Archive for the ‘Travel Journal’ Category
Behind the Scenes Report
Posted on: July 27, 2010
Portland Head Light, Cape Elizabeth, Maine
The We the Peacemakers website has been quiet for a while this summer. After a safe and wonderful road trip coast-to-coast, I have been busy editing video these past few months in gorgeous coastal Maine. I’ve also been preparing for a permanent move to Maine to begin a new teaching position in the fall.
Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the editing process. It’s a fairly simple process, the biggest challenge is finding chunks of time to do it. I usually set up my laptop and camcorder in the barn of the house where I’m staying for the summer. On the floor you can see scripts and interview sheets set up for each of the school visits.
Here’s a closer look at the editing set-up. I’m using iMovie software for editing, you can see it open on the laptop screen. You may also notice that the camcorder is connected to the computer using a Firewire cable. The camcorder is playing back the miniDV tape and the cable allows it to transfer a digital copy to the computer.
The clipboard and pen are for logging the footage. On the log sheet, I track the timing of each of the subject of the video and the topics of an interview. For each topic or subject, I record the start and end time of the clip, plus the length of the clip. That way, when I’m ready to piece together the footage into a short movie, I can easily locate a clip. I also use a feature on iMovie that allows you to highlight “favorite” parts of a video clip. This makes it easy to locate when I’m ready to start putting together the final movie.
I expect to have a few movies ready to post in August. More details soon!
For now, I’m wishing everyone a safe and fun-filled summer. Here’s another summer photo to enjoy:
On the water in Maine.
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.
Camino de Paz School and Farm (NM)
Posted on: May 13, 2010
MARCH 25, 2010 — Santa Cruz, New Mexico, is home to the Camino de Paz School and Farm, a working organic farm and private middle school. In addition to academic pursuits, sixth through ninth grade students are responsible for the care of fields, greenhouses and animals including goats, sheep, horses and chickens. Students attend the full-day school program during the weekdays. On weekends, students take turns traveling to a local farmer’s market where they sell farm-raised vegetables, eggs and hand-made cheeses and crafts.
During my visit, I spoke with students, staff and school founder Patricia Pantano about how the community of Camino de Paz School and Farm works and learns cooperatively with one another and with nature.
- In: 3-6 Primary | 6-9 Elem 1 | Travel Journal
- 1 Comment
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.
Here’s a sneak preview of my visit to Abintra Montessori School in Nashville, Tennessee. Abintra is located in West Tennesee on a ten-acre campus. The school serves 150 children ages 3 to 15, from Primary to Middle School.
My interviews focused on finding out more about Abintra’s school song, “From Within.” The song was written by Upper Elementary students in 2006. You can hear the song and watch its music video on Abintra’s Facebook page. This song is a true expression of the peace and respect that are built into the Montessori approach. These elementary students were able to recognize and write about the community values that make their school a unique and positive place to learn. The project is a demonstration of the collaboration and creativity that are possible in a peaceful, community environment.
For teachers, parents or students who are interested in learning more about “the making of the video”, look for the full We the Peacemakers video out in May!
A Sunday drive took me across the state of Tennessee, from Knoxville all the way to Henderson, TN. I spent Monday and Tuesday mornings at Parkview Montessori Magnet School, in Jackson, Tennessee. Parkview is a public school serving students in Preschool through Grade 8 from Jackson-Madison County School System. Students enter the school by applying through a lottery system.
The motto at Parkview is “Peaceful Children, Peaceful School, Peaceful World.” This influence of the school motto is demonstrated throughout environment and in the interactions between students and teachers. The external environment features a peace garden where students plant and build. A peace pole greets students and guests who pass through the main entrance doors. Inside, the hallways are filled with student artwork, as well as educational exhibits about the Montessori philosophy. I visited classrooms that had a familiar hum of students actively engaged with materials.
On Tuesday morning, I had the opportunity to speak with middle school students from Peggy Smith’s classroom about Parkview’s approach to peace. These 7th and 8th graders held small group Socratic dialogues to discuss their understanding of peace and the impact of Montessori schooling on their lives. The students also shared about a unique project to study about Nobel Peace Prize winners. What an articulate and caring group of young people! I was excited to be able to interview Ms. Smith and School Principal Melinda Harris, as well.
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
THE ROUTE
Posted on: February 14, 2010
- In: Maps | Travel Journal
- 2 Comments
I made a map that VERY roughly follow the route I will drive cross-country.
Here’s where I would like to ask for your help. If you have a connection to a Montessori school along the route, please let me know. I am actively seeking schools that would like to participate anywhere along the route. I would be willing to drive a few hours drive out of the way.
I am eager to get the show on the road and will be making a lot of phone calls and sending emails this week to set up plans. I would love to hear from YOU.
You can reach me at carolyn@wethepeacemakers.net.
We the Peacemakers: How Montessori Makes Peace 