Abstract/Notes: Photo essay

Language: English

Abstract/Notes: This study examined the nature of circle time within early childhood Montessori classrooms in the United States of America. We explored literature pertaining to the history and development of circle time as well as circle time research in preschool and kindergarten settings. Unable to find writings or research specific to Montessori circle time practices, we crafted a 30-question survey for early childhood Montessori teachers to determine basic information about their circle time approaches. The survey asked participants about demographic information, circle time logistics, circle time activities, reactions to circle time, planning and preparation, and the morning work cycle. Using social media and direct emails, we gathered over 300 responses from 50 states and the District of Columbia; a total of 276 participants completed the full survey. Results focused on five different areas: time - the frequency, duration, and scheduling of circle time; attendance - who joined circle time and for how long; teacher preparation - participants’ training and planning approaches; circle time programming - the most common and popular activities; the morning work cycle – its relation to circle time. Results revealed that 92% of survey participants have circle time every day or most days; most participants hold circle time as the last event of the morning for generally 20 minutes or less; the most common circle time events were show and tell, calendar work, vocabulary lessons, Grace and Courtesy lessons, read aloud discussions, dancing and movement, snack time, general conversation, read aloud (stories), and birthday celebrations. Most participants had a work cycle that lasts less than three hours. This study promotes reflection on the importance and meaning of circle time in Montessori classrooms in relation to its apparent absence in Dr. Montessori’s writings.

Language: English

Published: River Falls, Wisconsin, 2021

Abstract/Notes: Communication and collaboration between classroom teachers and student support teachers are critical in supporting student outcomes, and effective and productive lifelong relationships. The purpose of this action research study was to investigate the current process of obtaining student support at a Montessori school to improve the communication and collaboration between classroom teachers and student support teachers to and strengthen and clarify the process and to better support one another as educators who use two different methodologies of instruction to support students struggling with academic or social-emotional issues in the classroom. Participants and data collected in Cycle 1 consisted of interviews with classroom teachers, student support teachers, and school administrators. Additionally, a document review of current resources and forms used at the research site were analyzed. Action steps including the creation of new materials and training. Cycle 2 launched a co-created framework for scaffolding the communication between classroom and their student support team partners outside of the classroom. Findings included a desire to collaborate, a need for support and training, and the necessity of systems and structures in the institution that can exist regardless of faculty and staff turnover. Implications for the organization included opportunities to re-engage teachers with professional development, training, and structure to support their work with students and each other.

Language: English

Published: Boston, Massachusetts, 2023

Abstract/Notes: This volume takes a broad view of multimodality as it applies to a wide range of subject areas, curriculum design, and classroom processes to examine the ways in which multiple modes combine in contemporary classrooms and its subsequent impact on student learning. Grounded in a systemic functional linguistic framework and featuring contributions from scholars across educational and multimodal research, the book begins with a historical overview of multimodality’s place in Western education and then moves to a discussion of the challenges and rewards of integrating multimodal texts and ever-evolving technologies in a variety of settings, include primary, language, music, early childhood, Montessori, and online classrooms. As a state of the art of teaching and learning through different modalities in different educational contexts, this book is an indispensable resource for students and scholars in applied linguistics, multimodality, and language education.

Language: English

Published: New York, New York: Routledge, 2019

Edition: 1st

ISBN: 978-0-203-70107-2 978-1-138-57440-3

Series: Studies in Multimodality

Abstract/Notes: This unique book explores research related to education for sustainability within early childhood education in the United Kingdom. Divided into the four home nations, it examines what education for sustainability looks like in practice, discusses the different application and positions of each region, and considers the contribution of early childhood education to support the Sustainable Development Goals. Each chapter considers the relevant early years framework and includes associated case studies which highlight connections between statutory guidance, policy and positive early years pedagogical practice. The authors use an education for sustainability lens to explore the critical issues and explicit and implicit links embedded in each of the curricula frameworks. Each chapter acknowledges the context of outdoor learning with discussion related to different interpretations of ecological sustainability. This exploration should help readers to consider the idea of sustainability within early childhood education. The book considers early childhood education as a distinct and valuable phase beyond the readiness for school discourse and recognises the importance of having skilful and knowledgeable adults to work with young children from birth. It offers a unique resource for students, practitioners, leaders and researchers engaged in the study of education for sustainability in early childhood and the importance of the early years for the development of life-long pro-environmental attitudes.

Language: English

Published: New York, New York: Routledge, 2017

Edition: 1st

ISBN: 978-1-315-64250-5

Language: English

ISSN: 1522-9734

Abstract/Notes: Pat Ludick's commentary on grace and courtesy is established by a philosophical orientation to development: Grace is oriented to the life of the interior that is consciousness and being, and courtesy moves outward to daily living where civility reflects on success with human interactions. Pat's projected grace and courtesy across the planes is manifested in the language of respect, in the art of the seminar or exchange of opinions, in hospitality, social unity, independence, and in the expression of gratitude and persuasion. This upbeat narrative illuminates the psychological characteristics of grace and courtesy at every stage of formation and through adult civility of the fourth plane. [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

ISSN: 1522-9734

Abstract/Notes: Clarifies the meanings of the terms "normalization" and "normality," broadens the discussion of normality beyond Montessori's first plane of development, and explores the unique conditions conducive to normality in the second and third planes. (EV)

Language: English

ISSN: 1522-9734

Abstract/Notes: Aims. To investigate the efficacy of applying a Montessori intervention to improve the eating ability and nutritional status of residents with dementia in long-term care facilities. Background. An early intervention for eating difficulties in patients with dementia can give them a better chance of maintaining independence and reduce the risk of malnutrition. Methods. An experimental crossover design was employed. Twenty-nine residents were chosen from two dementia special care units in metropolitan Taipei. To avoid contamination between participants in units using both Montessori and control interventions, two dementia special care units were randomly assigned into Montessori intervention (I1) and routine activities (I2) sequence groups. A two-period crossover design was used, with 15 residents assigned to Montessori intervention sequence I (I1, I2) and 14 residents assigned to Montessori intervention sequence II (I2, I1). On each intervention day, residents were given their assigned intervention. Montessori intervention was provided in 30-min sessions once every day, three days per week, for eight weeks. There was a two-week washout period between each intervention. Results. There was a significant reduction in the Edinburgh Feeding Evaluation in Dementia score for the Montessori intervention period but not for the routine activities period, while the mean differences for the Eating Behavior Scale score, self-feeding frequency and self-feeding time were significantly higher than those of the routine activities period. Except for the Mini-Nutritional Assessment score post-test being significantly less than the pre-test for the routine activities period, no significant differences for any other variables were found for the routine activities period. Conclusion. This study confirms the efficacy of a Montessori intervention protocol on eating ability of residents with dementia. Adopting Montessori intervention protocols to maintain residents’ self-feeding ability in clinical practice is recommended. Relevance to clinical practice. Montessori-based activities could provide caregivers with an evidence-based nursing strategy to deal with eating difficulties of people with dementia.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2011.03858.x

ISSN: 1365-2702