Mindset

The Growth Mindset Debate: Does It Work?

Many in the education field are familiar with Stanford Professor Carol Dweck’s notion of instilling in children a growth mindset, that is a belief that their intellectual abilities can be developed through effort and practice. Recently, some researchers have challenged her work claiming that further analysis indicates that growth mindset interventions are not particularly effective.…

math hack

An Effective Montessori Math Hack

Part of being a Montessori guide is a commitment to reflecting and adapting our practices to best serve our students.  In today’s parlance this could be considered a “hack”.  As my students these days are adult learners, I tend to focus my reflections on how to better help them transfer Montessori pedagogy into their spirit…

number

Something Comes Before the Number Rods?

If you spend any time whatsoever on social media, and you happen to be in the online world of Montessori, you might be faced with the kinds of questions like I field from parents, newly trained guides, and homeschoolers.   “I’ve introduced all the number rods and numerals, why isn’t my student remembering them?” “If…

dice

A Case for Rolling the Dice: The Mathematical Mind

Montessori preschool environments are renowned for introducing big abstract ideas, such as the decimal system, to young learners through precise, beautiful, instructional materials.   In particular, the Montessori math materials, produce more “aha” moments in learners of all ages than any other curricular area.  For example, just this last summer, I was witness to a…

Self-Regulation: Who Needs It?

Is Self-Regulation Another Neuromyth?   “Famed impulse control ‘Marshmallow Test’ fails in new research” reads the headline.  On June 1, 2018, a number of media sources broadcast the story that the famed Marshmallow Test was flawed, and went on to report that:   “The results, according to the researchers who carried out the new study,…

Plan or Not

To Plan or Not to Plan Student Work Plans

A frequently asked question by Montessori elementary teachers at the beginning of the year is how to set up an effective expectation for student work performance and how to balance this structured plan with the spontaneity of student-chosen subjects.  Maybe this has come about because most adults (including Montessori guides), have acquired a conventional construct for…

observation

Preparing Ourselves for Observation

Delivering a quality Montessori experience for your students is a lot of work.  You prepare and maintain an environment and curriculum that meets every child’s needs, you guide children to uphold their part of a community agreement, you report student progress to parents and administrators: the job of a Montessori guide can be overwhelming and…