Maria Montessori observed that given the opportunity, children would rather correct themselves than depend on an adult to do it for them. She believed that making mistakes was a natural part of learning and that developing self-correction skills helped develop confidence and decision-making skills. A Montessori classroom only works if the materials it holds … Montessori Prepared Environment: What is Control of Error?
In 1621, the English colonists, better known as Pilgrims, at Plymouth and the Wampanoag (People of the First Light) Indians of North America shared a feast celebrating both the survival of the Pilgrims during their first winter in the New World and the relationships between the colonists and the Indians. Historians call it the 1621 … Celebrating Thanksgiving with Montessori Activities
One of the factors that contributed to the success of Montessori education was in Montessori’s scrutiny of the traditional educational environment. At that time, schoolrooms held adult-size furniture that was usually arranged in rows and bolted in place. Closets and shelves were placed at adult height so even the simplest of tasks had to be … Montessori Prepared Environment: Purpose, Set-Up and Classroom Features
When should you start reading aloud to your Montessori child? The answer is simple: as soon as possible! After all, Maria Montessori believed that the sensitive period for language development is between birth and age six. What better time to start reading aloud to your child than when they are in the sensitive period for … Reading Aloud to Children: Reading the Montessori Way
Last week I wrote about the joys of reading aloud to my son, Nathaniel. Even when you have a child who seems to devour books, reading is not always easy for them. Here are some possible roadblocks and solutions to reading aloud to all ages. Reading Aloud to Children: Tips for Happy, Successful Readers … Reading Aloud to Children: Tips for Happy, Successful Readers
In many parts of the world, military veterans are honored on November eleventh. This day, known in the United States as Veteran’s day and as Armistice or Remembrance Day in other countries, is the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I in 1918. In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November … Celebrating Veteran's Day with Montessori Activities
This is a story I share with all my Montessori parents and colleagues when I hear them say “But my son / daughter / student is old enough to read alone. I don’t need to read to them aloud anymore”. My son’s love for reading began the day he was born. As a young mother, … Reading Aloud to Children: Modeling and Bonding
The observance of Halloween originates back to the ancient Celtic New Year’s festival, celebrated on November 1, which marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of a cold, dark winter. The Celts believed that on the night before the New Year, the worlds between the living and the dead were blurred and that … Celebrate Halloween Montessori Style: Activity and Curriculum Ideas
“And a Little Child Shall Lead Them” The most beautiful thing happened in my Montessori classroom today. I called everyone to morning circle and after we had taken roll call, gone over the date and time, read the journal topic, and reported the weather, I decided to do a little geography check. I started by … Charitable Spirits: Community Service in the Montessori Classroom
I did something this year that I’ve always wanted to do. I’m NOT assigning homework. For several years I’ve struggled with assigning homework. After all, the students who need the most practice are the ones who really need to be using the Montessori materials off the shelves, not working on abstract worksheets at home. Over the years, I’ve tried several approaches … Homework in the Montessori Classroom: Does it Actually Help Students?
