The Five Great Lessons

The Great Lessons are a series of five stories that give students an overall impression of the grand topics of the universe, the earth, and life on earth. These stories form the heart of the Montessori integrated elementary curriculum. The stories stimulate students’ desire to discover and learn by giving them an overview of the natural world and its laws, of human integrity, and of the interconnectedness of life.

  1. The Beginning of the Universe and Earth – This story introduces students to the formation of the universe, stars, and solar system, with a focus on the earth’s early development.
  2. Life Comes to Earth – This story introduces students to the earth’s earliest life forms and how they adapted to the earth’s changing conditions.
  3. Humans Come to Earth – This story introduces students to the appearance of humans on earth.
  4. How Writing Began – This story introduces students to how humans invented written language.
  5. How Numbers Began – This story introduces students to how humans invented numbers and mathematics.
Nautilus in aquarium, showing shell and tentacles. Iridescent blue and white shell, brown markings.