The Montessori Message

The Montessori Message

Monthly Archives: April 2015

Professional Development & Lifelong Learning

23 Thursday Apr 2015

Posted by Lisa Lalama in Camp Montessori, Extended Day Programs, Learning, Montessori Education, Teachers, Wilmington Montessori School

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3-6 classroom, AMS, collaboration, connections, curiosity, lifelong learning, teachers, Wilmington Montessori, Wilmington Montessori School

During the past week, several of our staff members attended workshops to extend their learning. Professional development is a closely held value at WMS. Our teachers, extended day and camp staff, and administrators all participate in professional development throughout the year. It is an opportunity for them to learn, wonder, connect and consider their practice in a different light.

Our primary goals are to do the best job we can at educating children to be citizens of the world, to develop a passion for learning and creating. Inspiring the adults in the community is key to these goals.  In the past few weeks, staff members have attended workshops about autism spectrum disorders, writing with kindergartners, marketing, communications and admissions at independent schools as well as the American Montessori Society annual conference in Philadelphia this March. Learning is not for children only. It is for each of us, no matter our role at WMS.

Though we have attended these workshops and have many more to come over the summer months, what really matters is that we are on a continual learning path. We meet regularly in cohorts within the school; we belong to associations and connect with people who are doing similar work. We share ideas and learn from others. Lifelong learning is a goal for everyone at WMS.

National Poetry Month

16 Thursday Apr 2015

Posted by Lisa Lalama in Wilmington Montessori School

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arts, arts integration, Billy Collins, montessori, Montessori education, National Poetry Month, poetry, The Lanyard, video, Wilmington Montessori, Wilmington Montessori School

April is the month each year devoted to celebrating poetry. Some of us recall the poems we learned or required to read during our years in school. We may or may not have seen them as relevant to our lives.

At WMS, poetry can be found in our classrooms throughout the year. Some children are listening to a poem being read – sometimes more than once – as they begin to memorize the words. Others are writing their own poems after immersing themselves in others’ poems. Some students are making the connections between poems and songs – the rhythm, stressed syllables, pace, emotion and spirit contained in each.

Poetry, though a written literary form, comes from oral speaking and singing tradition. It is meant to be read out loud, to be shared. It has its origins in community and sharing the wonder and spirit of life. Take some time this month to remember a favorite poem or song, and ask your children about a poem they may enjoy, or introduce them to others.

To celebrate poetry, here is a poem for you by Billy Collins, former U.S. poet laureate, as he recalls his childhood.

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Inspiration from Nancie Atwell

14 Tuesday Apr 2015

Posted by Lisa Lalama in making a difference, Montessori Education, Teachers

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9-12 program, center for teaching and learning, Global Teaching Prize, inspiration, nanci atwell, reading, teachers, upper elementary, writing

nancie-atwell-7Last month, Nancie Atwell of the Center for Teaching and Learning won the first Global Teaching Prize. Atwell is a teacher in the small town of Edgecomb, Maine, and is known to so many other teachers throughout the world for her work in literacy, teaching the skills of reading and writing. At WMS, we have used her work as a guiding force in establishing the curriculum for the 9-12 Program.

Although Nancie Atwell’s books are used by many teachers, it is who she is as a person that inspires teachers to refine their practice and do their best for the children they teach. Searching the website for the Center for Teaching and Learning leads one to understand the mission and values of the school, which align with WMS and its mission. Children are accepted for who they are, taught what they need to learn as individuals and given multiple opportunities to understand the concepts being taught. They are approached as individuals first. I have followed Nancie Atwell for years, attended her workshops and worked to incorporate her ideas and lessons into the lessons I taught. She is genuine – a person who listens and learns, inspires, and delights in the children in her classroom and school. It is fitting that she has received this prize and recognition for all that she has done for teachers everywhere.

Note: If you click on no other link, check this link that suggests books for your children to read. It is a great resource.

An Australian Rainforest Biome… with QR codes!

02 Thursday Apr 2015

Posted by Lisa Lalama in Montessori Education, Research, Wilmington Montessori School

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arts integration, Australia, biome, Daintree, iPad, lower elementary, QR code, rainforest, research, technology

Room 17 Biome - Flying SquirrelA few short years ago most of us were not privy to QR codes and their door-opening possibilities. They were certainly on items we purchased and slowly crept onto the books and videos (yes, videos…remember them?) that we checked out to enjoy in our homes. However, they weren’t used by individuals and seemed like “computer speak” that we could not be a part of. That was a few years ago. Now they are everywhere and anyone with a smart phone or tablet is able to easily “read” them.

In the lobby of WMS there is a wonderful replication of a rainforest biome created by the students in Room 17. It is a beautiful display of the creatures, plants and habitats in the Daintree Rainforest in Australia. This year you will notice that there are QR codes at several points as you venture through this rainforest. Please take a moment to listen to the children tell you about their animals and what they have learned through this project. It is delightful to hear about their work in their voices. You don’t have to sign up for a tour as you can go on a self-guided tour with the students there sharing their knowledge. If the iPad is being charged, download a QR reader on your phone, scan and listen. Interactive learning is at your fingertips.

Enjoy the tour!

Room 17 Biome 2015

More photos are available on our Facebook page.

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