Montessori teachers are referred to as Guides because they assist children to find and explore their strengths within the prepared learning environment. A Guide tailors herself to “lead from behind” the unique individuals in her classroom and ultimately strives to let children work at their own pace while fostering both independent and social growth.
Guides, Not Teachers Read More »
New Montessori parents are often surprised by the effects that Practical Life education can have on their children. These students are washing dishes, sewing clothing, helping with laundry and preparing their own snacks. This freedom exhibited in the classroom extends to the home as children ably take on responsibilities beyond what is traditionally expected of
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The Pink Tower is an iconic sensorial Montessori material used to directly promote coordination and precision through visual deciphering. Indirectly, however, it will allow children to intuitively understand systems like base ten that are the foundation for later mathematics. Math makes sense for Montessori students because materials like the Pink Tower turn an abstract concept
As one of the greatest inventions of ancient times, the abacus was used by merchants and traders across the globe to tally their earnings and do business. Our children use them to learn the process of high volume arithmetic and gain a firm understanding of the work they are doing.
During the Season of Advent we will be pondering the great Mystery of the Incarnation in the Atrium. Here are a few thoughts from the children to help us in our own wonder over this great gift… Recalling the Prophecy of the Light: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a Great Light.” (Isaiah
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The Liturgical Calendar is composed of 52 prisms, inner and arcs and arrows and two outer arcs. These pieces are built with great care, precisely in order, outside the puzzle frame to recreate the cycles of the liturgical year. At each Level of the Atrium the children are invited to work with this material in
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The study of the Eucharist begins in the Atrium at the age of three with the presentation on the Model Altar which focuses on the names of the articles used at Mass. The preparation for the reception of Eucharist in 2nd grade forms, in some ways, the highlight of and focus of all work with
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The children are always very excited about our Stone Soup Celebration! Before Thanksgiving, we read the book Stone Soup by Marcia Brown. The story is about hungry, ill received soldiers traveling home who teach a community about generosity and collaboration. The children make their own stone soup to enjoy together. Students clean, peel and chop the
Each Atrium session ends with a few minutes at the prayer table, as we gather for Communal Prayer. In Children’s House (Level I), this prayer is led by the adult, with many opportunities for the children to suggest songs and contribute their prayers of thanks and praise. In Elementary (Levels II and III), the children
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The children began their day greeting one another in a peaceful way as the quantity of our Saints slowly arrived. It was truly beautiful to observe and listen to the conversations regarding their chosen Saint. Shortly there after, we processed together to celebrate an all school Mass with with Fr. Blume. The Mass was beautiful. The children eagerly returned
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