World-shaking forces are now making the realization of human unity an urgent necessity. The time is past when some racial groups or nations can be civilized, leaving others servile or barbaric. Persistence in these outworn ideas can lead only to further wars and self-destruction, and how can a general change of thought be effected but … Montessori Elementary School Studies: Civil Rights
Teaching history in a Montessori preschool/kindergarten classroom means helping children understand the passage of time. It is a difficult concept for little ones to grasp, but there are many interesting ways we can explore the passage of time in a Montessori environment. One of the best ways to begin the introduction to time and history … Introducing History and Passage of Time in a Montessori Preschool: The Calendar
As Montessori educators, one of our most important roles is to foster independence in our students. It is important to evaluate your Montessori classroom periodically throughout the year and ask yourself if you have established an environment that nurtures your students in their growing independence. When your Montessori students arrive in the morning, do they … Montessori Classroom Design: Fostering Independence in the Prepared Environment
A teacher is destined by his own special work to observe…man when his intellectual life is awakening. —Maria MontessoriThe Discovery of the Child The above quote is very much applicable to parents and teachers. Being able to observe your own child in a Montessori environment is very special, and can be both eye opening and … The Art of Observation in the Montessori Classroom — Helpful Tips For Parent Observers
A Montessori directress is a skilled observer who uses her knowledge and training to provide children with the necessary guidance to facilitate individual development. A directress frequently observes her Montessori students to determine where they are at developmentally and to guide them to appropriate lessons and activities. The Montessori directress also observes her students to … The Art of Observation in a Montessori Classroom — Sensitive Periods, Productivity and Humor
Montessori educators can benefit from periodic evaluation of their teaching (including classroom management, curriculum planning, etc.) and with New Year’s Eve around the corner, this can be an ideal time to practice some professional assessment and goal setting. Here are a few examples of questions to ask yourself that may assist you with the goal-setting … Montessori Educators: Professional Assessment and Goal Setting
During Montessori work periods, there are often times when a child tries to interrupt a presentation or disrupt another student’s work. As a Montessori teacher, it is important to have a variety of different strategies for dealing with these situations and the ability to implement them in a subtle, non-intrusive manner. One of my favorite … The Montessori Gluing Strategy — Helping Redirect Behavior and Focus
This year long series looks at the experiences of teachers, parents, students, and Montessori education itself, as we follow a student through his first year at a Montessori Preschool. The Montessori Insights and Reflections of a Preschool Student’s First Year is a collection of useful stories, tips, and information that has arisen from one real … Montessori Practical Life Activities: Spooning and Sweeping Work
The Silence Game Part 3 Developing good listening skills at a young age is critical and there are so many things that we can do to help refine their listening skills in the Montessori preschool environment. Aside from the Silence Game (see Part 1 and Part 2 of this blog series), there are a multitude of … The Montessori Silence Game and Beyond: Auditory Games
The Silence Game Part 2 True silence is the rest of the mind;it is to the spirit what sleep is to the body,nourishment and refreshment~ William Penn As mentioned in my previous blog (Silence Game, Part 1), the Silence Game is a deliberate stilling of the body. It is intended to promote … Variations on the Montessori Silence Game for Developing Skills
