The Azteca Community is one of LAMB’s three Primary classrooms serving 3- to 5-year-olds. Approximately 25 students learn with two Montessori-trained teachers.
Aztecas learn from each other with younger children eager to imitate older classmates as they explore the environment practicing and mastering many skills. Students in this classroom are fully immersed in a second language and are advancing from words and phrases to full sentences in Spanish and English.
The snack table is a popular spot, with fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods. Students can stop work and eat a snack at any time during the day, allowing them to follow their internal needs for food. At the same time, they flow from one activity of interest to the next. Students use scientific observation to learn about insects and flowers and the natural world.
The morning is Spanish immersion while the afternoon is in English. Younger Aztecas take naps after lunch as their bodies still need the rest, while older children who no longer nap work on projects together.
Aztecas also sing and dance together. They participate in music classes led weekly by an outside music educator.