“Nothing awakens foresight in a small child, who lives as a rule for the passing moment and without care for the morrow, so much as this. When he knows that animals have need of him, that little plants will dry up if he does not water them, he binds together with a new thread of … Studying Zoology in the Montessori Lower Elementary Classroom
It is amazing to consider how much we can be grateful for when we think about the people around us and the experiences we share. If we try hard enough, we can even appreciate mistakes we’ve made, because they help us change and move forward. As a Montessorian, there are a number of things for … NAMC’s 20 Lessons from 20 Years: Be Grateful
Knowledge can be best given where there is eagerness to learn, so this is the period when the seed of everything can be sown, the child’s mind being like a fertile field, ready to receive what will germinate into culture. —Maria MontessoriTo Educate the Human Potential, p. 3. Studying the human body and investigating the … Studying the Skeletal System in the Lower Elementary Classroom
The aim of the children who persevere in their work with an object is certainly not to “learn”; they are drawn to it by the needs of their inner life, which must be recognized and developed by its means. —Maria MontessoriSpontaneous Activity in Education, p. 220. The hands-on Montessori chemistry activities always spark my students’ … Chemistry in the Montessori Lower Elementary Classroom
Life in the open air, in the sunshine, and a diet high in nutritional content coming from the produce of neighbouring fields improve the physical health… —Maria MontessoriFrom Childhood to Adolescence, p. 67. March is National Nutrition Month in Canada and the United States. This year’s theme is “Savor the Flavor of Eating Right,” which … Learning to “Savor the Flavor” in the Montessori Environment
Community can take many forms. It can be your neighborhood, your professional association, your family and friends, or the Montessori environment. Contributing to your community makes it stronger. Each member of the community has a unique set of skills to offer, and as you work together on shared goals or ideas, you achieve a whole … NAMC’s 20 Lessons from 20 Years: Contribute
Maria Montessori observed that when children were given freedom in an environment suited to their needs, they flourished and reached their full potential. She noted that after a period of intense concentration and the opportunity to work with materials that were fully engaging, children were refreshed and content; their inner discipline and sense of peace … A Teacher’s Perspective on Normalization in the Montessori Elementary Classroom
Sometimes when you are starting on a new venture, you need a little pep talk – some motivation to encourage you. One of the best ways of doing this is to consider how people you admire accomplished their goals. Dr. Montessori is a perfect example. Against all odds, she became the first woman in Italy … NAMC’s 20 Lessons from 20 Years: Find Inspiration in the Work of Others
Cosmic education is the theoretical base upon which the many concepts and activities of the elementary classroom are built into a coherent body of knowledge and experience … [it] is an overall approach to education that involves helping students develop an awareness that everything in the universe is connected and interdependent and forms a … Integrating Cosmic Education Across the Montessori Lower Elementary Curriculum
Over the past 20 years, NAMC has grown as a world-class Montessori training and curriculum provider partly due to our ability to recognize and act on opportunities as they present themselves. This is an important skill for an organization like NAMC, but it is equally valuable for individuals like you. Consider, for example, your goals … NAMC’s 20 Lessons from 20 Years: Make Every Opportunity a Value-Added One
