Language: English

Abstract/Notes: Presents tips that seasoned teachers in Great Britain found most useful as newly qualified teachers. Gap between theory and practice of teaching; Montessori theory; Teaching music; Importance of tight preparation.

Language: English

ISSN: 0040-7887

Abstract/Notes: This document was created through The Montessori Public Policy Initiative (MPPI), a collaborative effort between the American Montessori Society and the Association Montessori International/USA to provide a coordinated voice and engage in advocacy on policy issues affecting the future of Montessori schools in America.

Language: English

Published: 2018

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: Rationale for summer study offering.

Language: English

Language: English

ISSN: 1470-8647

Abstract/Notes: The purpose of the inquiry was to understand how children in primary grades (i.e., preschool, kindergarten, and second grade) engaged with affordances and constraints of features in a Base-10 Blocks virtual manipulative mathematics app designed to promote learning opportunities. Researchers conducted one-to-one interviews with 100 primary grade children as they interacted with the Montessori Number Base-10 Blocks iPad app. The video data were qualitatively analyzed using open descriptive, thematic, and structured coding. Results show that children’s actions when interacting with app features can affect their engagement with designed mathematics constraints and affordances. Results also identified three emergent themes around children’s engagement with the app’s simultaneous linking features: verification, self-correction, and making connections. Findings suggest the importance of helping children identify and reflect on affordances within virtual manipulative mathematics apps. These findings also indicate that as designers, educators and researchers design or select virtual manipulative mathematics apps for classroom use; they should to consider children’s prior achievement as well as in-app perceptions and engagement with design features in the apps.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1007/s13394-019-00257-2

ISSN: 2211-050X

Abstract/Notes: An interview with CEO Kathleen Guinan.

Language: English

Language: English

ISSN: 1470-8647

Language: English

DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-873X.2005.00343.x

ISSN: 0362-6784, 1467-873X