Starting out in a Montessori classroom as a young, eager intern back in September 1994, I really had no bias toward other approaches to education, except that of my own experience as a child — both parochial and public. My undergrad degree was not even in education. Montessori training wasn’t something I knew about until
Is it more important to be smart or wise? For those who have worked with elementary-aged children for many years, the premium has usually been placed upon being smart. Wisdom has been the purview of the teacher. Teachers are considered wise and children are receptacles for knowledge imparted by the “sage on the stage.” A
Creating Beauty Maria Montessori and Martha Stewart would have gotten along well, notwithstanding the latter’s time served in prison for insider trading. Both women share a fervent belief in the prepared environment. The prepared environment is beautiful, peaceful and inviting. It represents both care and intention with the purpose of creating space for good work
On Thursday, the Lower Elementary students were visited by their Upper Elementary “buddies” to share the love of reading. It was a wonderful experience for both groups of students. For Lower Elementary, this program allows students to practice their reading and listening skills with new audiences. For Upper Elementary students, they practice reading out loud,
9/28/18 Outdoor Shoes One of the many things I love about Montessori education is how the framework honors the learning process. It is a busy world and the days pass too quickly. In that rush, we often focus too much on just getting things done and arriving at our destinations. I know as
The following is one of the many new observations and thoughts from Whitney Slade on the impactful way our teachers educate students throughout our school: “The higher up the educational ladder you rise, the longer the lectures become. At Rivebend, walk into Children’s House and you will not hear a lecture. For that matter, walk into
What’s in a Crayon? “Recently I had the pleasure of hanging with a few primary students in the after school program. These children had just concluded a busy day filled with lessons and their work cycle. Love that work cycle-a uniquely Montessori staple. Kids need to decompress after a school day, so our eyes
Since the age of four, I have always been in school. On the surface that may seem strange and from some perspectives certifiable. For me, school is who I am, what I do, and what I love. I did not intend to go into teaching. In fact, it was quite by accident that I landed
In English class, students finished reading To Kill A Mockingbird. My favorite student comment was “Mrs. Lapon this book is so good I just don’t want it to be over.” Each student made a Character Tin Box Project that thoroughly explored one of the characters in the book. Students created objects to put in
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