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Photo courtesy of: Canadian Military History The child is capable of developing and giving us tangible proof of the possibility of a better humanity. He has shown us the true process of construction of the human being. ... The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind. —Maria Montessori Education and Peace, p. 35. Around the world, November 11 is recognized as a day to honor the men and women who have served and continue to serve during times of war, conflict, and peace. In Canada and many other countries, November 11 is called Remembrance Day. In the United States it is Veterans Day. As Montessori teachers, we show respect on this special day by bringing information to the students and drawing connections to our classrooms and to their lives. Activities Observing Remembrance Day and Veterans Day in the Montessori Classroom Each year, leading up to Remembrance Day, I like to have a circle with my students and ask them to brainstorm what our classroom would be like if we could not ...

Conscious will is a power which develops with use and activity. —Maria Montessori The Absorbent Mind, p. 254. When my son was young, I always knew by his behavior when he was getting sick. Normally a sweet and gentle boy, he would turn into a mean-spirited, hard-to-please child that was unrecognizable. Bedtime was a welcome reprieve for all, only to be followed the next morning by a fever and malady of some sort. Extreme ‘naughty’ behavior soon came to be followed by the adults in his life giving each other a knowing look and saying, “He must be getting sick.” He was not acting out willfully; it occurred because of a disturbance of his physical person. Montessori says that “the will does not lead to disorder and violence. These are signs of emotional disturbance and suffering.” (p. 253) When the environment and conditions are right, the will leads the child to activities to help him develop. The Three Levels of Discipline — Studying the Works of Montessori: The Absorbent Mind, Chapter ...

North American Montessori Center is excited to be entering our 20th year of providing Montessori teacher training via distance education. This amazing milestone is indeed cause for celebration! Everything that we have accomplished has been the direct result of the willingness of individuals to share their experience, expertise, and genuine support to further the reach and success of the Montessori method of education. This is a great opportunity to provide a retrospective of how NAMC has grown and what we are looking forward to in the future. This is the first of a series of articles that are designed to include you in the NAMC celebration. At the heart of our existence is the philosophy of inclusion — our purpose has always been to bring the Montessori method of education to everyone who chooses to embrace it. Our sincere gratitude and thanks goes out to all the families, teachers, schools, and countless professionals from across the globe for their insight and service to help us in t...

One of the most important roles the Montessori teacher has is to observe. We observe how students spend their time and note what they are drawn to. We ensure that each child is learning at their own pace, in their own way. We carefully observe their particular interests and level of comprehension, and we assess their level of readiness for new presentations. It is through careful observation that the Montessori teacher is able to prepare the classroom environment with materials that relate to the children’s interests and determine which presentations they are ready to receive. The Importance of Observing the Child and Learning as a Montessori Teacher Each teacher has his or her own style and time for observing in the classroom. When I was a new teacher in a Montessori Casa class, I had high hopes for observation times. I copied extensive checklists for each child and had a large binder in the classroom to note which presentations I had given the child, her level of understanding, wheth...

Every year, school administrators and teachers sit down and plan professional development opportunities to benefit teachers and students alike. But when you consider your professional development, do you also consider the stage you or other teachers are at? Is the information and format best suited to your needs? In short, are we delivering professional development in ways that reflect our Montessori teaching practices. It has long been the standard to deliver straightforward information in a workshop format. This type of presentation is reminiscent of conventional education whereby the speaker lectures or tells the audience the information. The majority of audience participation is passive listening. Rather than a test, the assessment in professional development is how well the information is transferred and implemented in classroom practice. Professional Development for Montessori Teachers: Following the Learner Teachers, for the most part, are active learners who take an interest in...

Whoever touches the life of the child touches the most sensitive point of a whole which has roots in the most distant past and climbs toward the infinite future. —Maria Montessori     There are many things that need to be done to prepare for the new school year. Because I am a Montessori school owner as well as a teacher, I have responsibilities for the building, the classroom, the staff, and the families to ensure they are ready for a successful school year. Preparing for the New Year in a Montessori School: A School Owner's Perspective Each year the building needs inspections to ensure it is up to code for health and safety and fire regulations. Smoke detectors and fire extinguishers must be inspected and serviced. Our school puts aside some money annually to maintain the building and keep it looking well cared for. The repairs and upgrades we do each year vary from replacing windows or flooring to painting. The outdoor space also needs to be maintained. We invite our f...