Abstract/Notes: The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine how Montessori early childhood teachers approach teaching about race and racial bias in their classrooms. Twenty-four Montessori early childhood teachers participated in an open-ended survey, and five teachers of those 24 participated in a data-informed online semi-structured interview. The interviewees received an infographic with narrative and graphics in which themes of the survey were detailed, a form of graphic elicitation. Surveys and interviews were coded and analyzed for themes. Themes were verified through independent coding by an independent analyst. Several themes that emerged from the surveys and interviews indicated that 1) Montessori early childhood teachers generally hold a race neutral view of early childhood, 2) Most Montessori early childhood teachers believe that young children do not have bias, 3) Most Montessori early childhood teachers believe that teaching about race and racial bias is implicit in their Montessori training on culture, peace, and respect, 4) Montessori early childhood teachers did not receive explicit instruction from their Montessori training or education programs regarding teaching about race and racial bias, and 5) Most Montessori early childhood teachers supplemented their training with books or developed lessons outside of those obtained in training to teach about race. Reasons for participants' beliefs around race, racial bias, prejudice, young children, and teaching are discussed, as well as the implications of these outcomes. The results of this study were used to develop recommendations for Montessori teachers, Montessori teacher education programs, and national Montessori organizations. Recommendations for further research suggest that a broad examination of demographics along with data on how Montessori teachers are teaching about race and racial bias may yield pertinent information that could further guide educators and trainers.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2018

Abstract/Notes: Public school integration has been a wrenching process in a number of American cities during the last half of the twentieth century. In few cities, however, has the process been so heavily litigated, so rife with controversy, so costly, so lengthy, or, ultimately, yielded results so mixed as in Kansas City, Missouri. This dissertation analyzes the troubled course of integration in the Kansas City public schools and the numerous forces that influenced that course. In short, this dissertation is a case study of one district's struggle to formulate an integrated school system and the manner in which changing legal standards, shifting demographic patterns, pressure from various community groups, financial limitations, and other political considerations have shaped public policy choices regarding integration in the Kansas City schools. During the fifty year period between 1949 and 1999, racial issues have figured prominently, and at times dominated, the policy making process in the Kansas City schools. In 1955 the city's public schools were integrated, but the extent of integration produced by the initial desegregation plan failed to satisfy the black community and the district faced several lawsuits seeking additional steps to promote integration. The paucity of integration in the Kansas City schools also drew criticism from the United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare. In the mid-1970s, under pressure from HEW, school officials in Kansas City initiated a busing plan that produced more extensive integration. However, by the mid-1980s, the school district was again a defendant in a desegregation suit. The school district was found liable for the vestiges of segregation that remained in the public schools and a sweeping remedy was ordered by the court. in a series of rulings announced in the mid-1980s, the district court approved a remedy providing for educational enhancements, massive improvements to the district's schools, and the establishment of the nation's most expansive and expensive magnet schools system for purposes of integration. The magnet plan, however, failed to meet the ambitious goals established by the district court, and the remedy was continually attacked in the courts by the state of Missouri and disgruntled taxpayers. In 1995, the United States Supreme Court overturned much of the remedy and four years later the case was dismissed.

Language: English

Published: Manhattan, Kansas, 2000

Abstract/Notes: This dissertation explores the evolution of Italian Fascist ideas of racial identity between 1923 and 1940 and contends that those ideas led to some of the most significant Fascist policies, such as the invasion of Ethiopia and the passage of the 1938 racial laws. Common belief holds that racism played no role in the doctrine of Benito Mussolini's government. On the contrary, from the very beginning of their regime, Fascists worked to infuse the Italian population with concrete conceptions of their national identity—their italianità—and its superiority over all others. The education of Italian children vividly illustrates the racial project at the heart of Fascist doctrine. One of the regime's earliest priorities was to restructure the national education system in order to more effectively inform the population of the ideals of the new Fascist order. The administration centralized the existing infrastructure and founded the new institutions of the National Organization for the Protection of Mothers and Children (ONMI) and the National Balilla Organization (ONB). Thus, the state embraced all aspects of the young Italian's life, from the cradle to school, on the weekends and during summer vacations. Contemporary textbooks, teaching manuals, pedagogical journals, and government documents reveal an early and lasting commitment to instilling Italy's youngest generations with a collective identity based upon inherited historical, cultural, and spiritual characteristics that resulted in a belief in racial entitlement. As the regime solidified its power, it initiated further changes to the education system with the goal of turning children into ideal Fascists. As it militarized the population and sent Italians to civilize foreign lands, officials created a more direct language that mobilized the nation's youth to protect the fatherland against its enemies. Such a curriculum was unavoidably racist in content, and when Mussolini legalized discrimination against 'non-Italians' in 1938, the pre-existing pedagogy allowed for a relatively smooth transition between pre-racial-law education and post-racial-law education. When Italy entered World War II in 1940, the values were set for Italians to wage a war for national pride and racial privilege.

Language: English

Published: New Haven, Connecticut, 2010

Abstract/Notes: This action research studied the impact of peace education and portions of the Positive Discipline curriculum in a three-six primary Montessori classroom. During five weeks of implementing the research, sixteen students participated in class meetings for twenty minutes a day. The peace table activities and wheel of choice lessons were conducted individually and as a whole class. The peace table activities included a set of mini dishes on a tray, a rain stick, and a peace rose. The wheel of choice consisted of pictures and words of examples of what students could choose to help them solve problems. A few examples are count to ten, apologize, ask for help, and write your name on the agenda. Implementing the presentations into the classroom environment became a work for the students to use if needed and did not occur daily. As a work choice, the previous activities were available on tables and children were allowed to choose the work as many times as they felt was necessary. The research began with baseline data collection through SWIS (School Wide Information System) referral records, student interviews, and student surveys. Sources of data obtained during the study included interviews, surveys, observation tally sheets, and a field journal. The results presented an increase in social awareness and problem-solving skills through the class meetings. Students began acknowledging problems and brainstorming solutions. Class meetings will continue daily to extend the positive problem-solving capabilities and mindfulness students developed in their classroom community.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2016

Abstract/Notes: This action research studied the impact of grace and courtesy lessons on the classroom environment. The study occurred in a private Montessori elementary (6-9 year old) classroom. Eighteen students received daily presentations of grace and courtesy lessons over a four-week period for a total of 20 lessons. Sources of data included photographs, environmental assessments, observations and student evaluations. The presenting of grace and courtesy lessons resulted in improved assessments of the classroom environment, decreased teacher intervention when material misuse was observed and an increase of positive teacher interaction. Students began to complete the entire process or ritual of a work in a Montessori classroom, from the preparation of the workspace to returning the material to its original place on the shelf. Grace and courtesy lessons have positively impacted the classroom environment and will continue to be presented often.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2015

Abstract/Notes: Hudson Montessori School, Jersey City, NJ For the past 6 years, teachers at Hudson Montessori School in Jersey City, NJ, have been, in their own words, "exploiting the Hudson River in the most positive way"-that is, as an abundant resource for learning-by participating in "A Day in the Life of the Hudson." Elementary students, armed with turbidity tubes, refractometers, and other gear, examine river tides and currents, water chemistry, flora and fauna, and more. (Oranges are used for this test as they are bright, buoyant, and biodegradable.) Grace Sanvictores, Hudson Montessori School STEAM educator, added, "The Day in the Life of the Hudson event is a creative avenue that allows our students to understand the importance of sharing a livable urban environment for them and the organisms of the Hudson River."

Language: English

ISSN: 1054-0040

Abstract/Notes: Polli Soholt looks at grace and courtesy from the 3-6 classroom perspective with clear theory explanations as they pertain to the larger classroom culture. She discusses the link between older and young children and the presence of the teacher as a model for grace and takes a brief look to neural science for proof of the existence of social interest in very young children. Polli asserts that social skills are integral to a sensitive period for social behaviors with other children and adults. She has very specific ideas about grace and courtesy presentations that aid the directress and the child in the learning process for conveying social activities. The article concludes with a concept of the "little community," where individual work can be seen in the context of how it makes a contribution to the whole community, even at an early age. [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

Abstract/Notes: Mary Lou Cobb gives a framework from a very practical point of view, leaning on the aspects of grace and courtesy that are fundamental and arise out of a Montessori administrative point of view. Her examples are pragmatic, such as the grace and courtesy of a greeting, of movement, as a whole-school culture, and the right use of language. She calls for a consciously selected whole-school environment that creates a "house for families." Mary Lou gives us a clear vision in direct terms of how to present a clear, spiritual message around an administrator's presence in a school to provide optimal transformational moments for the teachers. [This talk was presented at the NAMTA conference titled "Grace and Courtesy: Civility for Life," Columbia, MD, October 9-12, 2014.]

Language: English

ISSN: 1522-9734

Abstract/Notes: Addressing the many complex issues associated with culture, race, and diversity is tough under any circumstances. But such issues become even more complex in school settings where large numbers of students speak different languages and reflect diverse ethnicities and socioeconomic statuses. In this article, the author describes how the faculty members and the administrators at Fort Wayne Community Schools (FWCS) in Indiana found a balance between quality education and student diversity. FWCS offers a district-wide school choice program that features a number of different educational offerings. Interestingly, as the district's student population (nearly 32,000) has become increasingly diverse--it now has about 80 languages/dialects represented by students--its Montessori magnet program has grown more successful. The author also relates that FWCS' Montessori magnet program is superbly suited to prepare students to flourish in culturally and racially diverse environments. As such, it is highly in demand among parents.

Language: English

ISSN: 1054-0040

Abstract/Notes: The skills associated with self-regulation begin in toddlerhood. This action research study was designed to assess the impact of Grace and Courtesy lessons on toddler behavior. Students participated in lessons on how to greet a friend, how to ask for a turn and how to express affection. The study took place in a Montessori toddler classroom of 14 children, aged 26-36 months old. The classroom was part of a half-day Montessori preschool located in the South Eastern United States. I used field notes and tally marks to observe behavior in the classroom. Observations were done daily, and the data collection tools tracked behavior in the classroom. Grace and courtesy lessons were offered to all students daily. While more research in this area is needed the overall impact of the Grace and Courtesy lessons showed an increase in use of language rather than physicality for expression.

Language: English

Published: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2020