We all know that toddlers olds are active. They learn about the world through movement. Picking up objects, turning them around in the hand, sliding them along the floor. One facet of Montessori curriculum that enables, say, a two-year-old to succeed is the Practical Life area. Practical Life activities, such as pouring, wiping, setting a table, […]
Category: materials
What is in Antarctica? Penguins, penguins, penguins!
As a part of our Geography studies, we rotate themed works based on continents into all of our academic areas. In the fall, we studied Europe, and in the spring we will learn about South America. This Winter we are learning about Antarctica. However, this unit is admittedly a bit less diverse than the others. Let’s […]
The Holidays in our Classroom
We love to represent holidays in our classroom. December is perhaps the most obvious example of this, so we thought this would be a good time to explain how these works fit into our Montessori curriculum.
Cardboard Art
Our decidated art teacher, Dorte, has just finished a lovely sculpturing project with the students. In her words, here is how these works of art came to be: After opening some boxes of furniture, I was somewhat surprised to find that they didn’t use plastic or styrofoam to protect the parts, but just chunky pieces of […]
Back to School
We are so happy to be back at work after our short summer break. So great to see old friends and make new ones! As shown by the pictures below, we are beginning this year learning about the Universe.
Inquiring Minds Want to Know
“To teach details is to bring confusion; to establish the relationship between things is to bring knowledge.” –Maria Montessori, From Childhood to Adolescence Children ask questions! As teachers, we seek to enable them to answer their own questions. What kinds of things are magnetic? What floats and what sinks? From pouring water between different containers […]
Parents’ Art Workshop
Last weekend many of our parents attended a fun-filled workshop led by our wonderful art teacher, Dorte. Parents learned first-hand what it’s like to be in the Art section of our school. But, don’t take our word for it. Hear it in their own words, and pictures! “It’s like art therapy!” “I really enjoyed getting a […]
Orderly movement in the Montessori Classroom
Kids move!
Rock-Star Grandpa
One of our awesome grandparents returned for an encore performance of last year’s geology lessons. This time he brought all-new rocks, except for one special request by the students. The meteorite made a return visit–we just had to see the “space rock” again!
Holiday materials come to our shelves
A Montessori classroom is ever-changing. Of course, the pink tower, counting beads, red rods and many more materials are always available to students. But in an effort to keep the kids’ interest and connect the classroom to the outside world there is an on-going rotation of works. Since children cannot help but to notice the […]
A time for gratitude
As we approach Thanksgiving, our students are sharing their gratitude in many ways. Last week, we started a book of gratitude, in which the students can write (or a teacher may write for them) something for which they are thankful. This morning, we are grateful that the mom of one of our students came in […]
Montessori and the Growth Mindset
Dr Maria Montessori’s curricula have been used in schools for over 100 years. One of the main concepts behind of her ideas is control of error; the material design sets the child up for success–and growth–through small, acceptable failures. After 2 years in our classroom, our students are so accustomed to accepting new challenges and learning from their […]