Porirua Montessori Primary School

The Biology Curriculum

Biology - The Montessori Way

Biology is introduced by the Second Montessori Story. We closely link Māori knowledge of the natural world to the traditional biology curriculum. We often find children at this age keen to help with nature centred activities in our community such as rubbish clean ups, visits to the SPCA or wanting to fund raise to help an endangered animal. Integration of a Te Ao world view is a vital part of this curriculum.

Our Approach to Biology

Our biology curriculum utilises the most up to date information about life science and integrates this with the New Zealand science curriculum. Students are encouraged to ask questions and to wonder.

Throughout their time at our school, tamariki will have opportunities to explore the following topics. This is not a list of the order of lessons or a list of everything a child will learn.  Not all lessons will interest all students, some students may end up exploring one area for longer than other students due to their interest in a particular topic.

Introduction to biology

  • Living/non-living
  • Classification system
  • Plant/animal/human
Montessori Nature

Zoology

Montessori Education Whitby New Zealand
  • Types of animals (vertebrates and invertebrates)
  • “Who Am I?” animal stories
  • Needs of animals and how they are met. 
  • External and Internal parts and functions  of vertebrates
  • Animals and types
  • Invertebrates 
  • Vertebrates
  • Timeline of Life – study of evolution of animal life in the Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic Eras
  • Animal reproduction
  • MRS GREN
  • Looking after animals

Botany

  • “Who Am I?” plant stories
  • Needs of plants and how they are met
  • Study of functions and parts of plants including plant reproduction (pollination)
  • Functions of roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds
  • Parts and types of roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds
  • Plants and plant types with a focus on NZ plants
  • Timeline of Life – study of evolution of plants
  • Rongoa
Montessori Nature New Zealand Plants

Ecology

Montessori Learning about Biomes and Habitats
  • Maori knowledge of looking after the land and the living things in it.
  • Study of biomes and habitats
  • Interdependence of living things
  • Student research about endangered species
  • Student research ways to preserve the natural environment