A Montessori Education
My daughter attended our local Montessori school for 3 years. I could not recommend this from of education strongly enough. Before she attended I really didn't think it would be as amazing as it has turned out to be. The children who attend Montessori are extremely well behaved, respectful, and are very conscious of solving conflicts peacefully. They grow to be so independent and really learn so much more than you'd ever expect preschool children to know.
I began this lens last year, during the 100th Anniversary of Montessori Education. I made it to briefly explain what goes on in a Montessori classroom.What Montessori is all about
Maria Montessori founded the first "Casa dei Bambini" in 1907. Her goal, and what is still to this day the goal of a Montessori Education, is to encourage independence, love of learning and a positive sense of self . This is obtained through five areas: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Math and Cultural. In the traditional three-year program of 3-6 year olds, the child is exposed to areas that enhance independence through concentration, order, and creativity. The child has the opportunity to develop academically, socially and emotionally to his or her full potential. Practical Life
Practical Life activities are designed to develop coordination and independence. Through repeated use of materials such as spooning, pouring, twisting, squeezing, fastening, and sewing a child works towards the mastery of skills needed for everyday life that includes the physical skills needed for writing. Materials also develop care of the environment, care of people, grace and courtesy. Practical Life Work
Little Lock Box
6 doors to teach the child how to fasten and unfasten, open and close, and hide-and-seek. Solid hardwood, brass plated hardware and easy grip, carry-along handle.
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Sensorial
The world is color, dimension, shape, form, sound, touch, taste, and smell. Children live in the world of the senses. In order to continue their creative task of development, children need to classify and express the impressions they have received. Through sight, touch, sound, taste, and smell the sensorial Montessori materials enable the child to clarify and comprehend the world. Sensorial Work
Sorting & Sequencing Program
Children work on fine motor abilities while developing skills from basic sorting to predicting logical patterns.
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Preschool-aged children have naturally mathematical minds. They have the capacity to reason, to calculate and to estimate. They are intensely conscious of quantity, counting pebbles on the beach or cookies for desert. The concrete Montessori mathematical materials allow these sensorial explorers to begin their mathematical journey from the concrete to the abstract through manipulation, experimentation and invention. Math Work
Tumble Down Counting Pegs
Teaches number recognition, counting, and the concept of quantity.
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The Montessori primary classroom emphasizes spoken language as the foundation for all linguistic expression. By using language in the classroom through listening, storytelling, reading, and dramatic play a child develops a love of literature and good communication skills. Dr. Montessori saw the road to reading as a dual path that involved the education of the hand and the education of the mind. Language Work
MONTESSORI SHAPES
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The cultural studies curriculum includes botany, zoology, geography, history, music and art. Through exploring history and natural world the children begin to have an understanding and appreciation of the physical and cultural nature of the Earth and its diverse populations. Cultural Work
Eggling Plants (set of 3) Herbs: Mint, Basil, Thyme
The Egglings come with terra-cotta trays and seed packs of herbs. The plants grow for up to five months in the Egglings fortified peat mixture, then they can be planted directly in soil.
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Sung In the Morning
Good morning dear earth,
Good morning dear sun,
Good morning to the animals,
And to the flowers everyone
Good morning to the busy bees
And the birds in the trees,
Good morning to you,
And good morning to me.
*****************************
Sung Before Snack
Earth that gave us all this food
Sun that made it ripe and good
Dearest earth, and rain and sun:
We'll not forget what you have done
*****************************
Sung at the End of the Day
Good bye, so long, farewell my friends.
Good bye, so long, farewell.
I'll see you soon again my friends
So goodbye, so long, farewell.
More Montessori Materials
Portable Sand Tray
Can be used on the floor or tabletop. Holds up to 5 lbs of sand.
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Amazing Tracker Ball Maze
Giant tumble down ball maze with 6 brightly colored soft balls.
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Classification Discovery Game
5 compartment sorting box with 10 category wood tiles and 100 wood object tiles to sort by class.
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Wooden Circle Tower
Stack, nest and arrange in sequence in 6 different ways.
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I'd Love to Know
Which of these best describes you?
Healthy Snack Ideas
For when it's your turn to bring it for the class
Books about Montessori
Teaching Montessori in the Home: Pre-School Years: The Pre-School Years
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Montessori Play And Learn: A Parent's Guide to Purposeful Play from Two to Six
Release Date: 12/29/1992
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The Montessori Method
Release Date: 06/26/2008
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Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius
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Teach Me to Do It Myself: Montessori Activities for You and Your Child
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Montessori Links
- Montessori the International Montessori Index
- The Official International Montessori Site with links to schools, organizations, teacher training centers, conferences, Montessori teaching materials, and other Montessorisites.
- Association Montessori Internationale
- The Association Montessori Internationale was founded in 1929 by Dr. Maria Montessori to maintain the integrity of her life's work, and to ensure that it would be perpetuated after her death.
- American Montessori Society
- For those in the United States to find schools in your area.
- Montessori.org
- This website answers the questions that parents and educators ask about the Montessori approach.
My favorite Montessori items on CafePress
Montessori - World Tote Bag
Price: 14.99
MONTESSAURUS Kids T-Shirt
Price: 25.99
I *heart* Montessori Sticker (Bumper)
Price: 5.00
Property Of (blue) Women's Long Sleeve Dark T-Shir
Price: 29.99
A hundred years from now... Small Poster
Price: 25.99
Are you a Montessori parent? Are you considering becoming one?
Share your stories and ask questions here.
C-Joy wrote...
You have a great understanding of Montessori - I wish you were a parent in my class!
Posted February 13, 2009
pmolinero wrote...
A very well done lens about the work of a great woman, whose theories about education are still valid and meanwhile worldwide accepted. 5*
Posted October 13, 2008
Lorien wrote...
Nice description of the work of the primary class. It is truly amazing what these children are capable of if we just let them try!
Posted October 07, 2008
AshleyAnnRyan wrote...
Hi Christene,
Thanks for joining Parenting On Squidoo,
I have just featured you as our weekly featured lensmaster. Congrats!
Ashley
Exquisite Beautiful Jewelry, Handmade Locally
Posted September 05, 2008
a_willow wrote...
I really like a Montessorri learning concept and so does my husband who is a teacher. Unfortunately, in my country (Croatia) there are only few Montessori schools and they are all in our capital city (Zagreb). Still, great lens!
Posted July 29, 2008
enslavedbyfaeries wrote...
My daughters attend a K-12 Montessori/Liberal Arts school and we would also recommend it to everyone who has the opportunity. This lens is excellent! I love the simplicity and how you've shown examples of the learning materials use in Montessori classrooms. This would have been very helpful for us when we were making the decision to move from the public school system.
Posted July 19, 2008
MomsLifesavers wrote...
My daughters are currently in a K-8 Montessori Charter School! Both girls have attended Montessori since age 3 and will graduate 8th grade with a Montessori Education. As you stated in your intro, I can't say enough about this modality! It simply is the most harmonious education to offer our children. We are fortunate that our community saw a need for this modality and set up our school. Unfortunately, the waiting list is so long and we were so lucky to get in!
Thank you for this fantastic lens...let me know if you need any info on later years and Montessori! :)
Posted March 12, 2008
Gatsby wrote...
5* Where you choose to begin your child's education is very important. Best Natural Dog Food
Posted November 06, 2007
adez7 wrote...
Excellent Lens, Christene. What an awesome job you have done sharing with parents the creative and multisensory approach to learning Montessori offers. As an educator, I learned things I did not know about Montessori. Thanks for this gift to parents. You get 5 Stars for this one!
Donna
Posted June 04, 2007
ArtfulThoughts wrote...
Great lens! I homeschool and use a lot of Montessori concepts with my youngest son, Quinn, who was born with Down syndrome.
Thanks for blessing my Nature Journaling lens. *smile*
Posted June 03, 2007
BFuniv.com wrote...
Nicely done lens.
Montessori recognizes and addresses the natural desire to learn.
Thank you
Posted May 30, 2007
Coral_Milburn_Curtis wrote...
Excellent Lens - a welcome addition to the Education, Education, Education Group.
Best wishes
Coral
www.squidoo.com/coralmilburn
Posted May 27, 2007
