Alcuin Montessori Curriculum Benchmark

Benchmarks reflect base expectations. Children can advance according to their developmental readiness, which is the premise of the Montessori philosophy including quality and level of work completed. Teachers utilize a multi-sensory approach, which addresses all learning styles and creates the optimal learning environment. Montessori offers a unique learning environment and specialized materials for students to accomplish these goals.

Our Curriculum Benchmark table is below. To view as a PDF, click​ here.

Primary (ages 3-6)

Life Skills / Development

• Grace and Courtesy: manners, proper introductions, how to respectfully interrupt, cooperation, patience, listening skills, learning to speak softly and quietly
• Lengthening attention span
• Ease of transition from one activity to another
• Observation skills - observe others or a lesson
• Completion of task - development of work cycles
• Respect for materials and environment
• Care of Self - basic needs (bathroom, nose blowing, hand washing)
• Gross Motor Control
• Fine Motor Control
• Care of environment and materials
• Sense of order
• Independence
• Community awareness
• Environmental awareness (global)

Sensorial

• Refinement of sense perception
• Sense properties include: visual, auditory, chromatic, tactile, gustatory, stereognostic, kinesthetic, olfactory, thermic, baric, balance/equilibrium

Language

• Reading readiness: letter/sound recognition
• Sandpaper letters & moveable alphabet
• Development of phonetic reading skills
• Phonograms, sight words, puzzle words
• Introduction to grammar
• All lessons are taught in English

Writing

• Finger dexterity and strength are developed through working with Practical Life, Sensorial and other manipulative exercises
• Trace Sandpaper Letters and Numerals with fingers - cursive
• Use Metal Insets
• Cursive handwriting
• Pincer grip
• Chalkboard, unlined, lined paper
• Create stories and record
• Begin learning upper case in Extended Day
• Punctuation introduce period, capitalize first letter, etc.

Mathematics

• ​Preparation for math begins in the Practical Life and Sensorial areas, including geometry and algebra concepts.
• Concrete materials are utilized throughout curriculum, materials move from more concrete to more abstract.
• Intro to numbers: quantity and symbol recognition with numbers 1 – 10, concept of 0, odd and even numbers
• Linear Counting: 11 – 9999 and skip counting
• Sensorial introduction to square and cube roots
• Decimal system: quantity and symbol recognition, place value for numbers 1- 9,999.
• Introduction to operations addition and multiplication - static and dynamic
• Introduction to operations subtraction and division - static
• Introduction to fractions​

History/Cultural Studies/Geography

• Geography: includes land forms, maps and cultures
• History: awareness of the passage of time through timelines, calendars & clockwork

Life Skills

• ​Environmental awareness

Life Science Physical Science Earth Science Health

• Botany: development of the child’s awareness of plant life
• Zoology: development of the child’s awareness of animals
• Physical Science: exploration of physical experiments
• Scientific classification

JUNIOR ELEMENTARY (AGES 6-9)

Life Skills / Development

• Self-motivated and curious
• Responsible and accountable
• Independent learner
• Respect for environment
• Ability to comprehend what is heard
• Focus on work for 30-45 minutes
• Sequence of three directions
• Conflict resolution/problem solving skills
• Respectful of self and others
• Explore abstract world
• Reasoning
• Moral sense
• Imaginative
• Connection with facts, thoughts, and memories
• Daily work plan

Language

• Language Tower skills: (compound words, suffix, prefix, antonym, synonym, homophone, homonym, homographs, capitalization, abbreviation, apostrophe, comma, quotation marks, classification, ABC order, guide words, dictionary and thesaurus)
• Nine parts of speech: article, adjective, noun, pronoun, verb, adverb, conjunction, preposition, interjection; derivations, etymology
• Sentence types: statement, exclamation, question and command
• Punctuation: period, comma, apostrophe, question mark, exclamation point, quotation marks
• Five sentence paragraph beginning with a topic sentence
• Fluency: expression, accuracy and meaning in reading
• Grade level comprehension
• Spelling: phonograms, digraphs, dipthongs, blends, short and long vowels, applying spelling to sentences and paragraphs
• Decoding and comprehension strategies
• Phonics
• Sight word vocabulary
• Guided reading
• Chapter books
• Literary forms
• Sequence order in a story
• Syllables
• Glossary and reference skills
• Book report
• Author and illustrator
• Research and information skills
• Introduction to outlines
• All lesson are taught in English

Writing

• Cursive
• Montessori cursive handwriting booklet
• Write short assignments neatly in copy book
• Ability to copy information correctly
• Write summary, daily journal topic, book report, letter, short story, poetry
• Sentences and paragraphs, creative writing, letters and invitations, original stories and poems, research reports
• Letter, paragraph, chapter story, journals, descriptive, persuasive, narrative, expository, poem, invitation
• Writing process: prewriting, drafting,
• Bibliography

Mathematics

• Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts using various Montessori materials
• Numeric order, place value
• Telling time using analog and digital clock
• Identify, name, add and subtract fractions with like denominators, equivalence, identify numerator and denominator, convert improper and mixed fractions
• Geometric shapes, solids and symmetry
• Area of rectangles, perimeter
• Word problems
• Addition and subtraction with exchanges, multiplication with multi-digit numbers, single and double-digit division with remainders (into the millions)
• Graphs (collect and represent data)
• Mental math and estimation
• Measurement: length, weight, temperature
• Skip counting and multiples 1-10
• Coin and bill combinations
• Rounding

History/Cultural Studies/Geography

• History of writing and math
• Timeline of history including pre-history, ancient Greece, Rome and China, Europe; United States
• Analyze needs of human society: communication, art, religion, transportation, food, health, shelter, clothing, industry, mechanization, economy and agriculture
• Human settlement and its influence on the environment and geography
• Development and interdependence of local, state, national and international communities
• Exchange of goods and services
• Contribution of individuals, cultural diversity and heritage
• Values and laws of communities, concerns; lawmaking process
• Famous Americans, U.S. national holidays, Native Americans, regional groups and way of life
• Rules/laws for classroom, school and community, citizen and environmental responsibilities
• Community needs, resources and relationships, comparisons of communities
• Physical and political map and globe skills

Life Science Physical Science Earth Science Health

• Timeline of Life
• Development of life; adaptation to environment
• Scientific method
• Classification of organisms
• Observation skills; use a microscope
• Flowering plants, plant parts, trees and classification
• Plant care and functions
• Identify animal groups: invertebrates/vertebrates
• Animal care and functions
• Animal behaviors/habitats (endangered)
• Three states of matter, energy, motion, properties of air/sound
• Observe physical and chemical changes
• History of science/technology; simple machines
• Balance and weight
• Ecology, recycling
• Composition of solar system
• Formation of: volcanoes, seas, atmosphere, plate tectonics
• Weather, seasons, change
• Rocks, minerals, soil, cycle, components
• Human body systems: support, movement
• Nutrition, personal hygiene

Junior Elementary (ages 6-9)

Life Skills / Development

• Self-motivated and curious
• Responsible and accountable
• Independent learner
• Respect for environment
• Ability to comprehend what is heard
• Focus on work for 30-45 minutes
• Sequence of three directions
• Conflict resolution/problem solving skills
• Respectful of self and others
• Explore abstract world
• Reasoning
• Moral sense
• Imaginative
• Connection with facts, thoughts, and memories
• Daily work plan and objectives

Language

• Language Tower skills: (compound words, suffix, prefix, antonym, synonym, homophone, homonym, homographs, capitalization, abbreviation, apostrophe, comma, quotation marks, classification, ABC order, guide words, dictionary and thesaurus)
• Nine parts of speech: article, adjective, noun, pronoun, verb, adverb, conjunction, preposition, interjection; derivations, etymology
• Sentence types: statement, exclamation, question and command
• Punctuation: period, comma, apostrophe, question mark, exclamation point, quotation marks
• Five sentence paragraph beginning with a topic sentence
• Fluency: expression, accuracy and meaning in reading
• Grade level comprehension
• Spelling: phonograms, digraphs, dipthongs, blends, short and long vowels, applying spelling to sentences and paragraphs
• Decoding and comprehension strategies
• Phonics
• Sight word vocabulary
• Guided reading
• Chapter books
• Literary forms
• Sequence order in a story
• Syllables
• Glossary and reference skills
• Book report
• Author and illustrator
• Research and information skills
• Introduction to outlines
• All lesson are taught in English

Writing

• Cursive
• Montessori cursive handwriting booklet
• Write short assignments neatly in copy book
• Ability to copy information correctly
• Write summary, daily journal topic, book report, letter, short story, poetry
• Sentences and paragraphs, creative writing, letters and invitations, original stories and poems, research reports
• Letter, paragraph, chapter story, journals, descriptive, persuasive, narrative, expository, poem, invitation
• Writing process: prewriting, drafting,
• Bibliography

Mathematics

• Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts using various Montessori materials
• Numeric order, place value
• Telling time using analog and digital clock
• Identify, name, add and subtract fractions with like denominators, equivalence, identify numerator and denominator, convert improper and mixed fractions
• Geometric shapes, solids and symmetry
• Area of rectangles, perimeter
• Word problems
• Addition and subtraction with exchanges, multiplication with multi-digit numbers, single and double-digit division with remainders (into the millions)
• Graphs (collect and represent data)
• Mental math and estimation
• Measurement: length, weight, temperature
• Skip counting and multiples 1-10
• Coin and bill combinations
• Rounding

History / Cultural Studies / Geography

• History of writing and math
• Timeline of history including pre-history, ancient Greece, Rome and China, Europe; United States
• Analyze needs of human society: communication, art, religion, transportation, food, health, shelter, clothing, industry, mechanization, economy and agriculture
• Human settlement and its influence on the environment and geography
• Development and interdependence of local, state, national and international communities
• Exchange of goods and services
• Contribution of individuals, cultural diversity and heritage
• Values and laws of communities, concerns; lawmaking process
• Famous Americans, U.S. national holidays, Native Americans, regional groups and way of life
• Rules/laws for classroom, school and community, citizen and environmental responsibilities
• Community needs, resources and relationships, comparisons of communities
• Physical and political map and globe skills

Life Science / Physical Science / Earth Science / Health

• ​​Timeline of Life
• Development of life; adaptation to environment
• Scientific method
• Classification of organisms
• Observation skills; use a microscope
• Flowering plants, plant parts, trees and classification
• Plant care and functions
• Identify animal groups: invertebrates/vertebrates
• Animal care and functions
• Animal behaviors/habitats (endangered)
• Three states of matter, energy, motion, properties of air/sound
• Observe physical and chemical changes
• History of science/technology; simple machines
• Balance and weight
• Ecology, recycling
• Composition of solar system
• Formation of: volcanoes, seas, atmosphere, plate tectonics
• Weather, seasons, change
• Rocks, minerals, soil, cycle, components
• Human body systems: support, movement
• Nutrition, personal hygiene

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Senior Elementary (ages 9-12)

Life Skills / Development

• Social beings
• Explore abstract world
• Search for reasons
• Moral sense
• Capacity for imagination
• Discover connections
• Begin building groundwork for empathy
• Recognize and value differences in others
• Compassion for others and self
• Reflect on, and appreciate, strengths and challenges
• Begin creating a sense of identity and code of values
• Begin thinking about their place in the world
• Personal responsibility
• Respect for people and environment
• Begin to identify and employ individual learning style
• Continue building on conflict resolution and problem solving skills
• Independent thinker and learner

Curriculum	Primary ​(ages 3-6)	Junior Elementary (ages 6-9)	Senior Elementary  ​(ages 9-12)	Middle School  (ages 12-14)
Life Skills / Development	Grace and Courtesy: manners, proper introductions, how to respectfully interrupt, cooperation, patience, listening skills, learning to speak softly and quietly Lengthening attention span Ease of transition from one activity to another Observation skills - observe others or a lesson Completion of task - development of work cycles Respect for materials and environment Care of Self - basic needs (bathroom, nose blowing, hand washing) Gross Motor Control Fine Motor Control Care of environment and materials Sense of order Independence Community awareness Environmental awareness (global)	Self-motivated and curious Responsible and accountable Independent learner Respect for environment Ability to comprehend what is heard Focus on work for 30-45 minutes Sequence of three directions Conflict resolution/ problem solving skills Respectful of self and others Explore abstract world Reasoning Moral sense Imaginative Connection with facts, thoughts, and memories Daily work plan and objectives	Social beings Explore abstract world Search for reasons Moral sense Capacity for imagination Discover connections Begin building groundwork for empathy Recognize and value differences in others Compassion for others and self ▪ Reflect on, and appreciate, strengths and challenges Begin creating a sense of identity and code of values Begin thinking about their place in the world Personal responsibility Respect for people and environment Begin to identify and employ individual learning style Continue building on conflict resolution and problem solving skills Independent thinker and learner	Need to understand adult world Development of personal identity Values sense of community belonging Values personal dignity and social justice Greater responsibility and problem-solving ability at home and school Developing skills in: care of self and community, leadership, work management, entrepreneurialism, financial management and independence, food preparation
Sensorial	Refinement of sense perception Sense properties include: visual, auditory, chromatic, tactile, gustatory, stereognostic, kinesthetic, olfactory, thermic, baric, balance/equilibrium
Language	Reading readiness: letter/sound recognition Sandpaper letters & moveable alphabet Development of phonetic reading skills Phonograms, sight words, puzzle words Introduction to grammar All lessons are taught in English	Language Tower skills: (compound words, suffix, prefix, antonym, synonym, homophone, homonym, homographs, capitalization, abbreviation, apostrophe, comma, quotation marks, classification, ABC order, guide words, dictionary and thesaurus) Nine parts of speech: article, adjective, noun, pronoun, verb, adverb, conjunction, preposition, interjection; derivations, etymology Sentence types: statement, exclamation, question and command Punctuation: period, comma, apostrophe, question mark, exclamation point, quotation marks Five sentence paragraph beginning with a topic sentence Fluency: expression, accuracy and meaning in reading Grade level comprehension Spelling: phonograms, digraphs, dipthongs, blends, short and long vowels, applying spelling to sentences and paragraphs Decoding and comprehension strategies Phonics Sight word vocabulary Guided reading Chapter books Literary forms Sequence order in a story Syllables Glossary and reference skills Book report Author and illustrator Research and information skills Introduction to outlines All lesson are taught in English	​Spelling patterns, prefixes and suffixes, etymology Grammar and punctuation skills: identify nine parts of speech, subject and predicate, sentence elements and construction, classify sentences, complete and simple subject and predicate, mechanics of writing (proper punctuation, including use of commas, periods, ellipses, quotation marks and apostrophes; proper paragraph indentation and spacing, including in dialog) Vocabulary, reading comprehension and interpretation Fluent independent reading skills in a variety of literary genres: myths, legends, autobiography, historical fiction, folk tales, biography, realistic fiction, fables, fantasy, science fiction, story elements, point of view Outlines Paragraph using a topic sentence, sequencing and conclusion Resource materials for research All lessons are taught in English	Study of common word roots, prefixes, and suffixes to increase vocabulary skills and reading comprehension Development of skills in close reading, comprehension, and critical thinking Analysis and interpretation of literary elements (setting, character, plot, conflict, theme) and literary devices (foreshadowing, allusion, symbolism, flashback, etc.) Exploration and comparison of various literary genres Reading responses and literary essays incorporating analyses and reflection supported with cited textual evidence Comprehension of grammar rules; identifying and correcting errors Appropriate use of punctuation, including commas, apostrophes, quotation marks, hyphens, dashes, ellipses, colons, and semi-colons Appropriate use of verb tenses and agreement, active and passive voice Research skills: locating and discerning validity of print and internet sources; outline and synthesize material; document sources Collaborative discussion skills Presentation skills All lesson are taught in English
Writing	Finger dexterity and strength are developed through working with Practical Life, Sensorial and other manipulative exercises Trace Sandpaper Letters and Numerals with fingers - cursive Use Metal Insets Cursive handwriting Pincer grip Chalkboard, unlined, lined paper Create stories and record Begin learning upper case in Extended Day Punctuation introduce period, capitalize first letter, etc.	Cursive Montessori cursive handwriting booklet Write short assignments neatly in copy book Ability to copy information correctly Write summary, daily journal topic, book report, letter, short story, poetry Sentences and paragraphs, creative writing, letters and invitations, original stories and poems, research reports Letter, paragraph, chapter story, journals, descriptive, persuasive, narrative, expository, poem, invitation Writing process: prewriting, drafting, Bibliography	​Cursive handwriting, corrective spelling, capitalization and punctuation, poetry, stories, letters, reports, journal, book report, personal narratives, descriptive paragraphs Summaries Persuasive or opinion essay Bibliographies, use of primary and secondary sources Note-taking Brainstorming, rough draft, editing, publishing​	​Information writing: thesis-driven research-based essays and publications, argument essays, journalism Narrative writing: personal narrative and memoir, short story Poetry: free verse and a variety of structured forms; techniques including meter, internal/external rhyme, alliteration, assonance, metaphor, simile, personification Evaluation of audience, purpose and effectiveness of writing Varying and appropriate use of tone and voice Development of transitions, precision of language, detail, sensory language Writing process: plan, draft, revise (repeat), edit, proofread, publish Peer conferencing: evaluating and isolating elements, giving constructive feedback
Mathematics	​Preparation for math begins in the Practical Life and Sensorial areas, including geometry and algebra concepts. Concrete materials are utilized throughout curriculum, materials move from more concrete to more abstract. Intro to numbers: quantity and symbol recognition with numbers 1 – 10, concept of 0, odd and even numbers Linear Counting: 11 – 9999 and skip counting Sensorial introduction to square and cube roots Decimal system: quantity and symbol recognition, place value for numbers 1- 9,999. Introduction to operations addition and multiplication - static and dynamic Introduction to operations subtraction and division - static Introduction to fractions​	​Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts using various Montessori materials Numeric order, place value Telling time using analog and digital clock Identify, name, add and subtract fractions with like denominators, equivalence, identify numerator and denominator, convert improper and mixed fractions Geometric shapes, solids and symmetry Area of rectangles, perimeter Word problems Addition and subtraction with exchanges, multiplication with multi-digit numbers, single and double-digit division with remainders (into the millions) Graphs (collect and represent data) Mental math and estimation Measurement: length, weight, temperature Skip counting and multiples 1-10 Coin and bill combinations Rounding	​Mathematical properties Traditional and alternative algorithms to solve addition, subtraction, multiplication and division problems with whole numbers Geometry: properties of 2- and 3-dimensional figures; area, perimeter, volume; concepts of shape and volume; types of angles and angle measurement Collect, record and graph data Logic problems Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of whole numbers, fractions and decimals; ratio, proportion, percent Integers Exponents Probability Variables Order of operations Squaring, cubing, square roots, cube roots Word problems Measurement: length, weight, volume, temperature, and elapsed time, standard and metric Balancing equations​	Positive & negative numbers Comparing and converting fractions and decimals Exponents and exponential relationships Comparing and constructing proportional relationships and ratios Evaluating and writing expressions Solving equations and systems of equations Graphing and analyzing linear functions Multiplying and factoring expressions Quadratic equations Analyzing and comparing data Statistics and probability Geometric similarity and scale drawings Variables and patterns Geometric similarity Comparing and scaling: ratios, percents Linear relationships Volume & surface area Linear & inverse variation The Pythagorean Theorem Symmetry and transformations Symbols Linear systems & inequalities Data & statistics​
History/ Cultural Studies/ Geography	​Geography: includes land forms, maps and cultures History: awareness of the passage of time through timelines, calendars & clockwork​	History of writing and math Timeline of history including pre-history, ancient Greece, Rome and China, Europe; United States Analyze needs of human society: communication, art, religion, transportation, food, health, shelter, clothing, industry, mechanization, economy and agriculture Human settlement and its influence on the environment and geography Development and interdependence of local, state, national and international communities Exchange of goods and services Contribution of individuals, cultural diversity and heritage Values and laws of communities, concerns; lawmaking process Famous Americans, U.S. national holidays, Native Americans, regional groups and way of life Rules/laws for classroom, school and community, citizen and environmental responsibilities Community needs, resources and relationships, comparisons of communities Physical and political map and globe skills​	​U.S. States: capitals, major cities, climate and vegetation, regional characteristics, explorers, Spanish, French and Dutch, English colonies, American Revolution Civic responsibilities, types of government: local, county, state and U.S. history/government systems, Declaration of Independence Illinois history Ancient cultures Research projects Physical and political maps, special purpose maps (i.e., population), world time zones, dateline, climate zones, bodies of water, landforms​	Prehistoric Native North America and Illinois Colonial America and revolution; Constitution, government and nation-building The South and slavery, Civil War 20th century Chicago and/or Oak Park Ancient civilizations World religions; war and peace; education; development of agriculture; civil rights; focus on social movements, economics, politics and culture; geography, location, movement, regions, pro/con issues; current events Note-taking; reading of primary sources; field study; dramatis personae; formal research papers; unit tests; visits with specialists; map and timeline work; group and individual creative presentations​
Life Skills	Environmental awareness			Value
Life Science Physical Science Earth Science Health	Botany: development of the child’s awareness of plant life Zoology: development of the child’s awareness of animals Physical Science: exploration of physical experiments Scientific classification​	Timeline of Life Development of life; adaptation to environment Scientific method Classification of organisms Observation skills; use a microscope Flowering plants, plant parts, trees and classification Plant care and functions Identify animal groups: invertebrates/vertebrates Animal care and functions Animal behaviors/habitats (endangered) Three states of matter, energy, motion, properties of air/sound Observe physical and chemical changes History of science/technology; simple machines Balance and weight Ecology, recycling Composition of solar system Formation of: volcanoes, seas, atmosphere, plate tectonics Weather, seasons, change Rocks, minerals, soil, cycle, components Human body systems: support, movement Nutrition, personal hygiene​	Timeline of Life Scientific method Cell structure/processes Genetics Classification of organisms Organism adaptations/cycles Communities/ systems Physical and chemical properties Static electricity, magnets Energy production, transfer, uses Matter, motion, machines, Newton’s laws Weather and climate Earth’s cycles and changing surface Rock types and formation Earth minerals and soils Earth in space (a study of solar system) Solar system Body systems/functions Environmental studies Nutrition​	​Botany: cell structure and function; photosynthesis; parts and functions of a plant, flower, seed; soil components Chemistry: periodic table, atomic structure, chemical and physical changes, ionic and covalent bonding, pH/acids/bases Ecology and biodiversity; characteristics of living things, levels of organization, classification of organisms, ecological systems and cycles, evolution and adaptation Physics: simple machines, work, force, motion, potential and kinetic energy, Newton’s laws of motion, laws of thermodynamics Anatomy and physiology: cell structure and function, body systems, puberty, sexual reproduction, sexuality, health, genetics Earth science and astronomy: geological time scale, structure and composition of Earth, plate tectonics, terrestrial coordinates, Earth’s movements, rotations and orbits Scientific method Scientific papers Microscope Dissection Field studies​