From the age of three, the children in the Atrium have been pondering messages of the prophets. A prophet has been defined for them as one who listens deeply to God and speaks His message to the people. The children have fallen in love with Isaiah’s Prophecy of the Light: “The people who walked in […]
The Call of the Prophet Isaiah Read More »
This past week the Level II (E1) and 3rd/4th grade children had their first opportunities to plan the communal prayer time held at the conclusion of our Atrium session. The oldest children in the Atrium were asked to plan prayer around the Gospel passage John 15:5. They chose opening and closing songs and wrote petitions
Planning Communal Prayer: The True Vine Read More »
The elementary (Levels II and III) children also began their time in the Atrium last week! We began with a review of how the Atrium is different from other learning environments and also how it is different from the Church. Then we spent time talking about how to “live well” in this space together. Finally,
Elementary Atrium Begins Read More »
As we approach the end of the school year, many of the Extended Day / Kindergarten children are approaching the Second Plane of Development, which, according to Maria Montessori, has very different developmental characteristics than the First Plane. Dr. Montessori recognized four distinct planes: First (0-6 years), Second (6-12 years), Third (12-18 years), and Fourth
From Children’s House to Elementary Read More »
The “all day in the Atrium” day finally arrived and it was celebrated with great peace, periods of remarkable silence, and much joy! To use the new favorite word to describe time in the Atrium…it was “phenomenal.” These crosses represent one visible “product” of a long year of intensive preparation for First Communion. Each child
Second Year Crosses Read More »
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.
Many school communities that choose a multiage structure for their classrooms due to low enrollments are discovering the educational benefits to children that Montessori educators have known for over a hundred years. Children thrive in environments with a variety of ages. The younger students have role models to look up to, and the older students
Way of the Shepherd Montessori – Model of Multiage Classrooms Read More »
