Abstract/Notes: Presents a list of imaginative design options for optimal outdoor learning as well as intimate contact with nature. Focuses on entrances, pathways, signage and displays, barriers and enclosures, manufactured equipment and play structures, multipurpose game settings, groundcovers and safety surfaces, landforms and topography, trees and vegetation, gardening settings, animal habitats, aquatic settings, and performance settings. (MDM)

Language: English

ISSN: 1522-9734

Abstract/Notes: Ben Moudry has written a comprehensive overview of the current challenges facing parents, schools, administrators, and students regarding what he calls "handheld computers," commonly known as smart phones. His annotated statistics and description of American society in 2015 are frightening in their clarity, while the percentages and numbers of technology overuse and distraction are increasing. From his position at The Grove School, Moudry describes a path to creating a community-informed technology policy that is aligned with the school's mission, vision, and values and serves to improve communications and cooperation models for managing a farm. [This paper was presented at the NAMTA conference titled "A Montessori Integrated Approach to Science, Mathematics, Technology, and the Environment" in Portland, OR, Mar 31-Apr 3, 2016.]

Language: English

ISSN: 1522-9734

Abstract/Notes: Explores kinesthetic and musical intelligences. Emphasizes the importance of understanding the physical reality of the body and sensory receptors as well as the dimensions of feeling and expression. Summarizes Tomatis's interpretation of the auditory and vestibular functions of the ear. Conveys the community and spiritual values of music, dance, ritual, and celebration. (MOK)

Language: English

ISSN: 1522-9734

Language: English

ISSN: 1522-9734

Abstract/Notes: Argues children's natural drive to discover is intrinsic and that adults cannot instill it from the outside. Dispels common myths about child motivation and describes the optimal conditions for self-motivated learning. Provides examples of how the Montessori-prepared environment makes the most of children's inborn curiosity, interest, and wonder. (Author)

Language: English

ISSN: 1522-9734

Language: English

ISSN: 1522-9734

Language: English

Language: English

Abstract/Notes: The purpose of the study was to examine students' expected and observable civic engagement in a Montessori Erdkinder-based middle school classroom. Research questions included: (a) In what ways is civic engagement addressed in the Montessori Erdkinder-based middle school explicit curriculum? (b) How does the expected civic engagement in the Montessori Erdkinder-based middle school explicit curriculum align with The Civic Mission of Schools six educational approaches? (c) In what ways do students experience civic engagement at the end-of-the-school year in Grades 7, 8 and 9 in a Montessori Erdkinder-based middle school classroom? The study used a case design with three embedded units of analysis. The purposefully selected participants included the teacher and 19 students. The curriculum was analyzed using document analysis and context was provided through teacher interviews. The curriculum was aligned with The Civic Mission of Schools' six approaches. Students' civic engagement was examined through observations, students' interviews and documents. Cross-case analysis examined civic engagement experiences between each grade level. These analyses were compared findings to civic education literature and The Civic Mission of Schools' six approaches. The study found the curriculum provided opportunities for civic engagement including civic and political skills, civic dispositions and community participation. When compared with The Civic Mission of Schools, the curriculum provided mixed results. Only the students' voices in school governance and service-learning were evident. Students had similar opportunities for civic engagement because of the mixed-age nature of Montessori learning. Evidence of student civic engagement included a student created and maintained democratic classroom environment, community service and service-learning, informal discussion of current events and participation in the Montessori Model United Nations. Although the curriculum did not directly align with The Civic Mission of Schools, it provided an example of (a) an apolitical curriculum for creating world citizens and (b) a model for civility for classroom governance and student behavior. A community of practice was developed based on occupation-based learning in which students learned their roles and experienced stress in a democratic workplace. Recommendations for future research include political socialization and alternative learning environments.

Language: English

Published: Charlottesville, Virginia, 2011

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