The following contains a response to a NAMC student inquiry concerning becoming more informed about the history and efforts of those supporting Montessori in the United States, and why it is not broadly embraced in public school systems. The Montessori method was close to being adopted in the US as the model for all public … The Montessori Movement: A US Historical Perspective
As the winter holidays approach, it is a great time to reflect on the importance of practical life and grace and courtesy lessons for our Montessori children. Here are links to several related NAMC blogs to refresh; be sure to select the additional links at the bottom of the posts for more. Winter Time is … Winter Holidays – Montessori Practical Life and Grace and Courtesy
Hanukkah begins at sunset on Tuesday, December 20, 2011, and ends at sunset on Wednesday, December 28, 2011. Share Hanukkah with Montessori students as part of your classroom’s Montessori Culture curriculum! Here are two previous NAMC blogs to give you some background and activity ideas for your Montessori students: As much as possible, NAMC’s web … Hanukkah – Montessori Cultural Curriculum
In the US, the Thanksgiving holiday is always celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. There is background information on the American holiday in previous NAMC blogs, listed below. In my first several years of teaching Montessori preschool, Thanksgiving celebrations focused on the original story involving the indigenous people of the US and the pilgrim … Montessori Community Celebration of Thanksgiving
Every new school year brings parents who are new to the Montessori way. Many are eager to know more about what their children will be learning and doing in the Montessori classroom. Some have a general idea of what the Montessori program is about, others know only that they liked what they saw … Montessori Parent Education Meetings- Strengthen Your Montessori Community
Part 3 of 3 – Parent Involvement In the first two parts of this series, I explained the value of the phase-in process for both the children and the teacher. Montessori preschool students gradually process the new and exciting ways of the Montessori approach to a school experience. They learn the grace and courtesy lessons … Orientation of New Students at Start of School- Montessori Parent Involvement
Part 2 of 3 – Summer Transition In Part 1 of this three-part series, I began with some ideas for a phase-in approach to orienting new students in the Montessori 3-6 environment. This basically involves the introduction of new students through a shorter daily work period with a focus on grace and courtesy lessons, rules … Orientation of New Students at Start of School – Montessori Summer Transition
Part 1 of 3 – Phase-In Orientation Each year approximately one third of the established Montessori multi-aged classrooms will be children new to the Montessori experience. A phase-in orientation strategy in the first weeks of school is a valuable tool in helping new children become acclimated to the Montessori environment. The larger, established Montessori school … Orientation of New Students at Start of School- Montessori Phase In
“What is it like to be a Montessori teacher? Is there much creativity in it?”Recently I read a reply to this question that said that those seeking creativity in a teaching job should look to other methods instead of Montessori. The reply stated that “the Montessori materials were already chosen” leaving little room for teachers … The Creativity of the Montessori Teacher: Flexibility and Classroom Design
I recently spoke with a NAMC student who, during the course of our conversations, told me that she did not give tests and quizzes in her Montessori classroom nor was she a fan of standardized testing, as there is no ”standard child.” But she went on to ask me which standardized test she should administer … Elementary Standardized Testing and Montessori Education – Is Testing Right for Your Classroom?
