The Importance of Environment in Montessori

Protecting the environment can be a polarizing topic. Advocates for “green” lifestyle policies often find themselves philosophically at odds with those who find said policies to be restricting their way of life.

In other words, the tension often lies in the area of “convenience”, where value is placed more on immediate ease instead of long-term effect.

Embedded in this perspective is the role of our own education. How have we been brought up to view our environment around us? As a resource? As something worth protecting? Perhaps as both?

These values are implemented in children early, in those formative years when a child discovers –  often through the actions of others – how to respond to the world, how to go about being a part of it. Community values play a profound role in this, and the environment is a huge part of community’s definition.

The World’s First Montessori Joke?

After writing on the more serious topics in the world of education and Montessori, I thought it would be nice to try the lighter side.

My idea: source out some Montessori jokes or cartoons, have a laugh, and post them to the blog. All done through the power of the internet. I never anticipated being foiled by it, though. Or maybe this is more a lesson in how serious we get with education.

Ontario Education: Is Montessori Getting its Dues?

Think of the variables involved when a family relocates to a new city or town. What are the questions they ask when looking through neighborhoods for their new home?

Amenities, public transportation, ease of access – all valid. Time and time again, however – especially for families with children – the question I hear most often is “How are the Schools?”.

It’s an important question, to be sure. At best, public schools can be inconsistent. If this were not true, people wouldn’t be asking the questions. Quality teaching can vary from classroom to classroom, let alone neighborhood to neighborhood. Why is this? What is it about public education that fosters inconsistency?

Why is Montessori Education not being considered?

Winter Passing; The Child Grown of Comfort

Finally, the snow has settled in St. Catharines for a short while. An event that elicits both excitement (mostly from the kids) and trepidation (mostly from the parents).

One can only muse on the dynamics of human interaction if life consisted solely of snow-angels, snow people, and snow castles. And  yet is there not something peaceful about that first layer of snow? Comfortable even?

Nearing the end of January, the students at Beyond Montessori School have settled back in to their classrooms. A unique comfort exists upon a student’s return to school after Winter Break. The recognizable familiarity, the opportunity, the encouragement and guidance from the teachers. A quality of family, in many ways. 

Holidays at Beyond Montessori

image courtesy of noholidaynolife.com

The final week of classes before Christmas Holidays at Beyond Montessori, and the excitement is felt by everyone.

Teachers, kids, and parents alike are looking forward to a much-deserved break with family and friends.

Montessori Not Only For Children?

The obvious association with Montessori Learning lies in the profound benefits it provides children in those formative years (and beyond).

We blog about this regularly, and Beyond Montessori’s entire philosophy centers on this fact.

Would it surprise you to know that Montessori Learning can also benefit the elderly? In particular, those living with the intricacies of dementia? I hadn’t given it much thought until I came across this article in The Morning Call (a newspaper for the Lehigh Valley) .

Montessori Book of the Week: The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

I’ve had the privilege on a few occasions to sit with students at Beyond Montessori School and either listen to them read, or read to them.

It’s a beautiful thing to hear a child read, to learn intonation and expression, to form words carefully – and it never ceases to amaze me how perceptive they are about what they’re reading.

Not surprising, these experiences have prompted me to think of those books that have impacted me as a child, books that have resonated all the way through to my adult years. This week, I’m thinking of The Giving Tree. 

The Debate Over Technology in the Classroom

Courtesy of Paul Sila - http://gatorball.wordpress.com

An excellent New York Times piece examining the use of technology in schools, breaks down the debate and politics involved in the public school system.

At the heart of the matter are three questions: “Do we need technology to learn?”, “Why is it implemented in our schools at such a rapid rate?” and “What is the best way to use it?”. In the article Matt Richtel carefully examines (among other items) technology’s influence on standardized test scores, overall student learning processes, and interaction in a classroom environment.  

Wireless Tech Harmful for Children?

We all know what cell phones are right? iPhones? Android? Wireless devices? If not, you may want to venture outside of your basement, stand on the sidewalk and do some people watching.

See how many of them have devices held to the sides of their faces? Perhaps one person talks while another feigns interest before pressing and prodding said device in almost manic fashion. A bit rude, really – not to mention anti-social.

What of wireless technology in the household? Networks? Gaming Consoles? All these devices emit small amounts of electromagnetic radiation. So the question raised is one of potential physical harm.

The technology is spreading, and if it is indeed harmful to our health, a flu shot will likely not fix the problem.

Real Montessori Part 3 – Community of Learners

In the final installment of how to search for authentic Montessori Schools, we consider the Montessori Learning Community as a whole.

At the heart: how the classroom functions as a community and what qualities we hope to foster among our children. 

Part One looked at the Montessori Learning Environment; Part Two covered  the Role of Teachers In the Montessori Classroom. Part Three allows us to step back and see the classroom in action and understand its purpose.