/beaches and reading to/visiting local seniors, historical societies/monuments, museums, public library, snack shopping, hiking trails, and even out of state trips to Roger Williams’s Park Zoo in Rhode Island, Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts, Heifer Farm’s Global Village overnight program in Massachusetts, and more.

Montessori Model United Nations

The upper elementary students participate in the Montessori Model United Nations. MMUN is an extracurricular activity in which students role play delegates of the United Nations and imitate UN Committees. Montessori Model United Nations has partnered with the United Nations to create a program specifically for Montessori students, giving them hands on experience to learn about reason, justice and morality. The goal is to teach children about the importance of sustaining world peace and how countries do this through the United Nations organization.


Bushy Hill Nature Center

Bushy Hill Nature Center in Ivoryton offers programs on the wetlands, team building and indigenous studies. Each year they customize a program for The Children’s Tree elementary students based on our current studies. The day ends with dinner made over a campfire, and 2nd year students and older spend the night in the onsite tipi.

Bushy Hill Nature Center

Bushy Hill Nature Center in Ivoryton offers programs on the wetlands, team building and indigenous studies. Each year they customize a program for The Children’s Tree elementary students based on our current studies. The day ends with dinner made over a campfire, and 2nd year students and older spend the night in the onsite tipi.