My first year in a Montessori environment was as an assistant to a seasoned, and I believe, enlightened 3-6 Montessori guide and mentor. I say “enlightened”, because Sue embodied that “lovingkindness” that Dr. Montessori promoted in her writings and is attained through inner spiritual transformation. Sue’s every interaction with the children was imbued with this…
Norms are the unwritten rules and behaviors that govern social settings and interactions, such as raising your hand to get the teacher’s attention. Establishing classroom norms that support learning can make an environment more effective for teaching. Norms Are Not Normalization Norms do not regulate behavior, they regulate conduct. For example, the normative…
Making involves producing something. Whether you write a poem, create a garden, or assemble an electronic kit, “making” is the idea is that you are engaged in an activity that requires creating something and learning takes place as one investigates how to do it, encounters roadblocks, and need to solve problems. Making Meets…
Every aspect of your school is running smoothly and you have all the resources you need for staff development . . . said no school leader ever. Finding the time and resources to train school staff is an arduous and sometimes thankless job, yet one that I find intriguing. Staff members are schools…
Montessori schools attract staff that are committed to respectful interactions with children and yet sometimes those same skills fail to translate into effective communication between adults. School staff climates can be mercurial and depend on several conditions to become healthy and effective, of which communication is at the top of the list! Yet many…