Fall 2012
volume 24 number 3
The beginning of a new school term is a propitious time to review Montessori's writings, replete with statements worthy of deep consideration but rarely distillable into sound bites. Consistent in her message, Montessori reminds us of the importance of bringing the world to children so they may be grounded in reality: When the child goes out, it is the world itself that offers itself to him. Let us take the child out to show him real things instead of ....
At AMS, we are working to build connections among the leaders of state and regional Montessori organizations so that they can share best practices in their states and, at the same time, create alliances to increase their resources. An Internet-based conferencing tool has been created to ease ongoing communication among these important groups of leaders, and opportunities will be planned ....
A school does not grow in a tidy, linear fashion. Like relationships among people, schools can be messy and frustrating as they develop, change, and blossom. Accountability can be a challenge. As befits an educational setting that serves young children, our teachers are compassionate, nurturing, empathic, and gentle. Teachers with these traits have a hard time holding each other accountable for the daily work of a school without guidance from a coordinator or director. As Brené Brown says, "One of the greatest (and least discussed) barriers to compassion practice is ...
As a Montessori teacher, I feel obligated to continue striving to improve the field of teaching, and education as a whole. As new technology constantly changes our world, I am expanding my knowledge through new research findings and new historical discoveries ...
We begin again! A new school year awaits us! Adults and children return hopeful with renewed spirits and boundless energy!How will we ignite that passion for continued inquiry, collaboration, and community in our students, teachers, staff, and parents throughout the year? How will we sustain our school missions, remain forward thinking, and avoid getting caught up in the small stuff? How do we embrace our partnerships with balance, remembering that our primary focus is...
Happy Anniversary!
Congratulations to the these schools on achieving a significant anniversary milestone: Montessori School of Champaign–Urbana, School of the Woods....
Brene: When you're talking about shame and fear and vulnerability, it has to be about stories, not just numbers. People hide behind intellect and reason when it comes to these topics. They'll talk to you cognitively about it, they'll engage in an academic conversation, but if you say, "So when's the last time you felt like you weren't good enough?" they aren't able to respond with numbers or intellect....
Maria Montessori's observations over a century ago revealed the importance of Practical Life and its relationship to the development of skills that pediatric neuropsychologist Steven J. Hughes refers to as executive functions. Executive functions include cognitive processes, such as attention, concentration, planning, organization, problem-solving, initiative, and self-regulation....
Technological advancements are occurring at an unprecedented speed, and educational institutions must adapt their methodology to reflect these changes. We should ask ourselves, How will we retain the integrity of Montessori education and still meet the needs of a rapidly changing world?
Recently, neuroscientists have noticed disturbing study results that suggest that people, especially "digital natives," should learn to moderate interactions with media. Digital natives appear to possess less ability to demonstrate empathy, recognize social cues, focus for extended periods of time on one task, or follow a linear thought without interruption.Conversely, digital "immigrants" may have an advantage in maintaining a more balanced relationship with media interface...
Fathers in intact families are spending more time with their children than at any point in the past 100 years ... and mothers today in the United States, including those who work part- or full-time, spend almost twice as much time with each child as mothers did in the 1920s....
AMS Annual Conferences
Mark your calendar for our 2013 Annual Conference in Orlando this March, followed by conferences in Dallas (2014) and ...
A first-year Montessori student chose a dry pouring activity. He was very careful and engaged. But in spite of being very graceful in his movements, some beans spilled on his tray, and some more on the floor. He rushed over to the housekeeping area, calling out....