The Montessori Message

The Montessori Message

Monthly Archives: October 2014

Creating Lifelong Learners

30 Thursday Oct 2014

Posted by Lisa Lalama in Learning, Montessori Education, STEM, Wilmington Montessori School

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lifelong learning, Maria Montessori, montessori, Montessori education, museum of obsolete, pedagogy, technology, Wilmington Montessori

pedagogy-first-technology-second

Click the image above to view full-size graphic.

Technology changes constantly. As you read this blog entry, new things are being created, connections are being made, and once commonly used apps or hardware are becoming obsolete.

At WMS, we have made a commitment to integrate technology as part of our 2014-16 Strategic Plan and are well on our way. However, our primary commitment continues to be to learning. As we work with children each day, our goal remains the same: creating lifelong learners.

When Montessori education began, Maria Montessori could not have imagined the tools available to us today. However, she created tools that continue to guide, support and ignite passion for learning.

Whether children and teachers are using a pink tower, language materials, the checkerboard, an iPad or laptop, learning is the goal. Connecting ideas, collaborating with others, getting feedback that encourages further questioning and learning are the foundations of a robust learning environment and continue to be the foundations of learning at WMS.​

Is Curriculum Covered or Uncovered?

23 Thursday Oct 2014

Posted by Lisa Lalama in Learning, Montessori Education, Teachers

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AMS, education, montessori, Montessori education

Exploring EngineeringSo often the goal of education is to cover curriculum: addition of fractions, multiplication of large numbers, writing paragraphs, U.S. history, biology and so on. What if the goal is to uncover knowledge rather than to cover it? What if children were presented with ideas, questions and problems rather than answers and solutions? What would happen?

For most of us, our education consisted of a series of topics that we were tested on before moving on to the next. If we were lucky, we had more than one opportunity to be introduced to a topic so that perhaps we might retain the knowledge and connect it to other things we had learned. If we weren’t as lucky, we quickly forgot what we learned after the test or paper was submitted. That is what school looked like from its inception in the 1800s.

Today education can be so much more. Children have the opportunity to explore ideas they are passionate about. They can take the time to thoroughly understand a concept, ask questions and create meaningful learning and connections. Yes, they still learn to read, write and do arithmetic. But they also have the opportunity to experience so much more.

At Wilmington Montessori School, we are fortunate to have teachers who are trained Montessorians. At the very foundation of their training, they understand what it means to allow children the time they need to be introduced to a concept, explore and ask questions, and to work toward mastery.

Time. It is something adults often can be heard saying they don’t have enough of. It is a value deeply held in the Montessori philosophy of education. Children need time – time to explore; time to observe; time to question; time to connect the ideas and information they are being exposed to. They need time to uncover the possibilities and to engage in their learning in ways that were not possible for most of us as elementary students.

As you walk through the school, take the time to see what our children have uncovered this week. What you see may ignite curiosity and wonder.

2014 Nobel Peace Prize Winners Show Commitment to Children’s Rights

16 Thursday Oct 2014

Posted by Lisa Lalama in Uncategorized

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advocacy, children's rights, education, GCAP, Kailash Satyarthi, malala, Malala Yousafzai, Montessori education, Nobel Peace Prize, United Nations, Wilmington Montessori

nobel prize

Last week, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai for their commitment in working for the rights of children in the world. Education is something that many people take for granted. In some parts of the world, it is “guaranteed” – so too is the ability for children to enjoy a childhood rather than to be exploited and sent to work at a young age. The Nobel Peace Prize this year reminds us that these struggles are not yet ended. We need to advocate for the rights of every child.

Next week, our sixth-grade class will attend the Global Citizenship Action Project in New York City. Through this project they will visit the United Nations and be reminded of the rights of all people throughout the world, and especially the children of our world. Congratulations to Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai. Thank you for your hard work.

Mindset: Part 2

09 Thursday Oct 2014

Posted by Lisa Lalama in Uncategorized

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#youcanlearnanything, brain, brain development, Carol Dweck, fixed mindset, growth mindset, Kahn Academy, mindset, Salman Khan

Researchers have found that exposure to mindset research can help you develop a growth mindset. With this in mind, I hope you will take the time to watch the short video above and read this post by Salman Khan for more information about the connection between the growth mindset and learning.

Mindset

02 Thursday Oct 2014

Posted by Lisa Lalama in Montessori Education, Research

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

brain, Carol Dweck, education, fixed mindset, growth mindset, materials, mindset, montessori, Montessori education, motivation, research, self-correcting

Fixed and Growth Mindsets
This summer, our staff read Carol Dweck’s Mindset. Her work is an inspiration to each of us.

Dweck proposes two mindsets: fixed and growth. You can infer the meaning of each. A fixed mindset is a mind made up. It seeks validation of its thinking by external praise and assurances of inevitable failures. Many of us experience a fixed mindset when we try things that are difficult and have been difficult for a long time. For example, if you can never quite make that shot in basketball or get that soufflé to rise, you could begin to think those things will never happen for you and decide to stop or settle for less.

A growth mindset is one that considers possibilities and is not easily discouraged. It recognizes effort over ability. We possess each of these mindsets in varying circumstances. In our work with children, we strive to encourage children to develop a growth mindset, to practice and learn from their practice. Most things are not learned in one sitting; they require multiple attempts.

Dr. Montessori designed materials to be self-correcting. They allow children to try and try again and learn from their errors. She knew that children want to learn. They want to ponder what went well and what may have gone wrong. They practice and are proud when they figure it out.

Where do you have a fixed mindset? How do you embrace a mindset that promotes growth and learning?

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