Abstract/Notes: This chapter describes Maria Montessori’s expansion of her educational approach–initially created for young children–into adolescence. Montessori named her program for adolescents Erdkinder (children of the earth) because she believed that learning how to engage in work related to the functions of society, especially through agriculture, allowed for relevant social and economic experiences. Erdkinder programs are often farm school or similar settings which incorporate hands-on work that facilitates learning about resource allocation, scarcity, conflict, technology, and human impact on the world in context. In this way, history, geography, and hard sciences come to life. This chapter provides detailed profiles of three exemplary Erdkinder settings.

Language: English

Published: New York, New York: Bloomsbury Academic, 2023

ISBN: 978-1-350-27561-4 978-1-350-27560-7 978-1-350-27562-1

Series: Bloomsbury Handbooks

Abstract/Notes: Montessori teachers in public schools navigate a system daily that often does not align with their pedagogy, and district policies push them to stray from high-fidelity implementation. Using Weick’s sensemaking theory and literature on Montessori teacher identity, I contend that Montessori teachers’ identity plays a crucial role in how, or if, they respond to educational policies that may not seemingly align with the Montessori Method. The overarching purpose of this study was to understand Montessori public school teachers’ experiences with policies that influence their pedagogy. Through qualitative interviews and a culminating group-level assessment session, three themes emerged as teachers shared their experiences with educational policies: (a) Montessori pedagogy is more than the materials, (b) districts often force district-wide requirements that are at odds with the Montessori pedagogy, and (c) Montessori teachers in public schools do not feel supported. This article concludes with a discussion of how to better support Montessori teachers in public school settings based on the study’s findings.

Language: English

DOI: 10.17161/jomr.v9i1.18861

ISSN: 2378-3923

Language: English

Published: [S.I.]: s.n.], 1912

Abstract/Notes: Selbsttätiges Lernen und die Annahme eines ‚inneren Bauplans‘ des Kindes sind zentrale Ideen der Montessoripädagogik. Die Aufgaben des Lehrers werden vor allem in der Vorbereitung der Lernumgebung und einer Lernbegleitung gesehen. Im Rahmen dieser Studie wurden Schülerinnen, Schülern und deren Eltern Fragen zur Bewertung des Unterrichts und des Schulklimas vorgelegt. In Form von intensiven Interviews und mit über 600 Fragebögen ist eine empirische Datenlage entstanden, die es in den Debatten um Reformpädagogikbisher nicht gab. Der Band dokumentiert zentrale Ergebnisse undbeschreibt eine empirisch-wissenschaftliche Basis für die weitere Diskussion der Vor- und Nachteile der Montessorischulen und deren Konzept.

Language: German

Published: Wiesbaden, Germany: Springer Fachmedien, 2013

ISBN: 978-3-531-18507-1

Abstract/Notes: Presented at NAMTA conference on educational reform, Washington, DC, February 28-March 3, 1991

Language: English

ISSN: 1522-9734

Language: English

ISSN: 1522-9734

Abstract/Notes: Presents fundamentals of systems thinking and sustainability within an ecological theory to shape education to the needs of human development in relation to the environment. Emphasizes that effective learning is a system embedded in the web of life, giving humans the ability to see the interconnectedness of the environment, community, and the natural world. Maintains that systems theory is a new way of seeing the world as living connections. (Author/KB)

Language: English

ISSN: 1522-9734

Abstract/Notes: Fritjof Capra's two-part lecture presents the fundamentals of systems thinking and sustainability along with the power of an ecologically comprehensive theory to shape education to fit the needs of human development in relation to the environment. Dr. Capra aims for the big picture emphasizing that effective learning is a system embedded in the web of life, which is yet another system. It gives us the ability to see the interconnectedness of the environment, of the community, of the natural world all at once--"a network of phenomena that are fundamentally interconnected." Capra maintains that systems theory, including systems learning, is a new way of seeing the world as living connections in which humans are playing their part in finding a real sense of belonging by working in direct contact with the natural world and all of its facets. [Reprinted from "The NAMTA Journal" 28,1 (2003, Winter): 157-193. This talk was a keynote address at the NAMTA conference titled "Montessori Education for Human Development: The Child in the Natural World," in Chicago, IL, October 31-November 3, 2002.]

Language: English

ISSN: 1522-9734

Language: English

ISSN: 1522-9734

Abstract/Notes: Chronicles a teacher's experiences and impressions of a tour of six farm schools visited in New England. Integrates these experiences within a perspective of research and history. Concludes that the possibilities for a variety of experiences and intellectual, social, and spiritual growth abound on the farm, particularly a fully integrated farm curriculum. (Author/SD)

Language: English

ISSN: 1522-9734