The Second Great Lesson in Lower Elementary

It is an exciting time in Lower Elementary as the Second Great Lesson, "The Coming of Life," is studied. This lesson is an integral part of the Montessori curriculum as it spawns a whole series of lessons in Zoology, Botany, and History.  The timeline presented in this great lesson represents the beginnings of life on Earth from the simplest forms through the appearance of human beings. A great variety and magnificence of life is presented, with each organism a contributor to a vast, cosmic scheme.

 

The students were "all eyes" as the living things were presented and placed in their respective time periods on the timeline. Some of the students took part in the lesson, playing the roles of Sun, Water, and Air. These students read lines to their classmates that explained why living things are necessary to earth. As follow-up work, the students will lay out the timeline independently and research the relationship between all things. One of the most significant concepts that we hope students understand from this lesson is to be mindful and respectful of all living and non-living things because everything in this earth is connected.