Unveiling the Cosmos: How Montessori's Five Great Lessons Ignite Lifelong Curiosity

Why is the sky blue? How big is space? What happened to the dinosaurs?

These are just a few of the big questions asked by children aged 6 and up as they begin to explore the world more deeply. Their boundless curiosity drives them to seek answers about the universe around them.

At Montessori East, we respond to this grand curiosity with what we call Cosmic Education that introduces children to the vast wonders of the universe through the Five Great Lessons—an inspiring gateway to all elements of our world.

In her book To Educate the Human Potential, Maria Montessori says:
"...let us give [the child] a vision of the whole universe. The universe is an imposing reality, and an answer to all questions... all things are part of the universe, and are connected to each other to form one whole unity." (p. 5-6)

Cosmic Education

Cosmic Education, delivered through the Five Great Lessons, underpins the Montessori primary curriculum. These lessons are bold, exciting, and designed to ignite a child’s imagination and curiosity. Through these stories, children are struck by the wonder of creation, inspired by new ideas, and awed by the inventiveness and innovation inherent in the human spirit.

Montessori uses the Five Great Lessons as an introduction to all topics, providing a “Big Picture” view that demonstrates how sciences, art, history, language, and geography are interconnected. Through these lessons, children learn that the universe evolved over billions of years and that its complexity is governed by law and order, maintaining the balance of life on Earth.

Each year, the Great Lessons are presented to primary school children, allowing them to absorb and reflect on these ideas multiple times. Unlike in the preschool (3-6 years) environment, where learning starts with “small” ideas that gradually build into larger concepts, the primary child (6-12 years) is introduced immediately to vast concepts—the largest being the beginning of the universe.

Cosmic Education takes children on an incredible journey through space and time, starting with the Five Great Lessons that paint a broad picture before delving into more specific studies.

The First Great Lesson - Coming of the Universe

The First Great Lesson is the most memorable and tells the story of the beginning of the universe. This lesson includes some demonstrations using solids and liquids to show how the continents and oceans first came together.

This lesson leads to the study of:

• Astronomy: solar system, stars, galaxies, comets, constellations.

• Meteorology: wind, currents, weather, fronts, erosion, water cycle, clouds, glaciers.

• Chemistry: States of matter, mixtures, reactions, elements, atoms, the periodic table, compounds.

• Physics: magnetism, electricity, gravity, energy, light, sound, heat, friction, motion, experimentation.

• Geology: types of rocks, minerals, land forms, volcanoes, earthquakes, plate tectonics, ice ages, eras of the earth

• Geography: maps, globes, latitude/longitude, climates, land/water form names, continent and country research.

The Second Great Lesson: Coming of Life

The Second Great Lesson introduces the Timeline of Life, a vivid depiction of the emergence and diversity of life on Earth. Children explore the evolution of microorganisms, plants, and animals, with an emphasis on the unique roles each living thing plays in sustaining life.

This lesson leads to the study of:

Biology: Cells, classification, observation, dissection, and the use of microscopes.

Botany: Study of plants, their parts (seeds, fruits, leaves, stems, roots, flowers), and types.

Habitats: Ecosystems, food chains/webs, symbiosis, adaptation, conservation.

Ancient Life: Fossil records, evolution, extinction, excavation.

Zoology: Animal classification, needs, human systems, nutrition, and hygiene.

Monera, Protista, and Fungi Kingdoms: Their classification, observation, and characteristics.

The Third Great Lesson: The Coming of Human Beings

The Third Great Lesson tells the story of the emergence of humans, focusing on the three gifts that make us unique: a mind to imagine, hands to create, and a heart to love. Through this lesson, children explore the origins of civilizations and the needs of early humans.

This lesson leads to the study of:

• History: Timelines, prehistory, ancient civilizations, world history.

• Culture: Art, music, dance, drama, architecture, philosophy, religion, grace, and courtesy.

• Social Studies: Government, economics, commerce, volunteering, and charity.

• Discovery & Invention: Scientists, inventors, the scientific method, simple machines.

The Fourth Great Lesson: The Story of Writing

Also known as Communication in Signs, the Fourth Great Lesson traces the development of the written alphabet, highlighting humanity's incredible ability to record thoughts and ideas. The story includes the evolution from pictographs and hieroglyphs to early alphabets and the invention of the printing press.

This lesson leads to the study of:

• Reading: Literature, poetry, non-fiction, myths, folk tales, authors, reading comprehension, literary terms.

• Writing: Composition, elements of style, voice, research, study skills.

• Language: The origins and history of languages, foreign languages, drama, and speech.

• Structure: Alphabets, grammar, punctuation, sentence analysis, word study, bookmaking.

The Fifth Great Lesson: The Story of Numbers

The final lesson, the Story of Numbers, also called the History of Mathematics, explores the evolution of numerical systems from the earliest civilizations to the present day. Children learn about the origins of numbers, different numbering systems, and the development of the decimal system.

This lesson leads to the study of:

• Mathematics: Operations, fractions, decimals, percentages, algebra, probability.

• Numbers: The history and types of numbers, scientific notation, mathematicians.

• Geometry: Lines, angles, shapes, solids, measurement, theorems.

• Application: Story problems, graphs, estimation, money concepts.

The Great Lessons: A Unifying Theme

These five stories provide a vast amount of information about the origins of the world around us. Each story serves as a springboard for further study, ensuring that learning is dynamic and interconnected. By revisiting these stories throughout the year, children can see the unity and cohesion in their studies, enriching their understanding of the world.

Cosmic Education not only answers the big questions that children ask but also lays the foundation for a lifetime of exploration, discovery, and a deep appreciation for the interconnectedness of all things.