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In my Montessori elementary classroom, I spend the first week of school building on the foundations that I set on the first day — further establishing rules and routines, empowering the students, developing relationships, and presenting inspiring work. As I mentioned in a previous blog, I begin talking with the students about classroom routines and expectations on the very first day of school. Throughout the week, we build on these discussions, usually during circle time. Like all Montessori teachers, I have high expectations of courtesy, respect, and order. Taking time during the first week to fully establish these expectations helps the students understand what is required of them and of others in the classroom. It serves us all well for the remainder of the year. Montessori Teachers Lay the Foundations for a Successful Elementary School Year in the First Week A great interactive strategy for discussing expectations is to invite the students to role-play different scenarios. For exam...

In our previous blog , we discussed the first part of the first full day of school during which the students were introduced to the routines and expectations of the classroom. In this article, we discuss the remainder of the day when students are ready to do some work. Ideas for Work Periods for the First Day in the Montessori Elementary Classroom I find that inviting the students to write in their journals about something they did over the summer is a good way to start them working on the first day. Usually, the new students need direction on page orientation and sentence building. I often ask an older student to help a younger friend if they need help. Once they are all finished, we go outside and have a snack while those who would like to share their stories do. While we are outside, my assistant kindly takes a photo of each student for the scrapbooks that we work on throughout the year. When we return to the classroom, I ask the returning students to start their work, beginning whe...

The first day of school is very exciting for both students and teachers. I always look forward to the first day when I am able to greet students and establish our routines and expectations. As the students arrive, I invite a returning student to give the new students a tour of the environment. They show the new students where to put backpacks, coats, lunch boxes, etc. and where they will find things such as pencils and erasers. Once all the students have arrived, I begin our time together with a circle. To start, I light the peace candle. As this is the first circle of the year, I explain the candle’s purpose to the students. I tell them that we light the peace candle at the beginning of circle time to signify peace and reverence. This means that there should only be one person speaking at a time and we show respect to the speaker by sitting silently and respectfully. Then, I ask the students to brainstorm other expectations for our circle times. Circle Time Routines and Expectations ...

Montessori teachers spend a great deal of time and effort carefully preparing materials for the Montessori environment to meet the needs of all the children. Because a Montessori classroom typically has children belonging to a three-year age range, there are numerous levels of readiness and understanding in one classroom. For that reason, the teacher needs to make certain that the classroom has all the materials necessary for each age and level of ability. How Montessori Teachers Prepare Materials for the Montessori Classroom and Prepared Environment As you would expect, the Montessori teacher ensures that the classroom contains fundamental materials expertly and precisely designed by Maria Montessori. Often, the teacher includes supplementary materials that support the Montessori curriculum. She takes time to carefully consider each material and make sure that it reflects the ideas of the Montessori method before adding it the environment. Materials should preferably be made of natura...

You know you are in the right profession when you look forward to the start of your work year. There are so many things I anticipate each year. I enjoy reacquainting with our staffing team and re-establishing the strong connection we have; we share a passion for Montessori and for supporting the development of students who positively contribute to the world around them. Our first week back with just the staff is a wonderful opportunity to further develop strong bonds of friendship, communication, and collaboration in the classrooms and in the school as a whole. It is an exciting time, preparing for the students to arrive and anticipating our year together. A Montessori Teacher Reflects on the Joy of the Beginning of the School Year I also really look forward to the first day that students arrive. Our school has always started each year with a Welcome Celebration. This is a special time on their first day when the students and families come to the school, have a tour, meet the staff, re...

NAMC is celebrating our 20th year as the world leader in Montessori distance education and curriculum development. We are happy to recognize this monumental anniversary with a new look that reflects our commitment to quality, our dedication to our students, and our guiding principle of continuous improvement. Our new look includes a fantastic new NAMC logo, new colors, and a brand-new website! We are thrilled for you to see NAMC’s new look on our curriculum manuals and curriculum support material, our social media pages, our beautifully redesigned blog, and our amazing new website. We welcome you to visit our website and see NAMC’s new look for yourself. There are exciting changes at NAMC and we are glad you are a part of them! Join the NAMC community: NAMC Website NAMC Blog Facebook Twitter Pinterest Google Plus — NAMC Staff

By its very nature, the Montessori environment is beautiful. The use of natural objects and light add peace, harmony, and balance. They also enhance the awareness of the natural world. The Montessori teacher helps extend this awareness far beyond the immediate environment to the entire universe. She presents the universe to the children as a whole concept, from the beginning of time to the present. And the children come to understand how the universe, and more specifically the earth, is ever changing. Today, with the increasing concentration of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases, it becomes a vital piece of Montessori’s cosmic vision that we take responsibility for our impact on the earth and attempt to reduce our carbon footprint as much as possible. Bringing awareness to the Montessori environment about carbon footprints There are many ways you can bring awareness of natural resources into your Montessori environment and community. Make use of natural light and turn off lights when ...