STEM - Elementary - Reston Montessori School

Elementary Curriculum

The Elementary STEM program builds on the kindergarten program to further enhance the students’ interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math through a variety of hands on activities and experiments. The program is also used to expand upon and support the elementary science lessons and related activities that are part of the daily classroom lessons.

Session One: Electricity, Electronics and the Scientific Method

Students learn about electricity and basic electronics through the construction of an electronic device designed and built by the students to perform some task in the classroom. The device’s use and effectiveness is then studied using the scientific method.

Session Two: Logic, Computers and Programming/Coding

Students are introduced to logic circuits and computers starting from the ground up with rudimentary single bit logic circuits. Lessons into visual coding using online tools, and then into more traditional programming methods. Students in second grade and up will all individually assemble, operate and program a Raspberry PI computer.

Session Three: Chemistry

Session Four: Robotics

Students are able to apply what they have learned in session one and two in a hands on robotics project. Each class will choose their own purpose for their robot and will then design and build the unit using 3D printing technology, Arduino computers and various electronic components. Students will all gain an understanding of the practical application of computer programming and the fundamentals of 3D printing technology.

Testimonials

What Parents are Saying

Parent /Gaurdian on Greatschools.org

August 27, 2021

We’ve been part of the RMS community for the past 8 years, and both my children have absolutely thrived at the school (one is in kindergarten there now, and the other was there through third grade). The teachers are dedicated and caring, the schoolwork is interesting and challenging, and the specials offered are excellent (French, art, music, etc). The school truly feels like one big family, and it’s a really nurturing environment for kids of all ages and backgrounds. I especially like the cultural diversity of the school, and the fact that the teachers and staff do such a good job honoring and teaching about a wide variety of holidays and cultural practices. In reading some of the other reviews, I have to clarify that the school *has* had quite an effective COVID mitigation strategy in place. What the previous poster neglected to say is that the teacher/student COVID cases mentioned in that post were literally the only two COVID cases in the school all year. The school *did* indeed communicate those cases to the entire school via email. RMS went to great lengths, in fact, to minimize class size and create new teaching pods in favor of smaller groups when COVID first started. They also have hand sanitizer everywhere, kids wash their hands often, and all staff and students wear masks indoors. Overall, we truly love the school and feel that it’s been a great, supportive environment that’s helped both our kids become the best version of themselves from an academic, social and emotional perspective.

Parent

A review by parent on greatschool.org

January 28, 2021

My children have been at Reston Montessori (RMS) since they were only a few months old. After touring many schools in the area, from the moment we walked into RMS it was nurturing, kind, welcoming, adaptable, and have gone above and beyond for our children. The RMS teachers and staff are not only excellent and nurturing teachers but the curriculum and structure is far and above others. We have also experiencing some issues with the owner, but my children are not learning from the owner, they are learning and with teachers and their peers everyday. I would also add in the five years we have been at RMS my children have not experienced any turnover in teachers or aides in the classroom.

Parent of a child from RMS

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Dino Brown

21:20 17 Apr 22

Lauren Fox

13:49 07 Mar 22

I can't say enough about the wonderful experience our family has had at Reston Montessori. Our oldest (now in second grade) has been at RMS since she was 18 months old and has continued to thrive at all levels. The staff provides a warm and nurturing environment, ensuring the children feel supported. I often tell people the Montessori curriculum makes teachers seem like magicians - teaching my children above all lifelong skills like independence, critical thinking, and striving for a more peaceful world. While the experience may differ somewhat from classroom to classroom, RMS does a wonderful job of matching students to teachers and learning environment for their personality, and the teachers are experts and understanding your child's unique personality traits and tailoring the environment to their needs. (This was particularly important for our younger child who joined the community during the pandemic having only been at home until she was 3).During the pandemic, we have watched as the staff has pivoted quickly, taken guidance from the medical community, and done everything they can to keep our vulnerable children safe. We are so grateful to have found this community and look forward to continuing for many more years as our children grow.

Terra Bechara

18:40 03 Mar 22

My family couldn't be happier with our decision to attend Reston Montessori School (RMS) about 12 years ago. When I was touring schools, montessori and non-montessori schools, I immediately felt a warm, loving and caring atmosphere at RMS and knew this was the place to start my oldest son, at the time 15 months old. Now, I have 5 kids and all of them started out at RMS in the Pre-Primary Room, then Primary and finally Elementary (thru 3rd grade). The teachers and staff are exceptional, passionate and truly put my kids interest at heart. I love the one-on-one personalization, for example, when one of my children was in the Pre-Primary Room, the teacher noticed he was getting bored with the current math work in their room, so the very next day she was able to obtain more challenging math work from the Primary Room, so he can continue to grow. Now, this child loves Math and really excels in this subject. I love that the Montessori method is about growing with your child and its not just cookie cutter materials in each classroom for each grade.I did decide to keep all my boys at RMS through 3rd grade and the base/foundation they have received is amazing and highly recomend even just staying through Kindergarten for that foundation you cannot get anywhere else! I know this is an investment, but I look at it as the best investment you can give your child to start their education - their love for school will increase and help in all aspects of life.Thank you RMS for giving this beautiful, loving and peaceful foundation to my five boys and cannot wait to see them flourish as they continue to grow.