Abstract/Notes: "To a great extent, we all must "do" in order to learn." Ellen Lebitz begins with this overarching truth as a lead-in to a close look at handwork in the elementary environment. She explains the benefits of handwork for the second-plane child, including it being a key to helping "even the most distracted children find focus and interest." She gives concrete examples of handwork (mostly as follow-up work) along with tips for implementation, including maintaining a clean-up routine and having materials organized and available. She addresses teamwork in handwork, issues of scale, and poses handwork as a grounding route to abstraction. Supported by invaluable tools for the teacher to use, her enthusiasm and experience with this work shines through as encouragement to be prepared and, most importantly, to trust in the child: "It would be so easy to just assume that we know what the best follow-up is, but the children need to be free to figure out themselves what they are interested in and on what they want to work. Once we make a particular project an expectation, then we are taking away the 'spontaneous' part of the spontaneous activity in education. We have to make peace with the idea that some follow-up will be not as we expect, will fizzle out, but, sometimes, will exceed our wildest expectations. All of this is part of the process; we have to let go of our 'favorite' projects and let the children be free." [This talk was presented at the NAMTA conference titled "Finding the Hook: Montessori Strategies to Support Concentration," October 6-9, 2016, in Columbia, MD.]

Language: English

ISSN: 1522-9734

Language: English

Abstract/Notes: A report presented at the 20th annual meeting of the Western Drawing and Manual Training Association, Des Moines, Iowa, May 7-10, 1913.

Language: English

Abstract/Notes: Trude Hammerschlag provides many examples of children’s self-expression including art.

Language: English

ISSN: 2215-1249, 2772-7319

Abstract/Notes: The desire to learn with our hands is an innate human trait. Sociocultural theory presented by Lev Vygotsky laid the foundation of the importance of hands-on learning, which is still prevalent in current trends within the field of education. When focusing on the whole child, sociocultural theory supports the many facets that comprise the human being. The evolution of skills deemed necessary in the current era, challenges schools to implement dynamic curricula in order to foster 21st century skills in students. While there is not substantial research to support the use of handwork in the Upper Elementary Montessori classroom (multi-age setting for 4th-6th grades), there is significant research that demonstrates the importance of creativity, discipline, independence, self-efficacy, and social cooperation as skills to develop for this age group. The purpose of this study was to examine and evaluate the impact of handwork as an experience with upper elementary students between the ages of nine and twelve as a means to develop contemporary soft skills of creativity, discipline, independence, self-efficacy, and social cooperation which together support pre-adolescent brain development. Through the use of qualitative (observations) and quantitative instruments (surveys), this research was intended to validate the impact of Practical Life activities in development of these skills. However; due to school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, the study had to be terminated. Based on the short period of intervention and researcher’s time with students, the following generalized conclusions about handwork and development of soft skills is that there is a positive effect.

Language: English

Published: River Falls, Wisconsin, 2022

Language: English

Language: English

Language: English

Language: English

ISSN: 0571-1142

Abstract/Notes: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of handwork (defined as sewing, knitting, crocheting, weaving, etc.) on elementary aged children. Working with our hands provides opportunities to develop physical and mental skills and express creativity, and handwork allows us to be creative and productive. This study was conducted with a class of 22 students in first, second and third grade in a public Montessori school. Using qualitative and quantitative research methods, the study found that within a Montessori elementary school setting, handwork can encourage students to expand on life skills, produce something tangible and practice relaxation, and overall has a beneficial effect on students.

Language: English

Published: River Falls, Wisconsin, 2023