Rewards...

"Trying extrinsic rewards to learning- such as giving high grades for doing well on a test or rewarding children for getting good grades- tends to backfire.  Students tend to lose their motivation to engage in that activity once the reward is no longer offered.  Montessori cultivates children's self-motivation; our assessment approaches are holistic, and students don't compete against each other for grades".

Well said!

"Children learn better when they are interested in what is being taught.  Montessori teachers follow their students' interests and nurture their curiosity and imagination, while ensuring that essential skills are learned".

Thought of the Day again...

"Children tend to learn more and become more emotionally mature and well-balanced when they have a sense of freedom, choice, and control over their daily lives.  Considerable freedom of movement and choice of activity are basic aspects of Montessori class is peaceful and based on partnership and respect".

Montessori Moment

"Children learn best when they are allowed to move, manipulate, and do things, rather than simply watch and listen to lessons".

Montessori Madness!

As many of you know, the school I was a lead Montessori teacher at recently closed it's doors.  I was hoping to work "summer camp" but have been blessed with the opportunity to stay home with Giuseppe and Giuliana for one more summer.  We have been keeping really busy!  Many parents of my former students have reached out to me and invited us over for play dates.  Yesterday some of my now mommy friends asked me what I thought about sending their children to a public school next year since the Montessori school closed.  I referred them to this video to think about.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcgN0lEh5IA

Women are Amazing!!

 
Maria Montessori was the first woman in Italy to become a physician.
After completing medical school in 1896, Dr. Montessori was assigned the task of caring for the inmates of the insane asylum in Rome. Housed in this asylum were children who were considered unteachable, unreachable. While caring for their physical needs, Montessori realized that these children needed more than just basic care; they needed an environment and a teaching style that would meet these needs. After five years of working with Dr. Montessori, the children in the insane asylum in Rome were formally tested. The test scores were the same as or higher than the scores of the school children in Rome

What is Montessori education?

Montessori education concentrates on the specific needs of the child. Children are taught on a one-to-one basis in a prepared environment. Montessori believed that ‘there cannot be only one way to learn, any more than there can be only one way to teach.’ The Montessori method has successfully been in existence for over a century.