Language: English

Abstract/Notes: Parents as partners is a slight digression in title from the grace and courtesy theme of the journal, but it builds its argument around the concept of cooperative relations between the parents and the school. Sarah speaks of the perception of the teacher and parents as each being unique and particular to the life and personality of each child. The teacher must see the positive in the child and have a natural respect and dignity so both want to act for the greater good and, likewise, must treat the parents as wanting to make their own contribution to their child as part of the whole-child community. Sarah goes on to suggest that diverse views of the same child are one of the most valuable offerings of a school. These varying perspectives override the linear view that assumes one perspective, which can be one-dimensional, reductionist, and can lead to labeling. [This talk was presented at the NAMTA conference titled "Grace, Courtesy, and Civility Across the Planes," Portland, OR, March 13-16, 2014.]

Language: English

ISSN: 1522-9734

Language: English

Language: English

Language: English

ISSN: 1071-6246

Abstract/Notes: Research suggests that math anxiety correlates directly with individuals' views of mathematicsrelated experiences. Research also suggests that math anxiety may begin in early elementary grades and remain into adulthood. This study examined how teachers' experiences, perceptions, and mathematics confidence levels influence mathematics instruction. To understand teachers' perceptions of mathematics, the researcher used a qualitative phenomenological approach to probe into their earliest memories of mathematics before entering school and their experiences during formal education. Seven 5th-grade teachers with two to fourteen years of experience agreed to participate in the study. The participants responded to ten open-ended questions focused on mathematics instruction and seven interview questions examining participants' experiences with mathematics. The researcher also observed mathematics instruction in each teacher's classroom. The results indicated that teachers recalled fond early memories of mathematics and felt reasonably confident about their math instruction. Some teachers struggled with mathematics as elementary students, while others excelled. The majority of participants completed the basic requirements for mathematics in high school. Most teachers did not engage in a mathematics methods course focused on standards-based elementary mathematics. Teachers' weak areas in mathematics corresponded with similar studies regarding complex mathematics topics. Several key components of mathematics instruction were absent during observations. Future research may need to increase the number of observations and the sample size.

Language: English

Published: Central, South Carolina, 2023

Language: English

ISSN: 0449-3486

Abstract/Notes: Published by Cleveland Montessori Association (Cleveland, Ohio). Reprinted from Jubilee (September 1953), p. 46-53.

Language: English

Language: English

ISSN: 0045-3846

Abstract/Notes: This mixed-methods action research examined the effects of classroom talk lessons on children’s perceptions of collaborative group work in an online Montessori learning environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were 19 Lower Elementary students and one teacher/investigator. All work was online, both synchronous and asynchronous. Students were presented with lessons in classroom talk, and practiced these skills during online collaboration in the creation of a student newsletter. Key findings were that students use of classroom talk behaviors and rigorous thinking increased slightly over the four-week period and students’ perceptions of their community identity and the value of their ideas increased over the course of the intervention, most notably in younger students. Teaching classroom talk had positive effects on student agency, depth of collaborative work, and grace and courtesy in this digital Montessori classroom. Respectful disagreement was identified as an area for future study.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2021