We've written before about the common misconceptions people hold with regards to Montessori education. The Montessori method is a complex educational framework, so it's understandable that there would be some misinformation floating around. If you're considering Montessori education for yourself or your family, it's important to have the real information.
More so than ever before, humans are researching the ways in which we teach and learn, analyzing what the most effective methods for conveying information are. Alongside, and as a result of this, humans are also developing new educational philosophies, materials, and delivery systems at an ever increasing rate. It can be difficult to keep up!
Working in a Montessori school, you hear many misconceptions about the Montessori method. A few of these misconceptions contribute to significant misunderstandings and misgivings about the Montessori philosophy! When looking at schools for your family, it's important to wade through the misinformation and base your choices on the real facts.
Parent Child Visit Day
Each year Kingsley hosts a special event known as Parent Child Visit Day. One of the highlights of the school year, this event gives parents the opportunity to come into the classroom and not only observe, but participate in the work and learning of their children. Students proudly prepare their favorite and most important pieces of work to share with the adults in their lives, and are thrilled to have the opportunity to show off what they've learned.
Cultural learning is a key component of the Montessori curriculum. Students begin learning about the histories, cultures, religions, and geographic features of different parts of the world at a very young age. Learning about cultures or religions beyond your own is especially rewarding when your classmates and their families can help you learn from their own experience!
Homework: Parent Discussion
The Kingsley Coffee Talk series continued this week with a focus on supporting homework at home. At Kingsley we view homework as a purposeful extension of classroom academics to help students build healthy work routines, increase their work stamina, and establish time management skills, as well as independence with their own work, all while having a positive experience. Our main points in helping support homework at home were:
Sometimes the stars align, so-to-speak, and you can provide an immersive Astrophysics lesson to your Lower Elementary students; harnessing their interests, knowledge, and the awe-inspiring vastness of the universe.
Celebration of Life
Many Montessori institutions, including Kingsley Montessori, celebrate student birthdays with a celebration of life ceremony known in the classrooms as The Birthday Walk. The Birthday Walk gives students an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the life and growth of their classmate, in a positive, collaborative way.
Mr. Farley's Fall Insights
This segment was originally published in the Oct. 4, 2018 edition of the Kingsley Bulletin (Kingsley Montessori School's community newsletter).
The Five Great Lessons
The Five Great Lessons of the Montessori curriculum are broad, inspiring experiences shared by Lower Elementary students as they are introduced to new, abstract concepts. These lessons are narrative, impressionistic, stories that put the student right at the center of the awe-inspiring concepts being covered.