Abstract/Notes: If you've ever attended The Montessori Event, you may recognize Jimmy Cheng, who's photographed AMS events for nearly two decades, jogging from workshop to keynote to poster sessions to capture all the action. [...]in addition to The Montessori Event, I've been photographing the AMS Traveling Symposium and Leadership Labposium events. The emphasis Montessorians place on the wellness and education of children stands out.
Abstract/Notes: [...]Montessori advocated for teachers to support children in their developing autonomy and their formation of agency. Montessori modeled nurturing humans who work for social justice by learning to respect themselves (identity), respect others (diversity), respect their physical and social environment (justice), and build agency that will ultimately enable them to make positive change for equity and inclusion (activism). [...]a change in environment or curriculum or communication can often impact the entire learning experience of children. Providing learning experiences guided by the Cosmic curriculum resulted in an engaging environment where lessons in reading and writing found purposeful application, as students explored the big concept of social justice and found that they could make change.
Language: English
ISSN: 1054-0040
Article
Applying Liberatory Consciousness to Action Research
Abstract/Notes: To be truly in service of humanity, we must always approach this work as critically conscious researchers with an understanding that our work is not only to improve our classrooms but also to examine systems of power and privilege, with the end goal of creating more collaboration and equity between and within diverse communities. In this situation, I'd bring in analysis by asking the following: * How does the observed behavior reflect the school culture? * Where do I observe put-downs or an emphasis on competition in broader society? * How/where does the child's plane of development come into play? * How am I defining ways to be "good" for my students ? * Where are my blind spots? * How might positional power be at play here? To prepare for accountability/allyship in this scenario, I'd begin by asking the following: * What are my patterns of thought or behavior as it relates to mathematics teaching and learning? * Are my patterns of thought or behavior as it relates to mathematics teaching and learning informed by internalized inferiority, or privilege and dominance? * How can I use my understanding of the above questions to move my students forward in their learning? [...]connecting social justice and culture helps to address other critical societal issues such as stereotype threat in science and math (Maloney et al., 2013; Regner et al., 2014).
Abstract/Notes: [...]Montessori prescribed it. A prepared adult allows children to practice essential executive functions and self-regulation skills like working memory, mental flexibility, and self-control. According to the Harvard University Center on the Developing Child, opportunities to develop these skills have lifelong benefits to the child. According to a study in the Journal cf Child and Family Studies (2012), factors like income and parent education levels did not have a significant impact on children's self-regulation skills.
Language: English
ISSN: 1054-0040
Article
A Journey into the Science of Reading: Part 2 of 2
Tori Virke
(Author) , Erin Hardin (Author)
, Chelsea McKinlay (Author)
Publication: Montessori Life,
vol. 36, no. 1
Date: Spring 2024
Pages: 32
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Abstract/Notes: [...]far, Griffin has benefited from reading poems and singing songs that feature rhymes, alliteration, and phonological word play-activities that may already be in your classroom. [...]toy (/oy/), bridge (/j/), house (/ow/), boat (long/O/). Note that words beginning with continuant consonant sounds (ones you can stretch out until you run out of breath, like /mmmmm/ and /sssssssss/) are easier for students to isolate than stop sounds (like /p/ and /b/). A typical lesson might have ten words and include a sequence such as: ship, chip, chop, top, tap, tack, tuck, duck, deck, check.
Abstract/Notes: Mindfulness, falling under the umbrella of mental health, is a hot topic in education these days, as people increasingly realize its importance. [...]the purpose of mindfulness is to stop being controlled by our thoughts. Whether you are a teacher of adolescents, a parent of an adolescent, or a person who falls into any other category of life, Pink Panties & Other Life Lessons is a great resource to help you manage the daunting challenges of what it means to be human.
Abstract/Notes: Zaki, a professor of psychology at Stanford University and the director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab (and a keynote speaker at The Montessori Event 2023 in Boston), proposes that we use kindness and empathy to address these issues and cultivate a peaceful and harmonious world-an end goal that we Montessorians also strive for each day. (During his keynote at The Montessori Event, Zaki spoke about how we can all transform into better versions of ourselves, and that this transformation doesn't happen overnight but takes constant work.) In my opinion, building on one's own kindness and empathy practice is a key component to creating a successful classroom environment that encourages independent students. [...]this book is an important read for not only Montessorians but all adults, to gain a deeper understanding of the importance of empathy in their work and personal lives and explore the effects of kindness on social dynamics.
Abstract/Notes: LOVE By Matt de la Peña G.P. Putnams Sons, 2018 Hardcover, 40 pages $17.99 Love by Matt de la Peña is a picture book for all ages. Old, young, Black, white, happy, scared, wealthy, poor-this book provides a rich palette of images that embrace diversity in a way that is loving rather than heavy-handed. CONNECTING FLIGHTS Edited by Ellen Oh Allida, 2023 Hardcover, 265 pages $18.99 You Are Here: Connecting Flights opens with the story of Paul, who is traveling with his family to Thailand.