Archive for the ‘3-6 Primary’ Category
Preschool and kindergarten students at Child’s View Montessori School in Portland, Oregon, share their method of solving conflicts using the Peace Rug. Watch an interview with Dory and a demonstration by Leo and Faith.
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Learn about daily soup, a sidewalk building project and reactions to the word “peace” in an interview Anita Pishko, founder and director of Central Montessori School in Richmond, Virginia. This video talks about Central’s relationships with Frog Bottom Farm and artist Sahin Altug.
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April 20, 2010 — The final stop of the We the Peacemakers tour was at Children’s Garden Montessori School, a toddler and early childhood program in Denver’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. This school provides care for around ninety students age 18 months to 6 years during the academic year in half-day and full-day programs.
While discussing my visit with Head of School Kathryn Ross, she suggested recording an interview about peace with the staff as a whole group. I am very grateful to the thirteen teachers and administrators at Children’s Garden for taking part in a group interview following a busy day of teaching. (On school picture day, no less!) This group of educators is truly generous, gracious and, as the interview reveals, passionate and articulate about Montessori. What resulted was an amazing conversation about how everyday life in a Montessori classroom teaches peace.
We the Peacemakers strives to celebrate innovation and best practices in Montessori. Though not the main topic of the interview, Children’s Garden Montessori School is taking a unique approach to art education. Over a number of years, Children’s Garden has been working to incorporate the Reggio Emilia approach to arts into the fabric of the school. There is an art studio known as Zach’s Place in the center of the school where children may visit to make art throughout the Montessori work cycle. A full-time art teacher guides and instructs in the studio.
To learn much, much more about this innovation you can read Head of School Kathryn Ross’s thesis on the topic. Her thesis, “Montessori and Reggio Together: Exploring Possibilities,” was awarded first place in the American Montessori Society’s 2010 Master’s Thesis Award. Congratulations! Here is a link to the full-text thesis and a link to the American Montessori Society’s Thesis and Dissertation Award page.
In the big backyard at Children’s Garden.
Countryside Montessori School (CO)
Posted on: June 1, 2010
Boulder, CO — April 19, 2010 — The teachers at Countryside Montessori School are a talented team of educators who work with 40 3-6 years old in an all-day, all-year program. The whole group of children attend school together in a spacious and homey converted residence. All of the familiar practical life, sensorial, math, geography and language materials are on the shelves and in use throughout my visit. However, one object in the environment immediately caught my attention:
A saddle in a Montessori classroom?
It begins to make sense when Nancy Ahlstrand, the school founder and director, explained Countryside’s unique approach to the cultural curriculum. Over time, Countryside has developed a cultural curriculum that literally infuses each area of the classroom with materials and exercises that relate to the culture being studied. Can you figure out the saddle yet?
During my visit, the children at Countryside were learning about a cultural history that exists in their own backyards: the lives of Colorado pioneers. During group time, children together imagine the lives of pioneers traveling long distances by horse and wagon.
The saddle brings a touch of pioneer life to the practical life work of polishing. Additional practical life shelves are full of materials that would be familiar items to pioneer children:
Beyond practical life, elements of pioneer culture are found all around the classroom. There are conversational pictures around the classroom depicting scenes from the late 1800s. The art shelf features Grandma Moses paintings and allows children to create quilting squares.
The teachers at Countryside Montessori have introduced many cultures to children. For each culture studied, the teachers and students work together to create a cultural environment that is available to the children throughout the day. This area is furnished collaboratively by the teachers and children. Much group discussion leads children to chose items to furnish this environment and they are able to use the environment to further their understanding of daily life in a culture different from their own. Here are some photos from the pioneer environment:
I was able to make a recording of the children using the cultural environment — just wait until you see it in action. I also interviewed Nancy Allstead to find out more about the value of creating a cultural environment, as well as how learning deeply about other cultures shapes a child’s understanding of peace. You don’t want to miss it!
Here’s a final photo of the sprawling outdoor play space, work area and gardens:
Child’s View Montessori School (OR)
Posted on: May 15, 2010
April 13, 2010 — We the Peacemakers brought me through the California desert, up the Pacific Coast and into the Beaver State to visit Child’s View Montessori School in Portland. Child’s View is a children’s house offering half-day, full-day and all-day programs for children 3-6 years old throughout the year. The school also offers a summer camp for elementary-aged children.
During my visit, I had the opportunity to interview students from two classrooms about their how they understood peace. The children also demonstrated how to solve a conflict in the classroom using a peace rug. The visit culminated with a tour of the peace garden adjacent to the play area. I also interviewed school founder and director Tamara Ulrich about her approach to founding a school based on educating for peace.
Ms. Ulrich introduced me to a movement called Season for Non-violence, a campaign for awareness about impact of non-violence to create positive change in individuals and society. The season lasts from January 30-April 4 each year. These dates commemorate the assassination dates of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In the past, Ms. Ulrich has served on the Oregon Season for Non-violence Task Force.
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We the Peacemakers made a stop at Big Red Barn Montessori Day School and Camp in Opelousas, Louisiana. The Big Red Barn is located north of Lafayette, Louisiana, in St. Landry Parish, on a rural highway surrounded by farmland. The schoolhouse is in beautiful converted barn, full of rich woodwork and lofted ceilings. The school was founded by Jim Phillips and Christy Leichty, experienced Montessori educators. Jim and Christy are dedicated to creating a school that honors the whole child and provides rich opportunities in arts and culture.
Southern Louisiana is the heart of Cajun culture. The children participate in a traditional Mardi Gras costumed celebration each year. These whimsical musical crawfish adorn the school walls.
The Big Red Barn school follows a Montessori and Beyond approach,which you can read more about on their website.
Gardening space is just out the classroom door. There are also raised beds and plenty of bird feeders.
Central Montessori School (VA)
Posted on: February 24, 2010
My first school visit was a whirlwind of excitement. Central Montessori School, is located in the downtown Church Hill neighborhood of Richmond, Virginia. In its third year, Central Montessori School offers a full-year, full-day Montessori program for children from toddler through lower elementary.
I had the opportunity to visit all of the classroom environments and meet the dedicated staff. The school founder and director, Anita Pishko, sat down with me for an interview about Central’s approach to creating a peaceable community among the children and the larger community. Our conversation was thought-provoking and really got to the heart of what I might describe as a “whole child, whole world” approach to peace. I can’t wait to share the video!
Skyline photo credit: Jim from Richmond, VA
We the Peacemakers: How Montessori Makes Peace 