Alongside free work we also teach in same-age groups — so that the children come to know the reality of school beyond our own community. The Hessian curriculum is the foundation; Montessori is the attitude we bring to it.
Each of our specialist teachers brings genuine expertise: our art teacher from the Kunstwerkstatt Königstein, our English teacher with her immersive method, our music teacher with two ukulele classes.
The first block is shaped mainly by the daily free work; the second by subject lessons in the periods after the long break.
All four year groups learn together — in the classroom, the adjoining room and the corridors. Materials for German, mathematics and cosmic education are laid out. After being shown how each material works, the children organise their own sequence of work, learn with and from one another, and present what they have done. Teachers advise, support each child individually and record their progress. Breaks to move about, read-aloud sessions and breakfast lighten this intensive stretch; at the end, each child notes in their learning journal what they achieved.
Content and ways of working required by the Hessian curriculum that the Montessori materials cannot cover are taught in same-age groups. Short assessments are used here too — partly so that children learn to judge their own progress realistically, partly to prepare them for the move to secondary school.
They sit in the two periods after the long playground break — each subject with its own teacher and its own way in. The year group a subject starts in is noted on its card.
Two lessons a week from year 1 onwards. Our English teacher works with the immersive method also used at bilingual schools: the children work the language out from context rather than drilling vocabulary.
From year 4 short vocabulary tests are added — focused preparation for secondary school.
In 45-minute sessions and small groups, the children learn to use software such as PowerPoint and Word confidently — and just as importantly, how to weigh up sources and handle digital tools responsibly.
Media literacy is a key skill, and it begins at primary school rather than after it.
Music lets children express feelings, build bonds with one another and sharpen their thinking. With great delight and plenty of movement they learn songs, which they then perform together in the school choir. From year 3 our music teacher additionally runs two “ukulele classes”: with an instrument of their own, children take in music body and soul — and pick up how to read notation along the way, from the first chord to performing together.
Our experienced art teacher also teaches at the Kunstwerkstatt Königstein. What matters to her is that the children get to know many different materials and techniques and find their own creative ways of expressing themselves. Our purpose-built studio holds a wide range of materials and activities, which can also be used during afternoon care.
For PE in the MTV sports hall we have brought in Train-with-Brain Frankfurt; the children travel to the hall by minibus. Train-with-Brain uses playful elements to develop coordination of movement. On the obstacle course, courage, self-confidence and social behaviour are trained at the same time. Markus Heinz and his instructors have a real gift for getting children excited about PE of this kind.
Our qualified RE teacher offers ecumenical religious education covering the central questions and stories of both Christian denominations.
An alternative to religious education. It deals with questions of living together, with values, and with how one behaves towards others. Peaceful, non-violent ways of resolving conflict and settling disputes are part of the subject too.
At places of learning beyond the classroom — the school garden, or the woods nearby — the children set out to discover. This follows Montessori's cosmic education, which placed the investigation of single natural phenomena at the centre of a child's interest: beyond the sensory experience, children want to ask questions and understand how things connect. Hence our forest education days, projects in the school garden and expeditions into the adjoining nature reserve.
From 2 pm the day optionally continues. This term we run a drama club, a creative workshop and a recorder club.
The programme changes each term. Past clubs have included Train-with-Brain, children's yoga, stop-motion film, programming with educational robots and a games-and-fun club.
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Every day follows the same shape — the same for every child.