On a cloudless, beautiful day a small group of kindergarten students from Greene Towne Montessori found themselves on a short walking trip around Center City with their teacher and additional staff. The object of this particular trip is to explore some of the sculptures found within walking distance of the school: Deinonychus, the sculpture of two dinosaurs, and the casting of Joseph Leidy, both found at the Academy of Natural Sciences; The Thinker at the Rodin Museum; the Swann Memorial Fountain with sculptures of Native American figures to represent the Schuylkill, Delaware, and Wissahickon bodies of water, just to name a few stops along the way.

The kindergarteners have mastered safety protocols and are properly wearing their masks. Animated and curious, they are excited to be outside on a walk and clamor around each other to either sound out or outright read the signs associated with various sculptures. Sometimes they imitate the sculptures and giggle at each other. This opportunity to be out and about is not taken for granted.

The kindergarten year is, for children in their last year at Greene Towne, the culmination of the complete Montessori program. Kindergarten children spend each day in the mixed-age Montessori classroom working on individual projects or in small groups and mentoring younger students. They eagerly explore the worlds of reading, writing, mathematical calculations, geography, science, and art. This is the year where everything comes together, and these children display confidence in skills like leadership, cooperation, discovery, and grace.

In addition to these skills learned in the classroom, there are enrichment opportunities in addition to the standard Montessori curriculum. These students also enjoy field trips and cultural activities like Lunches Around the World, both typically hosted by kindergarten parent volunteers. This year safety protocols made these events look different, but thanks to some creative thinking by teachers and parents, arrangements for experiences like a sculpture walk, a virtual Franklin Institute trip, and a leaf scavenger hunt have happened this year, with more to come.

Greene Towne Montessori School serves children 18 months old through Kindergarten and is accredited by the American Montessori Society and the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools. To learn more, visit www.gtms.org.

-Nicole Leapheart, Director of Communications, GTMS

Greene Towne Montessori School supports the Philly Family community.